Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admitted he was urging Vincent Kompany not to shoot as he lined up his brilliant winner against Leicester.
The City captain’s long-range strike gave his side a 1-0 win, meaning they will retain their Premier League title if they beat Brighton on Sunday.
Belgian defender Kompany’s goal was his first from outside the penalty area for City after 11 years with the club.
“I said, ‘No shoot Vinnie, no shoot!'” said Guardiola.
And Kompany revealed the City boss had not been the only person doubting him before he let fly.
“I could hear people saying ‘don’t shoot, don’t shoot!’ But I’ve not come this far in my career to have young players tell me when to shoot,” said Kompany.
Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling posted a picture of him on Twitter with a pained expression, with the caption: “My face screaming “NOOOO VINNY WHY U DO THIS” so hard. what a hit boi !!! Captain Incredible.”
Meanwhile, Sergio Aguero could be heard telling Kompany after the final whistle: “I tell you, no shoot! No Vinnie, no!”
Kompany had not hit the target from outside the penalty area since 2013 but he has saved his goals for big moments.
He scored a vital goal against Manchester United in 2012 to turn the title race in City’s favour, while his past three have come in last year’s Carabao Cup final, the Manchester derby and then Monday’s win against Leicester.
