Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Stephen Killen & Jack Flintham

Jack Grealish sends message to Roy Keane after pundit blasts Man City forward

Jack Grealish managed to silence Roy Keane on Tuesday evening after scoring Manchester City's second goal in their victory over Peterborough United.

The hosts frustrated City in the first half, limiting them to very few chances and forcing a save from Ederson. But in the second half, City showed their Premier League quality.

Riyad Mahrez gave City the lead with a calm finish beyond the Peterborough goalkeeper. Grealish then doubled the advantage with a fine finish following a lovely ball over the top by Phil Foden.

ALSO READ: 'It's about time he grew up' - Roy Keane offers scathing assessment of Man City's Jack Grealish

Before the match, Roy Keane was critical of Grealish's mentality. He explained on ITV: "I think it’s crunch time for Man City over the next few months, this is where you will really test as a player, crunch games.

"Jack’s had a few injury problems, probably been criticised a little bit for his off-the-field stuff but I think what Jack has to do is grow up and get the trust of Pep [Guardiola]. He probably hasn’t got that yet, same with England, I don’t think Gareth [Southgate] trusts him that much yet, good opportunity for him.

Jack Grealish celebrates with teammate Phil Foden. (Matt McNulty - Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)

"Whatever Jack’s doing off the field, it does take its toll when you’re an attacking player, it’s another opportunity for Jack. I do think it’s about time he grew up."

At full-time, Keane was left singing the praises of Grealish. "He’s like a lot of players out there, he wants minutes under his belt," the former United captain said.

"The biggest lift he’ll get will be scoring, he’s said about speaking to the manager but it’s the effect he has in the game, we saw that with that bit of quality. It was the highlight of the night, the run, the desire.

"Jack is a good link-up player, its quite easy to defend with bodies but having that desire, intelligence, when to do it, the key was when he made the run, the touch it set him up and that’ll do Jack the world of good. We saw that in the second half, brilliant run, the first-touch set him up for the goal.

"He’s talking there and it is the end product he needs to improve, need more goals and assists from him, this was the highlight of the game the goal itself. The goal, the brilliant pass, the touch sets him up, nice and simple. We’ve seen Phil Foden do this before."

City host Manchester United on Sunday in the Manchester derby and Grealish will be hopeful of breaking into the starting XI again after a stellar performance in the FA Cup.

Sign up to our City newsletter so you never miss an update from the Etihad Stadium this season.

Catch up on all the latest Blues headlines in our Man City section

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.