Champions League review:Manchester City are bottom of Group D after a shock defeat to Ajax in Amsterdam this evening, while Arsenal missed the chance to take a stranglehold on Group B when they were beaten 2-0 at home by Schalke 04.
With one point from three games, City’s position is the more precarious and there was little evidence this evening they can turn their fortunes in Europe around. They were outplayed for large swathes of the game and, despite taking the lead through Samir Nasri against the run of play, looked toothless up front even when Roberto Mancini emptied the bench in desperation.
Nasri capped a swift counter-attack with a neat curling finish in the 22nd minute but Ajax captain Siem de Jong struck a crisp equaliser to level it before the break. Niklas Moisander 57th minute header gave the homeside the lead and Christian Eriksen deflected shot 10 minutes later put the game out of reach for City.
City are now bottom of Group D, two adrift of Ajax and six off leaders Borussia Dortmund, who beat Real Madrid2-1 in Germany, outclassing the nine-time champions and choking them with constant pressure.
Poland striker Robert Lewandowski fired the hosts into a deserved 36th-minute lead in front of a sellout 65,000-strong crowd following a poor pass from defender Pepe.
Injury-hit Real bounced back two minutes later with a delicate lob over keeper Roman Weidenfeller from the edge of the box by Cristiano Ronaldo. Dortmund reclaimed the lead with a sweet, first-time shot from defender Marcel Schmelzer in the 64th minute after a weak punch by Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who had made a string of superb saves to keep his team in the game.
The Gunnersare second in Group B, one behind Schalke, who became the first non-English team to win at Arsenal in a European tie for nine years.
Dutchman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar rifled a shot past Vito Mannone with less than 15 minutes remaining to give the German side the lead that their impressive performance deserved.
Arsenal, who had won their opening two games in the group, were subdued throughout as Schalke, semi-finalists two seasons ago, carved out the better chances. Ibrahim Afellay then sent the home fans heading for the exits when he sealed victory late on.
An injury time winner from Kostas Mitroglu gave Olympiakosa 2-1 win over Montpellierand moved the Greek side into third on three points, two ahead of the French outfit. Gaetan Charbonnier had given the homeside the lead before Vassilis Torossidis equalised for Olympiakos.
Two goals from Colombia striker Jackson Martinez handed Portoa hard-fought 3-2 win over Dynamo Kievand allowed them to stay on top of Group A.
The Ukrainians threatened to ruin Porto's day after coming from behind twice to level the match but could not prevent the Portuguese side from ending the day with maximum points from three matches.
Silvestre Varela put Porto ahead after 15 minutes when he received the ball in the box from Argentine playmaker Lucho Gonzalez, gently cushioned it and then blasted the 1-0 straight into the top right corner.
The Ukranians replied swiftly and five minutes later Oleh Gusyev headed in an inswinging corner with Porto keeper Helton slow to react. The home side went back on top 10 minutes before half time through Martinez but in the second half were caught napping by the visitors and Nigerian Ideye Brown levelled again.
Martinez crowned his man-of-the match performance with a tap-in after 78 minutes.
First half goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Jeremy Menez were enough for Paris St Germainto beat Dinamo Zagrebaway and move the French side into second.
Malagastunned seven-times winners AC Milanwhen Joaquin made up for missing a penalty with the winner in a memorable 1-0 Group C win.
After Kevin Constant had brought down Jesus Gamez on the edge of the area, former Spain winger Joaquin drove his 44th-minute spot kick high towards goal but it skimmed the top of the crossbar and flew into the crowd.
However, he made no mistake in the 64th minute when played through by Manuel Iturra and his low shot beat Milan goalkeeper Marco Amelia and went in off the post to give Malaga an impressive three wins out of three.
Malaga have nine points, with Milan on four. Zenit St Petersburghave three after their 1-0 win at home to Anderlecht, with the Belgian side on one.
