Manchester City rode their luck at times before showing their attacking prowess to beat a plucky Viktoria Plzen side 4-2 at the Etihad Stadium.
A Sergio Aguero penalty and goals from Samir Nasri, Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko gave the Citizens the edge over their Czech counterparts, securing the fourth win in five Champions’ League fixtures.
The blues opened the scoring on 33 minutes when referee, Firat Aydinus, controversially judged Frantisek Rajtoral to have handled in the box and pointed to the spot. Up stepped in-form Aguero to calmly send Plzen keeper, Matus Kozacik, the wrong way.
Viktoria, displayed their intent throughout the half, finally getting the well-deserved equaliser in the 43rd minute, when the City defence failed to track Tomas Horava, who found the net from outside the box.
The second half started much brighter for City, and on 64 minutes, an inspired Samir Nasri found space to coolly volley a Jesus Navas cross into the goal.
It didn’t take the Czech champions long to equalise however, as five minutes later, a lively Stanislav Tecl provided the finish to a nice short passing move.
Substitute, Negredo put the Citizens back in front on 78, tapping in a low Navas cross just minutes after his introduction.
Out of favour, Joe Hart, capitalised on a confident, polished performance when he denied a third equaliser from a one on one minutes later.
Plzen were continually problematic for the home defence, but when Dzeko headed home a fantastic cross from James Milner on 89, the game was put to bed. No celebration from Dzeko though, who missed many chances and failed to impress throughout.
The Czechs, who terrorised City’s defence throughout, will feel they deserved more from the game, but City claimed the points to stay within reach of group leaders, Bayern Munich.
A Sergio Aguero penalty and goals from Samir Nasri, Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko gave the Citizens the edge over their Czech counterparts, securing the fourth win in five Champions’ League fixtures.
The blues opened the scoring on 33 minutes when referee, Firat Aydinus, controversially judged Frantisek Rajtoral to have handled in the box and pointed to the spot. Up stepped in-form Aguero to calmly send Plzen keeper, Matus Kozacik, the wrong way.
Viktoria, displayed their intent throughout the half, finally getting the well-deserved equaliser in the 43rd minute, when the City defence failed to track Tomas Horava, who found the net from outside the box.
The second half started much brighter for City, and on 64 minutes, an inspired Samir Nasri found space to coolly volley a Jesus Navas cross into the goal.
It didn’t take the Czech champions long to equalise however, as five minutes later, a lively Stanislav Tecl provided the finish to a nice short passing move.
Substitute, Negredo put the Citizens back in front on 78, tapping in a low Navas cross just minutes after his introduction.
Out of favour, Joe Hart, capitalised on a confident, polished performance when he denied a third equaliser from a one on one minutes later.
Plzen were continually problematic for the home defence, but when Dzeko headed home a fantastic cross from James Milner on 89, the game was put to bed. No celebration from Dzeko though, who missed many chances and failed to impress throughout.
The Czechs, who terrorised City’s defence throughout, will feel they deserved more from the game, but City claimed the points to stay within reach of group leaders, Bayern Munich.