Erling Haaland scored a 78th-minute winner as City beat RB Leipzig 3-2 in the Champions League on Wednesday night, despite twice surrendering the lead.

Enzo Maresca’s side were made to work for their third European victory of the season, with Haaland converting Elliot Anderson’s low cross to settle a five-goal contest at the Red Bull Arena. The result lifted City to seventh in the league-phase standings, although their defensive performance gave Maresca plenty to consider.

Haaland settles five-goal contest

Leipzig had the better chances in the opening half-hour, but City took the lead in the 37th minute when Castello Lukeba turned Nico O’Reilly’s cross into his own net.

Ridle Baku equalised four minutes after the restart, beating Gianluigi Donnarumma at his near post with a tight-angle shot. City regained the lead in the 58th minute when Enzo Fernández headed home Iliman Ndiaye’s cross, only for Antonio Nusa to level three minutes later following a pass from substitute Christopher Nkunku.

Haaland had been relatively quiet for much of the evening, but he made the decisive contribution with 12 minutes remaining, sliding in to finish Anderson’s delivery. It was the Norwegian’s 13th goal in nine appearances against Leipzig.

Haaland admits City must improve

The visitors still had to survive a nervous finish. David Raum struck the crossbar with a free-kick, while Rayan Cherki hit the woodwork at the other end.

Brajan Gruda also had a late equaliser ruled out for offside before City secured the points. Speaking afterwards, Haaland acknowledged that his side had not made the most of their earlier advantage.

“I think we need to step up a bit,” he told Sky Sports.

Maresca was pleased with the result but admitted City had struggled at times against Leipzig’s pace on the counter-attack. The victory ended Leipzig’s perfect home record this season and leaves City with nine points from four Champions League matches.

They return to Premier League action on Saturday with a trip to Nottingham Forest, where Maresca will be looking for a more convincing defensive display.

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Gary Gowers is a sports journalist and the editor of Read Everton, where he leads daily coverage of Everton news, transfers and analysis. He also writes about Manchester City for Read Man City and motorsport for Read Motorsport. A former accountant, he became a freelance writer in 2011 and has written for BBC Sport and Metro.