DEADLY DIER HITS SPOT IN LATE SHOW

ERIC DIER's controversial late penalty subjected Manchester City to more Champions League away day blues.

- BY SIMON BAJKOWSKI

City lost at Sporting, Juventus, and Paris St-Germain last year.

And they will need to improve on the road if they want to bypass the dreaded playoff round this season.

Nico Gonzalez looked to have won the ball when he put his foot up to clear a free-kick late on as City looked to defend their 2-1 lead, only for the referee to be sent to the screen to see that there was contact with Dier (inset).

The former Tottenham defender picked himself up and sent Gianluigi Donnarumma the wrong way to put the brakes on City's charge.

A disconsolate Erling Haaland trudged off the pitch at full-time, feeling that his two goals should have been enough to see City over the line.

The Norwegian's goal tally is already frightening, and he is also netting goals he does not normally score.