Celtic - Manchester City

After a hard fought battle by both teams, Celtic bring home 3 precious points and continue their campaign to go through to the quarters.
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Referee: Kevin Clancy
Asst. Referee 1: Stuart Stevenson
Asst. Referee 2: Alan Mulvanny
4th Official: Paul Robertson
 
2,500 fans came to Celtic Park on a freezing, foggy night to watch Celtic take on Manchester City in a match they needed to win.
 
The home-side started well and had the best of the opening exchanges. Fifteen minutes in and they could have opened the scoring were it not for a last-ditch sliding tackle from Meppen-Walters, who had covered a lot of ground to make it back for the challenge.
 
Moments later City nearly caught the Scottish side off-guard, however the defence did just enough to put Hiwula off from just yards out.
 
As Celtic began to take control they had a series of chances, the closest being a spectacular curling shot from McGeoch that was just inches over. It wasn't until the 33rd minute that they managed to break the dead-lock, with another shot from McGeoch. This time after a weaving run on the edge of the box he finished with a low drilled shot into the bottom right corner. The keeper had no chance.
 
Seven minutes later they got their second, resulting from one of their many corners. A lofted cross found Fraser who cut into the box with a deft piece of control and fired a half-volley into the bottom right corner again.
 
Man City imposed themselves better in the second half, and their persistence paid off in the 75th minute. After a period of sustained pressure, the ball fell to Rusnak on the edge of the area who placed a clever shot into the top right corner of the net.
 
As Celtic tried to regain control, the game became heated and at times a little scrappy. Both sides worked hard, and the resulting pressure meant neither team maintained possession for long.
 
After a series of free-kicks and yellows, Celtic came close with a glancing header from McGregor that skimmed past the post. As the clock ticked away it was then City's turn to cause a scare, and in the dying minutes they nearly equalised as Thomson came out to catch a corner and missed, fortunately for Celtic the ball landed at a defenders feet.
 
The result leaves Celtic three points behind second place rivals Marseille who they play next month.
 
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CELTIC FCvsManchester City FC
CelticManchester City
2-1

McGeouch, 34'

Fraser, 41'

Ruznak, 67'

Venue: Celtic Park Date: 07 Nov 2011, 19.45 LOCAL time

Celtic:

Line-up: 1. Robbie Thomson 2. Michael Miller 3. Joseph Chalmers 4. Jackson Irvine 5. Marcus Fraser (C) 6. Stuart Findlay 7. John Herron (90') 8. Dylan McGeouch 9. Anthony Watt 10. Paul George 11. Callum McGregor

Subs: 12. Patrik Twardzik 13. Nicholas Feely (GK) 14. Omar Bogle 15. Joseph O'Brien 16. Darnell Fisher (90') 17. Bahrudin Atajic 18. Rhys Murrell- Williamson

Yellow Cards: Miller 90'

Manchester City:

Line-up: 1. Tom Hallshall 2. Tom Smith 3. Ellis Plummer 4. Paul Clowes (69') 5. Sean Tse 6. Courtney Meppen Walters 7. Joan Roman 8. Albert Rusnack 9. Jordi Hiwula (55') 10. Denis Suarez 11. Adam Drury (83')

Subs: 12. Devante Cole (55') 13. Liam Sharp 14. Alex Henshall (83') 15. George King (69') 16. Luke Coulson 17. Greg Leigh 18. George Glendon

Yellow Cards: Plummer 45', Roman 55'