It was a top of the table clash in Group D and the result means little changes at the table’s summit, with both teams now level on seven points after three games.
A hard surface meant it took City a while to settle into the game, but the young Sky Blues went on to dominate the contest and will perhaps feel they should be leaving Russia with all three points.
To their credit, the hosts put in an impressive defensive display and made it hard for Vieira’s side to break them down. As a result, City had to wait 74 minutes before finding a breakthrough via the lively Devante Cole.
After some great work from Ash Smith-Brown down the right, the striker rose above the Russian outfit’s backline and headed home from close range, nothing less than the visitors deserved.
CSKA had their chances too with early first half substitute Svyatoslav Georgievski making his presence felt, the striker unlucky not to get his name on the score sheet with two clear cut chances in the first half.
Some fine goalkeeping from Angus Gunn kept the visitors at bay, but he could do little for the equaliser when on 80 minutes City were caught on the break, offering Ruslan Gordienko an opportunity to slot home and level the score.
Cole had an opportunity win it for City in the dying moments and the striker was extremely unfortunate not to do so, his header defied by the woodwork.
There were some very pleasing performances on the day from this young City side with midfielder Jack Byrne again at the heart of everything, pulling the strings and picking out passes from the middle of the park. The game also saw Jose Angel Pozo get his first taste of European action this season having made a recent return from injury.
All in all, on a cold day in the Russian capital, it was a very positive performance from a side that continues to impress in this competition.
