MOSCOW: Manchester City’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League suffered a major blow as they lost a two-goal lead at CSKA Moscow.
Sergio Aguero tapped in Edin Dzeko’s pass to give City the lead in a near-empty stadium with fans banned over previous CSKA disturbances.
James Milner slid home the second and then hit the post, before Seydou Doumbia converted from six yards.
Doumbia was fouled late on and Bedras Natcho levelled from the spot.
The impact of Doumbia from the bench helped prevent a seventh successive defeat in the Champions League for CSKA but his tumble under a challenge from Aleksandar Kolarov will anger the visitors.
Kolarov seemed to simply stand his ground in the 18-yard box but the Hungarian referee pointed to the spot in a moment that may end City’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages for just the second time in four attempts.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side now have two points from three games in Group E after losing at Bayern Munich and drawing at home to Roma.
The result is damaging blow to City’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages and left them with two points from their opening three games, four behind leaders Bayern Munich and two adrift of Roma.
CSKA, who were forced to play behind closed doors due to the repeated poor behaviour of their fans in recent Champions League matches, are bottom of the group with one point. (Agencies)