Marten de Roon's stoppage-time header earned Middlesbrough a 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Saturday to leave Pep Guardiola's side in a vulnerable position at the Premier League summit. Sergio Aguero's 150th City goal looked to have sent his team three points clear, but De Roon brought the Etihad Stadium back to earth following Tuesday's brilliant 3-1 win over Barcelona in the Champions League.
"We did absolutely everything to win the game," said Guardiola, whose side have drawn their last three home league games 1-1 following previous stalemates against Everton and Southampton. "We controlled the game and in the last minute we concede a goal. It is a pity. We did a lot of good things and tried to win the game. "It is a miss because we have dropped six points in the last three home games, but we are still there. We have to move forward."
City's slip-up means Chelsea can surpass them if they overcome Everton in Saturday's late game, while Arsenal and Liverpool - both just a point off the pace - will also have designs on top spot. Second-place Arsenal tackle Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday's North London derby before Liverpool entertain Watford. Elsewhere, bottom club Sunderland ended their wait for a first win of the season at the 11th attempt by coming from behind to win 2-1 at Bournemouth despite having Steven Pienaar sent off.
Boro's trip to the Etihad reunited Guardiola with his former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes and the Spain international set the tone for his one-time mentor's day. Valdes saved brilliantly from Aguero and David Silva in the first half, while Kevin De Bruyne shot just wide from Aguero's pass. With half-time beckoning, the hosts went ahead in the 43rd minute as Aguero dispatched De Bruyne's sumptuous cross to register his 150th goal in 223 City appearances.
Boro showed more attacking intent in the second half, former City striker Alvaro Negredo almost catching out Claudio Bravo with an audacious lob from his own half before Bravo saved smartly from Adam Forshaw. And after Aguero had squandered a late chance to make the game safe, Dutch midfielder De Roon met George Friend's deep cross with a thumping header to earn Boro a dramatic point.
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