Raheem Sterling gave his man-of-the-match award to Taylor Harwood-Bellis after the teenage defender’s impressive display in Manchester City’s Carabao Cup win over Oxford United.
Sterling was given the award after scoring two tap-ins to make the difference in City’s 3-1 victory at Oxford, after Matty Taylor had cancelled out Joao Cancelo’s opener.
The win set up a mouthwatering semi-final clash against Manchester United , but Sterling was keen to play down his role and heaped the plaudits on 17-year-old centre-back Harwood-Bellis.
Being interviewed by Sky Sports alongside the teenager after the game, Sterling handed the award to his young teammate and said: “This is for Taylor.
“Taylor’s done brilliant tonight. I thought he was fantastic, won his headers, won his duels. I had it easy.”
(Image: Michael Zemanek/BPI/REX)
Taylor was joined in the heart of City’s defence by another teenager, 18-year-old Eric Garcia, while Adian Bernabe, also 18, played his part in the victory after coming on as a sub.
Sterling, who is known for being on hand to help out the club’s youngsters, hailed all three but reserved special praise for “great player” Harwood-Bellis.
“I don’t need to nurse through Taylor or any of the others!” said Sterling.
“They’ve come through training and you’ve seen them on the pitch. It was a difficult night and they’ve come through brilliantly. He’s only 17 and he’s a great player.”
(Image: Getty Images)
City will face bitter local rivals United in the Carabao Cup semi-finals hoping to gain revenge for a 2-1 defeat at the Etihad earlier this month.
The ties will be played over two legs in the weeks commencing January 6 and 27, with United at home first.
United reached the last four after they beat League Two Colchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford.
Leicester City will play Aston Villa in the other semi-final, with the Foxes at home in the first leg.
Brendan Rodgers’ side held their nerve to win a penalty shootout against Everton at Goodison Park having let a two-goal lead slip, while Villa made the semis after beating a young Liverpool side 5-0 at Villa Park on Tuesday.
