The Algerian’s curling effort found a gap in the hosts’ wall with 20 to play to deservedly put City ahead in the French capital, building on Kevin De Bruyne’s 64th minute equaliser.
And while the winger felt we were full value for the victory, in which he put in a typically sparkling display, he admitted that there was a hint of fortune in his winning strike.
Mahrez also joked that he received a helping hand from one of his City teammates, who predicted before kick-off that the Algerian would get his name on the scoresheet.
“Yes it’s because of Ben (Benjamin Mendy), he asked God, and God gave me this goal,” he said in jest after the match.
“I wanted to go around the wall to be honest, and I missed it but it went between the two players.
“Fortunately it was in and we were so happy because we knew we could win here, to score the 2-1 for the team was amazing.
“We are going to enjoy it a little bit even though it’s not over.
“We have a big second leg but today we will drop a little bit of the pressure, enjoy it, have some food and sleep and then tomorrow we concentrate on (Crystal) Palace.”
Hear what Riyad Mahrez thought of our performance in Paris, and our busy fixture schedule, via the video above…
