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Nigerian youngster, Kelechi Iheanacho, is gradually warming himself into mainstream Manchester City and Manager of the Citizens, Manuel Pellegrini is preening himself for taking the risk of drafting the 2013 Under-17 World Cup winner into his squad. The player had insisted he could prove himself a reliable player if given the opportunity. His opportunity came calling for the second time during Manchester City's clash with Crystal Palace on Saturday and he never made mistake to score the late winner for the club.

Iheanacho burst onto the Premier League stage on Saturday when he scored the 90th minute winner against Crystal Palace few seconds after appearing as a 89th substitute in only his second appearance for City. It was a very important goal for the club as it kept them on top of the league table with five wins in five matches.

Now, Pellegrini has high hopes for the Nigeria Under-20 international and admits the player's development persuaded him he did not need to bring in a replacement after Edin Dzeko left for Roma. Though, the coach believes the 18 year old still needs to improve on his game in some aspects. Despite that, the coach stated clearly that he has hopes in the player.

"He's a very important player for us. He's just 18 and started working with our squad last season, but he was unlucky and had a big injury in the last three months of the season," Pellegrini told newsmen.

"This year he started pre-season with the squad and will be a very important player for the future. He's one of the reasons I didn't bring another striker in when we sold Edin Dzeko. He deserves that chance. I told him to go and score a goal. I was going to make the substitution before, because Wilfried Bony had only worked the last few days with the team, but he told me he was okay. That's why I kept him on, but Kelechi deserved more minutes. It was important he took that chance."

Also speaking on his goal, Iheanacho said that he was happy he scored in his second Premiership game for City. "I am happy to score a goal like that," Iheanacho told Sky Sports. "Palace are a great team, but we are also a strong team. I am hoping to do great for the team.

"It is not easy because there are great players here, but I have to work hard and I will get there. We are much stronger this season and we are going to go all the way," promised the 2013 FIFA Under-17 winner.

Iheanacho, who wears the number 72 shirt for City, has been capped by Nigeria at under-17 and under-20 level. Pellegrini's forward options were stretched following a 17th minute injury to Sergio Aguero that could rule the Argentina striker out of tomorrow’s Champions League clash with Juventus.

With Chelsea having lost at Everton earlier in the day, the leaders already have an 11-point advantage over the reigning champions and lie five points clear of second placed Manchester United.