Kasper Hogh struck twice, with Jens Petter Hauge hitting a wonder goal for the hosts' 3-1 win. Rayan Cherki produced a reply for City, with Rodri seeing red just after the hour mark.
Knutsen said afterwards: “I feel amazing! I think we played a really good game today and we know we’re playing a world-class team.
"First of all, we needed to defend well, we couldn't give them much central space and we needed to work with all 11 players together. We won the ball in good positions so we could make counterattacks.
"I think we’re really good when the opponent give us space and I think we scored some amazing goals today.”
On man-of-the-match Hauge, he added: "He's a fantastic player. He likes to play in top matches against the best teams and best opponents.
"He was really good today. But as always, this is football and you need to be good together, and he is part of a good team."