Manchester City are back to winning ways in the Premier League, beating Luton Town 2-1 at Kenilworth Road – and Alan Smith praised Bernardo Silva at the end of the game.
Pep Guardiola’s side put in a courageous display against the Hatters to come from behind.
Striker Elijah Adebayo gave Luton the lead just before half-time against the run of play, heading in an Andros Townsend cross at the back post.
City had dominated up until that point, so that was a tough one to take.
But City dug deep in the second-half and continued to play in the same way, eventually turning the game on its head with Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva scoring.
Bernardo came in for praise from Sky’s co-commentator Alan Smith for his display…
Alan Smith praises Bernardo Silva as Manchester City come back against Luton
City fans were concerned when Luton got their noses in front.
Because it would likely mean that the Hatters would then spend the whole of the second-half defending.
That did largely prove to be the case and they made it very difficult for City at times, to their credit.
But City’s attackers came through, in the absence of Erling Haaland, and Bernardo had a particularly good game.
Selecting him as his man of the match, Smith said: “He got them back on level terms. His work rate has been excellent as it always is. Such an inventive, creative source for them, in a match – an important one – it looks like getting them off that dodgy spell.”
Sky flashed up Bernardo’s statistics for the game. The Portuguese had the most shots in the game (three), created the most chances (three) and made the most passes (32) into the final third. He was also second for number of duels contested (12).
Bernardo came through against Luton
City had to show a lot of character today and Bernardo epitomised the team’s performance.
The £43 million signing worked his socks off as City sought to get back into the game, and he took his goal brilliantly with a first-time finish.
All that was going to matter today was the result, and there was obviously concern when Luton went ahead.
But thankfully, Bernardo and one or two others really stepped up and now City can look to build on this result against Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League and then Crystal Palace next weekend in the Premier League.
