Tuesday Gossip

by Rob Pollard@RobPollardMCFC

This was Kompany's Aguero moment!

Just when you think you’ve seen everything watching Manchester City down the years, Vincent Kompany smashes one in from 30 yards to put us on the brink of back-to-back Premier League titles.

It was another truly memorable night at the Etihad Stadium and this morning’s back pages are awash with praise for City and our incredible captain.
Let’s start with this report from The Guardian’s Daniel Taylor, who says Kompany could be in line for a statue at the stadium one day.
“Perhaps Gary Neville put it best in his commentary role from the television gantry: “Where do you want your statue, Vincent Kompany?" he writes. “It was, without question, the goal of a lifetime from the Manchester City captain and the rewards will be measured in silver if his team can extend their winning 13-game sequence by just one more match. It is simple now: a win at Brighton on Sunday and there will be nothing Liverpool, a point behind in second position, can do about it.
“No wonder every single player made a beeline for Kompany at the final whistle. One by one they embraced the Belgian. They were soon joined by the substitutes, various members of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff and the tracksuited players who were not in the squad. Everyone went to the same player. And then it was Guardiola’s turn, with a bear hug for the man who may just have struck the decisive blow at the top of the table.
“Kompany might not get a statue – not yet, anyway – but his fourth championship winner’s medal from his 11 years at the club would make up for that, one imagines, and, if the trophy does remain in Manchester, there can be no doubt how people will remember the defining moment of the title race.
“There were 70 minutes on the clock when Kompany took possession of the ball and started loping forwards. Nobody in a Leicester shirt went to close him down because, well, it was Vincent Kompany, and he was not going to shoot, was he? Yet they underestimated him. Kompany took the ball into striking range and pulled back his right foot to take aim. It was a mix of desperation and inspiration, all in one. His shot was still rising as it flew past Kasper Schmeichel into what is known, in the parlance of the sport, as the “postage stamp", just beneath the crossbar at its join with the post."

BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan joined in the praise, saying Kompany's goal has enhanced his legend status at the club.


“Vincent Kompany's place in the pantheon of Manchester City legends was already assured before Monday night, albeit not for his long-range shooting," he writes.

“His timing was impeccable. Kompany has scored vital goals for City before - his headed winner against United that helped City edge the 2011-12 title race springs to mind - but his unstoppable shot that arrowed into the top corner was arguably the most memorable moment of his decade at the club.
“It came as his side's frustration at being unable to break down disciplined Leicester threatened to turn into desperation in the closing stages of a game they needed to win to maintain the upper-hand over Liverpool in the title race.
“Kompany's strike made sure of that, bringing wild celebrations in the stands and, when the three points were secured, the relief and gratitude of City's players and fans at the final whistle was clear - unsurprisingly it was Kompany's name being sung.
“City have not won the title yet - they must triumph at Brighton on the final day - but Kompany has done his bit to ensure they will get to keep it for another year
The Manchester Evening News’ Stuart Brennan gave Kompany full marks in his post-match player ratings.
He writes: “Vincent Kompany: Began the game with two raking passes to Bernardo in space, great block on Ricardo, super tackle on Chilwell and then SMASH!! 10."
And the Telegraph’s Jason Burt says this was Kompany’s “Aguero moment"!

“It was Kompany’s own Aguero moment, a moment even more important than the goal the centre-half scored for City back in 2012 when his header beat Manchester United and helped them win the Premier League for the first time,"
“Finally it comes down to this: if City beat Brighton away on Sunday in their final league game they will have 98 points and they will be champions. There is nothing Liverpool, at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers in a fixture which can take them to 97 points, can then do to stop them.
“In this most incredible of title races it took an incredible goal to beat Leicester City, who had proved so obdurate and organised, on a fraught and edgy evening at the Etihad. However, it almost had an even more remarkable twist. Former City striker Kelechi Iheanacho made a hash of a late chance, shooting wide when well-placed. In truth, he should have scored."