Rodri’s got eyes on the big screen
RODRI revealed he had to do a big-screen double take to check he had scored one of the goals of the season.
The midfielder doubled Manchester City’s lead 10 minutes into the second half with a rocket from more than 20 yards out.
And he could still not quite believe it long after the dust had settled on City’s routine win over Everton, which saw them reclaim second spot and return to with three points of Chelsea.
The Spaniard said: “It was a beauty. It is the feeling... imagine the strikers scoring 20 goals!
“I score two or three and I’m the happiest man. It’s an incredible feeling.
“I was actually watching the screen to realise the goal I scored.”
Rodri’s rare strike came after Raheem Sterling had opened the scoring a minute before half-time.
Pep Guardiola saluted Sterling’s performance while giving the England man a subtle warning.
The Etihad boss said: “Since I arrived he has been a key player for us. He needed that.
”He scored a brilliant goal and made a good game in a difficult one. I am happy for him.
“He has to perform like he performed today.”
That is a reminder for 26-year-old Sterling he still faces a battle to regain a regular starting place in Guardiola’s firstchoice team.
With Kevin de Bruyne absent through Covid, Sterling could also start Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Paris St-Germain.
It is unlikely Cole Palmer and James McAtee, both 19 years of age, will feature but both had landmark days against the Toffees.
Palmer started his first Premier League match and McAtee came on for his first appearance in the top flight.
Guardiola added: “They both did well. We have a good generation of young players and we will not be shy to use them.”
In contrast, Rafa Benitez is short of options as Richarlison’s booking rules him out of the trip to Brentford come Sunday.
The Goodison boss had no complaints about the result – Bernardo Silva scored City’s third – while he also saw Demarai Gray go off injured.
“When you lose players for yellow cards, it is even worse,” said Benitez. “We now have to manage with the players available.”