CITY Our Eds won’t drop after Palace draw!
PENALTY hero Ederson warned that City are in the mood to bounce straight back to winning ways.
The Blues’ record-breaking winning run came to a halt at 18 in the goalless draw at Crystal Palace on New Year’s Eve, when they also lost Kevin de Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus through injury.
But the Brazil goalkeeper’s spotkick heroics ensured that their unbeaten domestic run extended to 30 games. City have a quick chance to return to winning ways, with Watford being the visitors to the Etihad Stadium tonight.
Ederson admitted there was disappointment at only garnering a point at Selhurst Park, but vowed they will hit back.
“We were not in a great mood in the dressing room because we only got a point, but overall we are really happy because of the performance of the whole season,” he said.
“We went straight back into training on Monday to focus on the next game against Watford – hopefully we can win again and keep this amazing season going.”
The draw at Palace was the first real setback since City were held by Everton back in August, but Ederson said there could be only one reaction.
“This team has already proved its mentality many times, to keep winning for so long, and I think we will react positively,” he said.
“We will keep playing our way, and keep winning. I think the team will give its answer against Watford.”
Ederson kept out Luka Milivojevic’s penalty with his feet late in the game to keep up the City goalkeepers’ fine recent record when facing penalties.
He has saved two out of four spot kicks since joining the club, while deputy Claudio Bravo has been the hero in Carabao Cup penalty shoot-outs against Wolves and Leicester.
“All I was thinking about was saving the penalty,” said Ederson, reflecting on his late stop in south London.
“It was a crunch time, at the end of the game, and I knew how important it was, so I am really happy to save it.
“Before every game Claudio and I sit with the goalkeeping coach to study the opponents’ penalty-takers for these situations.
“We then made a counter-attack but, unfortunately, couldn’t finish it, but we must congratulate ourselves because we gave our best against a good team who defended really well. They gave us a lot of difficulties, so we go on with our heads up, thinking about the next game.”
That penalty save gave the draw a more positive edge for City, who dominated possession but did not have things all their own way against Roy Hodgson’s team.
Ederson said: “In the circumstances of the game it was a good point but looking at the whole match it wasn’t because I think we deserved to win.
“They defended really well but we should have won, but now it’s heads up – we are having an amazing season and can’t complain.”