De Bruyne, Foden scores as City beats Dortmund

It was a night when it was possible to sense a rare anxiety in Manchester City, when they failed to assert their usual control against a Borussia Dortmund team that had arrived at low ebb. And yet it was one, ultimately, that ended with them finding a way to win, to take a lead into the second leg of this Champions League quarter-final, into Pep Guardiola’s mission to tread uncharted territory at the club. When the manager can call upon players of the quality of Kevin De Bruyne, he will always have a puncher’s chance.

De Bruyne had given City the early lead and, although plenty happened after that, with Dortmund impressing with their approach and England’s Premier League champions elect living on their nerves at times, it was De Bruyne who helped to make the difference at the last. The City captain spotted Ilkay Gündogan’s run towards the far post and, when he picked him out with trademark whip and precision, Guardiola could sense the upper hand. Gündogan’s composure was pronounced, his touch inside finding Phil Foden and the finish from the young midfielder was true. Foden had spurned chances earlier on, but not this one. The City celebrations were visibly tinged with relief.

Moments earlier, Dortmund had got the away goal that their football deserved. They had been denied it in controversial fashion on 37 minutes when a refereeing error stood in the way of Jude Bellingham, the 17-year-old England international, who starred with his cut and thrust. Now Bellingham found Erling Haaland, when he played in Marco Reus, City were carved open. Reus thrashed his shot past Ederson and the thought occurred that City were heading for another unwanted result in the competition that Guardiola is most determined to win with them.

In four previous attempts, Guardiola has never got beyond the last eight with City, and the names of his conquerors are etched into his history. Monaco, Liverpool, Tottenham, Lyon. On this evidence, it will be nervy in the return but at least City have the edge.

Their status as red-hot favourites to advance had been reinforced over the weekend as they won at a canter at Leicester to remain clear at the top of the Premier League while Dortmund suffered a damaging home loss to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. It has left them seven points behind fourth-placed Frankfurt and, with seven games to play, in danger of missing out on Champions League qualification via that route.