Doku reveals the unusual reason why he had added motivation to impress

Jeremy Doku was baptised in the hours after turning in his best performance in a Manchester City shirt during Sunday's rousing derby win.

Doku was afforded a freer role in behind Haaland and flourished – putting the improved display down to his faith.

'If I can be honest, it was already a victory for me,' Doku said. 'Why? Because I knew that after the game I'm going to baptise myself, I'm going to be baptised.

'Maybe that's why I felt like I was pushed today. That's why I'm very happy with the performance as well.

'I was already excited before the game because I knew that it was a victory day.'

Doku recently launched a YouTube channel and discussed his faith during a documentary charting his summer and the Club World Cup.

The 23-year-old scored in Belgium's victory over Wales in the international break as he looks to kick on this term.

'There's nothing more important to me than faith,' he added. 'As a Christian, when you get baptised, your old nature, your old sinful nature dies, and you start living with God.

'You resurrect with God, with Jesus Christ. You can do that as a kid but normally it's meant for when you're older and you really realise what you're doing, so that's what I'm going to do.'