Boss Pep hails Sterling as City’s superhero
Raheem Sterling ended a troubled week with a goal as proud boss Pep Guardiola hailed the “incredible” City star’s character.
The England forward came off the bench to score City’s third in the win over Everton.
Sterling has been at the centre of a big debate about racism in football in recent days after being subjected to alleged discriminatory abuse in the loss at Chelsea last weekend.
The issue did not appear to affect the 24-year- old’s game as he played 90 minutes of the midweek win over Hoffenheim before coming on to seal another victory against the Toffees and send his side top.
With a tough schedule ahead, Guardiola opted to start Sterling on the bench and the boss said: “I see him so calm.
“My feeling is he has handled many situations in the last year. There are many rumours that people have been talking about, and not nice things about him or his family or, in this case, the colour of his skin.
“And that is why I admire him. I admire that it is not easy for him but he is calm, he is happy playing football and he is beloved.
“He is incredible for all the staff, locker room and his team- mates. It is good. Hopefully we can improve on that and move forward.”
Sterling was sent on in immediate response to Dominic Calvert-Lewin pulling a goal back for Everton in the 65th minute after Gabriel Jesus had scored twice for City.
Within a minute Sterling had restored City’s two- goal advantage after combining nicely with Fernandinho and confidently heading home the Brazilian’s return cross.
It was his 10th City goal of what has been a fine campaign to date.
“When Raheem has no time to think in f ront of the goalkeeper, it is always a goal,” said Guardiola, in response to past criticisms of his finishing.