THE teenager with the middle name of Promise ensured Manchester City’s quadruple isn’t a broken dream this morning with a stunning hat-trick.
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| Kelechi Iheanacho scored three goals as Man City hammered Villa 4-0 |
Kelechi Iheanacho has been promising big things ever since as a raw 17-year-old straight out of the Nigerian junior teams, he was flung into a pre-season friendly by manager Manuel Pellegrini.
It was sink or swim time for Iheanacho on the prestigious 2014 USA tour because City were already aware they would have their work cut out for the striker to be granted a work permit.
A goal to confirm the stunning potential which already had a number of Premier League sides interested set the diplomatic Etihad wheels in motion, the club determined to secure his signature.
On his 18th birthday a deal was concluded and Iheanacho was on board.
Now still only 19 he is rapidly proving that maybe Pellegrini wasn’t after all suffering a brain storm when he allowed Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic to leave.
Certainly there were no doubters at Villa Park yesterday as the emerging hit man virtually guaranteed City a place in the FA Cup fifth round by half-time.
He struck twice, one of the goals coming from the penalty spot much to the disgust of Raheem Sterling.
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| Iheanacho,18, took his chance when Bony injured and Aguero on the bench |
With Wilfried Bony injured and the master blaster Sergio Aguero on the substitutes bench it didn’t take long for Iheanacho to confirm his presence.
To a volley of abuse from the Villa fans who had actually bothered to turn up, old boy Fabian Delph delivered a corner which was flicked on for Fernando to power in a header. Although Jordan Veretout was able to clear off the line Iheanacho smashed in the rebound.
Villa, hoping for some relief from what appears an eternal battle against the drop, looked dejected. Only three minutes gone and 1-0 down.
Worse was to follow when Leandro Bacuna, who appeared ready to self destruct at any given moment, needlessly blocked Raheem Sterling in the box as the England forward looked to take advantage of Jesus Navas cross.
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| Iheanacho sent Brad Guzan the wrong way with his penalty |
Sterling believed with Aguero and Yaya Toure not involved he was next in line for penalty duty.
Stand in skipper Pablo Zabaletta had other ideas insisting the ball was handed over to Iheanacho.
Sterling wasn’t too pleased, although after tossing away one of his gloves following a minor strop he did join in the celebrations when Iheanacho calmly sent Brad Guzan the wrong way from the spot.
That made it seven goals in just 18 appearances for City – with as his middle name suggests the promise of many more to come.
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| Man City are a step closer to winning their first FA Cup since 2011 |
Another followed in the 74th minute, Iheanacho calmly racing 40 yards to punish a lapse back pass from Idrissa Gana before a cool finish past Guzan.
Villa’s defensive woes continued when following an ambitious Iheanacho overhead kick Sterling pounced from close range two minutes later.
Earlier Sterling had been unfortunate to collect a yellow card after Bacuna decided to have words about the penalty incident when the pair came together. The Villa man pushed his hand into Sterling’s face who remarkably maintained his cool only for referee Mike Jones to book both players.
Bacuna again found himself in trouble for another robust challenge, Jones calling on Villa skipper Micah Richards to listen in on a final warning.
It’s a pity the same aggression isn’t channelled into Villa’s play which is turning into a shambles.
But for City the show rolls on. A Wembley place already guaranteed via the League Cup final, progress here in the FA Cup, the Champions League still to come and the Premier League title within their considerable reach.
For Villa last May’s Final appearance must seem a million miles away with manager Remi Garde admitting: “We have a lot of respect for the competition but you can’t afford to be 1-0 down against a side like City after just a few minutes.”
Aston Villa: Guzan; Bacuna, Clark, Richards, Cissokho; Westwood (Okore 46), Gana; Veretout Sinclair (Agbonlahor 66), Gil (Grealish 80); Ayew.
Manchester City: Caballero; Zabaleta, Sagna, Otamendi (Humphreys 88), Clichy (Tasende 81); Fernando, Fernandinho (Celina 78), Delph; Navas, Iheanacho, Sterling.
Referee: M. Jones.
Att: 23,636
Man of the match: Kelechi Iheanacho. This is a mouthful of a name which you will be hearing a lot of. The real deal.
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