Former Manchester City star and current pundit Shaun Goater has praised Ederson’s performance against Real Madrid, but admitted it’s easy to forget how good the City goalkeeper is.
City secured a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash with Real Madrid on Tuesday evening, setting up huge return leg at the Etihad Stadium next week.
Real Madrid weathered City’s early dominance and took the lead when Vinicius Junior beat Ederson with a fierce shot, before Pep Guardiola’s side drew level with their own rocket from Kevin de Bruyne.
While Ederson was unable to keep a clean sheet, the Brazilian goalkeeper put in a fine performance at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
The 29-year-old made two key saves in the final 15 minutes to keep the score level, first palming away a close-range Karim Benzema header before tipping a thunderous effort from Aurelien Tchouameni over the bar.
At times over the past couple of years, Ederson’s shot-stopping ability has been questioned by some City fans.
However, over the last few months the goalkeeper has made some vital saves at key moments in matches, both in the Champions League and Premier League.
Ederson doesn’t get the credit he deserves
Ederson is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world when it comes to distribution and using his feet.
But according to former City striker Shaun Goater, he doesn’t get enough credit for the work he does with his hands.
“Going back to the Ederson thing, we always talk about how good he is with his feet, he’s so exceptional with the ball at his feet, but you can forget how great of a goalkeeper he is,” Goater said on City’s Matchday Live show after Tuesday’s game.
“Pulling off great saves like that, it’s great stuff from him.”
Ederson has conceded just 31 goals in 33 Premier League appearances this season, with Nick Pope the only other goalkeeper in the league to have conceded fewer goals in more games (29 conceded in 34 appearances).
