In the latest instalment of #City30, presented by Nexen, we asked you - the fans - to nominate the best goalkeeping display of the Pep Guardiola, Nick Cushing or Alan Mahon eras.
Who starred to preserve that crucial clean sheet? Who made save after splendid save? Who clawed away that one pivotal stop which had seemed destined for the top corner? Who was the brick wall, standing tall under relentless pressure?
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There were two standout suggestions...
Unsurprisingly, our brilliant Brazilian Ederson earned acclaim for his superb performance in last season’s 1-0 triumph over Tottenham but amazingly, there was also a vote for a cameo appearance of a right-back between the sticks on a crazy night in Italy...
Ederson vs Spurs in the PL last season when we won 1:0 at home.
— david.orsolic1998@gmail.com (@David_Orsolic) April 17, 2020
#City30 Can I really choose @kylewalker2 here...!!!! pic.twitter.com/VVqd1oRG75
— Kavita Chugh (@KavitaChugh) April 17, 2020
Ederson‘s stoic display against Spurs in April 2019 was superb - and would prove crucial in the Premier League title race.
He was simply impenetrable, producing excellent saves to deny Son Heung-min (three times!), Christian Eriksen and Lucas Moura and preserve a pivotal clean sheet to ensure Phil Foden‘s early strike clinched a vital three points.
Under immense pressure, he scooped up every cross, blocked every shot and gathered every loose ball. A solid display all around and a team performance made all the more impressive as it took place just three days after that Champions League thriller against Spurs.
Brilliant, bold, Brazilian magic.
Fast forward to November and a trip to the legendary San Siro, as City locked horns with Atalanta in the Champions League group stages.
A truly bizarre clash which will live long in the memory, especially for Kyle Walker.
The first half had already witnessed drama aplenty. City led 1-0 through Raheem Sterling‘s seventh-minute strike and Gabriel Jesus missed a penalty just before the break before the game took a strange turn.
Ederson was brought off at half-time as a precaution, replaced of course by Claudio Bravo. Only the Chilean was unable to complete the second 45: shown a red card with eight minutes of normal time remaining.
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Both goalkeepers out of action! Step up Walker, who donned the gloves and took his place in goal, sporting an equally unusual combination of colours with the pink ‘keeper strip and Hacienda shorts and socks!
Quite a sight.
A man down, Walker in net and Atalanta seeking a late winner having levelled through Mario Pasalic, the pressure was on - but Walker stood firm.
In truth, he was probably not tested as much as he would have expected but managed to thwart a late low free-kick to preserve his clean sheet and City managed the game well to hold out for an admirable point in the circumstances!
Sunday’s #City30 topic: the best free-kick.
Whose set-piece was simply spectacular? Who hit top bins from an impossible distance? Who cleverly fooled the wall and the goalkeeper? Who struck a rocket which left the ‘keeper standing?
Share your nominations on Twitter @ManCity using the hashtag #City30.
