Riyad Mahrez was outstanding in Manchester City’s 4-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday evening, scoring two goals and making one assist at the Etihad Stadium, resulting in high praise from Steve Howey.
The 31-year-old has been in fine form of late, contributing eight goals in all competitions since the World Cup finished in December, and Howey believes he’s “every defender’s nightmare”.
Howey said on Matchday Live: “It was a fantastic second-half performance capped by Riyad Mahrez who must be every defender’s nightmare. You just don’t know where he is going to go.
“He can go left, he can go right, he’s got that chop, he’s got the stepover. Even if you do know where he’s going to go, there is not a great deal you can do about it as he puts you on that back foot.”
Mahrez has made 24 appearances across the board this season, scoring 10 goals with three assists. The Algerian international struggled for form earlier in the campaign with only one Premier League goal in 11 games, but he’s been on fire the last month.
His first goal against Tottenham came from trickery on the right flank to work and opening, firing a right-footed effort that found a gap at the near post. His second was a beautiful chip on the counter to seal City’s victory at the death.
City face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday afternoon and Mahrez is sure to start if fit.
For more Manchester City news and opinion, please follow our Vital Football page on Facebook – Vital Man City. Click the link and get involved!
Can you name these Man City players from the 2000s? Test your knowledge, take the quiz and challenge your friends and family to beat your score