Kolarov the unlikely hero as City almost undone by patient Napoli

Manchester City had defender Aleksandar Kolarov to thank for ensuring their Champions League debut did not become an anti-climax at home to Napoli.

The Serbia international succeeded in securing a share of the points, on a night when the likes of Sergio Aguero, Samir Nasri, Edin Dzeko, David Silva and, late on, Carlos Tevez failed to score.

The equaliser was no less than City deserved having dominated throughout, hitting the woodwork twice, but the goal had seemed unlikely with the hosts looking like they had burned themselves out.

Napoli had probably anticipated they would be facing an attacking hailstorm at the Etihad Stadium and but for a couple of chances – Ezequiel Lavezzi hitting the crossbar for instance – they bided their time.

Their plans appeared to have worked when Edison Cavani, Serie A’s leading goalscorer last season, snatched a classic counter-attacking goal.

But Kolarov, who has still to convince after more than a season at City, proved the unlikely hero.

After seeing wave after wave of attacks throughout the first half and much of the second founder on a tough Napoli defence, City had started to run out of ideas with 25 minutes to go.

The canny Italian side had waited patiently for this opportunity and in the 69th minute they seized it with clinical precision.

Gareth Barry lost possession 10 yards outside the Napoli penalty area and left wing-back Christian Maggio raced 50 yards downfield to put Cavani through on the right of the box, and he slid a shot under Hart.

City’s response was instantaneous with Aguero sidefooting Samir Nasri’s near-post cross against the crossbar as a prelude to the equaliser.

In a side brimming with attacking options Kolarov showed them all how it should be done.

His 75th-minute free-kick from the right of the area dipped over the wall and crept in at the near post. It was the Serbian’s last – and most important – touch of a night in which he also broke his nose, as he was immediately replaced by Gael Clichy.

Dzeko pushed his shot on the turn wide from 12 yards before he too made way for Tevez for the final 10 minutes but even the talismanic Argentinian could not produce a winner.