Thanks to VAR, some superb Augustin Marchesin saves and a Ruben Dias miss that made Raheem Sterling’s against Lyon look forgivable, Manchester City failed to turn their dominance into goals during a 0-0 Champions League draw at Porto on Tuesday night.
But while Sergio Conceicao’s Primeira Liga leaders certainly had lady luck on their side, they also had a defender who, at the Estadio do Dragao, performed as if his life depended on it.
Chancel Mbemba made a remarkable 13 clearances; the most of anyone on the pitch.
In fact, only Lokomotiv Moscow’s Brazilian centre-back Murillo has averaged more per game than the DR Congo international during the group-stages.
Mbemba also completed three successful tackles on the night as Porto, who joined City in the knockout stages, kept Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and Ferran Torres off the scoresheet.
All this will not make for pleasant reading for Newcastle United supporters.
The Magpies sold Mbemba to Porto for just £7 million after he fell out of favour under Rafa Benitez and, since then, the giant defender has lifted the Portuguese title while his former employers slip further into mid-table mediocrity.
Furthermore, Newcastle have conceded 28 goals in their last ten matches against Manchester City, including a 5-0 thumping in July.
While Steve Bruce is yet to figure out how to keep City’s fearsome frontline quiet, Mbemba has just shown the Newcastle boss how it is done.
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