Nico O’Reilly was forced off less than 13 minutes after opening the scoring for Manchester City during their Premier League trip to Chelsea on Sunday
Nico O’Reilly picked up an injury for Manchester City against Chelsea(Image: Sky Sports)
Manchester City have been dealt a worrying injury blow after Nico O’Reilly hobbled off during Sunday’s thumping 3-0 win against Chelsea.
Following a tight first-half, O’Reilly had opened the scoring for Pep Guardiola’s side in the 51st minute. The England international headed home from close range after an inch-perfect cross from Rayan Cherki.
But, just 13 minutes later, O’Reilly pulled up near the halfway line and needed immediate attention from the City medical staff. He appeared to hold his right hamstring as he went down and was forced to come off, with Rayan Ait Nouri coming on in his absence.
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“He’s feeling his hamstring,” Gary Neville said on co-commentary for Sky Sports. “That would be a real shame for him, his club and country.”
At this stage, it’s unclear how serious the injury is to O’Reilly, but it could be a huge concern for City ahead of next week’s blockbuster Premier League showdown against Arsenal.
O’Reilly has instrumental for City in recent weeks, with the 21-year-old scoring twice in the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal last month. He backed that up with an assist during last Saturday’s 4-0 win against Liverpool in the FA Cup and then now a goal in the success at Chelsea.
Pep Guardiola has often preferred O’Reilly ahead of Ait Nouri as his first-choice left-back this season. While O’Reilly has played a number of minutes in midfield, he has been most used on the left side of defence.
With City 2-0 up prior to O’Reilly’s substitution thanks to Marc Guehi’s 57th-minute strike, Guardiola’s men went 3-0 in front through Jeremy Doku and ended up cruising to a comfortable win at Stamford Bridge.
The result moves second-place City to within SIX points of leaders Arsenal in the title race, with the Blues facing the Gunners next up and boasting a game in hand on their rivals.
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After a mini-blip, it does feel as though City are finding their groove and will no doubt fancy their chances to overturn the deficit and win the title for a seventh time in nine years.
City face Arsenal, Burnley, Everton, Brentford, Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace before the end of the Premier League season, with Southampton also to come in the FA Cup semi-final.
