Man City were soundly defeated 3-1 at Racing Santander but still finished at the top of Group A.
Hughes' men sunk at El Sardinero but still secure Group A summit
Manchester City were soundly defeated 3-1 by Racing Santander at El Sardinero in the Uefa Cup but Mark Hughes' side still finished at the top of Group A.
Premier League outfit City had already qualified for the last 32 and manager Hughes made seven changes to his side with an eye on Sunday's domestic trip to West Brom, which can be seen live on
Sky Sports 1 and HD 1.
But Santander required a victory to have any chance of progressing and it showed as the Spanish side dominated City in the opening 45 minutes.
The home side took the lead through Jonathan Pereira in the 18th minute when City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel failed to deal with a routine cross from Oscar Serrano.
Santander extended their lead on the half-hour mark with Serrano starting and finishing the move in superb style after exchanging passes with Pereira.
City's Brazilian star Robinho, who started the game, did not return after the half-time interval and his team-mates continued to struggle as Juan Valera added a third for Santander on 55 minutes.
Felipe Caicedo netted a consolation for City in the 90th minute, but Santander - who still failed to qualify due to FC Twente's defeat by Paris St-Germain - secured a deserved victory.
The tone was set as early as the eighth minute when a poor clearance from goalkeeper Schmeichel almost proved costly as Mohamed Tchite's effort finished the wrong side of the post.
Test
Play switched down the other end and Ivan Marcano was hauled back for a challenge on young City striker Ched Evans.
However, Javier Garrido failed to test the goalkeeper, his free-kick going high over the bar.
Santander responded in the 14th minute and Marcano picked out Valera but Schmeichel saved his header with a degree of comfort.
But the City shot-stopper was to blame four minutes later when he spilled Serrano effort at the feet of Pereira, who tapped the ball home.
Pereira rattled in a shot from 25 yards but the goalkeeper was equal to it, before City hit back in the 29th minute when Elano released Pablo Zabaleta - but he saw his effort go high and wide.
A minute later Santander extended their lead with Serrano sending a shot beyond Schmeichel.
Santander were cutting City open with ease and Mohamed Tchite tested Schmeichel with a volley in the 36th minute, following a cross from Pedro Munitis.
Flare-up
There was a brief flare-up 13 minutes later which saw Elano and Cesar Nava both booked by Belgian referee Serge Gumienny.
Santander made it 3-0 in the 55th minute after City failed to cut out a cross from Pedro Munitis.
Marcano headed it on and Valera took full advantage to score from close range.
Hughes obviously saw the need for damage limitation and brought on Vincent Kompany for the ineffective Elano in the 61st minute.
Santander should have made it 4-0 in the 63rd minute when the referee allowed play to continue after Schmeichel barged into Tchite.
However, faced with an open goal he somehow managed to screw his effort across the face of the area and past the post.
City were anxiously trying to get back in the game but Santander were well-organised at the back.
However, substitute Caicedo pulled a goal back for City in stoppage time when he headed in a cross from Zabaleta - the Ecuadorian's first goal for the club.
| Racing |
Team Statistics |
Manchester City |
| 3 |
Goals |
1 |
| 2 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 7 |
Shots on Target |
2 |
| 10 |
Shots off Target |
5 |
| 0 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 3 |
Corners |
5 |
| 11 |
Fouls |
24 |
| 5 |
Offsides |
4 |
| 3 |
Yellow Cards |
5 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 78.3 |
Passing Success |
79.2 |
| 11 |
Tackles |
21 |
| 63.6 |
Tackles Success |
81 |
| 42 |
Possession |
58 |
| 52.4 |
Territorial Advantage |
47.6 |
|
