Raheem Sterling tried but failed to make an impact on his return to Manchester City’s starting XI as part of half-a-dozen changes made by Pep Guardiola for our FA Cup quarter-final against Everton at Goodison Park.

The English speedster was a constant nuisance for the Toffees defenders but didn’t do enough to get himself a goal. Pep Guardiola’s men dominated the game in the first half but were held to a goalless scoreline at the half-time break.

The game proceeded in the same fashion in the second half, Sterling got into a few good positions from his left-wing role, but his shots lacked clinicality, as did his passing and shooting.

After 80 minutes, Pep Guardiola decided it was time for De Bruyne and Sterling, a one-time invincible, was hooked. Within four minutes, City were ahead through Gundogan and later De Bruyne with a rasper.

Raheem Sterling tried and looked sharper than anyone on his first start since the derby and pushed the Everton keeper closer than anybody before the goal came after he had been taken off.

But he offered not a single key pass and was dispossessed more often than any other City player, and couldn’t do anything of note with the ball at his feet.

Sterling’s reaction to his replacement’s game-winning influence needed to have been better than his reported response to his reduced role in recent weeks. If he wants to be happy again and to play in this City team, he has to up his game to get near their best XI right now.

While City fans were disappointed with his overall performance they are backing the 26-year-old to come back better than ever.

Sterling is shocking.
— Richard Birchall (@birchall25) March 20, 2021

This performance has been absolutely disgusting so far. Pep’s finally making a change. Raheem Sterling in particular I’ve had enough of him. At the moment he isn’t adding any inspiration or skill to the team he’s just going through the basics but doing them wrong
— Leo🇧🇼 (@mcfcleo_) March 20, 2021

Raheem Sterling is clearly out of form, but he’s not helping himself. Stick to the basics, pass and go. Him trying to dribble and take shots from 20+ yards is not it.
— Sam (@Samkostfeit) March 20, 2021

Raheem Sterling will be back btw, as he always seems to do when he has a dip in form. This break from club football couldn’t have come at a better time.
— Freddie (@FreddiePye_) March 20, 2021

Oh man you guys are going to regret doubting Raheem Sterling
— ‏ً (@mcfcdann) March 20, 2021

I may have criticised him earlier, but the fact Raheem Sterling has 178 goal contributions for club and country in his last 4 seasons is seriously impressive…
— Baldiola (@TeacherOfBall) March 20, 2021

Raheem Sterling is gradually becoming a makeshift player in this Pep's all conquering side. I hope he realizes it on time, work hard like John Stones and come back better. Dispensable #EVEMCI
— Oziọmã. S. Kánụ (@88ideass) March 20, 2021

Read More:

Related Posts