GAB NEEDS TO GRAB GOALS
Kane looms as Jesus misses spree
GABRIEL JESUS is the Brazil No.9, so Manchester City’s bid to land Harry Kane this summer will have given his ego a proper kicking.
How Pep Guardiola reaped the benefit of having a player straining to prove himself as the champions got back to winning ways at the Etihad.
Jesus was instrumental in Tim Krul’s early own goal before putting two simple finishes on a plate for Jack Grealish and substitute Raheem Sterling.
Aymeric Laporte – another City player with reason to put on a performance for his boss – also got in on the goals before substitute Riyad Mahrez ensured a comfortable afternoon at home was reflected in the scoreline.
Jesus (being hugged by Kyle Walker, right) doesn’t score enough goals is the general consensus – and it will still rankle with him that he was the maker rather than the taker of chances.
Even against the meek and mild Canaries, he was instructed to play wide on the right while winger Ferran
Torres led the line. When
Torres made way for Sterling just after the hour, he remained on the flank. Guardiola said: “I am so happy for Gabriel. In life, he deserves the best because he is so generous.
“One of the reasons why I am a manager in the best moments of my career is because I can work with people like Gabriel.
“He never complains. If he plays five minutes, he plays the best five minutes he can play for himself and the team.
“He is happy to play right, he is happy to play central and he is happy to play left.
“This was an incredibly important performance for us.
“Gabriel is so important for me. You want to have as many players as you can in these positions and he deserved to continue playing.”
In the last 10 years, Norwich have been hit for five three times by City as well as a six and a seven.
Daniel Farke claims his team are better prepared for the topflight than last time.
But as against Liverpool last week, the Canaries produced a performance that matched the colour of their yellow shirts.
Farke was not as critical as perhaps he should have been.
“Of course, I am disappointed with the way we played,” he said.
“It seemed like four times we conceded the same goal.
“But it has been a tough start in these two games. I am realistic to understand that we wouldn’t take too many points from them.
“Liverpool last week had a point to prove and City also had a point to prove.
“They were presented with the silverware in a buzzing stadium, so we always knew it was going to be difficult.
“But we’re not too down. There are other games where we will have to win our points.”
It took just six minutes for the visitors to concede. Krul was credited with an own goal when Jesus’ driven cross flew in off the keeper via Grant Hanley.
Torres then saw a crisp finish from Jesus’ pass ruled out when referee Graham Scott used a touchline monitor to judge that Bernardo Silva had tripped Lukas Rupp to win possession.
But in the 22nd minute, Jesus’ movement and Walker’s pass exposed Dimitris Giannoulis and when the Brazilian’s cross bounced off Grealish at the far post and bobbled over the line, the £100million midfielder didn’t know whether to celebrate or apologise.
Laporte drove home City’s third in the 64th minute after his initial header from Ilkay Gundogan’s cross had been blocked.
Sterling then rolled in Jesus’ unselfish cross after 70 minutes and Mahrez completed the scoring six minutes from time after he had broken Norwich’s lazy attempt to catch him offside by ramming home Ruben Dias’ pass.
Gabriel never complains. If he plays five minutes, he plays the best five minutes he can play for himself and for the team