Pundit says if not for their £35m ace, Man City would’ve definitely lost to Chelsea

Redaction Simon Brett with Srinivas Sadhanand
Published on 2024-02-18 15:30:00

Former Liverpool and Scotland player Steve Nicol believes that Manchester City would have lost to Chelsea in their Premier League game if not for the remarkable saves made by goalkeeper Ederson Moraes. The Brazilian shot-stopper came to City’s rescue on three key occasions during their fifth draw of the season.

Nicol was quick to give Ederson the credit he deserved for his heroics in the match. He stated that had it not been for the goalkeeper’s saves, City would have suffered a defeat at the hands of Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.

Ederson’s performance was crucial for City, as his saves prevented Chelsea from breaking through and securing a win. Nicol emphasized the significance of having a world-class goalkeeper, particularly in games of this nature, where crucial moments can determine the outcome.

“Let’s stick up for the goalkeepers here. This game could’ve finished completely differently. Had Ederson not made the save at 1-0, City weren’t getting anything from this game”, he said [via ESPN FC].

“Anything who listens to us and we talk about having a world-class goalkeeper gains you points during a season, if anybody thought we were being truthful, this is the perfect example because they don’t get anything. Unless Ederson makes that save, they don’t get anything out of this game. They’re not coming back.”

With City, Liverpool, and Arsenal competing for the Premier League title, every point matters, making Ederson’s contribution even more valuable.

The draw against Chelsea could prove to be a turning point for City, and Ederson’s performance might be remembered as the pivotal factor in securing a positive result. As City look to maintain their standing in the title race, the hope is that Ederson’s teammates will also step up and perform at similar levels.

Overall, Nicol’s assessment of Ederson’s impact in the game against Chelsea underscores the crucial role that goalkeepers play in determining the outcomes of matches, particularly in high-stakes contests. Ederson’s saves were undoubtedly instrumental in ensuring that City walked away with a point, and his performance will likely be remembered as a key moment in their quest for the Premier League title.

Read Original article on Manchester City News