Vincent Kompany goal: Manchester City captain reveals team-mates urged him not to shoot

City's long-serving and influential captain netted with a ferocious long-range shot to settle nerves after 70 minutes of a nail-biting contest at the Etihad Stadium

Mark Critchley
Monday 06 May 2019 22:37 BST
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Vincent Kompany joked that nobody can tell when and when not to shoot after his wonder goal put Manchester City one win away from retaining the Premier League title.

On what may well be his final Etihad appearance as a City player, Kompany scored an incredible goal from 25 yards out to earn a 1-0 victory over Leicester City.

The champions were held until the 70th minute by Brendan Rodgers’ side and risked handing the initiative to title rivals Liverpool heading into the final weekend.

But Kompany’s brilliant strike broke Leicester’s resolve and ensured that victory at Brighton and Hove Albion on the final day will see City hold onto their crown.

“Everyone was saying don’t shoot but I’ve not come this far in my career to be told when I can and can’t shoot,” the centre-half told Sky Sports.

“I’ve had 15 years of top-level midfielders telling me not to shoot but I always told them one day I am going to have a shot from outside the box and I’m going to score a goal.”

Kompany’s City contract is set to expire this summer and the club captain appeared to be tearful during the traditional end-of-season lap of honour.

But Kompany insisted that, whether he stays with City or not, he will not retire at the end of the season at the age of 33.

Asked directly about his City future, Kompany said: “I do not know at this point. I’m absolutely not [retiring]. I am going to play. Nothing is written in stone.”

On his goal, Kompany added: “It’s not about the amount of goals you score it’s about when you score them. Today it was necessary.

“From the very start we had the right intensity to try and win this game. Kasper made some important saves and only I could beat him on a day like today! I’m just trying to contribute and today we went one step closer.”

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