Manchester City’s Matheus Nunes scored deep in injury time to salvage a crucial 2-1 Premier League victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday in their breathless chase for a Champions League berth next season.
The teams appeared to be heading for a draw after Marcus Rashford’s penalty cancelled out Bernardo Silva’s goal in the first half, but Nunes fired home Jérémy Doku’s cross in the 94th minute to lift City two places to third in the table on 61 points.
Pep Guardiola’s men, however, have played one more game than the three teams directly behind them, while Villa, who have lost 15 successive games at the Etihad Stadium, remained seventh on 57 points in the crowded top of the table.
“We are not used to [scoring late winners], so I’m really, really happy for the goal that we scored at the end, because we are in the last four or five games, and a Champions League contender for qualification,” Guardiola told Sky Sports.
City went ahead in the seventh minute when Omar Marmoush raced by Villa right-back Matty Cash before cutting the ball back for an onrushing Silva. Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez got his gloves on the ball, but not enough to stop it from sailing into the back of the net.
Rashford, who had a shot clatter off the post 18 seconds into the game, pulled Villa level from the penalty spot in the 18th minute, after VAR determined Rúben Dias clipped Jacob Ramsey from behind with his right leg. Rashford calmly sent keeper Stefan Ortega the wrong way before slotting home.
City had 14 shots to Villa’s seven before clinching a deserved victory when Doku drove down the left-hand side before squaring the ball as Nunes arrived at the back post.
ESPN
