Rio de Janeiro: Goalkeeper Ederson has leapt to the defence of his Brazil and Manchester City teammate Gabriel Jesus after the striker’s disappointing performances at the Fifa World Cup.

Jesus failed to score in Russia despite starting in each of Brazil’s five matches as the team’s designated centre-forward.

Ederson, who was a member of the Selecao’s World Cup squad but had not played, said Jesus has been unfairly criticised following the team’s quarter-final exit.

“I think that what he needs to do now is rest and try to forget about what happened,” Ederson said. “He is young but also has experience in the national team.

“He was unlucky and a goal was the only thing missing because his work rate was very good and his positioning too.”