Andrew Slevison reporting from the MCG:
Manchester City have beaten AS Roma on penalties after full-time ended 2-2 in the second match of the Australian leg of the 2015 International Champions Cup.
Goalkeeper Joe Hart was the hero for the Premier League club with two saves and a goal of his own from the penalty spot as City won 5-4 in the shootout.
In regular time, Raheem Sterling, who joined City from Liverpool for an English record £49million last week, scored just three minutes into his first appearance for his new club who twice held the lead before succumbing to Roma on two occasions at the MCG.
Sterling's opener was followed by a superb strike from Miralem Pjanic, which came less than five minutes after the England international had scored, before Kelechi Iheanacho and Adem Ljajic also got their names on the scoresheet.
City took the lead when Kelechi lifted a lovely ball over the top of the Roma defence, giving Sterling plenty of space to run at Giallorossi keeper Morgan De Sanctis before slotting home for a dream start to his career in sky blue.
After being placed under immense pressure in the opening stages, Roma hit back in fine fashion through Pjanic, who fired a blistering effort behind Willy Caballero after being set up by Gervinho.
Moments after the leveller, De Sanctis was called on to acrobatically deny David Silva's well-struck left-footer
Sterling should have been awarded a penalty in the 24th minute when Florenzi clattered into him in the area but referee Jarred Gillett waved away the protests.
The changes were rung at half-time but one player who escaped the hook was Kelechi and it paid dividends for Manuel Pellegrini when he made it 2-1 in the 51st minute.
A horrific lobbed backpass from Ashley Cole, who had entered the fray for Roma at the break, allowed the Nigerian to take possession before advancing towards De Sanctis and firing home with aplomb.
City were beginning to get on top with the likes of Brandon Barker and Rony Lopes impressing in midfield but a late free-kick from talented Serbian international Ljajic, which bent over the City wall, sent Rudi Garcia's men to a penalty shootout.
City keeper Hart was the man of the moment during the penalty session, saving twice, and converting himself with the coolness of a striker as the English side managed to pocket two points with one going to Roma who move to three following Saturday's win over Real Madrid.
The 2014 Premier League champions will now prepare for their clash with Spanish giants Real at the MCG on Friday.
2015 International Champions Cup - Game 2
AS Roma (ITA): 2 (Miralem Pjanic 7', Adem Ljajic 87')
Manchester City (ENG): 2 (Raheem Sterling 3', Kelechi Iheanacho 51')
*Man City won 5-4 on penalties
MCG, Melbourne, Australia - 41,134
