Manchester City supporters have been left puzzled after Pep Guardiola decided against handing Riyad Mahrez a start in their Premier League clash with Everton.
The 31-year-old has been in fine form of late, scoring three goals in his last four matches, also providing an assist.
In fact, he has netted 18 goals in 30 games so far this campaign, making him the side's top scorer.
However, he has been denied his 11th league start of the season with Guardiola preferring the front three that lost 3-2 to Tottenham last time out; Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling.
City fans were left bemused by the decision, and vented their frustration of social media...
@SxrgioSZN: Mahrez doesn’t deserve this.
@citykevin_: What is it gonna take for Mahrez to start?
@yassine26982: So our best attacker this season is getting benched?
@SazMCFC: WHY ISN’T MAHREZ STARTING?
@_siddharth1904: Riyad should've started.
@Kawtaranfc: What is this? Mahrez is the team's top scorer and the best player in the team this season, and now he's subbed for the second time!
@Therokhutzo: What does Mahrez have to do to get constant game time? Because he definitely performs every time his on the pitch.
@Zette791: How is Mahrez not starting. Literally our best player and he’s not starting when we just lost our last match without him?
Guardiola has picked the same XI that lost to Spurs, barring the replacement on Kyle Walker with John Stones at right-back.
Aymeric Laporte partners Ruben Dias in central defence with Joao Cancelo at left-back.
Supporting the front three is Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin de Bruyne and Rodrigo.
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