Premier League Manchester City 1 Leicester City 0
Vincent Kompany was the unlikely hero for Manchester City as they moved a step closer to retaining their Premier League crown.
The Sky Blues’ skipper unleashed an absolute screamer from 30 yards out midway through the second half at the Etihad to see off Leicester and leave his side one win away from the title.
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Beat Brighton on Sunday and City will have won the title race ahead of Liverpool. When the club reflects on its season surely no goal will be as important as Kompany’s.
For 69 minutes the hosts had failed to find a way past their spirited visitors with goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel in fine form between Leicester’s posts.
Sergio Aguero had headed against the bar and as the clock ticked on the sense of growing frustration was palpable among the Etihad faithful.
Don’t shoot
But then Kompany picked up the ball 35 yards out. The veteran Belgian defender prodded it forward a few steps, looked up, steadied himself and then let fly.
Schmeichel stood no chance as the ball rocketed into the top corner of his net and the stadium erupted in euphoria.
“Everyone was saying don’t shoot but I’ve not come this far in my career to be told when I can and can’t shoot,” Kompany told reporters.
“I’ve had 15 years of top-level midfielders telling me not to shoot but I always told them one day I am going to have a shot from outside the box and I’m going to score a goal.”
Captain Incredible
It was Kompany’s first goal from outside the penalty area for City during his 11 years with the club. It was also his first of the season and left Pep Guardiola purring, even if he admitted he had also urged his captain not to have a crack at goal.
“I said, ‘No shoot Vinnie, no shoot!’” joked the City manager. “He is an incredible human being and he helps me a lot.”
The 33-year-old Kompany is in the last season of his City contract and Guardiola said he intends to sit down with his talisman and talk about the future.
“We are going to take a beer together and decide what is best, especially for the club,” he said. “This club is what it is because of people like Vincent. When he is fit he is incredible centre-back. He is a real defender, he is a leader many times.”
Tough trip to Brighton
Despite the relief at the result, Guardiola said he will take nothing for granted going into Sunday’s game at Brighton. Liverpool are still just a point behind and the Anfield club host Wolves on the final day of the season.
“We are away and we saw Brighton had a good game at Arsenal,” Guardiola said. “It will be tough, but hopefully we will have the performance to be champions.”
Premier League final fixtures
Sunday 12 May (3pm)
- Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Manchester City
- Burnley vs. Arsenal
- Crystal Palace vs. AFC Bournemouth
- Fulham vs. Newcastle United
- Leicester City vs. Chelsea
- Liverpool vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Manchester United vs. Cardiff City
- Southampton vs. Huddersfield Town
- Tottenham Hotspur vs. Everton
- Watford vs. West Ham United
