The Etihad Stadium was evacuated last night about three hours ahead of the Champions League clash with the mighty Barcelona. Staff and supporters already in the stadium early, were evacuated for about 15 minutes before it was determined it was a false fire alarm and all was actually okay. The staff and fans then came straight back into the ground and I bet they’re still glad they did. What an evening!

Hello to all you Manchester City fans out there, my name is James Connors from the football website Two Footed Tackle and I love sport and in particular football. I’m a freelance writer and I recently contacted Let’s All Do The Poznan to see if I could do a guest blog for them. They were more than happy for me to do so, so here goes.

Gundogon celebrates his first goal

Last night I saw goals, early yellow card incidents and great entertainment in both the first half and second half. However, I didn’t see much defending in that first half myself. City were on top early on before a great quick break from Barcelona. Neymar was five yards ahead of City’s last man Gundogon and still 10 yards inside his own half when Messi delighfully played the ball over the top to him. Neymar bombed on followed by City players, but no one kept an eye on Messi who kept up with play himself and then received the ball back from Neymar to slot Barca one-nil up.

City’s poor defending was matched by the away team not long later. Good, sharp passing out from the back looks good when it comes off, but when it doesn’t you look very silly indeed. Aquero received the ball who quickly passed it onto Sterling on the right, who in turn whipped it across the goal for Gundogon to punish them. Going in level at half-time was the minimum City deserved.

It could of been different though, with a couple of penalty claims for both teams. Sterling’s was a definite penalty for me, but I can understand why it wasn’t given by the referee. That is why though, they need to learn that minimum contact when you’re running past someone can look as more than it is.

The outstanding De Bruyne with City’s second goal just after half-time

The De Bruyne free kick at the start of the second half was superb, it reminded me of how Drogba use to strike the ball with the side of his foot. To get the second goal so early was fully deserved too, after the way City started the second half. They got straight at the Barcelona defense from the off, creating a couple of chances even before the goal. It didn’t stop even after that though, they just kept going until the got the third.

Barcleona had one real chance in the second half and that is when they hit the bar, which could of made it 2-2, but it wasn’t to be. The chance actually came from an awful back pass from Stones in their half, after he initially did some great work winning the ball back. Barring that though, it was City who still actually carried on creating chances until they got a two goal lead. Another superb ball from the outstanding De Bruyne into Navas, he cut it back to find Aquero’s arm, whoops, but the rebound fell to Gundogon who put it into the empty net for his fourth goal in his last two games. Manchester City 3 Barcelona 1.

What a victory, what a night for you City fans! I bet you’re still buzzing today and rightfully so.

James Connors Follow @JC_SportsWriter