UEFA Champion League : AS Roma 0-2 Manchester City FC

Samir Nasri was the architect of Manchester City FC's passage to the UEFA Champions League knockout stages, a 2-0 victory at AS Roma consigning the Italian side to third in Group E.

An open game hung in the balance on the hour when Nasri advanced to the edge of the penalty area and hit an unstoppable shot that took a lick of paint from the inside of Morgan De Sanctis' near post on its way in. 

The Stadio Olimpico fell silent, and though they found their voice when Kostas Manolas headed onto the upright, with four minutes left the immaculate Nasri teed up Pablo Zabaleta to end any lingering doubt.

With PFC CSKA Moskva losing 3-0 to FC Bayern München the result was enough to take City into Friday's draw as Manuel Pellgrini's side's campaign gathers timely momentum. Roma at least have the consolation of a UEFA Europa League spot, but would have hoped for more amid a bright start that almost brought an early goal when Francesco Totti picked out the unmarked José Holebas. The full-back's shot could not squeeze past Joe Hart.

How finely poised the game was became evident when, within the space of 15 seconds, both sides very nearly took the lead. First James Milner went close for City, forcing a fine stop from De Sanctis; the ball was led straight down the other end by Gervinho, who went even closer to breaking the deadlock. Hart's fingertip save came to the visitors' rescue.

Barcelona win Group F ahead of Paris | FC Barcelona 3-1 Paris Saint-Germain

FC Barcelona claimed first place in UEFA Champions League Group F at the expense of Paris Saint-Germain, the Catalan club's exceptional firepower ensuring they will avoid the other section leaders in Monday's draw.

The essential objective for each of these clubs was a result which guaranteed winning Group F; only a win would do for Barcelona while Paris needed just a point. But anticipation was also high at the prospect of blue-riband football, and the night duly provided moments which will stand comparison with anything else the season provides.

Home coach Luis Enrique's bold switch to a 3-4-3 did not have the desired result. Barcelona had conceded space down the touchlines in their defeat at Paris, yet when Ibrahimović set Lucas away down the right, the Brazilian had time to supply Blaise Matuidi in the box. A neat lay-off and the Swede thumped in the opening goal.

The Matuidi-Ibrahimović combination began to dominate, their power, technique and understanding often leaving Barcelona gasping for breath and wondering where so many gaps were coming from. Luckily for the home side, they had a special moment of their own up their sleeves.

Mascherano, in midfield again, displayed his vision and technique with a long ball over the shoulder of Suárez's marker. The striker's cushioned volley across goal gave Messi the chance to slide his 75th UEFA Champions League goal.

The message that the profligate are punished in elite competition was underlined before the break. Lucas missed a chance laid on a plate for him by Ibrahimović and Matuidi before Marc-André ter Stegen saved from Edinson Cavania when the percentages favoured the striker.

Thus, as night follows day, Barcelona scored. Neymar burst away from the Paris defence and crafted an explosive, dipping swerving shot from distance which beat Salvatore Sirigu, bringing the stadium to ecstasy.

Unbowed, Paris regrouped at half-time and only Marc Bartra's athletic heroics denied them an equaliser when Lucas caused chaos and Cavani's goal-bound shot was blocked. Maxwell, too, missed his kick in the penalty box when scoring looked simpler.

Again there was a cost. An intricate move starting with Suárez and Messi led to Neymar's shot only being parried by Sirigu and the Uruguayan tapped in the rebound to maintain Barcelona's run of winning their group, stretching back to 2006/07.

Alexis is Vitality Player of the Month for Arsenal

Congratulations to Alexis Sanchez, the Vitality Arsenal Player of the Month for November! Which was his best performance?