West Brom 1 Manchester City 2: Leroy Sane double puts Pep Guardiola’s men in the Carabao Cup fourth round but Ilkay Gundogan is taken off injured on his comeback
City are furious with Claudio Yacob's challenge on their returning midfielder - but Sane snatches late winner
LEROY SANE'S match-winning double was overshadowed by Manchester City's fears over their fellow German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
Sane struck early and late to defy West Brom's storming second-half comeback, which peaked with Claudio Yacob's equaliser.
But Gundogan was taken off injured after Yacob's controversial challenge.
City's instant superiority saw Sane smash home a third-minute rebound for a team with eight changes after Gundogan's shot was spilled.
Baggies keeper Ben Foster brilliantly thwarted Eliaquim Mangala's header following Sane's cross as City continued to dictate before the interval.
Gundogan, though, caused alarm for City when he went down in agony following Yacob's lunge from behind.
It was the midfielder's first start after his long-running injury woe and he was replaced soon after - but at least was able to walk off unaided.
Raheem Sterling soon went close for City but the Baggies increasingly got back into the contest after the hour mark.
And Yacob smashed home a low volleyed equaliser when City defended poorly from a Kieran Gibbs' corner
It was only Yacob's second goal in 160 games - and on his first appearance of the season.
And Hal Robson-Kanu nearly put the Baggies in front from Matty Phillips' cross.
But Sane brilliantly restored City's lead on 77 minutes.
And they held on despite Robson-Kanu hitting the post in stoppage time.
most read in football
Keep up to date with ALL the transfer news and gossip on our blog