Gabriel Jesus Issues Timely Reminder to Pep Guardiola

After a difficult start to the season scoring only once in thirteen games in the Premier League, Gabriel Jesus ended his goal drought in style against Everton on Saturday proving that he remains a valuable alternative for Pep Guardiola…

Fit-again Sergio Aguero was sat amongst Manchester City’s star-studded subs bench, and with the imminent introduction of the Argentinian goal scorer looming, Gabriel Jesus was surely running out time to seize his opportunity.

The Brazilian on an astonishing four month barren run without finding the net had failed to impress Guardiola in any of the four opportunities presented to him at the expense of Sergio Aguero, raising a few eyebrows considering his mightily impressive record for Manchester City since his arrival from Brazilian outfit Palmeiras in January 2017.

31 goals in 74 games in all competitions represents a successful 2 years so far in his Manchester City career for Gabriel Jesus. However, this season has proven difficult for the Brazilian, not only scoring on a consistent basis but not getting the game time has has desired due to the continued brilliance of Sergio Aguero. Despite scoring three times in the Champions League this season, it is domestically where Jesus has struggled to capture his best form. Whether its do with his lack of game time or consistent run in the starting XI remains to be seen.

Before Saturdays game, the pressure was surely mounting on Jesus to deliver a performance that will have reassured Guardiola – particularly with the temptation of the January transfer window looming. Sergio Aguero’s robustness and fitness will have been a concern for Guardiola, and the with the hectic festive period of fixtures coming up, City really needed Gabriel Jesus to rediscover his clinical scoring touch.

Gabriel Jesus addressed those concerns with style on Saturday. After failing to score with his previous 18 shots, Jesus beat Everton keeper Jordan Pickford with both of his attempts.

The first goal the pick of the bunch, receiving Leroy Sane’s pass after some good movement and confidently converting with his left foot from a tight angle. That’s what Jesus does best, being at the right place at the right time along with his excellent movement off the ball, showing why he is regarded as Brazil’s main no.9 for many years to come. His record for the both club and country just represents those beliefs in his ability. The second goal against Everton, a rare headed goal once again finding himself in between Everton’s defenders, highlighting his predatory instincts in-an-around the penalty box.

With City cruising at 3-1, the final moments of the game saw Jesus trying everything he can to get his hat-trick. While a customary match-ball eluded the Brazilian, it was a confidence boosting afternoon for City’s popular young striker. Both goals exhibiting Jesus’ constant knack of finding spaces that defenders try to close off , not only that but his ability to be in the right place at the right time, a trait commonly associated with some of the best strikers ever to grace the game. Craig Bellamy on Sky Sports singled out the Brazilian for praise after the game making reference to his footballing intelligence, even at such a tender age and learning under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola means there are only so much more heights that Jesus can aspire to as his career develops. The goals may have been hard to come by as of late, buts its his incredible work rate and his desire to be on the end of crosses and passes that has forced Guardiola to keep faith with the Brazilian, which was duly rewarded this weekend.

Guardiola may well reshuffle his frontline as City take on Leicester City in the Carabao Cup quarter-final midweek but with those two goals under his belt, the pressure has been eased on Guardiola to hurry Aguero back in to action. There is no disputing the fact that Aguero will win back his spot for the forthcoming games but that will not stop Gabriel Jesus from improving and delivering when an opportunity presents itself. Saturdays performance showed Gabriel Jesus still has it in him to deliver when City can’t call on Aguero.

Whatever doubts Guardiola had about Jesus before this weekend, will have surely been forgotten once the final whistle blew at the Etihad.