Manchester City will take a two-goal lead to Monaco in a fortnight’s time after overcoming the French side 5-3 in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
Pep Guardiola’s side have been in decent form in the last few weeks, but twice found themselves behind to the Ligue 1 leaders, with Radamel Falcao’s exquisite chip the pick of the visitors’ goals.
However, a brace from Sergio Aguero and strikes from Raheem Sterling, John Stones, and Leroy Sane secured the victory for the Citizens, who will head to the Stade Louis II in two weeks’ time confident of reaching the last eight.
While there was victory for City, there was defeat for Premier League champions Leicester, who went down 2-1 at Sevilla on Wednesday night.
The Spanish outfit, currently third in La Liga and just three points behind leaders Real Madrid, saw a penalty well-saved by Foxes goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel in a first half they dominated, getting their rewards midway through it thanks to Pablo Sarabia’s header.
They doubled their advantage just after the hour mark through Joaquin Correa and looked set to take a healthy lead to the King Power Stadium in a fortnight’s time, only for Jamie Vardy to net a crucial away goal for Claudio Ranieri’s side 17 minutes from the end.
Unsurprisingly, many supporters took to social media to express their views on this week’s games, with many praising Manchester City’s efforts to overcome Monaco in an eight-goal thriller at the Etihad…
special performance in second half. special CL night. #mcfc
— Daniel (@katangmi) February 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/DylanYarborough/status/834154464223358976
What a game last night #mcfc City haters everywhere must have been gutted… Most exciting Blues performance since 2012 and that game .
— DB (@DB_MCFC) February 22, 2017
Nervous, but beautiful performance! We fight till the end! #cityvmonaco #mcfc
— J_0_E (@JoeMHill) February 21, 2017
Several fans lauded Aguero’s return to form after his brace, while some also recognised Sterling’s excellent performance on Tuesday night…
https://twitter.com/juanparis24/status/834156341631578112
Another performance for the Sterling haters to pretend didn't happen as well #mcfc
— Mike (@Gadget29) February 21, 2017
@aguerosergiokun the best striker in the world, absolute class performance from him today! That's how you finish a game! #MCFC
— George Boulos (@GeorgeTheTank72) February 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/MCX316/status/834169175274823680
https://twitter.com/RealProxze/status/834156778594136067
Leicester looked down and out with 20 minutes to go in Seville, yet Vardy’s crucial away goal has given many Foxes supporters renewed hope going into the second leg…
https://twitter.com/Bintu14p/status/834524014458585088
Actually proud of our performance tonight. #lcfc set up to get a counter attack goal, it worked, whilst only conceding 2. Still in it #lcfc
— Just Josh (@Jshwa4) February 22, 2017
Away goal and decent 2nd half performance away to a team that may well win La Liga this year….oh yes I will take that all day long! #lcfc
— Kevin (@kevbizarre) February 22, 2017
I know we lost, but that was the most Leicester performance I've seen in a while. We fought. That's huge. #LCFC
— Jake Lawson (@karmadrome) February 22, 2017
While goalkeeper Schmeichel was lauded for his first half display, with his penalty save one of many stops that kept the Premier League champions in the tie…
Excellent result. Flattering, if nothing else. Schmeichel MOTM. If we can take that second half performance into the PL we might stay up.
— Callum Ingall (@CallumIngall) February 22, 2017
Schmeichel's penalty save could be massive come 14th March!
— Joshua Jones (@_joshuajones) February 22, 2017
That save by Schmeichel is as good as a goal.
— Mtaa Mentality (@Mbotedenis) February 22, 2017