The evening began with a heartwarming minute of applause from everyone inside the Gtech Community Stadium for former City captain and manager Tony Book, who sadly passed away at the age of 90.
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF TONY BOOK
It was a competitive first 45 minutes under the floodlights with City coming close on a few occasions, notably through Erling Haaland whose header flew just wide and Matheus Nunes, who raced through on goal but failed to get a shot away, whilst Yoane Wissa threatened for the hosts.
After the interval, the energetic Savinho embarked on a splendid solo run, bursting beyond Vitaly Janelt and striking a powerful effort onto the base of the post.
We remained on the front foot and shortly after the hour mark, De Bruyne‘s whipped cross was gently caressed into the net from six yards via the post by the well-positioned Foden.
The Bees responded well and almost levelled through Wissa, but the striker’s goal-bound effort was superbly blocked by the retreating Nathan Ake.
Foden doubled the lead with 12 minutes left to play, slamming home seemingly at the same time as De Bruyne, after Savinho‘s shot was saved by Mark Flekken.
Wissa pulled a goal back four minutes later, striking into the roof of the net from inside the six yard box, before Christian Norgaard headed in the equaliser two minutes into stoppage time.
Bryan Mbuemo almost won the points for the Bees with nearly the last kick of the game, but again, Ake was well-positioned to head off the line expertly and preserve a point for City.
View the best images from the heart-pounding draw via our gallery below.
