Sterling proving a real game-changer
THE BIG athletes make a contribution to society as well as history.
In years to come Raheem Sterling will be remembered as much – even more so – for his contribution to English football’s structural unconscious bias as he is for being among Manchester City’s key players.
His bravery in raising the issues that the game doesn’t want to do anything about is matched only by the ice in his veins when a goalscoring opportunity presents itself.
His destruction of Brighton was a thing of beauty.
Pep Guardiola put into context the impact of a young man rapidly writing himself into sporting history.
“The big athletes make a commitment for our society,” said the City manager.
“Raheem and a lot of people around the world, what they are
Tettey: Canaries’ demise inevitable
ALEX TETTEY knew before a ball was kicked that Norwich were not good enough for the Premier League.
Michail Antonio’s fabulous four sealed the Canaries’ relegation and propelled West Ham towards safety.
It was a seventh straight league defeat for Daniel Farke’s side, and stand-in skipper Tettey said: “I knew at the start of the season how it was going to be and sadly there were a lot of games where we haven’t had that mentality to get wins.
“It is not wise to blame Daniel, he is not a magician.
“The fans will always want more. It is their right to have opinions.
“But the boss has done everything he can. He hasn’t got any £15million, £20m, £30m players, he has young talent mixed with a couple of senior players. It’s tough for him as well. His
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doing is to bring a better world.
“It’s difficult what we are living but I’m really proud of him, what he is doing and he knows that as a club we support him 100 per cent.”
With that landmark Instagram post condemning the unconscious bias in the British media, followed up by his Newsnight interview last month calling for more black managers and administrators, Sterling is changing the game.
On the pitch he has still had the focus to score 27 goals for City this season.
His hat-trick here lifted him to second – with 65 – in their all-time Premier League scoring charts behind Sergio Aguero.
Gabriel Jesus and Bernardo Silva bagged the other two, either side of half-time.
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philosophy is fantastic, the club believing in young talent.
“But if you don’t have the quality, you will get punished.”
Antonio did that as he hit his first career hat-trick thanks to defending on a par with his younger days at Tooting and Mitcham. Tettey said: “There are things at the moment collectively that we do that are just not good enough.”
West Ham will be all but safe if they beat Watford – who are also on 34 points – on Friday.
Antonio said: “I couldn’t sleep after the Burnley game on Wednesday because I had a great opportunity to get us a point and I didn’t take it.
“I’m my biggest critic, so to come out and get four goals and three points for our club was just amazing.”