Manchester City gave their Champions League qualification hopes a huge boost on Tuesday night.
The Citizens ran out 2-1 winners over Aston Villa in their Premier League encounter at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City took the lead in the seventh minute as Omar Marmoush cut the ball back – via a slight deflection – for Bernardo Silva to slam home.
However, Aston Villa equalised in controversial circumstances through Marcus Rashford’s penalty after Ruben Dias was deemed to have fouled Jacob Ramsey.
Luckily, City would not lose out due to the penalty decision as Matheus Nunes struck a late winner in second-half injury time.
Gary Neville, covering the match on Sky Sports, said one of Man City’s players did something on the night that reminded him of Kevin De Bruyne.
READ MORE: Manchester City fans all send clear message to Matheus Nunes after his winner against Aston Villa
Gary Neville says Jeremy Doku’s delivery for Manchester City winner was ‘De Bruyne-like’
Neville was impressed by Jeremy Doku’s display, capped off by his superb assist for City’s crucial second goal.
Doku got the better of Axel Disasi down the left and whipped the ball across the face of goal for Nunes to tap home at the back post.
“It looked like this game was drifting all the way to a draw,” Neville said on Sky Sports, as transcribed by BBC Sport.
“I’ve not seen him celebrate like that for a long time, Pep Guardiola. Unai Emery can’t believe it.
“That delivery into the box is De Bruyne-like. Matheus Nunes, the right-back and he goes wild Pep Guardiola.”
How Jeremy Doku fared for Manchester City against Aston Villa
Ahead of the contest, Guardiola admitted to being “unfair” on Doku for not playing him regularly in recent games.
The £56million man would have certainly given Guardiola some food for thought with his impact off the bench.
Doku skilfully set up arguably one of the club’s most important goals this season so far.
| Jeremy Doku stats v Aston Villa | |
| Minutes played | 16′ |
| Assists | 1 |
| Dribble attempts (succ.) | 3 (2) |
| Touches | 13 |
| Accurate passes | 5/6 (83%) |
| Key passes | 1 |
| Crosses (acc.) | 1 (1) |
| Big chances created | 1 |
| Ground duels (won) | 4 (3) |
As well as providing the late assist, Doku completed two of his three dribble attempts and won three of his four ground duels.
Doku also changed the game against Everton, and City fans were certainly appreciative of his efforts for a second matchday in a row.
