Scott Carson Manchester City
Scott Carson received some gentle stick from Manchester City players over his performance against Newcastle, as he joked that had Ederson played the 4-3 win would have finished as a goalless draw. Carson, 35, was a surprise inclusion in the starting XI at Newcastle, making his debut after two seasons as City’s third-choice goalkeeper. With the Premier League title wrapped up, Pep Guardiola rotated his side again, and the result was some good attacking play but questionable defending in a seven-goal thriller.
Scott Carson said: “The most important thing at the end of the day was the three points. It has kept the unbeaten away record going. For me, personally, it was brilliant to get a game. I was a little bit nervous before because I think it has been over two years [since I have played]. Once the whistle goes, I forgot the feeling of how much I enjoyed it and why I have loved playing football ever since I can remember. When they get the penalty and they make it 2-2 you think whether it is going to be one of those days, but the lads came up to me and said it is only me who plays in those sorts of games! I think it would have been a boring 0-0 if ‘Eddy’ had played!”
Carson had no chance with Newcastle’s first penalty, but was almost the hero as he stopped Joe Willock’s spot-kick after half time, but he rued the unfortunate deflection of the ball to fall kindly to Willock, who tucked in the rebound.
Scott Carson said: “I think because he didn’t put it as far in the corner as he wanted it has hit me on the forearm and unfortunately spun back in front of the goal. He has tapped the rebound in, so the penalty save is irrelevant. It would have been nice if it went around the post or if one of the defenders had cleared it, but going back to what we said before, the most important thing was the victory.”
With ten years passing since his last Premier League game, and two years since a game in any division, Carson expressed relief at Guardiola’s show of faith, as he gave an insight into the relentless attitude in the City dressing room.
Scott Carson said: “It has never stopped me from working hard, enjoying what I am doing day in, day out and hopefully how I have been around the place and how I have trained has rewarded me with a game. I will just keep doing what I have been doing and support the lads as best as I can. It was a really proud moment to make my debut for Manchester City. I am really proud of that and it is something I won’t forget. They are an incredible group. They have got a great mix. We have the best manager in the world whose tactics are nothing like we have seen before. He has got the players who can plan it on the training ground, put it on the tactics board and they can do it, no questions asked. Obviously this season didn’t start too well, but no one stopped believing and everyone knew it was only a matter of one victory and we could go on a great run. That is what happened. They are just relentless. Every player we have. Every day, the standards are so high on the training ground. From the minute I walked in I was just blown away by the quality on the training ground. The manager sometimes rotates the team and he doesn’t seem to bother the players as they just get on with it and they are able to adapt to whatever he says. I think that is one of the main reasons after seeing it myself.”
