Khaleej Times

City will never stop believing, says captain Kompany

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london — Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany says the Premier League frontrunne­rs have taken a leaf out of their arch rival’s book and will never stop believing they can win games even in the dying seconds.

City have maintained an eightpoint lead at the top of the Premier League with last-gasp 2-1 victories over Huddersfie­ld and Southampto­n in their past two games, both late winners scored by Raheem Sterling.

The Southampto­n goal came six minutes into stoppage time and sparked jubilant scenes at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

Digging out maximum points in such circumstan­ces was a hallmark of many of Manchester United’s title successes under Alex Ferguson and City captain Kompany recognises it is a good trait to acquire.

“It’s too early in the season to talk about titles but it is just good to know that you can have that feeling that at any time of the game you can make something happen. I felt it could still happen even that late in added time,” said Kompany.

“United used to do it to everybody else, to be honest.

“But it’s a long season. We have done it so far but, if at the end of the season we have done it consistent­ly, I will be happy about it.”

City have won their past 12 league games but the tightness of the past two matches, after some emphatic wins earlier in the run, possibly indicates a change in approach from opponents when facing City. “From the beginning of the season through to now the games have changed completely.

“I wouldn’t say it is something to complain about because it just gives you that knowledge that you are going to be on top of the team you are playing but it is something that we have to learn to deal with.

“The sooner we find a way to unlock these teams, the better it will be for our season.”

Despite the exhilarati­on of Sterling’s late strike against Saints, Kompany hopes City can return to winning games more convincing­ly. — AFP Printed and Published by Galadari Printing & Publishing (LLC), P.O. Box 11243, Dubai. Telephone: 3383535/ 3384545. Telefax: 3382238/ 3383676. email: sports@khaleejtim­es.com Internet Home Page: www.khaleejtim­es.com

 ?? — AFP ?? Straight wins for Manchester City in Premier league Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (centre) celebrates after Raheem Sterling scored an injurytime winner against Southampto­n.
— AFP Straight wins for Manchester City in Premier league Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (centre) celebrates after Raheem Sterling scored an injurytime winner against Southampto­n.

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