what the papers say

Verdict from Parken Stadium

THE Press pack caught the mood in Copenhagen ... and the general verdict was that 2-2 was cold comfort for City.

Daily Mirror

 Grimm end to Blues fairytale

  "There was no fairytale ending for Manchester City in the home of Hans Christian Andersen as they were denied by a stoppage-time equaliser.

  "City were just seconds away from a fifth win on the road in Europe this season when FC Copenhagen ripped up the script and penned their own dramatic ending.

  "It is still advantage City heading into Thursday's return at Eastlands, but it could have been so much more comfortable for Mark Hughes' side.

  "The commendable draw papers over the cracks of what was another patchy performance from the richest club in the world and but for the efforts of Craig Bellamy and Stephen Ireland, it might have been a different story.

  "The Copenhagen fans unfurled a huge banner before kick-off showing their mascot of a lion holding a mouse in City's colours in his paw with the words 'they might as well be mice because lions don't care'.

  "Copenhagen had not played since their final group game before Christmas, but they showed few signs of rustiness as they put City under the cosh on a snowy night on the shores of the Baltic.

  "The Blues needed a break and they got one on 29 minutes when Jesper Christiansen gift-wrapped them a precious away goal.

  "Ireland played Nedum Onuoha, who had stayed up following a free-kick, through on the left and his tame right-foot effort was fumbled over the line by the hapless Christiansen.

  "He was only playing because first-choice Johan Wiland is ineligible. In the home of Carlsberg, this must rank as probably the worst goalkeeping blunder in the world.

  "City couldn't ride their luck all match and they went to sleep at the back to present the Danes with a goal in the 56th minute. Almeida was left unmarked just six yards out to head home to bring the home fans to life.

  "They were quickly silenced when the Blues retook the lead on 61 minutes through Ireland.

  "Copenhagen seemed to stop playing as Shaun Wright-Phillips ran out of space by the right corner flag, but the England winger somehow managed to squeeze a cross through Atiba Hutchinson's legs and Ireland fired home his 10th goal of a terrific season past a stunned Christiansen.

   "Then with 90 minutes played, Dame N'Doye crossed for Martin Vingaard to head home and thwart City again."

  The Sun

  Late blow after Nedum comedy goal

  "Nedum Onuoha's comedy goal was snow joke for the Danes but it put Manchestr City on the way to the last 16.

  "The England Under-21 defender's feeble effort squirned through the grasp of Jesper Christiansen to gift Mark Hughes' team a first-half lead.

  "City's progress was checked by a last-minute equaliser but, all in all, Sparky's lads can be pleased with their night's work in wintry Copenhagen."

 The Independent

 Vingaard pops up to peg back City

  "A late goal from the substitute Martin Vingaard on his debut left Manchester City cursing their luck in the first leg of this round of 32 Uefa Cup match here in the Danish capital last night. The midfielder stepped off the bench to drag his side level in stoppage time by heading home.

  "It was cruel luck on City, who seemed to be heading to a morale-boosting victory thanks to Stephen Ireland's 10th goal of the season. However, they will take some consolation in that they have the benefit of two away goals in the return leg at Eastlands next Thursday. Nedum Onuoha also found the target before Ailton Almeida raised Copenhagen's spirits by pulling them level."