• Manchester City's defender Kyle Walker after replacing Claudio Bravo in goal. EPA
    Manchester City's defender Kyle Walker after replacing Claudio Bravo in goal. EPA
  • Manchester City defender Kyle Walker prepares to come on in goal. AFP
    Manchester City defender Kyle Walker prepares to come on in goal. AFP
  • Riyad Mahrez, right, is substituted for Kyle Walker. Getty
    Riyad Mahrez, right, is substituted for Kyle Walker. Getty
  • Kyle Walker makes a save against Atalanta. Getty
    Kyle Walker makes a save against Atalanta. Getty
  • Kyle Walker. EPA
    Kyle Walker. EPA
  • Kyle Walker makes a save. Getty
    Kyle Walker makes a save. Getty
  • Manchester City's Kyle Walker, right, playing as goalkeeper during the Champions League group C match. AP Photo
    Manchester City's Kyle Walker, right, playing as goalkeeper during the Champions League group C match. AP Photo
  • Manchester City's Kyle Walker in goal. AP
    Manchester City's Kyle Walker in goal. AP
  • Manchester City's Kyle Walker and Raheem Sterling after the match. Reuters
    Manchester City's Kyle Walker and Raheem Sterling after the match. Reuters
  • Kyle Walker shakes hand with Atalanta's Hans Hateboer. AFP
    Kyle Walker shakes hand with Atalanta's Hans Hateboer. AFP
  • Kyle Walker. Getty
    Kyle Walker. Getty
  • Kyle Walker is congratulated by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola after the match. Getty
    Kyle Walker is congratulated by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola after the match. Getty

Kyle Walker stars in goal for Manchester City against Atalanta: 'Lads! Don't worry, I've got this'


Ian Oxborrow
  • English
  • Arabic

Don't fear, Kyle Walker's here.

The Manchester City defender proved an unlikely hero in his side's Champions League clash with Atalanta on Wednesday night.

With No 1 goalkeeper Ederson having gone off injured at half-time, and his replacement Claudio Bravo sent off in the 81st minute, it was Walker who stepped forward to don the gloves.

And, having become only the third outfield player to go in goal in the competition's history, he went on to keep a clean sheet, with the score remaining 1-1.

He certainly looked the part during his short spell between the sticks, making a comfortable save from Ruslan Malinovskyi's free-kick.

He responded on social media afterwards, saying "Lads! Don't worry, I've got this!!!" The post was liked by England teammate Dele Alli and former City keeper Joe Hart.

Walker then added on Twitter that he thinks his time in goal will be shortlived and he'll happily go back to playing in defence for City.

"Wasn’t expecting the night to end like this. Think I’ll stick to playing outfield though. Good point in the end and still unbeaten in the Champions League," he said.

City took the lead through Raheem Sterling after seven minutes, but Chelsea loannee Mario Pasalic equalised just after half-time.

Gabriel Jesus missed a penalty in the first half for City in what turned out to be a dramatic encounter.