Late Nunes strike sinks Villa and sends City third

There are infamous examples of Pep Guardiola’s fondness for exaggeration.

- RICHARD JOLLY

Since he branded Matheus Nunes one of the best players in the world, back in 2022 and when the Portuguese played for Sporting CP, there has been precious little evidence to support that statement. Recently, and more damningly, Guardiola said his £50m midfielder was not clever enough to play in the middle for Manchester City.

But as a makeshift right-back, Nunes may have gone from a waste of money to a man who earned City their slice of the Champions League millions. He had set up Nico O’Reilly’s late opener against Everton on Saturday. He scored City’s even later winner against Aston Villa, a 94th-minute decider giving them a four-point lead over rivals for a top-five finish. The athleticism that makes Guardiola use Nunes as a full-back was apparent when he powered into the penalty area to convert Jeremy Doku’s low cross. “Matheus has the physicality when he has to run, he is able to do it,” said Guardiola. Nunes’s popularity in the dressing room was not the only reason why the celebrations were so emphatic. This could decide their fate.