Dzeko brace rescues City

Two-goal Edin Dzeko came off the substitutes' bench to earn a dramatic 2-1 victory for 10-man Manchester City in a pulsating Barclays Premier League clash with West Brom at The Hawthorns.

Shane Long broke the deadlock mid-way through the second period with his fifth goal of the campaign but Dzeko equalised for the champions within 60 seconds of entering the action.

Then in injury-time Dzeko struck the winner as the champions completed their comeback after James Milner's first-half red card for a professional foul.

Albion opened promisingly and Marc-Antoine Fortune flashed a low shot across the face of goal but City quickly assumed control.

Samir Nasri's free-kick was deflected just wide and, from the resulting corner by Gareth Barry, a goal-bound header from Micah Richards was blocked by Gabriel Tamas.

After 23 minutes City were reduced to 10 men when Milner was sent off. The England player was the last defender when bringing down Long as he raced on to a pass from James Morrison.

City began the second half on the offensive and Ben Foster tipped over a 20-yard drive from Carlos Tevez.

Mario Balotelli was taken off after 64 minutes and replaced by Sergio Aguero. Three minutes later Long fired Albion in front. Substitute Peter Odemwingie looked like he was attempting a shot but the ball fell for Long who steered it past Joe Hart.

City brought on Dzeko after 79 minutes and within a minute he had brought his side level with a header from a deep Tevez free-kick.

Hart made a superb save with a minute remaining to turn over an overhead kick from West Brom substitute Romelu Lukaku. It proved decisive as with seconds remaining Dzeko steered home Aguero's perfectly weighted pass.