Gabriel Jesus scored a late equaliser as Manchester City twice came from behind to rescue a point in the race for a top-four finish and dent Middlesbrough’s Premier League survival hopes.
Boro thought they had secured a valuable win when Calum Chambers poked in from close range on 77 minutes, only for Jesus to rise and convert Sergio Aguero’s cross with five minutes remaining.
It was a cruel blow for the tenacious hosts, who led at the break through Alvaro Negredo’s curling strike against his former club, before Aguero levelled with a penalty on 69 minutes after Marten de Roon was penalised for a trip on Leroy Sane.
There was minimal contact as Sane appeared to run into De Roon’s standing leg and the decision by referee Kevin Friend incensed Boro, who used their anger to drive them on to take the lead once more.
But they switched off defensively as Jesus capped his first start since recovering from a broken metatarsal with goal.
Fourth-placed City remain one point ahead of rivals Manchester United, but miss the opportunity to go ahead of Liverpool in third.
A point for Steve Agnew’s side matches the results of relegation rivals Hull City and Swansea this weekend, but leaves them six points from safety, with only three games remaining.
