Cole Palmer scored Manchester City’s only goal in normal time (Picture: Getty Images)
Manchester City have won the UEFA Super Cup, downing Sevilla on penalties after the game finished 1-1 in Greece on Wednesday night.
Sevilla took the lead in the first half thanks to an impressive header from Youssef En-Nesyri as he powered an effort past Ederson.
It was not until the 63rd minute that Manchester City levelled up, and it was the eye-catching 21-year-old Cole Palmer who got on the score sheet, just as he did in the Community Shield.
It may not be what he is known for at this stage of his career, but it was also a well-placed header that saw the Premier League champions level things up.
More chances came at both ends but none were take and the Super Cup was to be decided by a penalty shootout.
City scored all five of their penalties before Nemanja Gudelj smashed his effort onto the crossbar and gave the English side the win.
Sevilla’s Moroccan forward #15 Youssef En-Nesyri celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the 2023 UEFA Super Cup football match between Manchester City and Sevilla at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus on August 16, 2023. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)
On a sweltering night at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, the home of Olympiacos, the match wasn’t always played at full speed, but both teams were certainly there to win.
City were the clear favourites going into the game and started the brigher of the two, with Grealish and Palmer forcing early saves from Sevilla goalkeeper Bono.
However, it was the Spaniards who took the lead 25 minutes in as En-Nesyri powerfully headed home a brilliant cross from Marcos Acuna.
The left-back swung in a great delivery and the Morocco international produced a mighty leap and well placed header into the corner past Ederson.
Things could and should have got worse for the Premier League champions shortly after the half-time break when En-Nesyri was again in the right place as Lucas Ocampos put the ball on a plate for him in the penalty box.
It was a swift counter-attack down the left and Ocampos slid in a low cross to the forward who could only aim his striker straight at the goalkeeper.
The Sevilla striker was regretting that miss just after the hour mark when Palmer equalised for City, again showing the great promise he possesses.
Rodri put an in-swinging cross into the box from the left, which looked to be finding Erling Haaland but the youngster called for the Norwegian to leave it and Palmer expertly placed a looping header back over the keeper to find the net.
En-Nesyri had another superb chance immediately after as Ocampos played him in again, but again the Moroccan could only fire straight at Ederson.
Both teams had chances to win it before the final whistle, but Manchester City had the better of them, with Nathan Ake spurning the very best as he saw a low header saved late on.
With the teams unable to separate themselves within 90 minutes the game went straight to penalties and
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A dramatic finish in Greece.
