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Jack Grealish dedicated his goal against Leicester City to his late brother, Keelan, who passed away 25 years ago on the same date.
What happened?
Manchester City secured a 2-0 victory over Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium in a match that saw Jack Grealish end his Premier League goal drought. City opened the scoring as early as the second minute when Grealish converted Savinho’s cross, marking his first Premier League goal since December 2023. Omar Marmoush doubled City’s advantage later in the first half, pouncing on an error from Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen to fire in off the crossbar. Leicester struggled offensively, managing no shots on target and finishing with the lowest xG of the season at 0.02.
What Jack Grealish said?
Reflecting on the emotional significance of the day, Grealish stated: “It’s a day that is always difficult for the family, so it was nice to get a goal. My little brother, Keelan, passed away 25 years ago today. My mum and dad were here, so to score and win was brilliant.” He later posted on Instagram: “With me always, especially this day. That was for you, Keelan.”
The bigger picture
Before the Leicester game, Grealish had faced criticism for his lack of goals, scoring only two in 56 Premier League appearances for Manchester City. The 29-year-old admitted he wasn’t overly concerned about individual records, saying, “The heartbeat rose when they scored that own goal, but I think we deserved it, to be honest. I’m not fussed if I don’t score, but probably should do with the positions I get in. As long as the team are winning, I’m not fussed.”
City boss Pep Guardiola praised Grealish’s performance and dedication, describing him as an “incredible human being” in light of the emotional anniversary. Guardiola added: “I can’t imagine how tough it can be for his mum and dad, his sister, and the entire family. Jack made a good game—he likes to play in the middle and between the lines where he has ability. I’m happy for him.”
Manchester City’s victory moved them up to fourth place in the Premier League table, bolstering their chances of securing a Champions League spot. Meanwhile, Leicester City continued to struggle, remaining in the relegation zone with just eight games left to salvage their season.
