Riyad Mahrez relishing his renaissance
Riyad Mahrez is becoming increasingly decisive for Manchester City. He showed he is in form by scoring the goal at Chelsea (1-0).
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Eight points behind leaders Arsenal before facing Chelsea on Thursday night, Manchester City had to win in the final game of Premier League matchday 19 to close the gap on the Gunners. Up against a Blues side hit hard by injuries but very enterprising, the Skyblues had to work extremely hard to get the win. It took the opportunism of Riyad Mahrez. Left on the bench at kick-off, the Algerian winger made the difference when he came on in the second half. He scored the only goal of the game (1-0).
“It's never easy to come and win at Chelsea, but we were solid and we deserve the three points. It's the kind of goal I never score usually, though you can't score an easier goal than that (laughs). The coach tried something. Sometimes you start when you're not as good and other times it's the opposite. You always have to be ready, even if you're disappointed at the start, because you always want to play. But I managed to stay focused because I knew I could help the team at any moment and that's what I did. I'm happy,” said the Fennec, enjoying the moment.
This latest decisive goal confirms Riyad Mahrez's return to form. He had already scored in City's win over Liverpool (3-2) 10 days ago in the League Cup. This Sunday, Pep Guardiola will surely need him once again to get past the Blues in the FA Cup. City and Chelsea meet again at the Ettihad.
.@Mahrez22's match-winning moment! ✨ pic.twitter.com/1AyZT61A7M
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 6, 2023