12 September 2015
A last-minute winner from Nigerian youngster Kelechi Iheanacho earned the Bianconeri’s upcoming Champions League opponents, Manchester City, a valuable win over Crystal Palace, putting Manuel Pellegrini’s side five points clear of Arsenal in second with maximum points from their first five fixtures.
With Saturday’s clash between the Premier League’s top two heading for a goalless draw after an even 90 minutes, 18-year old Iheanacho, a late substitute for Wilfried Bony, was the quickest to react to Samir Nasri’s blocked shot, poking home from close range to ensure the Citizens protected their imperious start to the season ahead of Tuesday’s Group D opener against Juventus.
Sevilla and Monchengladbach, who meet in Spain on Tuesday 15 September, on the other hand are still looking for maiden wins of the campaign after their Friday night ties.
Unai Emery’s men, the Bianconeri’s first visitors to Juventus Stadium on 30 September, were held to a 1-1 away draw with Levante. French midfielder Steven N’Zonzi, a summer arrival from Stoke, had given the hosts a 12th minute lead and the Andalusians looked solid going into the break.
The home side came back strongly though after the interval and their renewed endeavour earned them an equaliser as Roberto Camarasa netted 30 minutes from time to deny the Europa League champions.
Over in Germany, Borussia Monchengladbach slipped to their fourth consecutive Bundesliga defeat, beaten 3-0 by visitors Hamburg. A Pierre-Michel Lasogga brace before half time put the away side in the driver’s seat before Nicolai Muller added a third shortly after the break, leaving the hosts still awaiting their first points of the season.
