Manchester City 5 Monaco 3: John Stones ‘thrilled to bits’ to make amends by scoring after defensive howler
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JOHN STONES went from zero to hero on a mad Champions League night at the Etihad.
The England defender, 22, grabbed City’s fourth goal — after making a howler at the other end.
Outcast Sergio Aguero scored two and made Leroy Sane’s fifth while Willy Caballero saved a penalty.
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Stones said: “I’m thrilled to bits. I needed to make amends after what happened at the other end so to get a goal was delightful.
“It was a crazy game. The three goals we conceded are one of the things we need to work on.
“But there was great team spirit, great desire and great goals.
“We created so much and maybe could have had a few penalties.”
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City looked like suffering more Champions League heartache thanks to a Radamel Falcao-inspired Monaco.
The Colombian striker did in an hour what it took him 15 matches to do at Old Trafford — score twice in Manchester.
But he was helped for his second as Stones dallied on the edge of the box.
Falcao nicked the ball off him before producing a sublime chip over Caballero.
Nicolas Otamendi also suffered a defensive nightmare as he ball-watched for Kylian Mbappe’s goal and gave away a penalty.
But Caballero twice stopped Falcao getting a hat-trick, saving the penalty and brilliantly stopping a late effort with his leg. City were also denied two penalties after challenges on Aguero — harshly booked for diving — and Raheem Sterling.
Caballero said: “It was crazy.
“We studied a lot with Falcao and the rest of the penalty takers.
“I was lucky to choose the right side.
“We conceded easy goals and chances but stayed in the game.
“It was fantastic and we are very happy.”
City boss Pep Guardiola fumed on the touchline at missing out on the penalties, but was ultimately happy.
He said: “You need this experience to learn and improve.
“It’s just the first step. We have to score goals there.
“Defending will be almost impossible because they are able to score two, three or four goals. I know that.
“We think in the attack, attack, attack.
“It’s a good result. It could be better, it could be worse.”
TV pundit Steven Gerrard slammed some of City’s defending. He added: “It was like football suicide.
“Both teams have big problems at the back.
“But it was breathtaking stuff.”