“Michael is doing really well at the moment” – Patrick Vieira hails Super Eagles invitee’s impact in shocking Man City defeat
“Michael is doing really well at the moment” – Patrick Vieira hails Super Eagles invitee’s impact in shocking Man City defeat
The former Arsenal hero led the Eagles to hand the reigning Premier League champions a rare home defeat, and he has recognized the input of the NFF-target
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has applauded the contribution of young midfielder Michael Olise after the Eagles provided one of the shock results of the season at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Reigning champions Manchester City were the huge favourites to bag a straightforward victory in Pep Guardiola’s 200th game in charge.
But Palace delivered a composed performance to beat 10-man Manchester City 2-0 with Wilfried Zaha and Conor Gallagher firing in the goals.
Zaha will make quite a few headlines for his excellent performance after scoring the opener, tempting Aymeric Laporte to haul him down to earn a sending-off and playing a part in the crucial second goal.
But Super Eagles invitee Olise was equally impressive, coming on as a second-half substitute to assist Gallagher’s late finish.
There were only five minutes left on the clock when Vieira decided to send in the Crystal Palace number seven, and the manager was asked after the match why he did not try to add another defender to protect his side’s slender lead.
In his response, Vieira attributed his choice of a substitute to Olise’s form and ability to cause damage to the opposition.
“It’s the quality of the teams that we’re facing as well; we know that we have to keep trying to score that second goal,” the former Arsenal captain said, as per Football London.
“And we know that Michael (Olise) is doing really well at the moment; he is working well in training. We know as well that with the space that there will be in a game, with the quality that he has, that he can create something or can score you goals.
“So that was a good decision from the staff.”
The 19-year-old attacking midfielder, signed from Reading in the summer, now has one goal and two assists in his debut campaign in the English top-flight.