Rayan Cherki’s sublime rabona assist in Manchester City’s win over Sunderland on Saturday drew gasps from the home crowd and may be a moment of inspiration to turn the tide in this season’s title race.
But while former City defender Steph Houghton described it as the assist of the season, manager Pep Guardiola was not as excited – urging the French playmaker to keep things simple.
Cherki was the star of the show at a rain-soaked Etihad Stadium, as Guardiola’s men ensured there was no slip-up following leaders Arsenal’s last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, and now sit two points off the top.
The 22-year-old had rolled the ball to Ruben Dias for the first goal, which the Portugal international thumped into the net from 30 yards, but his second assist will be remembered for a long time.
Cherki ran at Sunderland defender Trai Hume, turned him inside out, before clipping an audacious rabona, which the onrushing Phil Foden headed into the net via the crossbar.
“I worked for that,” Cherki told BBC Match of the Day. “I know my quality, which is my technique, when I play with Phil [Foden], Erling [Haaland], Omar [Marmoush], it’s very important to give the good balls for them.”
It was a sublime pass but Guardiola’s reaction afterwards suggested he wasn’t a fan, warning Cherki may need to look at Argentine great Lionel Messi’s ability in keeping it simple.
“I never saw Messi play a cross like he has done,” said Guardiola. “Messi is the best player to play the game but I never saw these kind of crosses.
“Crosses are fine, right or left or which part of your feet, it doesn’t matter. If it is effective, it is fine, but I like the simplicity because I learned from Messi that I never make a mistake with the simple things.
“The simple things he does perfectly, then he dribbles past four or five players. I want players to do the simple things well and after that you have special talent and he can do whatever he wants.
“But if he doesn’t work now, it will be a problem. He will be in trouble.”
It still drew plenty of admiration, though. Former City defender Houghton, on the BBC’s Final Score, said: “That assist! Assist of the season.”