Middlesbrough vs Manchester City. Premier League.
Riverside StadiumAttendance29,763.
Sunday 30 April 2017 19:34, UK
Manchester City twice came from behind to dent Middlesbrough's Premier League survival hopes with an absorbing 2-2 draw at the Riverside on Sunday.
Former City striker Alvaro Negredo put Boro ahead in the 38th minute, only for Sergio Aguero to reply from the penalty spot after half-time.
Boro were fuming at the award of the spot-kick for a foul on Leroy Sane, but they were ahead again in the 77th minute when Calum Chambers finished from close range.
They failed to see out the win, however, as Gabriel Jesus snatched a point for City when he headed in with five minutes remaining.
While a point apiece was probably a fair result on the balance of play, it appears more valuable for City than Boro, who are now six points from safety with three games left to play.
City stay fourth, but miss the chance to capitalise on Manchester United's earlier draw against Swansea.
Pep Guardiola made five changes from the stalemate with United on Thursday, with Aleix Garcia making his first Premier League start, Willy Caballero replacing the injured Claudio Bravo in goal and Jesus starting for the first time since February 13.
An open start to the game saw Aguero and Negredo both fire across the face of goal in the early stages.
But City's threat waned as the half wore on and Marten de Roon went close for the hosts when he shot over from 10 yards out.
Jesus headed wide from a good position shortly afterwards, but Boro took the lead in the 38th minute as Negredo finished from the edge of the box after a swift break.
City needed a spark and they improved significantly after the introduction of Sane and Raheem Sterling early in the second half.
The equaliser, though, came in controversial circumstances as Sane appeared to be already falling as he went down in the box under a challenge from De Roon.
Boro players were clearly angered by the decision to award the penalty, but Aguero kept his cool from the spot as he fired into the corner.
City were not level for long as Negredo did well to keep the ball alive in the box and then pass through for Chambers to finish from six yards out.
However, Jesus snatched a point for City when he headed in from Aguero's cross with five minutes remaining.
Player ratings
Middlesbrough: Guzan (6), Fabio (6), Chambers (8), Gibson (7), Friend (6), De Roon (5), Clayton (6), Forshaw (5), Stuani (5), Negredo (7), Downing (5).
Subs: Gestede (5), Traore (5).
Man City: Caballero (5), Kompany (6), Otamendi (5), Kolarov (6), Jesus Navas (5), Fernandinho (6), Garcia (5), Clichy (5), De Bruyne (6), Aguero (7), Gabriel Jesus (7).
Subs: Sterling (7), Nolito (5), Sane (7).
Man of the match: Calum Chambers.
