Micah Richards expects Emmanuel Adebayor to keep scoring
Manchester City defender Micah Richards has backed his teammate Emmanuel Adebayor to continue scoring for Roberto Mancini's team, after he claimed his first three goals of the season against Lech Poznan on Thursday, 21 October.
Adebayor, who has started all of City's European games this season, scored a hat-trick against the Polish champions after being provided with pinpoint service from his teammates.
Richards said Adebayor will benefit from the confidence boost provided by the goals.
"Emmanuel has been quite down for the last couple of weeks, but he is buzzing now," the 22-year-old told reporters ahead of City's Premier League clash with Arsenal on Sunday, 24 October. "He has been hoping for a goal. With a hat-trick, he should soon be
flying again."
For City's domestic fixtures this season, Mancini has mostly opted to start Carlos Tevez as lone striker ahead of the Togolese, who joined City in the summer of 2009 and scored 14 league goals during his first season.
Against Blackpool on 17 October, Adebayor started alongside Tevez, but was substituted in the 65th minute. Two minutes after the substitution, Tevez netted his first of two goals in the game, supplied by Adebayor's replacement, David Silva.
"I can understand his frustration. He is a quality player and when you don't get in the first eleven, it is frustrating. But we have a dressing room full of international stars, so when a chance comes along, you need to take it."
Richards added that he hopes to see Adebayor play a part as City defends their position as runners-up in the table against Arsenal on Sunday.
"I am sure he will play some part. Even if he doesn't start, I am sure he will come on. When he played last time, it was his best game of the season. Hopefully, he can do well for us again."
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