Claudio Bravo may have mixed feelings about Southampton’s opening goal against Manchester City.
Sure, he’ll wish he’d been able to deny Nathan Redmond, but in the back of his mind the Chilean may know there’s another fall guy to take the heat off him a little.
That fall guy is John Stones, whose short backpass was intercepted by Redmond. The former Norwich man ran in on goal, rounded Bravo and tucked the ball into the empty net.
City have been hindered greatly by individual errors of late, with Bravo’s poor clearance and subsequent red card at Camp Nou making Barcelona’s Champions League victory a foregone conclusion.
And Stones’ slip-up was the last thing Pep Guardiola’s team will have needed at home to a Saints team with a formidable away defensive record of late. Kelechi Iheanacho equalised for City in the 55th minute.
The England defender did almost make amends soon after, but saw a goal of his own disallowed for an offside flag against teammate Sergio Agüero.
And as half-time drew closer, Stones came in for the bulk of the criticism.
https://twitter.com/BigSportGB/status/790177406472556544
Given how embarrassed he must be, assume this match is being played for the John Stones Pain Trophy
— Amitai Winehouse (@awinehouse1) October 23, 2016
John Stones has done that so many times already in his career.
— Hari Sethi (@Hari_Sethi) October 23, 2016
John Stones: Has committed more errors that have led to a goal (4) than any other Premier League outfielder since the start of last season
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) October 23, 2016
Swear Stones does shit like that far more than he's given credit for
— lewis (@lewinick) October 23, 2016
Well done Redderz. Stones mistake far worse than any mistake Bravo has made so far in a MCFC shirt.
— Adam Brandon (@AdamBrandon84) October 23, 2016
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