A new, young star emerged in Manchester, as Nigerian Kelechi Iheanacho destroyed Crystal Palace in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup on Wednesday.
The Capital One Cup proved to be a tough hunting ground for the Premier League big boys, but City relied on the shoulder of young Kelechi Iheanacho, as they dispatched 5 goals past Crystal Palace.
Iheanacho proved to be a secret weapon that City manager Manuel Pellegrini unleashed with some effect, as the young Nigerian scored a goal and provided two assists in his debut match for the Citizens.
Pellegrini couldna t hide his delight at the young Nigerian’s performance and fired warning shots to rival managers by claiming that Kelechi would get even better in the coming years.
a It was very important for Kelechi to demonstrate once again that hea s a very good player. Hea s not just a striker a he provided two assists – Ia m very happy for him. He has things to improve but hea s working in the correct way.a
a Kelechi is not a box striker, hea s not just a finisher – he must improve his control as he needs to do it better but he always plays with his head up as he showed creating the goal for Kevin. Hea s a player who can play behind the striker or as a striker and he can arrive into the box to score the goals as he did tonight.a
Pellegrini happy with Bony, comments on injured Zablaleta
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Pellegrini seemed to be a happy man and took his time to praise Wilfried Bony, who had also joined in on the fun, as he scored his third goal in three starts. Agueroa s absence hardly seems to have any effect on City, as they keep on notching up the victories.
a I think this moment ita s important for the team to have Kelechi and Bony as options without Kun. They can play both together as they did tonight. Bony played well tonight. Of course Kelechi was very impressive but Wilfried is quiet as he knows he has my trust and his teammates’ trust. Kun is impossible to replace but we know we have another option in attack.a
The injury to Pablo Zabaleta proved to be the one sour note to an almost perfect night for Manchester City.
a Pablo has the same problem as two months ago a ita s the same knee. We wona t know until tomorrow. Ita s the medial ligament on the right knee,” Pellegrini added.