Ederson defends 'risky' Cruyff turn in Man City win and responds to Pep Guardiola praise

Ederson has started the season well for Manchester City after finishing the last one strongly - with a huge performance in the Champions League final.

Ederson agrees with Pep Guardiola's recent assessment that he is maturing - even if he is still putting Manchester City hearts in mouths with some of his decision-making on the pitch.

After making three huge saves in the Champions League final to get City over the line in Istanbul in June, Ederson has started the new season well as the Blues boast a 100 per cent record despite their well-publicised injury concerns.

Ederson was needed at the weekend to make two big stops at West Ham when the scores were at 1-1, and he was alert vs Crvena Zvezda in the Champions League on Tuesday, too. However, one first-half moment saw him race out of his area to collect a loose ball under pressure, attempt a Cruyff turn, and narrowly avoid striker Osman Bukari dispossessing him.

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Some may have felt Ederson was taking an unnecessary risk in his turn under pressure, but the goalkeeper told Sky Sports there was no risk involved.

He said: "I didn't think it was a risk. It was just a way of escaping pressure. As I came out of my goal, the striker came to close me down on my left side, so that touch with my heel was one of the options I had.

"It's something that I tried, and I was able to pull it off. I just had to stay calm in that moment. But I also knew that I had my teammates around me to support me if I needed it."

The incident came 24 hours after Pep Guardiola had declared Ederson had matured as a person and a player, with the Brazilian agreeing with his manager's assessment.

He explained: "For sure. I think as human beings, and principally as athletes, we are always trying to grow every day, always trying evolve and improve. As players it's no different. Every day I'm trying to be a better player, to learn more. But I also I try to be a better father, a better son, a better husband.

"And of course, when you try to improve day by day, I think over time you see the differences and you see the results of that. I do all of this to ensure I am evolving constantly."