Riyad Mahrez has revealed that the positioning of Kepa Arrizabalaga enticed him to strike the set-piece that sent Chelsea on their way to defeat.
As quoted by the Manchester City website, Mahrez admitted that the Arrizabalaga gave him reason to try his luck from a dead-ball situation on Sunday.
The Algerian’s brilliant free-kick from range caused City to go on and crush Graham Potter’s side in the FA Cup third round meeting at the Etihad.
Up until the attacker accurately found the back of the net, Chelsea had held their own at the home of the reigning English champions.
But their flame was instantly doused by Mahrez’s second goal against them in just a few days.
Yet, had Kepa picked his spot between the sticks better, the Blues may have held on for just a little while longer.
“It was a good free-kick. I never take it normally from that far out, but I saw the big space on the keeper’s left side and I was thinking if I shoot properly maybe it can go in. I did and luckily it went in so I’m happy,” said City’s first goal scorer of the night.
Riyad Mahrez takes two chunks out of Chelsea
Whilst Kepa might take some responsibility for Chelsea falling behind, nothing should be taken away from Mahrez’s magical effort.
The Spanish goalkeeper can certainly shoulder a lot of the blame for handing Guardiola all three points in the Premier League, however. that allowed Mahrez to score a simple tap in at Stamford Bridge last Thursday.
These minor moments are the difference between title challenging City and mid-table Chelsea.