OPINION
Gary Lineker’s four-word verdict on Vincent Kompany’s long-range strike against Leicester on Monday – ‘goal of the season’ – sums up the importance of the goal for Manchester City in the title race.
This was seen as City’s last tough test of the season. Having gained nine points from a possible nine against Tottenham, Manchester United and Burnley, Leicester were supposedly the last team left who could stop City from retaining their title.
And it looked for 70 minutes as if exactly that would happen; Leicester were excellent in restricting City before creating chances themselves when they won the ball back.
Which is why this game needed – and got – a moment of pure brilliance. And it came from City’s captain, Vincent Kompany.
His strike from around 30 yards which graced the bar before crashing into the net was summed up expertly by Lineker after the game.
Given the context that has to be the Goal Of The Season from @VincentKompany. Incredible moment in this most extraordinary season.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) May 6, 2019
Lineker is right. If this was the last tough test City have had, Kompany has helped them pass it – and in style. Sergio Aguero, Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling have been particularly brilliant for City this season, but when they needed it most it was their captain that delivered.
Just like when the Belgian headed past David de Gea in the Manchester derby to hand City the advantage in the title race, he did it again on Monday night in the most spectacular fashion.
The result means City must beat Brighton on Sunday to retain the title which, in all honesty, should not be too much of a task for this team.
While Brighton played well against Arsenal and will not roll over against City, they are happy to have survived and won’t be too fussed if City begin to run away with it.