Football: Juve score late as City lose for first time this season

Juventus forward Mario Mandzukic (centre) scores past Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala. AFP

MANCHESTER, England (REUTERS) - Juventus came from behind to hand Manchester City their first defeat this season as Mario Mandzukic and Alvaro Morata gave the Italian champions an opening 2-1 win in Group D of the Champions League on Tuesday.

Premier League leaders City were fortunate to go ahead after 57 minutes when Vincent Kompany, climbing all over Giorgio Chiellini, saw the defender head an own goal as the home skipper wheeled away to celebrate instead of being punished for a foul.

But Juve pulled level in the 70th minute when Mandzukic touched the ball in off the post after Paul Pogba sent in a high cross from the left.

It was the first goal City had conceded after five domestic league wins so far this term but worse followed when Morata scored with a 20m left-foot curler in the 81st minute.

City, who had failed to win their first home match in all their previous four Champions League campaigns, had a great chance to take a grip in the opening minutes when Yaya Toure set up Raheem Sterling but the winger wasted the chance when his weak shot was saved by goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon's feet.

Wilfried Bony should have done better for City midway through the first half when he showed great skill to get clear of the Juve defence before slicing wide.

Fernandinho then went close for the hosts with a fierce shot that flew over the bar but Juve otherwise looked comfortable although they did not seriously test City keeper Joe Hart until Stefano Sturaro forced him into a smart save after an hour.

However, last season's beaten Champions League finalists, without a win in their three opening Serie A matches, found the net twice in the closing stages to snatch all three points.

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