Manchester City let two-goal lead slip and suffer costly defeat against PSG

Manchester City are in danger of crashing out of the Champions League after surrendering a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 at Paris St Germain.

Jack Grealish looked to have put the 2023 winners on course for a crucial victory at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday after coming off the bench to score and set up another goal for Erling Haaland.

Yet in a dramatic second half, the hosts quickly levelled through Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola before a Joao Neves header put PSG ahead 12 minutes from time.

Goncalo Ramos had the final say in a pulsating contest played in pouring rain when his fine strike was given after a lengthy VAR check in stoppage time.

The defeat leaves City outside the top 24 in the league phase of the competition and needing to beat Club Brugge in their last game next week to reach the play-off round.

PSG, who had been the better team in the first half and had a goal disallowed, leapfrogged Pep Guardiola’s side to keep their own chances of progressing alive.

With both sides having struggled in the competition, there had been an obvious tension in the build-up but PSG, feeding on a lively atmosphere, started well.

Desire Doue tested Ederson in the opening minutes and Ruben Dias was booked for crudely halting a charge from the dangerous Achraf Hakimi. Neves headed over from the resulting free-kick.

City threatened when Phil Foden had a shot blocked and Kevin De Bruyne’s follow-up was pushed away by Gianluigi Donnarumma. Haaland also headed tamely at the keeper.

PSG went close again when a long-range Hakimi effort was saved by Ederson and Vitinha had a shot deflected wide. Fabian Ruiz looked certain to score from the resulting corner but Josko Gvardiol cleared off the line.

City survived a major scare on the stroke