Middlesbrough were denied a second victory in four days as Manchester City twice came from behind to earn themselves a late point at the Riverside.
Striker Alvaro Negredo curled Boro in front against his former club prior to the break, but Sergio Aguero cancelled it out from a dubiously awarded 69th minute penalty.
However, on loan Calum Chambers soon restored the home advantage, only for Gabriel Jesus to equalise again just before the end.
Aguero had already proved wide of the mark from the edge of the area, with Dutchman Marten de Roon similarly off-target at the other end.
Jesus then headed wide from close-range – and the visitors were punished when Downing’s low cross was slotted in by Negredo, via the inside of the post.
Goalkeeper Willy Caballero was called upon from Adam Clayton’s low drive following the interval, while Boro counterpart Brad Guzan was similarly tested by Kevin de Bruyne.
But midfielder de Roon’s minimal challenge on substitute Leroy Sane was harshly punished midway through the second-half and Aguero promptly levelled matters from the spot.
Justifiably angered the hosts responded with Downing’s whipped free-kick not held by Caballero and Chambers turned in from close-range.
Unfortunately that restored advantage wasn’t maintained, Jesus rising unopposed to head in Aguero’s chipped delivery and rescuing the visitors a late point.
Middlesbrough: Guzan, Fabio, Chambers, Gibson, Friend, de Roon, Clayton, Forshaw, Stuani (Traore 73), Negredo (Gestede 82), Downing
subs (unused): Konstantopoulos, Bernardo, Fischer, Barragan, Bamford
Goals: Negredo (38), Chambers (77)
Manchester City: Caballero, Kompany, Otamendi, Kolarov, Jesus Navas, Fernandinho, Garcia (Sane 49), Clichy (Sterling 50), De Bruyne, Aguero (Nolito 90), de Jesus
subs (unused): Sagna, Zabaleta, Fernando, Gunn
Goals: Aguero (pen 69), de Jesus (85)
Ref: K. Friend
Att: 29,763
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