Paul Dickov hailed one of Manchester City’s fringe players as ‘top-class’ after the 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.
Manchester City are back to just one point behind Arsenal in the Premier League table, after an important win at the City Ground.
The pressure was on after Arsenal had beaten Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 earlier in the day. But City responded well, against a decent Forest outfit.
Forest put in a good performance and actually had more attempts at goal than City. But City were simply more clinical on the day. Pep Guardiola‘s side were not are their outstanding best, but did enough to win the game which is the most important thing right now.
Kevin De Bruyne supplied two assists for Josko Gvardiol and Erling Haaland, who came on as a substitute after a couple of games out.
After the game, City legend Paul Dickov was keen to praise someone who won’t be grabbing too many headlines…
Paul Dickov calls Stefan Ortega ‘top-class’ after Manchester City beat Luton
Forest posed a threat yesterday as they sought to cause a shock.
It meant that Ederson was kept on his toes, but the Brazilian only lasted until half-time in the game. He collided with Forest defender Willy Boly towards the end of the half, and required treatment for several minutes.
Ederson played on until the break but was then substituted. Guardiola’s post-match comments about the South American didn’t bode particularly well, and so we may now see Stefan Ortega Moreno get another run in the team.
Ortega did well against Forest yesterday, and looked nice and composed once again coming into a game as a sub.
During City’s Matchday Live show on YouTube, Paul Dickov had some kind words for the German stopper. He said: “He’s a top-class goalkeeper, we all know that. We’re so lucky to have the two goalkeepers we have at the club. Disappointing for Ederson getting injured.”
Another potential chance for Ortega
Ortega is certainly a top-class ‘keeper and City are lucky to have a player such as him as their number two.
It is never easy to find a back-up goalkeeper who has as much quality as £55,000-a-week man Ortega does. When he plays, there is hardly a drop-off in quality.
It looks like he could possibly now get another run in the team, with Guardiola not sounding particularly optimistic yesterday about Ederson’s injury
But fans will not be feeling too worried because Ortega has generally done a sterling job when he has been called upon since arriving at the club on a free transfer in the summer of 2022.
