"I'D LOVE TO SAY I MEANT IT!" SAYS EGAN-RILEY

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Centre-back delighted with first professional goal

2024-11-26T23:34:48.729Z

"I'D LOVE TO SAY I MEANT IT!" SAYS EGAN-RILEY

Centre-back delighted with first professional goal

2024-11-26T23:34:48.729Z

Centre-back delighted with first professional goal

CJ Egan-Riley said he was happy that his goal, his first in professional football, could help the Clarets in their 2-0 home win against Coventry City on Tuesday evening.

Despite receiving plaudits from onlookers for the chipped effort from a tight angle, he admitted after the game that he would love to say he meant it - but he just wanted to send the ball into the area!

Speaking after the full-time whistle, the 21-year-old said: “It was a good result, another win, another clean sheet. I think we really performed well today, going forward we looked much more dangerous as we have the last few games. We managed to keep the back door shut and limit them to next to no chances which is another positive. So yes, a positive day for sure.”

And his goal?

“I’d love to say I meant it, but I didn’t! I did just mean to put it in an area, obviously the ball was in the box you never know what could happen. I just thought let me try and stand it up to the back post, luck was on my side today and it ended up in the back of the net.

“From a personal standpoint that’s my first one in professional football so I’m happy and the main thing is we got the win.”

"I'D LOVE TO SAY I MEANT IT!" SAYS EGAN-RILEY - Image 1

The young defender also admitted he got some stick from his teammates for his celebration too...

“The celebration, all the lads have been battering me about it! To be fair in the moment I just didn’t know what to do! I can’t remember the last time I scored a goal, even in academy football. I’m not used to it, so I think my emotions got the better of me in the moment and I didn’t know what to do. The camera people are probably not happy because I just ran away. But the main thing is the goal so I’m happy.”

The Clarets have only conceded six goals in the league all season, which is the best in any of the top four leagues and a record in Championship history at this stage of the campaign. However, Egan-Riley was quick to give credit to the hard work of the whole team for these positive statistics.

“Yes of course [it's really positive]. But it’s important for me to say it’s not just us defenders. People probably look at clean sheets and say defenders, goalkeeper, must be doing well, must be smashing it. Obviously, we’re doing our part however it’s a whole collective effort, from the strikers, all the way through the pitch, the pressing, the intensity that they go with. The midfielders helping us with second balls and winning the ball back.

“At the end of the day people look at defenders and goalkeepers but it’s a team effort. We have to make more blocks and headers at times, which is why people probably think that. But it’s credit to the whole team not just the defence.”

'THERE'S MORE TO COME FROM US' INSISTS HANNIBAL - Image 2

And speaking of goalkeepers, Egan-Riley's strong relationship with fellow Manchester City Academy player James Trafford is going from strength to strength on the pitch.

“Yes, it [our relationship] goes way back, I’ve known him since he was 11 years old when he was literally a guy that came from a farm and didn’t really understand much about living in a city or even playing for an academy which we did for all those years. So, the bond for me and for him is special, it’s almost ten years now that we’ve been playing together at some regard. I love him as a guy, he's such a good keeper and off the pitch he’s an even better guy. The relationship we have, we just get each other, and I just love playing alongside him. I call him a brother.”

With another accomplished performance under his belt, how much does Egan-Riley feel himself developing as player as the campaign progresses?

“Yes, I’m always going to believe in myself. I’ve been at the Club for quite a while, and I’ve had to wait a long time for this chance and this opportunity. In football you have to take the opportunity when it comes to you. Every week, every game, I’m trying to go out there and put my best foot forward and help the team in any way possible.

“I want to do it for my teammates, do well in this league and I want to also give back to the manager and the coaching staff for putting their trust in me and for believing in me. At the moment I feel like I’m doing well but I know that there’s way more I need to do and that I can improve on. So, I’ve just got to keep going.”