Nigeria youngster, Kelechi Iheanacho, scored twice as Manchester City thrashed Stoke City 4-0 to move back up to third in the Barclays Premier League.
The left-footed forward was given a rare start to partner Sergio Aguero in attack with the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Wilfried Bony and Raheem Sterling on the bench and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
After a quiet opening half hour, Fernando broke the deadlock in 34 minutes when he headed in from Jesus Navas’ corner.
Aguero doubled the lead before half-time from the penalty spot after Ryan Shawcross fouled Iheanacho. Joselu, Mame Biram Diouf and Marko Arnautovic all went close for Stoke early in the second half.
But Iheanacho wrapped up the win just after the hour mark with a composed finish after receiving Pablo Zabaleta’s pass to score his 10th of the season.
The 19-year-old added his second in the 74th minute when he rounded substitute goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard to finish into an empty net.
His double at the Etihad Stadium took his season’s tally to 11 and five in 2011 alone – with his last strike coming against Tottenham in February.
Iheanacho was named Man of the Match and teammate Joe Hart termed his performance as “brilliant”.
“He has been brilliant,” said the England shot stopper.
“He turned up last pre-season somewhat unannounced, and has really worked hard and got stuck in.
“He has had a lot of belief from the manager and is a brilliant part of our squad.
“He has come through our youth system and scored goals.”
Iheanacho himself was far more modest about his achievement, thanking his teammates and insisting “I am improving a lot but I need to work hard in training and in games.”
The win sends City into the Champions League game against Real Madrid in good nick with four wins and a draw from the last five league games, and Hart said “It’s really important – since the international break we have done really well.
“We had that big win at Bournemouth and even though we had a tough draw at Newcastle, it was a good point. And we have done well in the Champions League.”
