kyle walker manchester-city
Kyle Walker has admitted he was “lucky” to get on the scoresheet in Manchester City’s FA Cup win over Swansea City. Walker opened the scoring in City’s fifth round tie at the Liberty Stadium on Wednesday evening, With half an hour on the clock, the England defender put in a teasing ball from the right, which found its way all the way into the net without a touch from anyone else. So, was it a shot or a cross? Walker initially joked that it was intended as a shot, before coming clean.
Kyle Walker said: “I just saw the far post and thought I’d put it in the back of the net. It was a cross but, listen, we’ve deserved a bit of luck with the way we’ve been playing and I’m lucky to get on the scoresheet.”
Quickfire strikes from Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus after the break put City in control and they went on to win 3-1, with Morgan Whittaker grabbing a consolation for Swansea. It was a 15th successive victory in all competitions for Pep Guardiola’s men – the first time a top-flight English club has ever achieved this.
Kyle Walker said: “Obviously, we’ve made a few changes from last season. Tactically, where we can press and how we’re moving the ball around. But I think since I joined here, we’ve kept the same philosophy. Obviously, the gaffer knows what he wants – he’s proved that over many clubs now, and I think he’s just brought that into City, really. And over the last four seasons, we’ve been very good. I think last season, we just got beaten by a very good Liverpool team.”
On Swansea, Kyle Walker said: “They’re good. The coach (Steve Cooper) was in the England set-up, so we’ve seen what he has done with the youngsters. They’ve got a good philosophy – you can see with the way they move it – and they are doing well in the Championship. So we knew it was going to be tough. It’s the FA Cup and you know you can always get a surprise. We just didn’t want to come here and get a surprise. It was a professional win and we move on to a big game at the weekend.”
Walker is currently battling for the right-back spot with team-mate Joao Cancelo.
Kyle Walker said: “Everyone who comes into the team does well and I bet it’s a headache for the manager to pick his starting XI each and every game. All I can do is make sure I’m doing the right things on the field when I’m on the field and put pressure on people who are in my position.”
City are top of the Premier League and challenging for honours on all fronts.
Kyle walker added: “Every season I’ve been here, we’ve always been fighting for trophies and that’s why I definitely moved here – to win trophies. Each and every game we play, we play like it’s our last and to go and win the game.”
