Gabriel Jesus participated as a substitute to give
Manchester City a 1-0 away win at Leicester in the
English Premier League after coach Pep Guardiola’s
team missed another penalty.
Today seemed to be disappointing for second-placed
City when Casper Schmeichel saved a penalty kick by
Sergio Aguero in the 61st minute, but Jesus saved his
team’s face.
The Brazilian striker avoided a slight sneak when he
received a pass from Riyadh Mahrez, who had
previously won the title with Lester and showed the
calmness of his shot past Schmeichel.
With this victory, City leads seven points over Leicester
in the struggle to end the season in second place behind
leaders Liverpool, who are still 19 points ahead of City
before confronting West Ham United at Anfield Stadium
on Monday.
While Liverpool’s first 30-year title win appears to be a
matter of time, defending champions City has shown
that he will not stop after he outperformed a surprisingly
impressive 80-minute confrontation before the opening
of the recording.
The Premier League top scorer Jimmy Vardy was denied
registration for Leicester in the first half, while
Schmeichel wonderfully saved attempts from Kevin de
Bruyne, Aguero and Mahrez. By rescuing Schmeichel’s
attempt at Aguero from the penalty spot, City will be
wasting five of the last seven penalty kicks awarded to
him in all competitions.
The victory was an ideal moral boost for City a week
ago, when he will face Real Madrid in the Champions
League, and Aston Villa in the League Cup final next
Sunday.
“The most important thing is that we won today even
though a penalty was missed. The reaction was great
today,” said Mehrez, who performed brilliantly at his
former club.
“It is an ideal match to prepare (for Real Madrid). It is a
difficult game and we are ready.”
The assistant video referee system was in the spotlight
again, something that has become accustomed, as a
penalty was not awarded to Lester in the first half after
De Bruyne seemed to have stopped a shot with his arm.
When Dennis Pratt blocked Ilkay Gundogan’s powerful
shot with his arm an hour after the match, City players
protested vigorously and the assistant video referee
awarded the penalty in a correct decision.
But Aguero preferred the shot rather than putting the ball
away from the keeper and Schmeichel saved it with his
feet.
A few minutes later, Aguero was denied registration
again, with another remarkable rescue. But City were
tough and scored ahead before sending a pass in perfect
timing for Jesus to score his fourth goal in five Premier
League matches against Leicester.
