Man City put on a gladiatorial performance in Rome

Samir Nasri got the first in City's 2-0 win

Goals from Samir Nasri and Pablo Zabaleta helped Man City beat Roma and book their place in the Champions League knockout stages.

Both players were on target in the second half for Manuel Pellegrini's side as they clinched a famous victory to finish second in Group E, leaving Roma to settle for a place in the Europa League.

Manuel Pellegrini's men began the game knowing they had a great chance of qualifying for the last 16 if they bettered CSKA Moscow's result against Bayern Munich.

After the Russian outfit fell behind at the Allianz Arena, Man City then needed only to avoid a goalless draw or defeat in Rome and scored twice in the final 30 minutes to ensure they progressed to the knockout stages of the tournament for a second successive season.

Their chances took a blow before the match had kicked off as they travelled to Stadio Olimpico without star striker Sergio Aguero, who suffered a knee ligament injury in Saturday's 1-0 win over Everton, and Yaya Toure, who remains suspended after being sent off against CSKA Moscow.

The Premier League champions were dealt a further setback in the build-up as Vincent Kompany was ruled out of the clash despite traveling with the squad, while David Silva was only fit enough to start from the bench.

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Roma meanwhile restored a number of key players to their starting lineup as Francesco Totti returned to captain the side although Kevin Strootman, Mattia Destro and Daniele De Rossi had to settle for a place on the bench.

Gervinho, also recalled to the hosts' starting XI by Rudi Garcia, was a threat throughout the opening stages but the best chance fell to Jose Holebas inside five minutes.

The Roma left-back appeared to be stood in an offside position when he was picked out inside the penalty area by Totti but as the linesman's flag stayed down, Joe Hart rushed off his line to make a superb reaction save.

City began to impose themselves after 15 minutes when Edin Dzeko, acting as Aguero's replacement, steered a header over from Gael Clichy's cross.

As the Citizens tried to find an opening, Roma began to look dangerous on the break. James Milner saw a shot palmed away by Morgan De Sanctis before Gervinho charged forward and forced Hart to make a save with his fingertips.

Former Arsenal winger Gervinho went close again before half time when he beat Clichy for pace and fired an 18-yard effort straight at the City and England goalkeeper.

City had a goal ruled out when Jesus Navas' deflected effort creeped into the bottom corner, only for Dzeko to be penalised for a foul on Holebas in the build-up, before Milner beat the offside trap and had a shot saved from a tight angle.

The visitors returned for the second half knowing a goalless draw would not be enough to qualify, despite CSKA trailing in Munich, and showed renewed urgency.

Most of their attacking endeavours came to nothing, however, and it took a moment of magic from Nasri, on his 50th Champions League appearance, to give them the edge.

The French midfielder sprang into life out of nowhere and from 25 yards sent a thumping effort in off the post, sending the travelling City supporters behind the Roma goal into raptures.

Roma came close to equalising twice in quick succession. Holebas was again denied by Hart as his header was tipped on to the post and substitute Mattia Destro almost bundled a corner over the line but was denied by Martin Demichelis.

The Italians rarely threatened to cause a City capitulation afterwards and the visitors sealed the result in the final minutes.

Nasri turned provider on this occasion, his low cross finding Zabaleta to sweep a right-footed shot beyond De Sanctis and into the bottom corner.

City held on in the closing stages for all three points to secure second place in unlikely circumstances and will surely point towards last month's dramatic 3-2 victory over Bayern Munich as the turning point in their campaign.

Pellegrini's men will now await the last 16 draw, which will be held on Monday December 15.