Costinha blocks off the supply line to Jeremy Doku. 📷Paul Hazlewood.
Costinha blocks off the supply line to Jeremy Doku. 📷Paul Hazlewood.
Bart Verbruggen was named man of the match at the Etihad on Saturday but head coach Fabian Hurzeler also highlighted the contribution Costinha made to the 1-0 win.
The Portuguese defender was making his first Premier League start against Manchester City and played a key role by keeping City’s flying winger Jeremy Doku relatively subdued.
“I think everyone knew before that he was playing against the best winger in the league, but how he managed it was really impressive,” said Hurzeler of the 26-year-old, who Albion signed from Olympiacos during the summer.
“We knew that he's a really, really good defender. We knew also that he had this physicality but for me I think it's also important that everyone understands what his body is capable of doing.
"He played 90 minutes on Wednesday. He played on Saturday 90 minutes. He's in very impressive shape.
“And of course, he also got help from his teammates. So it's not only one against one against Doku, he had the help from his teammates. We tried to close the spaces around him.
Sophie Peskett is mobbed by her delighted teammates after making it 2-1. 📷Kyle Hemsley
Sophie Peskett is mobbed by her delighted teammates after making it 2-1. 📷Kyle Hemsley
Jack Hinshelwood was close to scoring a second for Albion in the closing stages. 📷Paul Hazlewood.
Jack Hinshelwood was close to scoring a second for Albion in the closing stages. 📷Paul Hazlewood.
Goalscorer Yasin Ayari pushes forward in the 1-0 win over Manchester City. 📷Paul Hazlewood
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