UEFA Champions League Update

Defending champions Manchester city got all three points in its encounter with Leipzig courtesy of late goals by substitutes Julián Alvarez and Jeremy Doku.

City’s first-half dominance had earned only a one-goal lead through a Phil Foden finish first time from Rico Lewis’s cut-back.

However, Lois Openda’s composed finish on the break levelled the scores and Leipzig asserted themselves throughout the second half, only to face late heartbreak when Alvarez beat Janis Blaswich with six minutes left, before Doku finished off an added-time counterattack.

The win puts City top of Group G with six points from two matches. Leipzig are second, two points ahead of Red Star Belgrade and Young Boys.

Meanwhile Barcelona remain unbeaten this season and are now on top of the table in Group H of the Champions League thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 win against FC Porto at the Estádio do Dragão on Wednesday night in Portugal.

What was expected to be the toughest away game in the group proved to be the case and Barca who were made to suffer for most of the night somehow survived a brutal second half play by the home side.

However, a first half goal from Ferran Torres and a monumental defensive effort were enough to secure all three points and a crucial away result in Europe for a team in desperate need of one.

In Group F, Newcastle United were perfect all over the pitch in their thumping 4-1 win over French giants Paris Saint-Germain.

Miguel Almiron gave the Magpies a dream start as UEFA Champions League football returned to St James’ Park for the first time in 20 years.

Local lad Dan Burn doubled Newcastle’s lead with a powerful header – confirmed after a lengthy VAR review – before fellow Geordie Sean Longstaff netted a third.

Lucas Hernandez got a goal back to breathe some life into the match for PSG, but a 91st-minute Fabian Schar wonder strike sealed victory for Newcastle.