Jack Grealish’s Manchester City debut was spoiled by Kelechi Iheanacho as the Leicester striker’s late penalty clinched a 1-0 win in the Community Shield on Saturday.
All eyes were on Grealish when he came on as a second half substitute following his British record £100 million ($139 million) move from Aston Villa on Thursday.
After training with his new team-mates for the first time on Friday, Grealish replaced Sam Edozie in the 65th minute and looked lively in his cameo appearance.
Grealish, the most expensive English player of all-time, carried more threat than any of his team-mates.
But Grealish’s first game in a City shirt ended in disappointment as Iheanacho netted the last minute winner from the penalty spot after the Nigerian was hauled down by Nathan Ake.
Defeat in the annual curtain raiser to the English top-flight season will matter little to City if they can replicate last term’s superb form, which carried them to Premier League and League Cup glory.
But the Champions League runners-up start their title defence at Tottenham on August 15 with an unsettled look that will concern Pep Guardiola.
Many Man City fans have been reacting to the defeat – here’s what some of them had to say on Twitter.
Good result, maybe Pep will finally see a need for a striker
— Anthony Rodriguez (@Moskow345) August 7, 2021
We need proper striker ASAP
— aziz yashinta (@abdulazizyashi1) August 7, 2021
We need Kane @HKane
— Living (@Living_spree0) August 7, 2021
Guardiola put Dinho as Striker. Masterclass.
— DANIEL JONES SZN (@Jake_0223) August 7, 2021
Need a Striker right now.
— Fabricio? (@cronics12die) August 7, 2021
Maybe would help if we didn’t have literally inexperienced child as our striker WE… NEED… A… STRIKER!!!
— laura 🇬🇧 (@jiwanxsol) August 7, 2021
At least grealish looked good
— SterlingSZN ⁷💙🏴 (@7Mcfcmax) August 7, 2021
Not surprising. Pep once more showed faith I players that aren’t capable to deliver.
— Senzelwe_King (@senzelwe_mzila) August 7, 2021
