Aguero: Scored the winner

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FC Porto 1-2 Manchester City

Sergio Aguero struck late as Manchester City beat FC Porto 2-1 in the first leg of a Europa League last-32 tie on Thursday night.

Substitute Aguero’s 84th minute winner sniped the points at Estadio do Dragao after an own goal by Alvaro Pereira cancelled out Silvestre Varela’s first half opener for the Portuguese champions.

The contest was a scrappy affair, with the hosts coming close to scoring on 15 minutes as Rolando’s header was cleared off the line by Gael Clichy.

At the other end, Micah Richards and Samir Nasri threatened with decent strikes but Porto goalkeeper Helton Arruda was equal to the challenge.

The Dragons then broke the deadlock in the 27th minute through Varela, who pounced from close range following a low cross from the left by Hulk.

The Citizens nearly hit back before the break but Mario Balotelli’s shot was beaten away by Arruda after the Italian was put through on goal by Nasri.

Roberto Mancini’s men equalised 10 minutes into the second period, albeit through the hapless Pereira. The Porto player put the ball into his own net following a long ball over the top intended for Balotelli.

With the spoils seemingly destined to be shared, Aguero shook up the script late on when he converted a simple chance inside the box after being teed up by the influential Nasri.