Young striker Kelechi Iheanacho had said he’d be ready this weekend for the game against Crystal Palace if manager Manuel Pellegrini wanted to give him a shot and he certainly proved that by bagging the late winner today at Selhurst Park moments after coming on as an 89th minute substitute.
In what was only the 18 year old’s second substitute appearance of his career for the senior side (the first against Watford also seeing him introduced in the 89th minute) he won us all three points on the day with his maiden senior strike and in doing that, he became the 125th different Premier League goalscorer for the club.
Speaking to the Official Site following the full time whistle, the youngster couldn’t hide his joy at how the day had gone for him and with Pellegrini putting his trust in him over pre season, he was quick to thank the gaffer for sticking with him.
The Nigerian explained.
‘It means so much to me. I’m happy and very grateful and I thank the manager for introducing me. The fans went crazy when I scored. We are all happy.’
With it being a tough day against Palace, the win was justified as even their manager Alan Pardew admitted, but a draw wouldn’t have been the end of the world given how the game played out, and Iheanacho is now hoping that he can start to have similar impacts on matches in the future when more opportunities fall his way.
‘Palace is a great team – they have done well to be second in the Premier League table. I will try to do my best in in training and in games if I’m introduced. I’m hoping to do great for the team. It’s not easy. We have great players here but I have to keep working hard. We are much stronger this season with quality players. We are going to go all the way.’
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