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regular-article-logo Monday, 06 May 2024

Guardiola hails Gabriel Jesus’ impact

The Brazilian’s brace sent them 15 points clear at the top of the table

Reuters Manchester Published 04.03.21, 04:15 AM
Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus on Tuesday.

Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus on Tuesday. (Reuters)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola hailed Gabriel Jesus’ impact in Tuesday’s 4-1 Premier League win at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers after the Brazilian’s brace sent them 15 points clear at the top of the table.

City took an early lead through an own goal from Wolves defender Leander Dendoncker before the visitors found the equaliser around the hour mark through Conor Coady.

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But Jesus put City back in control with an 80th-minute strike before Riyad Mahrez added another. The 23-year-old Jesus completed his double in injury-time to wrap up City’s 21st straight win in all competitions.

“You cannot imagine how happy we are when Gabriel can score the goals he does,” Guardiola said of the striker who has 11 goals and three assists in 27 games for City in all competitions this season.

“You cannot imagine how many things, that people don’t realise, he does for the team. How he helps us in our first pressing and intensity, he’s a joy of a guy.

“We know it’s not in the statistic, it’s not in the highlights, but the influence in our games, what he does and (people) never realise he does, is amazing.”

Despite extending the club’s record run of wins in all competitions to 21, the most for an English top-flight team, Guardiola was in no mood to talk about the title being in the bag. “Manchester United. That’s all we care (about now),” he said.

“The champions are Liverpool, the crown belongs to them. We are in the best position right now to take them out and we are going to try but they are the champions. There are 33 points to play for.”

Klopp ups the ante

Liverpool may not allow their players to travel overseas for international matches later this month if they are required to quarantine for 10 days on their return to England, the Premier League club’s manager Juergen Klopp said on Wednesday.

Liverpool’s Brazilian players Alisson Becker, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino and Portugal forward Diogo Jota could face 10 days in quarantine on their return to the United Kingdom from Covid-19 “red-list” countries.

World soccer governing body Fifa has said clubs can refuse to release players if they are required to quarantine for more than five days on their return.

“I understand the need of different football associations but it’s a time where you cannot make everybody happy,” Klopp told a news conference ahead of Thursday’s clash with Chelsea.

“The players are paid by the clubs so that means we have to be the first priority. You cannot make everyone. We’re not 100 per cent sure because it’s not clear as some countries might change the venues where they play.”

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