City reach last 16 after draw with Monchengladbach

David Silva’s deft equaliser ensured Manchester City reached the Champions League knockout stage for a fourth consecutive season with a draw at Borussia Monchengladbach.

City trailed when Raffael powered a rising 15-yard drive past Claudio Bravo from a central position.

But Silva slid in at the near post to convert Kevin de Bruyne’s low cross before the break.

City improved after half-time, helped by the dismissal of home skipper Lars Stindl for two yellow cards.

However, the visitors were also reduced to 10 men when Fernandinho was booked for a second time for a needless tug on Raffael’s shirt inside the Monchengladbach half.

Despite more space for both sides to exploit, the game failed to open up in the final half-hour.

But the point, coupled with Celtic’s home defeat by leaders Barcelona, clinches second place in Group C for Pep Guardiola’s men.

The Blues cannot catch the Spanish champions, who are four points clear with one round of matches to play.