- Man City beat Chelsea 3-0 on Sunday
- Both Doku and O’Reilly scored
- City now trail Arsenal by six points
Manchester City forward Jeremy Doku has singled out Nico O’Reilly for praise after the pair both scored in City’s 3-0 Premier League victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
After a scrappy first half which saw few chances, Man City scored three times in the second half to claim a crucial victory and pile further pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal.
The Gunners were beaten 2-1 at home by Bournemouth, meaning they lead Pep Guardiola’s side by just six points ahead of this weekend’s table-top clash at the Etihad Stadium.
Both O’Reilly and Doku scored for City against Chelsea, with the Belgian singling out his teammate during a post-match interview.
Jeremy Doku praises ‘so important’ Man City star Nico O’Reilly
Academy graduate O’Reilly has been in blistering form lately. The 21-year-old has scored nine goals and provided six assists in all competitions, some of which he has achieved as a left-back.
He also recently won City’s Goal of the Month award for March, for the second of his headers in last month’s Carabao Cup final victory at Wembley. Then on Sunday, the England international added another headed strike to his tally.
Speaking after Man City’s victory, Doku highlighted the importance of O’Reilly to the team, citing his goalscoring ability in particular.
Jeremy Doku on Nico O’Reilly: “He’s like a left-back who scores more than I don’t know who! He’s always in the box. And obviously with his height, with his timing, and with his runs – he’s so important for us! I like to play with him. He’s doing well, very well.” pic.twitter.com/SBcuj4GvSK
— City Report (@cityreport_) April 12, 2026
“He’s like a left-back who scores more than I don’t know who! He’s always in the box,” Doku told Sky Sports.
“And obviously with his height, with his timing, and with his runs – he’s so important for us! I like to play with him. He’s doing well, very well.”
Doku and O’Reilly’s partnership has flourished on City’s left flank
The growing relationship between Doku and O’Reilly has been another positive development for City this season, with the pair clearly enjoying their time linking up down the left-hand side.
Both have been able to bring the best out of each other, and as Sunday’s victory showed, they are high on confidence heading into the closing weeks of the season.
The pace, attacking intent and dribbling abilities of the duo have caused huge problems for opponents, with any attempt to double up on one leaving the other more time and space.
O’Reilly’s injury a major blow ahead of Arsenal clash
While Pep Guardiola will have been delighted to see his side win 3-0 at Stamford Bridge, the sight of O’Reilly hobbling off in the second half will worry the Catalan boss.
The full-back was replaced by Rayan Ait-Nouri in the 64th minute due to a suspected hamstring issue. It is not yet clear how serious that problem may be, but O’Reilly is now a major doubt for this weekend’s game against Arsenal.
Ait-Nouri is an able and solid replacement, but City will be hopeful not to lose O’Reilly for this weekend or beyond.
The youngster is one of the most in-form players in a side that is now firmly back in the title race. Therefore, keeping him and others fit for the final weeks of the season is of tremendous importance.
