Featured Image Credit: TNT Sports
Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, Football, Josko Gvardiol, Peter Crouch, Julian Alvarez, Fulham
Chris Byfield
Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, Football, Josko Gvardiol, Peter Crouch, Julian Alvarez, Fulham
Peter Crouch has given a surprising take on whether Josko Gvardiol should have taken a penalty against Fulham.
Gvardiol scored a goal either side of Phil Foden's strike to give City a commanding lead over Fulham in the lunch-time kick off on Saturday.
And when City were awarded a late penalty, there were calls from fans for Gvardiol to be given the opportunity to score a hat-trick - a feat never before achieved by a defender in the Premier League.
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Ultimately, the penalty was given to more regular taker, Julian Alvarez, who scored to seal a 4-0 win for Pep Guardiola's side.
Former Tottenham, Liverpool and England striker Crouch admitted he was glad Gvardiol didn't take the spot-kick.
Crouch said: "I was pleased he didn't take the penalty. I thought it would have been slightly taking the mick a little bit out of Fulham.
"But also, they've got a job to do. Alvarez is the best for the job. I think it was the right decision for him not to take it."
In response former City defender Joleon Lescott said: "I had a slightly different opinion, for him to score a hat-trick it would have bene remarkable.
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"I like the way he decided, it wasn't confusion. It wasn't like 'I want to take it' and Alvarez was like yes, no. It was like, Alvarez is taking it, there was no discussion."
Crouch added: "We've had issues around that this season. I think the fact it was discussed but it didn't interfere with Alvarez's penalty.
"He gave it him after. It was the right decision. They're trying to win a league title here, it's not a testimonial.
"We'd all love Gvardiol to get a hat-trick but at the end of the day, they've got to win the game.
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"That one goal could decide the title. If he goes and misses that, everyone would say 'remember that one goal where we tried to let Gvardiol get a hat-trick and he missed it'. It could cost them."
Meanwhile, Gvardiol has said that while he wanted to take the penalty, he was happy to pass on the responsibility to Alvarez.
The former Leipzig man said: "Another two goals, I'm happy. Of course, a clean sheet. We were discussing about me taking the penalty.
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"I said of course I would like to take it but we know who the taker is and he takes. So in the end it was Julian and I'm happy for him to score the goal."
On his goalscoring form, Gvardiol added: "No, it's normal. It's normal in sport.
"Currently, I'm in good form and the end of the season is coming. Three more finals. We've got to be ready.
"We just need to be focussed on ourselves and keep going that way.
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"Of course, we talk about [the title race]. As you can see we are trying to get there.
"But it's not easy because Arsenal have quality as well. They are doing quite well as well."