Wednesday’s thrilling 2-1 triumph over Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium strengthened Manchester City’s chances for UEFA Champions League qualifying with a last-gasp winner from Matheus Nunes.
Early in the seventh minute, the hosts led first thanks to a brilliant shot by Bernardo Silva, who seized on a defensive blunder made by Villa. But in the 18th minute, the guests answered when Marcus Rashford converted a dubious penalty following Ruben Dias’s fouling of Jacob Ramsey.
With the game apparently headed for a draw, Nunes produced the decisive blow in the 94th minute, sliding Jeremy Doku’s superb low cross home to guarantee City a vital three points.
“That was really crucial. Against a capable opponent, this was a challenging game. We arrived with the mindset of winners, and that is what we did,” Nunes remarked following the game.
Saying he was happy to score his first Premier League goal of the season, the Portuguese midfielder added, ” Perfect timing! It could not have come at a better time.
Pep Guardiola commended his team’s tenacity against a Villa side that lately gave Paris Saint-Germain great effort in the Champions League quarter-finals.
“I’m rather pleased.” In the last five games, we are in fourth place and a Champions League candidate for qualification.
Among the best teams in Europe, “Aston Villa is a team to the last guy.
We performed quite brilliantly. We fought fiercely in our duels, and the back-four was simply amazing.
“Football is an emotional medium. We have a lot of pressure on the team to enter the Champions League for the players, supporters.
The players behave remarkably; we are quite happy. Jeremy Doku’s motion can produce something with his speed.
With 61 points, one ahead of fourth-placed Nottingham Forest, Manchester City rises to third in the Premier League rankings with this victory.
For the uninitiated, Aston Villa ranks seventh and is still in contention for a top-five finish, guaranteeing Champions League berth following season.
