Mah aimed free-kick straight at keeper

RIYAD Mahrez admitted his goal against Arsenal was lucky, but took some credit for his strike that set City on their way to the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

After Alex Lacazette had cancelled out Gabriel Jesus’ opener, the Blues were tasked with coming out in the second half and scoring a second goal in a game for the first time in four matches.

They were helped when Mahrez won a free-kick on the edge of the area, and the Algerian’s set-piece was fumbled into the top corner by a well-placed Runar Alex Runarsson in the Gunners net.

While the goal was a clear error by the Arsenal keeper, Mahrez revealed he struck his free-kick straight at the goalkeeper as he expected him to move out of the way, given his unusual starting spot close to the far post.

The City forward said: “I was surprised at the position of the keeper. He was so close to the post, I thought he was going to move a little bit, that’s why I put it there, but he didn’t move.

“Luckily he didn’t catch it properly so good for us.”

The goal restored City’s lead, with a Phil Foden strike following shortly after, before Aymeric Laporte headed home a Foden cross after a one-two from a corner with Mahrez.

The win takes the Blues into the last four of the Carabao Cup once again, and Mahrez said he hopes the four goals they scored can give them some confidence heading into the Christmas schedule in the Premier League, starting with Boxing Day’s visit of Newcastle to the Etihad Stadium.

“It was a solid performance,” he said. “We started good and then they equalised. In the second half we scored with the lucky free-kick and got the third one and was more easy for us.

“We cannot always dominate every game. We were good (in the first half) but didn’t score a second goal. When you don’t score the second one, always they can score at any time. In the second half we scored the second and third and we made it more easy for us.

“We have been struggling but it’s football, we’ll come back. It’s not easy to score four, five goals even if it’s always been our standard. Today we score four goals, concede one, it’s a solid performance.”