Champions Manchester City returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory in the battle of the blues. Frank Lampard’s young Chelsea side took the lead through N’Golo Kante but were pegged back just moments later by the Belgian sensation Kevin De Bruyne. It was an enthralling encounter between two sides programmed to attack in which Riyad Mahrez proved to be the match-winner.
The Algerian star has struggled to cement a place in Pep Guardiola’s side but all the player can do is ensure he takes the opportunities that come his way. On this occasion he certainly did, prompting these fans to sing his praises.
Stunning he was determined to get that goal
— eileen mayall (@aveagudun) November 24, 2019
Wizardry?
— Sumit (@Sumit23816186) November 24, 2019
Magic mahrez
— Jac Cambrook (@CambrookJac) November 24, 2019
The magician Riad Mehrez
— hamid kh (@hamzakadi19) November 24, 2019
Best African in the league I’m afraid pic.twitter.com/S5GoJi4XGJ
— ? (@DeployLeroy19) November 24, 2019
So satisfying man?
— Kieran Graham?? (@KieranG712) November 24, 2019
Mah-gical
— Teiko (@thefanchoco_) November 24, 2019
Mahrez , a wise investment by Pep, a very much important goal for us ….Hail City
— Jay denize (@Jaydenize2) November 25, 2019
What do we think?
Mahrez, who is valued at £54 million (Transfermarkt), hasn’t had it all his own way since joining the club from Leicester City in July 2018. The 28-year-old is at his devastating best when attacking from the right flank and cutting inside on to his wand of a left-foot, as proven by the footage shown in the Man City twitter post. Despite the predictability of it, his agility, pace and balance make it almost impossible to defend against – it’s not the first time Chelsea have learned that the hard way, as he scored a similar effort against them when playing for Leicester City.
The Algerian arrived in the United Kingdom from French outfit AC Le Havre for less than half a million pounds and his rise to the top of the Premier League has been both unexpected and rapid – a credit to not only the players talent but his work-rate and desire to succeed.
Football, more than ever before is a squad game and although the player himself would no doubt prefer more game time Pep Guardiola will take confidence from the fact he can call on his fringe players and expect such high standards. Catching Liverpool seems a long way off but the victory over Chelsea in what could have been a potential banana skin will not only give the squad a boost mentally, but it will also remind Jurgen Klopp’s men of the fact City aren’t willing to give up their title without a fight.