Kevin de Bruyne strikes at the death as Man City come from behind
City had looked to be labouring to another unconvincing result in the competition, with only an Adil Rami own goal after Yevhen Konoplyanka’s earlier strike saving them from possible defeat at the Etihad Stadium.
But as the game moved into four minutes of added time, De Bruyne raced on to a Yaya Toure through-ball and guided a shot into the bottom corner.
The goal transformed the mood at a hitherto subdued ground, with the even later introduction of Vincent Kompany off the bench further lifting fans.
City boss Manuel Pellegrini said: “It was a very close game the two teams played very well and made no mistakes. We had character to the end and got the goal.”
De Bruyne said: “Even though we did not have our best game we tried to look for the victory and in the end we could score. We have a team to attack and we will try to get the three points in Sevilla too.”
Goalkeeper Joe Hart added: “Sevilla have earned the right to be in this competition and they made it difficult for us. They would have been happy with a draw but Kevin has found a fine finish to win us the game. We are working hard as a team — we are attacking so we know we will leave it short at the back at times.”
Pellegrini’s decision to leave Kompany on the bench for a second successive game was one of the night’s major talking points.
Pellegrini has not started his captain since expressing frustration at his recent appearance for Belgium after a spell out injured.
It was a decision that looked likely to backfire as City continued to look vulnerable in his absence and were regularly cut open by the Spaniards on a drizzly evening. City did create numerous chances but lacked the composure of the visitors, who also hit the woodwork through Konoplyanka.
Some of City’s better moments came early on and Jesus Navas, hoping to make his mark against his home-town club, had the first opportunity of the night with a well-struck shot from distance.
De Bruyne then teed up Toure with a good ball into the box but the midfielder missed the ball and Bony’s subsequent effort lacked power. De Bruyne also shot across goal but, despite these chances, City spent most of the first half on the back foot.
Konoplyanka was the obvious dangerman and he smashed a free-kick against the post before Joe Hart saved Grzegorz Krychowiak’s follow-up strike.
Konoplyanka saw another chance deflected wide and Krychowiak missed the target with a free header from one of several Sevilla corners.
City had to rely on counter-attacks and Navas might have done better with one opportunity in front of goal before Yaya Toure saw a shot deflected over.
The home defence was cut open time after time and it eventually caught up with them as Vitolo squared for Konoplyanka to fire home the opening goal after 30 minutes.
City did produce a good response and they levelled within six minutes. Toure drove to the byline and pulled the ball back across goal. Raheem Sterling’s shot was saved but Bony reacted quickly to the rebound and the ball was deflected in off Rami.
But despite the leveller, City continued to look vulnerable with Vicente Iborra heading over a good chance before the break and Kevin Gameiro similarly wasting an even better chance after the restart.
The second half was more subdued than the first but Iborra sliced a volley wide and substitute Michael Krohn-Delhi also missed the target as Sevilla continued to carry the greater threat.
City’s supporters were clearly anxious and it was Sevilla’s who were the more vocal but the hosts roused themselves in the closing moments.
Toure forced a good save from Sergio Rico with 89 minutes on the clock and De Bruyne then had the final say.
Hart, Zabaleta (Kolarov 60), Otamendi, Mangala, Sagna, Jesus Navas, Toure, Fernandinho, De Bruyne (Kompany 90), Sterling, Bony (Fernando 76).
Sergio Rico, Coke (Mariano 84), Rami, Kolodzieczak, Tremoulinas, Vitolo, Iborra, Krychowiak, Konoplyanka (Nzonzi 78), Banega (Krohn-Dehli 66), Gameiro.
Bas Nijhuis (Holland).
