Man City Stefan Ortega Stuns Fans with Cruyff's Turn in the Six-Yard Box after a Misplaced Back Pass from restart Watch Video

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✓ Published: 07-Apr-2024

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Back-up goalkeeper Stefan Ortega stunned fans with a cheeky Cruyff turn in the six-yard box during Manchester City's 4-2 victory at Crystal Palace.<br/><br/>The 31-year-old German kept his cool to evade Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta after a misplaced back pass from Rodri in the first half on Saturday. <br/><br/>The Premier League encounter was finely poised at 1-1 when Ortega got his side out of a tricky situation.<br/><br/>And fans were impressed with his silky skills.<br/><br/>One said: 'Stefan Ortega is wasted as a backup goalkeeper. '<br/><br/>'That touch under extreme pressure is absurd. Could start for most teams in the division.'<br/><br/>Another fan said: 'City’s players are just technically gifted OMG!! Ortega has a better first touch than Rashford.'<br/><br/>A third added: 'Stephan Ortega is the best keeper in the premier league after Ederson. The confidence on that Cryuff touch.'<br/><br/>Ortega had kept his place in goal despite the return of City's No 1 Ederson.<br/><br/>Ederson was forced off in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool on March 10 following a collision with Darwin Nunez and has missed City’s last three fixtures.<br/><br/>Ortega has impressed in Ederson’s absence and City are keen for the 31-year-old to extend his current contract, which expires at the end of next season.<br/><br/>When asked if Ortega’s form makes his decision over Ederson’s return more difficult, City boss Guardiola said: ‘Yes, Stefan is playing well, so we have to think about it as well.'<br/><br/>Of course, Scott [Carson] is an important third keeper and important for many reasons.<br/><br/>‘But Eddie and Stefen… we are so safe because both are exceptional keepers, exceptional.’ <br/><br/>Man City kept up the pressure on their title rivals and Kevin de Bruyne hit his 100th goal for the club in their 4-2 victory at Crystal Palace.<br/><br/>There had been doubts about whether or not the Belgian or Erling Haaland would be in the starting line-up for the lunchtime kick-off at Selhurst Park, where the in-form Jean-Philippe Mateta fired the hosts in front three minutes after kick-off.<br/><br/>De Bruyne drew the sides level moments later, and City took the lead for the first time less than two minutes after the restart via Rico Lewis' second Premier League goal before De Bruyne set up Haaland for City's third.<br/><br/>De Bruyne then added another with a solo effort to make it a century of goals for City in the 70th minute.<br/><br/>Palace substitute Odsonne Edouard clawed one back late on, and while Pep Guardiola's men looked to pad what could be vital scoring statistics at the end of the season, they could not find a fifth in seven minutes of second-half stoppage time.