City march on despite defeat

Manchester City came up short against Racing Santander in Spain but still finished top of their UEFA Cup group.

Manager Mark Hughes made wholesale changes with qualification already assured and vital Premier League game against West Brom to come on Sunday.

And it showed with Jonathan Pereira and Oscar Serrano scoring in the first half with Juan Valera also finding the target. Substitute Felipe Caicedo scored a late consolation goal for City.

The home side took the lead in the 18th minute when Kasper Schmeichel failed to deal with a routine cross from Oscar Serrano.

Schmeichel only succeeded in pushing the ball into the path of Pereira, who tapped the ball home.

Pereira rattled in a shot from 25 yards but the goalkeeper was equal to it, before City hit back in the 29th minute when Elano released Zabaleta - but he saw his effort go high and wide.

A minute later Santander extended their lead with Serrano starting and finishing the move in superb style.

He found Pereira with a glorious 30-yard ball then took the return in his stride to send a shot beyond Schmeichel.

Santander made it 3-0 in the 55th minute after City failed to cut out a cross from Pedro Munitis. Marcano headed it on and Juan Valera took full advantage to score from close range.

However substitute Caicedo pulled a goal back for City in stoppage time when he headed in a cross from Zabaleta - the Ecuadorian's first goal for the club.