Birthday boy Raheem Sterling delighted after double strike earns top spot

The England forward celebrated turning 21 with two goals in two minutes as City came from behind late on to beat Borussia Monchengladbach 4-2 at the Etihad Stadium.

The victory took City above Juventus, who were beaten at Sevilla, to the top of Group D and theoretically means they will get a more favourable draw in the first knockout round.

Sterling told BT Sport: "We have made it hard at times, but the most important thing is that we have shown the character and hopefully we can carry it on to the last 16.

"It's a brilliant feeling for the boys. We have worked hard and we have deserved it at the end of the day."

City were fluid in attack but their frailties at the back in Vincent Kompany's absence were again exposed as Monchengladbach responded to David Silva's early strike with goals from Julian Korb and Raffael.

The hosts fought back in the second half, with Sterling leading their charge. Pressure finally paid off as the £49million man turned in a 79th-minute equaliser from close range and then finished off a swift counter-attack for another moments later.

Substitute Wilfried Bony, the provider of the third goal, got in on the act by adding the fourth five minutes from time.

After defeats at the hands of Barcelona following group runners-up finishes in the past two seasons, the significance of the achievement was not lost on manager Manuel Pellegrini.

Asked if it was the best night in the club's European history, Pellegrini said: "I don't know if it is the best but one of the best. If we play the way we did in the second half we can play against any team.

"It is better to finish first because you can avoid important teams for one stage more."

City's success came on a night when arch-rivals Manchester United failed to make progress as they were beaten at Wolfsburg but Pellegrini did not gloat and instead emphasised his side's achievement.

He said: "The most important thing was to qualify for the next stage - it is not so easy. You must ask another English team - it is not so easy to do it.

"It seems easy, but it is not. This was the Group of Death, the four best leagues in Europe.

"I think the more teams we have in the next round is better for the Premier League and English football, so it is a pity for them (United) and not good for England."

As for Sterling's performance, Pellegrini jokingly said: "It is his birthday and before the game, the minimum I thought he had to do was to score two goals!"