MANCHESTER CITY starlet Liam Delap was compared to Brazilian icon Adriano after a stunning long-ranger against Arsenal’s development side.
While the Gunners’ first team were getting thrashed at Crystal Palace on Monday, their young guns were taking on City’s youngsters at The Emirates.
And they suffered further misery – despite leading 3-1 as the match entered five minutes of additional time.
Delap – son of long-throw master Rory – pulled one back in the 93rd minute with a brilliant strike from 30 yards straight into the top corner.
He then turned provider as he crossed for James McAtee to volley home an equaliser just over 60 seconds later.
That ensured that England Under-19 international striker Delap ended the night with two goals and an assist as he helped his side claim a point.
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However, it was his thunderous effort in the dying stages that got Twitter talking after a clip of it began to go viral.
One user wrote: “Who upset Liam Delap? Reminds me of Adriano on Pro Evolution Soccer.”
Another said: “He’s too good to be third choice at City.”
A fellow fan commented: “Thunder b***ard!”
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While another tweeted: “Just knew as soon as he connected with the ball it was going in.”
Adriano, 40, was a former Brazilian international forward known for his powerful long range strikes.
He starred for the likes of Inter Milan, Parma and Fiorentina in Italy before heading back to his homeland as his career dovetailed.
The ace scored 27 goals in 48 matches for his country and lifted the 2004 Copa America with them.
Meanwhile, Delap is tipped to reach the very top under Pep Guardiola and already has one goal from his first six outings for them at first-team level.
