Davie Weir snatched a late goal in injury time at the Ibrox Stadium to give Rangers a hard fought 3-2 win over City.
Nacho Novo and Kenny Miller also managed to get on the score sheet for Rangers, while goals from Stephen Ireland and Martin Petrov will give Mark Hughes some positives to take away from the game.
It was City who came out of the blocks the fastest, a few good early opportunities were squandered although the link up play between Robinho, Ireland and Adebayor looked promising.
A sloppy pass by Kolo Toure allowed Rangers their first real threat on goal and fortunately for the Ivory Coast international Novo fired wide.
The Spaniard quickly made amends for his earlier error and slotted home from close range after a Lee McCulloch pass.
The goal went against the run of play and Mark Hughes’ side were soon on the attack again looking for a way back into the game.
It was Ireland who found the breakthrough against the Scottish Champions in the 27th minute.
Clever touches from Robinho and Adebayor sent Ireland through on goal, the runner-up to the 2009 PFA Young Player of the Year award passing the ball past the keeper and into the bottom corner.
Adebayor had a chance to take the lead for City late in the first half but a fine tackle from Papac took the ball away from him just as he was about to pull the trigger.
Hughes made a couple of changes at half-time bringing on Martin Petrov and Pablo Zabaleta for Nigel De Jong and Gareth Barry respectively.
It was Rangers who forced the issue early in the second-half as City struggled to adjust to the changes.
On 53 minutes against the run of play, Martin Petrov gave City the lead as he finished from a tight angle past Alexander following a fine run.
The Bulgarian international has now scored two in two and looks like he is on his way to returning to his former-self.
Rangers replied immediately through Miller after a clever ball from Davis put him through on goal. Certainly one to watch again on replays!
Hot-prospect Vladimir Weiss came on for Robinho for the last 10 minutes, the tricky Slovakian creating two glorious opportunities for City to take the lead, both wasted by Etuhu and Petrov respectively.
As the game came to an end, it was the home fans who came away with the win after an injury time strike from Weir highlighted City’s defensive frailties.
Full Time: Rangers 3 Manchester City 2
Goals: Novo 19′ Miller 54′ Weir 90+’ (Rangers) Ireland 27′ Martin Petrov 52′ (Manchester City)
Rangers: Alexander, Whittaker, Weir, Bougherra, Papac, McCulloch, Novo, Mendes, Davis, Miller
Subs: McGregor, Boyd, Velicka, Niguez, Beasley, Lafferty, Fleck
Manchester City: Given, Richards, Dunne, Toure, Bridge, Barry, De Jong, Etuhu, Ireland, Robinho, Adebayor
Subs: Taylor, Zabaleta, Petrov, Ben-Haim, Bellamy, McGivern, Weiss, Clayton, Vidal
Referee: Craig Thomson
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