Gabriel Jesus scored a dramatic late equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw for Manchester City at Middlesbrough and put a further dent in the Teessiders’ slim hopes of avoiding relegation from the Premier League.
Fourth-placed City had the chance to go three points clear of local rivals Manchester United, who drew 1-1 with Swansea City earlier on Sunday, but Pep Guardiola’s side were somewhat fortunate to emerge from a closely contested game with a share of the points.
The visitors unsurprisingly had a stranglehold on possession at a sunny Riverside Stadium, but they came up against a well-organised Middlesbrough team who impressed as much with their fast breaks as with their resolute defending.
And Steve Agnew’s men had a deserved lead when Alvaro Negredo scored against his old club in the 38th-minute, firing home his ninth goal of the season to equal his goal tally as a City player in the 2013-14 season.
Sergio Aguero, who limped off late in the match, scored a controversial penalty to haul City level after Marten de Roon was harshly judged to have fouled Leroy Sane in the penalty area, but Calum Chambers pounced on a loose ball in a goalmouth scramble in the 77th minute to restore Boro’s lead.
But with the Riverside faithful preparing to celebrate a priceless win, Jesus headed Aguero’s cross into the net to earn his side a point towards their push for a top-four finish, while Boro are six points adrift of safety with just three games to play.
