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Manchester City 1 Middlesbrough 1

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Marten de Roon headed a dramatic injury-time equaliser for Middlesbrough in a 1-1 draw with Premier League leaders Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Boro appeared destined for a narrow defeat despite an always well-drilled performance, until George Friend’s fine 91st minute cross was superbly converted by the Dutchman.

Argentine striker Sergio Aguero had earlier given the hosts the lead just before the break, but they were unable to add to that as both their top goalscorer and Kevin de Bruyne missed further opportunities.

City were to enjoy virtually all the possession during the opening half and goalkeeper Victor Valdes thwarted David Silva while both De Bruyne and Aguero were narrowly wide.

However, Aguero tucked in de Bruyne’s 43rd minute cross to ensure an interval advantage for the hosts that may have been even greater when Jesus Navas was only denied by the woodwork.

The visitors improved as an attacking threat following the restart with Alvaro Negredo’s audacious lob from just inside the opposition half forcing keeper Claudio Bravo to backtrack and help over.

Bravo was then called upon to block from Adam Forshaw while a couple of Aguero replies failed to arouse serious concerns at the other end.

Boro’s Stewart Downing next drove wide through a crowded area before the unmarked Aguero should really have added his second when only managing to steer his finish behind.

And that was to prove very costly as Friend’s excellent whipped stoppage-time delivery was decisively met by de Roon to the delight of the celebrating travelling supporters.

Manchester City: Bravo, Zabaleta, Stones, Kolarov, Clichy, Fernandinho, Gundogan (Nolito 75), Jesus Navas (Garcia 86), De Bruyne, Silva, Aguero (Iheanacho 90)

subs (unused): Kompany, Caballero, Sane, Maffeo

Goals: Aguero (43)

Middlesbrough: Valdes, Barragan, Chambers, Gibson, Friend, Traore (Stuani 90), de Roon, Clayton, Forshaw, Downing (Fischer 78), Negredo

subs (unused): Fabio, Bernardo, Leadbitter, Guzan, Nugent

Goals: de Roon (90)

Ref: K. Friend

Att: 54,294

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