Manchester City kept the pressure on Arsenal yesterday with a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground – and Shay Given was left impressed by one player in particular.
City are back to just a point behind the Gunners, with a game in hand, thanks to goals from Josko Gvardiol and Erling Haaland.
Arsenal had beaten Spurs 3-2 earlier in the day, meaning City had to respond. It wasn’t pretty, and Forest had plenty of chances to score, but the visitors got the job done.
The aim for City is to win all their remaining games, because are looking stronger this time out. The league is in their hands, and a perfect run will see the club make history by winning a fourth straight Premier League title.
Many are backing City to do that, and plenty of players are coming into form just at the right time.
One such player is Josko Gvardiol, who came in for praise from former City goalkeeper Shay Given yesterday…
Shay Given praises Josko Gvardiol after ‘fantastic’ goal and performance for Manchester City against Nottingham Forest
Gvardiol had a good start to life at City, following his £77 million transfer from RB Leipzig, but then dipped a bit around Christmas.
That dip was never too alarming and the criticism of him at the time was probably a bit overboard
But just lately, Gvardiol has turned in some very strong performances – and also found his eye for goal.
The £200,000-a-week ace scored his third of the month on Sunday against Forest, and it was a terrific header at the front post that left Shay Given impressed.
The ex-City stopper said on Match of the Day 2: “Nico Williams has gone off injured, so now he’s free so they’ve passed on the responsibility to Gibbs-White who’s an attacking player. Gibbs-White loses him, Gvardiol is obviously a centre-half by trade, and goes and attacks it. It’s a brilliant delivery and a fantastic goal, and the first goal is so important in any game.
“Who knows if Williams had been on the pitch he might have still lost him, Gvardiol is so strong. Take nothing away from the delivery, De Bruyne’s delivery is right on point, brilliant header.”
Gvardiol starting to shine bright for City
It is brilliant to see Gvardiol really starting to impress now for City.
Some gave him a rough ride earlier in the season and it was never a fair narrative, with Gvardiol playing out of position in a new league.
He arrived with a big reputation and for big money, which is perhaps why rival fans took great pleasure in criticising him.
But lately, it’s been all quiet and you know that’s because the player is now giving rival fans nothing. After the Forest game, he actually admitted he was confused by Pep’s tactics in the early stages against Forest, but he was still great throughout.
His performances over the past month or so have been very good, and his new status as a goal threat is most welcome.