SEOUL: Former Manchester United and England star Jesse Lingard signed off with a goal in his final game for FC Seoul before bidding a tearful farewell to South Korean football after two seasons.
The 32-year-old former England international scored the opener in Seoul’s 1-1 draw at home to Melbourne City in the AFC Champions League on Wednesday night, having announced days before it would be his last appearance for the club.
Lingard, who made 60 appearances for FC Seoul, broke down in tears after the match as he watched a video on the big screen which paid tribute to “Our beloved captain.”
“Your name and legacy will always be remembered in the history of our club,” it said. “Seoul will always be your home. Thank you, our captain.”
Lingard, who joined the club in February last year, addressed and applauded the home fans before hugging his team-mates during a lap of honor.
He said on the eve of the game that he had spent “a happy two years” in South Korea.
“I’ve learned a lot, I’ve become more mature, I’ve had a lot of responsibility this year being captain,” said the attacking midfielder, who played 32 times for England, including in the 2018 World Cup semifinal.
“I can leave South Korea more mature, I believe.”
Lingard coolly slotted home in the 31st minute to put Seoul in front and celebrated with a Michael Jackson-style moonwalk.
Melbourne equalized midway through the second half.
Ex-Man United star Lingard scores on tearful farewell to South Korea
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Ex-Man United star Lingard scores on tearful farewell to South Korea
- Former Manchester United and England star Jesse Lingard signed off with a goal in his final game for FC Seoul before bidding a tearful farewell to South Korean football after two seasons
Guardiola hails Man City’s ‘massive’ win over Newcastle
- Guardiola’s second-placed side closed the gap on leaders Arsenal to just two points with their tense victory at the Etihad Stadium
MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Pep Guardiola labelled Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Newcastle on Saturday as a “massive” moment in the Premier League title race.
Guardiola’s second-placed side closed the gap on leaders Arsenal to just two points with their tense victory at the Etihad Stadium.
Nico O’Reilly put City ahead in the first half and restored the lead before half-time after Lewis Hall had equalized.
City weren’t at their best in the second half, but they held on to pile pressure on spluttering Arsenal, who travel to Tottenham for the north London derby on Sunday.
Guardiola knew it was essential to make Arsenal sweat.
“Massive. Newcastle is an incredible team, awesome in physicality and speed they have up front. Physicality in the middle. Really tough but the team was unbelievable,” he said.
“It’s coming in best part of the season. Every single game will be similar to today.”
After finishing without a trophy last season, City are back in the hunt for the seventh English title of Guardiola’s reign.
They will have a game in hand on Arsenal after this weekend and are guaranteed to win the title if they win their last 11 league matches.
Guardiola has embarked on an expensive overhaul of City’s squad in the last 12 months, shedding aging stars like Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson and Kyle Walker and bringing in the likes of Marc Guehi, Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki.
The Spaniard is well aware that his new generation largely lacks the experience of winning under the pressure of a title race, which made their gritty success against Newcastle even more meaningful.
“70 percent of the players have never been in that situation, and I don’t play. So we have to live it, they know that every game will be like this,” he said.
“Especially at home, with five home games left. Today was the best crowd of the year, it was unbelievable with our people, really proud to be manager of these incredible people and fans.
“Of course in terms of points it’s important, but we have to improve to have chance to compete until the end. Now we deserve three more days off. Then another battle in Leeds.”
Guardiola singled out O’Reilly for praise after the young England midfielder’s pair of clinical finishes showed he won’t be affected by the strain of chasing Arsenal.
“Nico give us in the middle that physicality that we need. He now plays in his position,” he said.
“He has always played that, he is so complete and so young. I am really pleased the academy produced these incredible players, Nico, Phil (Foden), Rico (Lewis).”
