Gabriel Jesus dedicates Man City hat-trick and match ball to his mum after 'unforgettable night'

Gabriel Jesus has described Manchester City’s destruction of Shakhtar Donetsk as an unforgettable Champions League night and revealed he had already dedicated his hat-trick and match ball to his mum.

Jesus scored two penalties and a delightful lob over the head of the goalkeeper in stoppage time to become only the third City player to score three goals in a Champions League match after Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo

And, with his mother Vera Lucia Diniz over from Brazil for the game, the young striker said he had chosen the perfect moment to score his first hat-trick for City since his £30m move from Palmeiras in 2017.

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“It was a really special and unforgettable night,” said Jesus, who admitted he had been searching for his best form after an injury disrupted his pre-season preparations. “Not just for scoring my first ever hat-trick, but also to dedicate it to my mum.

“She’s always supportive and was here at the stadium. I’m looking forward to giving her the match ball as well. I’m really happy and emotional for being able to dedicate three goals to her.

“I’m relieved to score my first goal. I am a self-critic and I’m honest with myself, so I know I’ve been playing well but without scoring. I’ve been helping the team, I can’t say I deserved to score a hat-trick, but I’m so happy I’ve finally scored.

“I’m always very honest and I never feel pressurised. Obviously, in my position, I must be scoring goals.”

Jesus has once again had to accept that he is support for Sergio Aguero this season and will only start games when manager Pep Guardiola feels the club’s record goalscorer needs a rest or suffers an unlikely loss of form. Aguero is set to come straight back into the team when City play United in the Manchester derby.

“I’ve been working a lot with the strength and conditioning staff,” Jesus added. “Despite the rotation in the team, I’ve been working very hard with this. There are so many players with so many qualities, this is what must be done so everyone can play.

“As I’ve said, it was a very special night for me to score my first hat-trick and I’m so happy to have done it in front of my mum.”