Nunes inspires Manchester City to dramatic victory

 Nunes inspires Manchester City to dramatic victory

Nunes Nets Dramatic Late Winner as Man City Edge Villa in Champions League Chase

MANCHESTER – Matheus Nunes scored a 94th-minute winner to hand Manchester City a dramatic 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday, keeping their hopes of a top-four Premier League finish and Champions League qualification alive.

The game looked destined for a draw after Marcus Rashford's penalty canceled out Bernardo Silva's early opener, but Nunes latched onto Jeremy Doku’s cross at the back post to send the Etihad crowd into raptures and lift City to third place on 61 points.

City now sit two points clear of fourth with four matches remaining, although the three teams directly below them each have a game in hand. Villa, meanwhile, remain seventh on 57 points and extended their winless streak at the Etihad to 15 consecutive games.

“We’re not used to scoring late winners,” City boss Pep Guardiola said post-match. “So I’m really happy for the team. We’re in the final stretch and fighting for Champions League qualification.”

City made a fast start, going ahead in the 7th minute when Omar Marmoush beat Matty Cash and squared the ball for Silva. Although Emi Martinez got a hand to the shot, it wasn’t enough to prevent it from finding the net.

Rashford, who hit the post in the opening minute, drew Villa level from the penalty spot in the 18th minute after VAR judged Ruben Dias to have clipped Jacob Ramsey in the box. The on-loan Manchester United forward calmly sent Stefan Ortega the wrong way.

City created more chances throughout, outshooting Villa 14 to 7 and dominating possession with 61.6%. Yet they failed to capitalize until the final moments, when Doku surged down the left flank and delivered a low cross for Nunes to finish with clinical precision.

“Very important,” Nunes told Sky Sports. “It was a tough match against a tough opponent. We came in with the right mentality to win—and that’s exactly what we did. Perfect timing.”

It was Nunes’ first Premier League goal for the club, and it could not have come at a better moment. Guardiola celebrated wildly on the sidelines, while Villa manager Unai Emery could only watch in frustration.

“(Villa) are right there with us in the top-five race,” Ruben Dias said. “This was a huge win. Four games to go—each one is like a final now.”

City missed chances to put the game away earlier, with Kevin De Bruyne feeding James McAtee for a golden opportunity that was narrowly missed. McAtee also failed to connect on a close-range effort moments later.

Rashford continued to trouble City’s defense, including a second-half burst through midfield, but his shot found only the side netting with Ortega out of position.

“City dominated overall,” Emery admitted. “But we were competitive. We take the positives and move forward—we can’t afford to dwell now.”

With only four games left and a tight race for Champions League spots, every point is crucial. For City, Nunes’ last-gasp heroics may prove pivotal.


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