Old Lady Beats City Blues

Juventus came from behind to consign Manchester City to a disappointing 2-1 home defeat in their Champions League opener.

Raheem Sterling missed a good early chance for the Premier League leaders before Giorgio Chiellini headed into his own net in the 57th minute under pressure from Vincent Kompany.

The Italian side replied through Mario Mandzukic and then a fantastic 81st-minute strike from Alvaro Morata secured their first victory since winning the Italian Super Cup at the start of August.

Even the late introduction of Sergio Aguero could not inspire City as they were beaten in the Group D clash.

The defeat ends City's perfect start to the season and will again raise questions over their European ambitions ahead of a trip to Borussia Monchengladbach, who lost their opener 3-0 to Sevilla.

With five wins from five league matches, City started as favourites against a Juventus side who had taken just a point from their opening three Serie A games and lost Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal in the summer.

Manuel Pellegrini sprang a surprise by naming Aguero among the substitutes, just a day after saying he would not be fit to play. Kevin De Bruyne was also on the bench while David Silva and Sterling both started.

It was Sterling who had the best opportunity of the first half as he was played through by Fernandinho in the second minute but saw his shot saved by Gianluigi Buffon.

The Italians thought they had taken the lead in the 12th minute when Paul Pogba headed in Juan Cuadrado's right-wing cross, but it was ruled out as Morata was offside and interfering with play.

Despite their contrasting fortunes domestically this season, there was little between the sides as City struggled to make any inroads against a compact defence.

When they did create a clear chance, Wilfried Bony sliced wide from a promising position just outside the box.

Other than that, the hosts were largely restricted to long-range efforts, with Fernandinho going closest with a well-struck shot that flew just past the post.

It looked like it would be more of the same after the break as Juve continued to frustrate City.

However, the deadlock was broken in the 57th minute when Kompany climbed above Chiellini from a corner and the Italian was unable to prevent the ball bouncing off his head and into the net.

Juve protested that Kompany should have been penalised for a foul but they were fortunate not to fall further behind a few minutes later as Sterling was again denied by Buffon.

Stefano Sturaro missed the visitors' best chance in the 63rd minute when he had a shot from the penalty spot saved by Joe Hart.

But Juve did draw level a few minutes later as Paul Pogba was given too much time to curl a ball into the box for Mandzukic to guide in off the post.

City responded by throwing on De Bruyne for his Champions League debut and bringing on Nicolas Otamendi for Kompany, who appeared to pick up a thigh injury.

However, Otamendi could do nothing to prevent Juventus snatching victory as Morata curled a brilliant left-footed shot around Hart from the right.

A desperate Pellegrini threw on Aguero for the final few minutes but he was unable to save City from defeat.

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Scotland Unable to Keep Kompany

Scotland's fading hopes of making the World Cup finals in 2014 were surely dashed as they were beaten 2-0 by a quality Belgium side.

Craig Levein's troops defended for their lives, with Allan McGregor in superb form, until two goal in as many minutes from Christian Benteke and Vincent Kompany settled the Group A tie.

McGregor had earned his match fee inside the first 15 minutes as waves of red shirts poured forward with Dreis Mertens and Axel Witsel in particular causing havoc.

As the pressure mounted, Dries Mertens cut the ball back but Benteke failed to make contact with the goal at his mercy.

When the Scots finally broke the shackles, Thibaut Courtois had to be at full stretch to claw away Shaun Maloney's free-kick.

But it was a rare threat for the hosts, as Nacer Chadli and Moussa Dembele both went close, the Scots mounting an increasingly desperate rearguard action.

Kris Commons did work the goalkeeper with another decent free-kick before Benteke hit the top of the crossbar with a towering header.

Darren Mackie almost got on the end of Danny Fox's swinging cross but the introduction of substitute Eden Hazard ensured there was to be no let-up for the overworked Scottish defence.

The inevitable duly arrived on 69 when Kevin De Bruyne chipped the ball to the far post and Benteke powered in the header.

The Scots had barely regrouped when Kompany (71) worked space to hammer the ball into the roof from 15 yards and there was no way back for the leg-weary visitors.

Levein made one change from the side who lost to Wales, with Wigan midfielder James McArthur drafted into the starting line-up in place of Scott Brown.

Belgium looked dangerous right from the first whistle and a Gary Caldwell error allowed Dries Mertens to burst into the box.

But goalkeeper McGregor came to the rescue and blocked superbly at both attempts by Mertens to deny the home side the opener early on.

Fortunately for the Scots, McGregor was on top form and he also saved well from Chadli at the near post before diving bravely to the feet of the same player to snuff out another threat.

After a period of intense pressure from the Belgians, a mis-hit shot from James Morrison caused more problems than it should have for Courtois.

The goalkeeper looked more convincing when he prevented a curling free-kick from Maloney from finding the top corner.

At the other end, Chadli was given enough space to unleash a thunderous strike from 25 yards that whistled inches past the post, before Dembele and Mertens both saw efforts fall wide of target.

With half-time approaching, Scotland threatened from another free-kick, with Commons forcing a decent save from the keeper on this occasion.

Both sides made a change at the interval, with Jamie Mackie replacing Commons and Dembele making way for Hazard.

The Belgians hit the woodwork within five minutes of the restart when Benteke threw himself in front of Toby Alderweireld's cross only to see his header clip the crossbar on the way over.

Kevin Mirallas was thrown into the action for Mertens, before McGregor was shown the first yellow card of the game for time wasting on the hour mark.

The breakthrough came for the Belgians after 69 minutes when Benteke bulleted home a header at the back post, eventually beating the impressive McGregor.

Belgium doubled their lead a minute later when Kompany collected from Hazard on the edge of the area and rifled an unstoppable shot into the back of the net.

It was a crushing blow for the Scots, who replaced Steven Fletcher with Kenny Miller, with just over 15 minutes to go.

Blackpool's Matt Phillips was then handed his competitive debut, confirming his allegiance to a Scotland side whose slim hopes of reaching the World Cup finals

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Kompany and City Buzzing

Vincent Kompany was "buzzing" after he scored the winning goal at the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City beat Manchester United 1-0.

The result moved City back to the top of the table on goal difference, with just two games remaining.

The defender was delighted by the result, but knows that the title race is not over yet.

"Absolutely buzzing. We had to work for it. We've been waiting for this moment but it's far from over, we know that," he told Sky Sports.

"But to give our fans two wins over Manchester United this season, we have to finish it off and we have to show it in the next two games."

It was the defender's first goal against Manchester United in nine appearances and he admits he was surprised to get on the score sheet, adding: "I remember someone texting me today and saying I was going to score and I thought he was a lunatic."

Kompany picked up the Man of the Match award, but was keen to downplay his role in the victory.

"This victory goes out to the whole team," he said.

"The performance was great today. I've heard I'm going to pick up Man of the Match but for me it's other players and there were so many great performances and I'm happy for them.

"The chairman came in and had a word with the players and said it doesn't matter what result you have today we're proud of you guys. You've been incredible this season and we feel that we are building for the future, so for us to get this result is a bonus."

Untested

Joe Hart was untested in the Manchester City goal as United failed to register a shot on target in a league game for the first time since 2009.

But he admits he went into the game with some trepidation as no-one could avoid the build-up to the game.

"I think you could feel it. Everyone could feel it. There has been a lot of build-up to this for weeks and weeks and weeks outside of the team, but we've concentrated on what we have to do," said Hart.

"We've not been great sometimes but we're on a good run at the moment and we played a very good side there and beat them.

"I think everyone was nervous. They are a good side and fire balls in.

"But when you've got Kompany, and Joleon (Lescott) and Zaba (Pablo Zabaleta) and (Gael) Clichy and Micah (Richards) came on, they are brilliant and I always feel comfortable."

Focus

Despite going back to the top of the table, Hart was cautious about any talk of winning the title.

He added: "It doesn't change how we feel and how we go into every game. It's great to win tonight, but Newcastle is now our focus and they are really pumping themselves up in the league.

"The game at St James' Park is going to be tough. They have great support there but hopefully we can push on and get one game closer."

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City Get Bad Kompany News

The Football Association has rejected Manchester City's appeal against Vincent Kompany's red card in the 3-2 FA Cup defeat by Manchester United.

The defender, 25, will serve a four-match ban immediately for his two-footed tackle on Nani.

Kompany will miss the Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool and the return tie on 25 January.

He will also be absent from the league trip to Wigan on Monday and the home game against Tottenham on 22 January.

An FA statement said: "The suspension consists of a statutory three-match suspension for serious foul play plus one additional game given this is Kompany's second dismissal of the season."

Very disappointed with the decision. Another blow for us but we have to stay together! We will give 100% for our captain City's Micah Richards on #Twitter

The decision will further frustrate City manager Roberto Mancini - who has defended his call for further investment after drawing scorn on Friday when he claimed the club would struggle to fill the substitutes' bench for the FA Cup game against United.

City have spent approximately £250m on new players since the Italian took charge at the club two years ago.

However, the club are now struggling with a growing injury list with further players unavailable because they're on international duty.

David Silva is a doubt for Wednesday's game against Liverpool, along with fellow strikers Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko, while Yaya and Kolo Toure are on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Mancini was forced to include Abdul Razak and Denis Suarez, who have just six first-team appearances between them, on the bench against United and is now considering involving 17-year-old Dutch defender Karim Rekik in the set up.

"All the people think we have a lot of players," Mancini said. "But we have 19, plus keepers. It is not a big squad.

"If we are unlucky and we have three or four players injured, like at this moment, we can have a problem. The club knows this.

"Until three weeks ago we didn't have any injuries. Now, we have a problem.

"We have players injured and others who went to the Africa Nations Cup at a crucial moment.

"I am not happy about this but we can't do anything about it. If we don't get the players back we will play with the young players.

"If we don't have a central defender we will play with [Karim] Rekik."

KOMPANY'S FOUR-GAME BAN

11 Jan Liverpool (h) Carling Cup semi-final first leg

16 Jan Wigan (a) Premier League

22 Jan Tottenham (h) Premier League

25 Jan Liverpool (a) Carling Cup semi-final second leg