Fans on social media have been left asking questions about whom Manchester City's spot-kick taker is after Raheem Sterling squandered two of such opportunities against Wolves. The 25-year-old Englishman had both attempts saved by goalkeeper Rui Patricio but fortuitously converted the rebound in his second effort.
22 minutes into the Matchday 19 clash, Riyad Mahrez was tackled in the penalty box by Leander Dendoncker and earned a spot-kick after referee Martin Atkinson consulted the VAR. With City being handed a glorious opportunity to take the lead, Sterling stepped up to take the kick which was initially saved by Rui Patricio.
However, yet another VAR consultation revealed that there an encroachment in the buildup to the winger kick and he was given the opportunity to retake the penalty once more. Prior to his second attempt, Pep Guardiola was pictured signalling for the taker to be changed and many fans had enough reason to believe that the Spanish manager wanted Kevin De Bruyne behind the ball from 12 yards.
VAR gives penalty
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 27, 2019
Sterling misses penalty
VAR orders retake due to encroachment
Sterling scores
What do you make of that?!#PLonPrime #WOLMCI pic.twitter.com/0So51x7aCX
Yet again, Sterling saw his attempt on goal being kept out by Rui Patricio but calmly slotted home the rebound which fell in his path. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola was all but elated on the City bench, sparking the debate about whom his side's penalty taker among the club's fanbase on social media.
Raheem Sterling just missed 2 penalties!
— Mr Ping_Pong (@pinngponng) December 27, 2019
My question...
Why is he taking penalties when you have de bruyne on the pitch?#WOLMCI pic.twitter.com/mrhAJAhvGq
I absolutely love Raheem Sterling but I don't get why Kevin De Bruyne isn't on every single penalty and set piece for City.
— Aaron West (@oeste) December 27, 2019
The penalty king strikes again @sterling7 I almost prefer these games where all the pressure isn't on us to attack. KDB ———-> Sterling. Lethal. #MCFC
— Jez (@_JerryMalikebu) December 27, 2019
Why is Sterling taking penalties when you have De Bruyne and Mahrez on the pitch? #WOLMCI pic.twitter.com/MxjQ4PeUnh
— King Henry VIII (@kinghenrydeviii) December 27, 2019
I still don't get why Pep can't see that Sterling is having a poor run of form & confidence. He's been missing sitters & being dispossessed easily. Asking him to take a penalty is huge a mistake; better takers are there
— (@udoiheanacho) December 27, 2019
He was lucky on the rebound, it wont happen again.#WOLMCI