V THE MANC OVERLORD
Kompany still haunted by Roo’s derby wonder goal JOR-DROPPING MOMENT
FOR Vincent Kompany, watching the most iconic goals of the Premier League’s 25-year history brought back a painful memory.
The date was February 12, 2011 and Wayne Rooney’s spectacular overhead kick winner against City at Old Trafford was a moment etched into Manchester folklore.
Freeze-framed as Rooney strikes is an anguished Kompany – and six years on as City face a very different Rooney at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow, the Belgian star has his own take on events that day.
Kompany recalls: “I think that goal was kind of a testimony to Wayne’s talent. Because in that game I absolutely had him in my pocket! I played a really strong game.
“But top strikers do unbelievable things at times and when he pulls the overhead kick, I’m thinking, ‘Oh, come on...’
Respect
“I have a lot of respect for Wayne. We’ve played so many games against each other. I think I’ve played more than 20 times against United in my career and not once was he not part of their team.”
Kompany insists that despite his many critics, time has not dimmed Rooney’s quality or his ability to hurt opponents as he starts the next chapter of his career under Ronald Koeman back at Everton.
He said: “Wayne’s just got this ability – and even the goal he scored for Everton at the weekend against Stoke, the way he recognises he needs to get in the box marks him out. I don’t think many players could have done that. We can all play the pass he played, maybe even head it like he did too.
“But to understand that ‘this is the moment I need to go’, to have that timing just like the overhead kick – it’s something that sets him apart.”
Like Rooney at United, Kompany holds a unique place in the hearts of the City faithful. And although the
landscape at the Etihad is changing fast, the Belgium skipper is still part of Pep Guardiola’s vision for the future – and the defender is beyond excited at the possibilities.
He said: “I think it’s because we don’t play the way we play by chance or by luck.
“We’ve worked really hard to get this way of building up, of controlling games, of strangling teams as well.
“We’ve put a lot of work into this and it’s the first time in my career I’ve been JORDAN PICKFORD finds it good to talk – as Wayne Rooney found out to his cost.
Everton’s £25million keeper broke a 20-year club record in midweek with his third clean sheet on the trot.
And Rooney found himself in the firing line during the Europa League victory over Hajduk Split.
The Toffees were easing to a comfortable 2-0 victory when the working so hard on a game plan – a plan tbto beat t any t team.
“Last year I felt we laid down the foundations and worked towards making everybody understand what the plan is about.
“Now we have a few new players to integrate, but there’s less to teach. It feels more natural.
“And I just feel that in today’s football you have to have a very clear idea of what you’re trying to achieve. Like Chelsea last season – when everyone there understood their jobs.
“But that’s why it’s the best league in the world. You go across the street at United and they probably feel the same way – and yet there is only one winner.”
Kompany defends the return of just two Premier League titles – in 2012 and 2014 – since billionaire Sheikh Mansour took charge in 2008.
“Put everything into perspective and I feel it’s an incredible achievement,” he said. “Because I look at it in an objective way, I’m not one to be emotional about the numbers behind it.
“Of course there’s been a lot of investment but we had to catch up on 25 years of football and financial dominance by another team.
“You don’t end that by just saying, ‘We want to catch up’. You need to put a lot of work and effort into it. And what gives me a lot of confidence is that there’s an academy across the street that is one of the best in the country and that shows there is vision at City, a long-term plan.” ex-Manchester United man sprayed a crossfield pass that failed to hit the target and the Croatians were suddenly on the offensive.
That move broke down – but that did not stop the 23-year-old shotstopper from dishing out a mouthful to the former England captain.
Pickford said: “If you watch me, you’ll see I’m always demanding that the ball be kept as far away as possible from me. If we do that, then I don’t
Return
have to make saves. It’s all about talking and making saves.
“I’m always talking to the lads in front of me. It was something Mark Prudhoe, the goalkeeping coach at Sunderland, drilled into me.
“He was great. He used to ring with advice – and I’d always listen.
“He told me never to keep quiet on the pitch. I have to keep organising.
“It’s natural to me. It’s why I went on loan at the age of 17. I did it