Manchester City | 2021/22 Season | Crowned Premier League Champions!

[James]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60225044

<b>Pep Guardiola said Manchester City "are not the best in the world" despite them extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to 12 points following victory over Brentford.</b>

Riyad Mahrez scored his eighth goal in seven games as they moved further away from second-placed Liverpool, who play Leicester on Thursday.

But Guardiola said he "does not care" for "stupid things" like praising his side for being better than the rest.

"In so many ways I'm impressed with [the players'] attitude," he added. "They still have the desire in every game to do their jobs.


"Normally they are being complimented, being praised - 'you are the best team in the world' - these stupid things. You can be confused, but we are still normal.

"We are not the best team in the world. The best team in the world is Chelsea, the best team is Palmeiras. We are not the best and I don't care."

European champions Chelsea, who currently sit third in the table, play Brazilian side Palmeiras in the Club World Cup Final on Saturday.

That is a trophy Manchester City have never competed for because they have not won the Champions League in order to qualify.

City were deserved winners against Brentford despite a tough opening.

Mads Roerslev's rash tackle on Raheem Sterling then presented Mahrez with the opportunity to score and he sent David Raya the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Kevin de Bruyne doubled City's lead after 69 minutes when he finished off the rebound after Raya had rolled the ball straight to Sterling on the edge of the area, then denied the England man with a save he could not hold.

For Brentford, who did not include new signing Christian Eriksen even though the Dane started training with them this week after signing a six-month contract, the harsh realities of life in the top flight are beginning to become evident.

Thomas Frank's men have now lost six in a row in all competitions for the first time since 2006. Then, Oldham and Cheltenham were among the teams who beat them when they were in League One.

Now it's Liverpool, Manchester United and defending champions City.

Guardiola has sprung so many selection surprises down the years, nothing is too much of a shock.

This time it was naming three central defenders and no orthodox right-back, even though England's Kyle Walker was on the bench.

John Stones got the job. While it did seem for a while as though his role was to alternate between a back four and a three-man central defence, depending upon whether City had the ball or not, it became apparent it was more technical than that.

He could be wide on the right touchline, further inside or threatening the box, mirroring what Joao Cancelo was doing on the other side.

Stones also curled crosses in from roughly the same position De Bruyne has earned such praise for doing so.

City's fluidity was so far removed from the old-school English tactics of the past and when another defender, Aymeric Laporte, controlled the ball on his chest and rolled a shot narrowly wide of the far post, it felt like a throwback to 'Total Football' and the Netherlands' 1970s golden era under coach Rinus Michels.

Cancelo flashed a shot over just after half-time and then went on a slalom-like journey though the Brentford box before firing straight at Raya.

It merely underlined the flexible nature of a City side that ended with £100m man Jack Grealish at centre-forward after coming off the bench.

Brentford limited City to a single shot in the first half hour, which was testament to their work-rate.

Had Rico Henry taken the clear chance to equalise he was presented with just before the break, the overall outcome might have been different.

But, despite the industry of Frank Onyeka in midfield and speed of Sergi Canos out wide, Brentford lack the class to compete against opposition like this.

Eriksen has that, clearly, and also the belief he can return to something like his old self.

As the defeats mount up and key home games against Crystal Palace and Newcastle loom before the end of the month, the Bees are certainly in need of a lift.

 

[James]

<b>Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick as Manchester City increased their lead at the top of the Premier League to 12 points with a victory that keeps Norwich in the relegation zone.</b>

The England forward curled in a delightful opener for the defending champions and grabbed his second 20 minutes from time with a simple header from close range.

The 27-year-old completed his hat-trick in the 90th minute but only after Angus Gunn saved his penalty, Sterling tapping in the rebound.

Phil Foden had scrambled in City's second immediately after the break to put the game beyond Norwich, who earlier hit the post from Grant Hanley's header.

But the visitors were dominant and always looked comfortable at Carrow Road.

Pep Guardiola's side are now unbeaten in the league since October. Their closest challengers Liverpool have two games in hand.

The Canaries remain 18th, one point and one place from a position of safety, though they have played more games than the sides around them.


BBC

 

[James]

<u>Man City 2-3 Tottenham</u>

<b>Harry Kane's stoppage-time goal gave Tottenham a stunning victory over Premier League leaders Manchester City in a chaotic finale at Etihad Stadium.</b>

City thought they had rescued a point moments earlier when Riyad Mahrez converted a penalty awarded after a VAR review, but there was another twist to come and Kane, predictably, provided it.

The Spurs striker, whom City had tried to sign in the summer, rose highest to nod home Dejan Kulusevski's cross in the 95th minute and spark wild celebrations from the travelling fans.

It was a dramatic end to a pulsating match that had already seen Spurs pegged back twice, with City running out of time to find a third equaliser.

Tottenham's first goal came after only four minutes, with Son Heun-min beating the offside trap and squaring the ball for Kulusevski to score on his first start for the club.

City levelled when Hugo Lloris spilled Raheem Sterling's cross and Ilkay Gundogan pounced to turn in the loose ball, but they could not turn their possession into more goals.

Spurs continued to threaten on the break in the second half and were back in front on the hour mark when Kane finished a move he had started, running onto Son's cross to fire past Ederson from close range.

Kane was denied again by Ederson and then had another strike ruled out for offside but it appeared City would have the last word when they were awarded a spot-kick at the end of the 90 minutes.

Referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot for a handball by Cristian Romero after a VAR review and it seemed Mahrez had salvaged a point.

Kane had other ideas, and his winner means City's lead at the top over Liverpool, who have a game in hand, is down to six points.

 

[PakLFC]

Kane is so often a thorn in City's aspirations. I expect Man City to make a £200 million bid for him in the summer.

 

[James]

Phil Foden: Manchester City 'shocked and appalled' by abuse of England player at Khan-Brook fight


Manchester City say they are "shocked and appalled" at abuse suffered by Phil Foden and his family backstage at Saturday's Amir Khan-Kell Brook fight.

Footage has emerged on social media of a confrontation at Manchester Arena between members of the public and a group including the England midfielder.

Greater Manchester Police say they have received no report of the incident.

City said they were aware of a video that "shows Phil Foden and his family being harassed and abused".

"We are shocked and appalled about the nature of the abuse and ensuing assault on one of Phil's family members," their statement added.

"We will continue to give Phil and his family all the support and assistance they need."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60453011

 

[James]

<b>Everton 0-1 Manchester City</b>

Phil Foden's late winner restored Manchester City's six-point lead at the top of the Premier League, but Everton were denied a penalty in a controversial finale at Goodison Park.

It looked like the defending champions would drop points for a second successive week until some awful defending let Foden in to score from close range with eight minutes to go.

There was more drama when City midfielder Rodri appeared to handle a dropping ball inside his area, but the home side were not given the chance to equalise from the spot after a VAR check.

That decision brought disbelief from Toffees fans inside Goodison, particularly those in the Gwladys Street End who were closest to the incident, and referee Paul Tierney was booed off at the final whistle.

It was a thrilling conclusion to an enthralling match, which had seen Everton take the game to City in the first half before Pep Guardiola's side imposed themselves after the break.

Jordan Pickford made a succession of saves to keep City at bay, notably a double stop to deny Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva in quick succession, but he was ultimately undone by his own team-mates.

Mason Holgate's attempt to block Bernardo Silva's cross only succeeded in wrong-footing Michael Keane, allowing Foden to nip in and round Pickford to score.

 

[James]

A real grind for Manchester City tonight, but still they managed to get the three points as per usual.

 

[James]

Man City 4-1 Man Utd

<b>Manchester City outclassed Manchester United to maintain control of the Premier League title race with an outstanding display at Etihad Stadium.</b>

City remain six points clear of Liverpool having played one game more after a victory that was arguably even more convincing than the scoreline suggests.

Ralf Rangnick's side were without injured Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani, as well as Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw, who have Covid-19, and found themselves overwhelmed by the quality and intensity of the reigning champions.

Kevin de Bruyne was at the heart of it all. He put City ahead with a crisp early finish then restored their lead before half-time after Jadon Sancho put United level with precise low strike, the Belgian's second hammered home in a goalmouth scramble.

City turned up the tempo after the break and got the goal their vast superiority deserved after 68 minutes when Riyad Mahrez met De Bruyne's corner on the half-volley to beat United keeper David de Gea. The goal came via a deflection off United captain Harry Maguire, who endured a nightmare afternoon.

It got even better for City in the closing moments when Mahrez raced clear to beat De Gea, the goal being given after a lengthy VAR check for offside.

Manchester City felt Liverpool at their back after Jurgen Klopp's side moved to within three points following their win against West Ham United but the champions could not have responded more impressively.

From the first whistle, City imposed themselves on Manchester United and Sancho's fine equaliser proved to be only a minor inconvenience as the gap between Guardiola's team and their arch-rivals was brutally exposed.

De Bruyne was the mastermind, scoring twice and creating City's third, the shining star in a galaxy on display at Etihad Stadium as they showed they are in no mood to relinquish their crown, no matter how hard Liverpool push them.

City's first-half performance was excellent but after the break they were simply magnificent as they over-ran United, who were not given a second on the ball and were unable to resist wave after wave of attacks.

Mahrez could have scored more than his two goals but for De Gea, while Joao Cancelo was also thwarted by the United keeper following an acrobatic volley.

City's dominance of possession and ability to carve open an admittedly vulnerable United defence at will delighted their supporters, who revelled in a show of superiority that left United a beaten and bedraggled side long before the end.

This was a miserable and chastening 90 minutes for Manchester United and few of their players suffered more than captain Maguire.

Maguire was out of position for City's first, inexplicably let the ball go in a goalmouth scramble for De Bruyne's second and, unfortunately, deflected Mahrez's effort past De Gea for the third.

He was also booked for a crude, desperate tackle on De Bruyne and looked a like a player whose confidence was non-existent.

Rangnick was not helped by the injuries and illnesses that robbed him of key players but there was no excuse for the wastefulness in possession and the lack of defensive organisation, encapsulated by an amateurish S-shaped defensive "line" that saw Mahrez's final goal given after that VAR check.

The loss puts United in a desperate position in the battle for crucial fourth place and a spot in next season's Champions League after Arsenal's win at Watford strengthened their hold on that position. The Gunners are now fourth, a point ahead of United with three games in hand.

United, of course, are still in the Champions League but the notion that they have a chance of winning Europe's elite competition is the stuff of fantasy based on this grim evidence.

It was painful to watch United chasing shadows and outmanoeuvred at every turn by a City team they would like to regard as rivals.

United seem to be a club in limbo, with an interim manager in Rangnick and a squad of players who are not good enough and seem disaffected with life at the club.

Bruno Fernandes, such an inspiration when he first arrived, now spends more time arguing with officials and attempting to buy cheap fouls than acting as a creative force while the momentum and joy sparked by the return of Ronaldo has long since gone.

This was a dismal afternoon for United and they face an uphill fight to salvage their season.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60531492

 

[Saj]

Manchester City missed out on a chance to go six points clear at the top of the Premier League as they were held by a resilient Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

City dominated proceedings, twice hitting the woodwork while defender Aymeric Laporte failed to find the net with the goal at his mercy in the first half.

The result means Liverpool can cut City's lead to one point by beating Arsenal on Wednesday.

In front of a boisterous crowd, Palace frustrated their opponents although they created little themselves going forward.

A point sees them stay 11th as they boosted their own ambitions for a top-half finish.

Why didn't Pep makes any substitutions tonight? Sterling, Jesus etc on the bench.

 

[James]

<b>Burnley 0-2 Man City</b>

Manchester City made an instant return to the top of the Premier League with a comfortable win over struggling Burnley.

Liverpool's victory over Watford earlier on Saturday had knocked the defending champions off the summit for the first time since 4 December, but Pep Guardiola's side responded in impressive style at Turf Moor.

It took only five minutes for City to take the lead when Raheem Sterling knocked Rodri's cross into the path of Kevin de Bruyne, who time to pick his spot and fire into the roof of the net.

Sterling and De Bruyne combined again for the second goal, but this time it was Ilkay Gundogan who provided the finish - a cool volley past Nick Pope after Sterling found him in space inside the area.

By now, City were in complete control and could afford to see Sterling, Jack Grealish and substitute Gabriel Jesus waste excellent chances because Burnley never looked remotely capable of mounting a comeback.

The home side finally managed a shot on target after 75 minutes, when substitute Jay Rodriguez brought a diving save from Ederson, but they can take few positives from a fourth successive defeat other than the fact they avoided significant damage to their goal difference.

Burnley remain rooted in the bottom three, while City can head into next Sunday's top-of-the-table clash with Liverpool knowing they will stay in first place if they avoid defeat.

City should have scored more.

City have got a huge week ahead, with the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, before the visit of Jurgen Klopp's in-form Liverpool next Sunday - the start of a sequence where they play both teams twice.

Those are the games which will define City's season, but they needed to focus on this test first - and they passed it almost flawlessly.

De Bruyne's early goal settled the nerves of the travelling fans after Josh Brownhill sent an early header flashing wide for the hosts, and the points never looked in doubt from that point.

For long periods Burnley did not even get near the ball let alone City's penalty area, while City seemed content to keep possession rather than put much effort into chasing further goals.

They still created a host of second-half chances, with their failure to finish them the only way their performance could be faulted, although Jesus went extremely close to a third when he cracked a volley against the post.

It did not matter here, but they cannot afford to be so wasteful against Atletico or Liverpool in the days to come.

Burnley also have two vital games on the horizon, with relegation rivals Everton the visitors here on Wednesday, before the Clarets travel to bottom-of-the-table Norwich next weekend.

This was hardly the ideal preparation because Burnley were completely outclassed, but they at least gave their fans something to shout about in the second half when Maxwel Cornet came off the bench.

Cornet added some much-needed spark to the Burnley attack and his link-up play with Wout Weghorst at last meant City's defenders were occasionally occupied, although Ederson's goal remained rarely at risk.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60883950

 

[James]

<b>Man City: Der Spiegel alleges three-year Premier League investigation</b>

An investigation into potential rule breaking at Manchester City is focused on illegal payments to underage players, inflated sponsorship deals and hidden salary payments made to a former manager, German newspaper Der Spiegel claims.

The Premier League has been investigating the club for three years, the publication says.

But Der Spiegel has now published details from its own investigation conducted in conjunction with the European Investigative Collaborations (EIC) journalism network.

It offers detail on each of the three areas it claims form the focus of the Premier League's enquiries.

The Premier League and Manchester City both declined to comment when approached by BBC Sport.

However, it is understood City believe the latest details are a continuation of previous allegations in relation to Financial Fair Play regulations, which they feel are designed to damage the club. It is thought the club also want to respect the ongoing process with the Premier League by not commenting.

Uefa introduces 70% squad cost rule as part of new financial regulations
According to Der Spiegel, the Premier League champions allegedly pressured underage players "to sign contracts with Manchester City through monetary payments, in violation of the rules".

Club sponsors in Abu Dhabi are alleged to have "provided only a portion of their payments to the club themselves", with the remainder reportedly made up by club owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a member of the Abu Dhabi ruling family.

City are also accused of paying a "significant portion" of former manager Roberto Mancini's compensation "by way of a fictitious consultancy contract".

In 2020, City had a two-year ban from European club competitions overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport after Uefa had ruled they had committed "serious breaches" of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations between 2012 and 2016.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport said City had showed a "blatant disregard" to Uefa's investigation into potential FFP breaches, even though it found "no conclusive evidence that they disguised funding from their owner as sponsorship".

Uefa began its investigation into City after Der Spiegel published leaked documents in November 2018 alleging the club had inflated the value of a sponsorship deal, misleading European football's governing body.

During testimony to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, a legal representative of the Finance Ministry in Abu Dhabi claimed Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development (ADUG) - which owned Manchester City until last year - was "completely unconnected" to the government of the United Arab Emirates or the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61017887

 

[Saj]

Manchester City club captain Fernandinho says he “wants to play” after announcing that he was planning to leave the club when his contract expires this summer.

The Brazil midfielder, who turns 37 in May, has been instrumental in City’s prolonged success during his nine years in Manchester but will head back to South America to finish his playing career.

“I have decided with my family that we will go and that is the most important thing,” he said. “I want to continue playing first-team football.

“I will go back to Brazil for sure.”

Fernandinho has made 23 appearances for City this season but, on the eve of the Champions League quarter-final second leg with Atletico Madrid, he admits his role over recent campaigns has been to support from the background.

“It’s the same as last season,” he said. “I don’t play much but I try to take care of the other players.

“I will help wherever I can, sometimes off the pitch and sometimes on the pitch.”

BBC

 

[MenInG]

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is unsure whether Kevin de Bruyne and Kyle Walker will be fit to play in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, which is live on BBC One.

The pair were substituted after suffering leg injuries in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg tie at Atletico Madrid.

They have not trained since returning to England.

"We will see [on Saturday] about De Bruyne and Walker," said Guardiola.

"He [De Bruyne] has stitches in his calf, it is not a muscular injury. Walker had a big twist but is getting better."

Guardiola did have more positive news on defender Ruben Dias, who has returned to training having been out since March with a thigh injury.

Manchester City are playing just three days after they drew 0-0 in Madrid to secure a 1-0 aggregate win and progress to the Champions League semi-finals.

The squad has been training at Championship side Millwall to cut down on travelling distances between games.

"It is exhausting to travel from Manchester to London," Guardiola added.

"The people in the club tried to find somewhere near the ground, this is why we used Millwall."

Manchester City and Liverpool played out a hugely entertaining 2-2 draw in a top-of-the-table clash in the Premier League last Sunday.

Both sides are battling to win multiple trophies this season and Reds boss Jurgen Klopp says his side will treat Saturday's game like a final to ensure they remain in the hunt for as much silverware as possible.

"You have to go all-in," said the German, whose side overcame Benfica in midweek to reach the Champions League semi-finals.

"Imagine now if we would play against City and would think, 'Yeah, maybe we can do a little bit less there, there a little bit less'. No.

"Against City you always have to see it as a final but now it is the semi-final, it means it's the only way to get to the final and we actually want to go there."

Liverpool will assess Diogo Jota after he picked up a knock in the 3-3 draw with Benfica on Wednesday, otherwise the Reds have no other injury or suspension concerns.

BBC

 

[Saj]

Barcelona are considering a €30m swoop for Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus, according to reports.

 

[Kianig89]

How well and fast have City progressed from laughing stock to real European force the best modern football team from all those 2nd giggers to world class players
The City Xi a decade and half ago approximately
James
Thatcher Dunne Distin Onouha Sun
Sibierski Reyna Tarnat
Vasell Anelka

 

[MenInG]

Pep Guardiola refused to talk about Manchester City's prospects of signing Erling Braut Haaland but the feeling is he will end up joining the club.

Borussia Dortmund striker Haaland has a 75m euros (£62.3m) release clause.

City and Real Madrid have been viewed as the likely destinations for the Norwegian.

But with Real trying to secure Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer from Paris St-Germain, City have made Haaland a priority.

Blues officials have refused to comment on the situation and Guardiola followed suit when he was asked about fresh reports of a deal being agreed between City and Haaland.

"I have no answer to your question," he said on Tuesday. "I have no concern about what will happen in this club next season.

"We are playing with good strikers and for many years I never talk about transfers, especially when we are playing for this season."

However, Guardiola has spoken repeatedly this season about wanting a number nine after his failure to lure Harry Kane from Tottenham last summer.

And, while the City boss remains a huge admirer of Kane, the fact the 28-year-old still has two years left on his contract with Spurs means, financially, signing Haaland now makes more sense.

The 21-year-old has enhanced his reputation this term with 25 goals in 26 appearances for Dortmund this season, including a double in Saturday's 6-1 win over Wolfsburg.

He has scored 82 goals in 85 games since joining the Bundesliga side from Red Bull Salzburg in December 2019.

Haaland is keen to test himself at a higher level and Dortmund have always known they were vulnerable to an approach from one of Europe's biggest clubs.

It is anticipated Haaland's agent Mino Raiola will pocket a sizeable fee for his part in the transfer if it does go through and there is understandable caution around the direction of talks until they have reached a successful conclusion.

However, within the game, it would now be seen as a surprise if a deal with City was not finally agreed.

BBC

 

[MenInG]

'We have so much respect for Real Madrid'
Man City v Real Madrid (Tues, 20:00 BST)

Guardiola on the importance of the games against Real Madrid in 2020: "This competition we were through against Real Madrid, it was a tight two games. In last decade, we are vying for the Champions League. For us always I have the feeling in Barcelona and Bayern, you start to expect to be there, I don’t expect to be here.

"Now I feel how nice it is to be there with the best teams in Europe. Try to be ourselves, do two exceptional games to reach the final. We can do it. We have so much respect for Real Madrid, how good they are. It's an honour. You want to reach the final, like Liverpool and Villarreal, but never underestimate what we have done to be here.

 

[James]

A convincing win away at Leeds for them.

They were challenged and they responded.

Still on track for the title.

Laporte in defence an absolute rock today.

 

[Firebat]

Pep Guardiola: Manchester City boss admits Real Madrid Champions League semi-final defeat 'tough' to take

Pep Guardiola admitted defeat was tough to take after Real Madrid dramatically snatched a place in the Champions League final from his Manchester City side.

The Spanish giants produced an astonishing late fightback in their semi-final second leg at the Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday to win 3-1 on the night and prevail 6-5 on aggregate after extra time.

City had gone 5-3 ahead overall after Riyad Mahrez scored the first goal of the night after 73 minutes but Rodrygo replied with a quickfire double in the closing moments of normal time.

Karim Benzema then settled a compelling tie with his third goal of it, from the penalty spot, in the fifth minute of extra time.

The result sent Real through to a final date with Liverpool in Paris later this month and prolonged the long wait of City, last year's runners-up, for European glory.

City boss Guardiola said: "I have had defeats in the Champions League, I had tough defeats at Barcelona when we could not reach the final.

"But it is tough for us, I cannot deny that. We were so close to the Champions League final.

"We didn't play well in the first half, we didn't find our game. The second half was much better and after the goal, we had control.

"We found our game but unfortunately we could not finish. The players gave everything. We were so close."

Real have enjoyed a remarkable run through this season's competition having also come from behind to beat Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea in the knockout stages.

"It has happened many times in their history," said Guardiola, whose side must now regroup ahead of a crucial Premier League game against Newcastle this weekend.

"This will have a positive impact on the Real Madrid players but I don't know about us really. We didn't suffer much until they scored, but we didn't play our best."

https://www.skysports.com/football/...mpions-league-semi-final-defeat-tough-to-take

 

[MenInG]

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City must "process" their remarkable Champions League semi-final loss to Real Madrid and "come back" as they look to defend their Premier League title.

City had a final spot snatched away from them in Spain as Real scored twice in stoppage time and again in extra time to come back from two goals down.

They lead Liverpool by a point in the league and face Newcastle on Sunday.

"It is tough for us, I cannot deny," Guardiola said of Wednesday's loss.

"We were so close to the Champions League final.

"Now we need to process that and come back, with our people at home and in the last four games we have."

In one of the finest knockout ties in Champions League history, City looked to be emerging victorious after Riyad Mahrez's goal gave them a 5-3 lead in the tie.

But two goals from substitute Rodrygo in stoppage time for a Real side who had previously not had a shot on target levelled it up before Karim Benzema's penalty won it for the Spanish side in extra time.

"In the first half we did not have [the] game, we were not good enough. But we did not suffer much," Guardiola told BT Sport.

"After we scored the goal we were better. We found our tempo and our game and the players were comfortable. It is not like in the last 10 minutes they attack and attack and you suffer. It didn't happen.

"They put a lot of players in the box, with Eder Militao, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema and they put in crosses and scored two goals.

"We didn't play our best, but it is normal, a semi-final, the players feel the pressure and wanting to do it. Football is unpredictable, it is a game like this. We have to accept it."

'They could blow up after this'

City's attention now turns back to the Premier League title race, with Liverpool - the side they would have faced in the Champions League final had they got there - their challengers.

The Reds face Tottenham on Saturday evening, the day before City's game with Newcastle.

With the lead at the top so tight with just four games to go, pundits have questioned just how much Wednesday's loss may affect the reigning English champions.

"It is such a distressing loss," former England defender Jonathan Woodgate told BBC Radio 5 Live. "What ramifications does that have on the league? They could blow up after this."

Former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott told BT Sport: "You have to be a bit lucky. We have seen Manchester City fall at this hurdle before.

"There is still a lot to play for. The fans have to play a part on Sunday, they have to lift this team.

"It's been a long time since Pep Guardiola won the Champions League the first time, so I am sure this will be devastating for him."

BBC

 

[MenInG]

Pep Guardiola admitted defeat was tough to take after Real Madrid dramatically snatched a place in the Champions League final from his Manchester City side.

The Spanish side produced an astonishing late fightback in their semi-final second leg at the Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday to win 3-1 on the night and prevail 6-5 on aggregate after extra-time.
City boss Guardiola said: "I have had defeats in the Champions League, I had tough defeats at Barcelona when we could not reach the final.

"But it is tough for us, I cannot deny that. We were so close to the Champions League final.

"We didn't play well in the first half, we didn't find our game. The second half was much better and after the goal, we had control. We found our game but unfortunately we could not finish. The players gave everything.

"We were so close. Before the first goal we had two chances, one so clear with Jack (Grealish), which could maybe solve it. And in that moment we did not have the feeling that we were in trouble because of the way they attack.

Also See:
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"It happened, they scored a goal at the end. They have done it many times in their history, they put a lot of players in the box, like Militao and the strikers, and yeah, they found the goal."

Real have enjoyed a remarkable run through this season's competition having also come from behind to beat Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea in the knockout stages.

"It has happened many times in their history," said Guardiola, whose side must now regroup ahead of a crucial Premier League game against Newcastle this weekend.

"This will have a positive impact on the Real Madrid players but I don't know about us really. We didn't suffer much until they scored, but we didn't play our best."

SKY

 

[Kianig89]

If they slip up in EPL as well then the season would be a disaster talk about being lax they way Rodri Hugged Pep after bring 0-1 up it was premature

 

[James]

City are a highly skilled team and the likes of Mahrez, Walker, Foden are absolutely brilliant players.

I do think however the evidence is now mounting that Liverpool, who have very similar levels of raw talent and general capability to City, are the mentally stronger unit. It is this precise feature imo that gives them the edge over their rivals.

 

[Zaz]

City are a highly skilled team and the likes of Mahrez, Walker, Foden are absolutely brilliant players.

I do think however the evidence is now mounting that Liverpool, who have very similar levels of raw talent and general capability to City, are the mentally stronger unit. It is this precise feature imo that gives them the edge over their rivals.

It was a bit of a bottle job last night Mentally they seemed to fall apart in last few mins and its becoming a consistent theme in champions league to fall at the last hurdle

What i dont understand is why they are playing without and not going out and getting a genuine world class striker

The tie shouldve been dead and buried in the first leg And a geuine striker wouldve ensured that

That striker seems me to me to be the missing final link

 

[ChTab]

Now I'm convinced that City will slip up in the league as well resulting in Liverpool 2nd league title in 3 years.

 

[James]

This will be very challenging for City to come back from psychologically. All it could take is a draw out of the remaining four must-win games and (dependent on what happens with Liverpool) the title could then be gone.

 

[James]

<b>Manchester City: Champions League exit 'not a failure', says manager Pep Guardiola</b>

Manchester City's Champions League collapse should not be seen as a failure, says manager Pep Guardiola.

In the second leg of their semi-final with Real Madrid, City led 5-3 on aggregate in the 90th minute, but Real scored twice to force extra time.

The hosts then clinched a 3-1 win on the night to keep Guardiola waiting for his first Champions League win with City after six years at the club.

"If people say it's a failure then I disagree," said the Spanish coach, 51.

As a coach, Guardiola won the Champions League twice with Barcelona, in 2009 and 2011.

However, although City have won the Premier League three times under Guardiola, the closest they have gone to European glory is reaching last season's Champions League final, where they lost 1-0 to Chelsea.

"The people in the squad know how difficult it is, but they accept it," Guardiola added. "I'm not going to make a debate. In the club the feeling we have is we try to do it again.

"We are sad, of course, because we were close - but not close enough. Madrid deserve it.

"The players wanted to play the final, but for this club to compete against Real the way we did is a joy.

"I say congratulations to Liverpool and Madrid, they deserve it. Next season we try again and, if it doesn't work, we try again."

Real will face Liverpool in Paris on 28 May, in a repeat of the 2018 final.

Guardiola said he "didn't speak" with his players after Wednesday's dramatic exit.

With four games left in the Premier League, the defending champions are a point clear of Liverpool and host Newcastle on Sunday.

"No words can help what we feel," said Guardiola. "It's a question of time, we try to sleep and think of the targets.

"We will be together on Saturday, so we will talk about who we are as a team and what we've done to get to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

"We can't compare what happened in the past to what will happen in the future. The best form of concentration is simple: Newcastle. No more than that."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61344385

 

[James]

<b>Manchester City 5-0 Newcastle United</b>

Manchester City shrugged off the disappointment of their Champions League semi-final exit at Real Madrid to sweep aside Newcastle United and open a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

The reigning champions took advantage of Liverpool's draw with Tottenham Hotspur with an impressive response that not only strengthened their position at the Premier League summit but also markedly improved their goal difference.

Chris Wood wasted a glorious early chance for Newcastle to add to City's nerves and his side paid the price when Raheem Sterling headed Pep Guardiola's team in front after 19 minutes.

Aymeric Laporte added a second before half-time after Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka fumbled Ilkay Gundogan's volley and Rodri made sure of the victory with a near-post header from Kevin de Bruyne's corner just after the hour mark.

City, with Newcastle deflated and outclassed, improved their goal difference even further when substitute Phil Foden struck in the closing moments, turning in Oleksandr Zinchenko's touch, before Sterling completed the rout with a close-range finish in added time.

City faced plenty of pre-match questions about their character and the potential response to losing a place in the Champions League final that they held in their hands until Real Madrid's astonishing late comeback at the Bernabeu.

The manner of this win, and its wider significance, provided the perfect answer.

There were a few nerves around Etihad Stadium at the start and Newcastle striker Wood might have made them jangle even more had he not delivered a weak finish from Allan Saint-Maximin's cross in the opening exchanges.

He not only directed a tame header straight at Ederson but arguably robbed Joelinton of an even better opportunity as the Brazilian lurked behind him.

City, in contrast, showed all their class in attack and once Sterling put them ahead it felt as if there was only ever going to be one outcome.

It was a performance and result designed to lift their spirits and puts City in pole position to retain their title given they lead by three points with three games to play - and this handsome victory moves them from one behind to four ahead of Liverpool in terms of goal difference.

The closing stages were played out as a formality with City in total control, the only cloud on their day the half-time substitution of key defender Ruben Dias.

However the addition of those two late goals gives City a potentially key cushion should they falter in any of their final games.

And Guardiola, an agonised figure in Madrid, was more buoyant as the action unfolded, even demanding a standing ovation for Gabriel Jesus from City's fans when he was substituted, a request that was duly answered.

City have their destiny in their own hands, with away games at Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United to come before a final-day home game against Aston Villa.

Newcastle are a club fuelled by high finance and huge ambition after their Saudi Arabian-based takeover but this was another chastening lesson in the scale of the gulf between where they are and where they want to be.

Liverpool delivered lesson one at St James' Park last week and City rammed home the message by outclassing a Newcastle side in the early stages of a rebuild under manager Eddie Howe.

Newcastle showed one or two early signs of promise but their current standing was illustrated in this match as they were over-run by a City side simply operating on a different level - although they are hardly alone there.

The travelling Toon Army were in fine voice throughout and there is clearly understandable optimism around Tyneside but this must be tempered by the realism that there is no quick fix or easy route to what they hope will be their final destination.

City were utterly dominant and the final scoreline was a realistic reflection of just how far behind Newcastle are as they start their journey forward.

Manager Howe has done well to guide them to a position of safety in the Premier League with weeks to spare when relegation was once a realistic prospect - now even more significant work awaits in the summer.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61288441

 

[James]

City now marching towards the Premier League title.

 

[MenInG]

Manchester City have reached an agreement to sign Norway striker Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.

Haaland, 21, will join in July after City activated a 60m euro (£51.2m) release clause in his contract.

The deal ends the club's hunt for a successor to their all-time top scorer Sergio Aguero, who joined Barcelona on a free transfer last summer.

"We can confirm that we have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of striker Erling Haaland," City said.

"The transfer remains subject to the club finalising terms with the player."

Haaland, who passed his City medical in Belgium on Monday, has scored 85 goals in 88 appearances for Dortmund since joining from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020.

La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona also spoke to Haaland about a potential deal, but he opted for a move to Etihad Stadium.

Speaking earlier on Tuesday, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said he could not discuss the incoming signing for legal reasons.

"Everybody knows the situation. I shouldn't talk because I don't like to talk about the future or next season," he said.

When asked what impact a new number nine would have on the Premier League champions, Guardiola said: "New players always helps to be a stronger team. But not one defender or striker will solve our defensive or scoring problems.

"The club always has to have a vision for the future. The decisions the club makes I am aware and supportive of 100%."

The transfer would be one of the biggest of the summer.

Sports agent Mino Raiola had been involved in the discussions prior to his death, with associates taking the process on to its conclusion.

Even though City are within touching distance of a second successive Premier League title achieved without an orthodox centre-forward, Guardiola has always stressed his desire to have one.

City tried hard to get Harry Kane from Tottenham last summer but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy refused to sell.

And, with Kane having two years left on his contract, Haaland is an easier deal to conclude given his release clause.

He has scored 92 league goals in 121 appearances for Molde, Red Bull Salzburg and Dortmund and last year became the youngest player to reach 20 Champions League goals.

Haaland's father Alf-Inge played for City between 2000 and 2003 in a career that also saw him represent Leeds and Nottingham Forest.

Analysis

Simon Stone, BBC Sport

City sources say the fee is actually 60m euros (£51.2m), not the 75m euros initially thought. And it is not all payable up front.

Haaland will sign for five seasons, to 2027, with no optional additional year as is the case with many contracts these days.

The wages are believed to be around £400,000 a week, roughly in line with what star midfielder Kevin de Bruyne is paid.

City maintain this is an exceptional deal for a player they believe is worth 200m euros in the current market and that it vindicates their decision to walk away from negotiations around Spurs striker Kane last summer.

BBC Sport has been told many of Europe's top clubs wanted Haaland but a combination of the emotional appeal of playing for the club his father played for, plus the attraction of playing for Guardiola and being part of a squad that has challenged for all the major honours over the past five seasons were the decisive factors.

Manchester City's most expensive signings

Jack Grealish £100m

Kevin de Bruyne £68m

Ruben Dias £61m

Riyad Mahrez £61m

Joao Cancelo £58.5m

Aymeric Laporte £58.5m

Raheem Sterling £57.3m

Rodri £56.4m

Benjamin Mendy £51.7m

Erling Haaland £51.2m

BBC

 

[Firebat]

Pep Guardiola: Erling Haaland will help us score more | Kevin De Bruyne 'beyond perfect'

Pep Guardiola sent out a frightening message to the Premier League that he thinks Erling Haaland will help already free-scoring Man City score even more next season.

Kevin De Bruyne scored four goals as City overwhelmed Wolves 5-1 at Molineux to go three points clear at the top of the Premier League table and move within four points of the title.

The brilliant Belgian has now scored eight goals in his last eight Premier League games as his influence in the final third is proving to be one of the main reasons behind City's relentless title push.

Guardiola said: "What can I say? The second part of the league he has been beyond perfect.

"He is a guy who is always so generous, always has the sense to make the assist. But I think this season he has also had the sense to be prolific to score goals. He scored against Chelsea, he scored against Madrid, and he has been decisive scoring goals. In the end this is what makes the greatest.

"I am very pleased for him because, of course, scoring four goals in the decisive part of the league it is so important."

De Bruyne is now City's top goalscorer in the Premier League with 15 goals to his name, taking him to a personal record goal-haul in a single season. Goals in big games have been scored too with De Bruyne on target in both fixtures with Liverpool and in the 1-0 win over Chelsea in January.

Guardiola is delighted to see the Belgian enjoying the feeling of scoring more goals, sayinf: "We have spoken. Not now, but during the years. You have to arrive in the box, you have to be close to the box, you have to score. This season was the year that he has done better and better. Hopefully he can continue not just this year but the rest of his career.

"I have the feeling that now he has started to enjoy scoring goals. Before it was just assists. Now I think he has the feeling that he likes it when his team-mates come and hug him after he has scored a goal."

City have become the first team in English top-flight history to win five consecutive league games by a margin of at least three goals, achieving that feat while in the midst of the pressure-cooker environment of a title race.

It's led to them winning their last five Premier League games to an aggregate score of 22-1 as they are the top goalscorers in not only the Premier League but across all of Europe's big five leagues (Spain, Italy, France, Germany and England).

They aren't standing still though. City announced they had agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund to sign Haaland on Tuesday. The Premier League champions will pay the striker's £51.1m release clause and he will arrive at the Etihad on July 1, subject to terms being finalised.

The news has been met by excitement within the City fanbase with Norwegian flags spotted in the away end at Wolves - and after scoring his third goal of the night, De Bruyne himself performed the meditation celebration with his arms - something Haaland has made his own at Borussia Dortmund.

Adding a player of such finishing ability will only help City add further goals to their already bulky tally, according to Guardiola, who was speaking for the first time since City announced the deal.

"Definitely, he can help us score more. It is not about that. In the end it is about winning games.

He added: "I never thought that our defensive situation depends on the central defender and I never thought that the goals we score depend on the striker. He has scored a lot of goals in his career and we are going to try to help him through the game, having more chances to score goals.

"We are never going to give him the responsibility to score goals. We have to win games and if we are going to win games we need everyone doing it the best way, arriving as much as possible. After, of course, if we arrive there, with the quality that we believe he has, we can do it.

"I respond because I have to do it and I am a polite man but this is next season. Now we have to work a lot this season. It is not done. We still have a job to do. We saw yesterday how tough Aston Villa will be and, of course, West Ham. So, I still have a job to do."

https://www.skysports.com/football/...-us-score-more-kevin-de-bruyne-beyond-perfect

 

[James]

Just a matter of time now before this brilliant team secures the league title.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Huge anniversary for Man City: 10 years.<br><br>Ten years since major developments at the club, in May 2012. <a href="https://t.co/N51V0ryi2s">pic.twitter.com/N51V0ryi2s</a></p>— Nick Harris (@sportingintel) <a href="https://twitter.com/sportingintel/status/1525207710693789696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

The Champions League quarter-final between Manchester City and Atletico Madrid was certainly a hotly-contested affair between Pep Guardiola and Diego Simeone's side, with the English champions emerging victors.

A single goal from Kevin De Bruyne on the 69th minute of the first-leg at the Etihad Stadium was enough to seal the victory over two-legs, but it was the second portion of 90 minutes in the Spanish capital where the large share of the talking points occurred.

Late on in the match - with the tie level at 0-0, Manchester City leading by 1-0 on aggregate and Atletico Madrid piling on the pressure - a substantial melee broke out between both sets of players, sparked by Stefan Savic for the home side.

While both sets of players appeared to be involved in several altercations, Stefan Savic appeared to be in a prolonged battle with Manchester City's Jack Grealish, before attempting to headbutt Raheem Sterling.

BBC

 

[Firebat]

Pep Guardiola responds to Man City criticism from Patrice Evra and Dimitar Berbatov: I destroyed them in Champions League

Man City boss Pep Guardiola has hit back at criticism of his squad's character from Patrice Evra and Dimitar Berbatov by saying, "I didn’t see this personality when I destroyed them" in two Champions League finals.

Evra and Berbatov were part of the United squads which were outclassed by Guardiola's Barcelona in the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals, tasting defeat on both occasions.

After City crashed out of the Champions League semi-final at Real Madrid following a Rodrygo double inside a minute at the Bernabeu, Evra claimed they lacked leaders because Guardiola "can't train people with personality" and Berbatov suggested it was the capitulation of a "small team".

City shrugged off the disappointment of the dramatic defeat in Madrid by scoring five goals in consecutive games against Wolves and Newcastle to leave themselves in a commanding position in the title race.

But the criticism from the former United players was still fresh in the mind of Guardiola when asked about City's recovery from that result and the character they have shown, as he unleashed a scathing response.

"It's the same character and personality that we lost in Madrid in the last two or three minutes," said Guardiola of his side's form in the Premier League since the trip to Spain.

"Former players like Berbatov, Clarence Seedorf and Patrice Evra and these types of people were there, and I played against them. I didn't see this kind of personality when I destroyed them, we destroyed them, in the Champions League final against United.

"It's the same character and personality. You cannot have personality because we conceded two goals in one minute when we have two chances to score?

"And after the last four games, we score 22 goals, and we have an incredible personality."

https://www.skysports.com/football/...berbatov-i-destroyed-them-in-champions-league

 

[daytrader]

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is set to leave the club this summer.

EXCLUSIVE: Ilkay Gundogan is set to leave Manchester City this summer as club chiefs tell Pep Guardiola's first signing he is free to depart with just over a year to run on his deal at the Etihad

• Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is set to leave the club this summer
• Sportsmail understands Gundogan has been told he is free to find a new club
• The German is set to enter the final year of his current City contract in July
• Pep Guardiola's first signing as City boss has featured heavily for them this term

Ilkay Gundogan is set to leave Manchester City this summer.

Sportsmail understands that - set against an amicable backdrop - Pep Guardiola's first signing has been told he is free to find another club with one year remaining on his contract at the Etihad Stadium.

Gundogan has featured heavily this season, starting 20 Premier League matches out of 37 in a squad packed with midfield options.

However, he is known to be at a stage in his career where he expects to be in the starting XI every week and those assurances cannot be forthcoming at City.

While his club insist any talks would happen in the summer, it is understood that it has been communicated to the player that an extension to his existing deal is unlikely. And, given Gundogan's service, he has been given the opportunity to explore options elsewhere with 12 months remaining on his deal.


The Germany international, who cost £21m in 2016, was on Monday morning spotted in the private jet terminal at Manchester Airport.

Spanish giants Real Madrid preciously attempted to sign the 31-year-old when he was with Borussia Dortmund but the purpose of his trip was unclear, with City’s players having been given two days off ahead of what is expected to be a title decider against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Gundogan, who lives next door to his manager in a city centre apartment and spends time with him outside the work environment, has been in Manchester for six years. He is a key statesman in the squad, one of five vice captains, and acts as Fernandinho's vice-skipper.

In a recent interview with this newspaper he spoke of his heartbreak at the club's late Champions League semi-final defeat to Real, earlier this month.

Should City win the title and he choose to depart, Gundogan would go as the most successful German in Premier League history, with four medals to his name. He is already his country's leading scorer in the English top flight.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...ummer-club-tell-midfielder-free-new-club.html

 

[MenInG]

Manchester City have won the Premier League for the sixth time after a stunning fightback from two goals down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 at Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola's side finished one point ahead of Liverpool, who beat Wolves 3-1.

 

[James]

Congratulations to City.

 

[JaDed]

Only fans I know of city (South Asian or Latin) are 16-18 I feel like in my generation majority didnt care about them.

Congratulations to them irrespective.

 

[MenInG]

Manchester City victory parade in progress

 

[Firebat]

Manchester City: Erling Haaland to complete move as Pep Guardiola eyes Kalvin Phillips

Erling Haaland has flown to the UK to complete his £51.2m transfer to Premier League champions Manchester City.

City announced this month they had reached an agreement with the Norway forward to join them from Borussia Dortmund.

With title celebrations over, Haaland, 21, has now arrived to finish the final details of the transfer before heading off on international duty.

City are also eyeing a possible move for Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

Haaland's arrival is part of what promises to be a busy summer at City.

With Brazilian Fernandinho, 37, leaving, manager Pep Guardiola is set to take the opportunity to bolster his squad.

He is looking at central midfield as an area that needs strengthening, with the 26-year-old Phillips - named in the England squad earlier today - one of the players of interest.

With Leeds securing their top-flight survival at the weekend, it will not make a move for Phillips easy, although City are unlikely to encounter the same stubbornness from Elland Road as they experienced with Tottenham around their pursuit of Harry Kane 12 months ago.

It is not anticipated Haaland will speak to the media until his return for pre-season training in July ahead of City's short tour to the United States.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61568358

 

[MenInG]

A lot of Manchester City's transfer talk this summer will surround how Erling Haaland settles in at the Etihad Stadium - but let's not forget they have another young forward coming into the club.

River Plate forward Julian Alvarez is set to finally move to Manchester this summer after completing a £14m transfer from the Argentine club on Transfer Deadline Day last January.

The 22-year-old is very highly rated and caught the eye this week when he scored six goals for River in their 8-1 victory over Allianz Lima on Wednesday night. Just imagine if him and Haaland both hit purple patches for City this season...

Alvarez is scheduled to link up with City later in the summer for pre-season training, so what can fans of Pep Guardiola's side expect to see from their new young striker?

If there were any doubts Man City fans had over Alvarez, they were put to bed this week after Alvarez's stunning six-goal outing against Allianz Lima in the Copa Libertadores.

Alvarez scored all three River Plate goals in the opening 45 minutes and added further goals on 54, 57 and 83 minutes against their Peruvian opponents.

The 22-year-old has 14 goals in 17 appearances this season in the cup competitions so far - to add to the 18 goals he scored in the 2021 Argentinian top-flight.

The striker is the first player in the club's 121-year history to score six goals in the same game - and he will be eyeing up some Manchester City records as well too, if he can get into the team alongside fellow new man Haaland.

It is only in recent months that Alvarez has emerged as a target for Manchester City but the forward has long been on the radar of Europe's elite.

In fact, he spent a month on trial in Real Madrid's youth academy when he was only 11 years old.

A move did not materialise on the back of that trial, due in part to age restrictions on foreign signings in Spain, but within a few years he was picked up by Argentinian giants River Plate, the club he supported as a child.

ted board rejected his plea to sign a striker in January despite the availability of Luis Diaz, Julian Alvarez and Dusan Vlahovic.
Former Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick was also interested in bringing him to Old Trafford in the January transfer window - but the club's board rejected a move for a striker in that window.

With Alvarez still in incredible form for River, Premier League club City have already received loan offers for the young forward - but the plan is to keep him at the Etihad Stadium next season.

City sporting director Ferran Soriano said this month: "We have had many offers from clubs to loan Julian Alvarez - but he is not going to leave.

"He will do the pre-season with us and I think he will stay. Barcelona were not among those who were interested."

Alvarez impressed at youth level, both for River Plate and internationally for Argentina, and in the summer of 2018 he was part of a group of young players who travelled with the country's senior squad to the World Cup in Russia to take part in training sessions.

The experience of rubbing shoulders with Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and the rest served Alvarez well, and when he returned to River Plate he was promoted to the first-team squad by long-serving manager Marcelo Gallardo.

Alvarez was given the No 9 shirt and handed his debut in October 2018. "He is a player who every manager would like to coach," said Gallardo at the time, going on to describe the youngster as a "team player" with an attitude to match his precocious talent.

Alvarez soon began featuring regularly for River and that December, seven years after his trial with Real Madrid, he was given the opportunity to step out at the Bernabeu in the rearranged Copa Libertadores final against Boca Juniors.

The striker, still only 18, was thrown on with the scores level in the first half of extra time, a huge show of faith by Gallardo which paid off as River went on to beat their bitter rivals 3-1 and lift the trophy.

Alvarez has long idolised Aguero - "I like Kun Aguero a lot and I try to copy his movements," he said in an interview with La Nacion in 2019 - and a move to the Etihad Stadium would give him the opportunity to follow in his former international team-mate's footsteps.

It would be a huge ask to emulate his achievements, of course, but the comparisons to the City legend are not entirely fanciful.

Like Aguero, Alvarez stands at 5ft 8ins and, in addition to being quick, he is deceptively strong, his stocky build and low centre of gravity making him difficult to push off the ball.

Aguero is sometimes categorised as a goal poacher but he scored all kinds of goals for City and a breakdown of Alvarez's Primera Division goals for River last season shows similar variety.

Alvarez converted the majority of his goals from inside the box - a total of four from inside the six-yard box underlining his goal-poaching abilities - but there were also five from outside the area.

No other player in the division managed more than three, a statistic which underlines his threat from distance as well as close-range.

Alvarez has a hammer of a right foot, generating impressive power with minimal back-lift, but he is by no means one-footed. In fact, he is similarly strong on his left, scoring five of his 18 goals last season with his weaker foot.

There was even a goal with his head. Alvarez may be small in stature but, like Aguero, he is dangerous in the air, his combative nature ensuring he does not shy away from aerial challenges.

Feature
Where he clearly differs form his idol, however, is in his positional versatility. Alvarez now plays up front for River but he is not an out-and-out striker like Aguero. In fact, he is similarly effective off the right and spent his younger years operating as winger.

While Aguero did his best work in and around the penalty box, Alvarez has a habit of dropping into spaces between the lines, where he is able to pick up possession on the turn and use his speed and skill to drive past opposition defenders from deeper positions.

It remains to be seen whether he will even come close to matching the extraordinary standards set by his idol, should a move to City go ahead. Reports suggest he would initially stay at River on loan before moving to England later this year. But Alvarez's star potential is already clear.

SKY

 

[James]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fernandinho has been awarded the Premier League's Oracle Most Powerful Goal award for this strike against Leeds! <a href="https://t.co/913gLWvJFm">pic.twitter.com/913gLWvJFm</a></p>— Sky Sports (@SkySports) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkySports/status/1529849937193799681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

Manchester City will make "a couple more" additions to Pep Guardiola's squad this summer, according to chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

Despite winning a fourth Premier League title in five seasons, City have paid £51.2m to bring in 21-year-old Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.

In addition, they have spent £14.1m on Argentina forward Julian Alvarez, 22.

But Mubarak, speaking to City's website, said: "We are looking to strengthen areas we need to strengthen.

"Every season some players leave and we have to refresh. We will be doing a couple more. We will try to go as fast as we can but it is not always entirely in our control."

Following club captain Fernandinho's departure, it is understood City are targeting Leeds' England midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

However, any move for the 26-year-old will be harder now Leeds have retained their top-flight status.

Guardiola also has a long-standing desire to bring in another left-back, with Brighton's Marc Cucurella, 23, thought to be high on that list.

City, for all their domestic success, are yet to win the Champions League and Mubarak has underlined the club's desire to compete for major honours, rather than have a stated aim to win any individual competition.

"We approach every season to try to win every competition," he added.

"That has been the case for the last 10 years. You cannot argue in the last six years under Pep, we show up every game with the full intention to try to win."

Guardiola's contract has another season left to run and the 51-year-old has not given any guarantees about what happens beyond that point.

And, though he was asked about the issue in his interview, Mubarak did not provide a direct answer.

"Pep has never stayed as long at any club than he has at Manchester City," he said.

"It is a partnership that has done wonders. Next year will be another exciting chapter. The conversation will be at the right time and pace and within a framework that works for Pep."

Mubarak says the final-day 3-2 comeback victory over Aston Villa, which sealed the title by a point, was one of the more obvious standout moments from a season where, once again, City have competed with Liverpool for all the major prizes.

It is not a situation he sees changing any time soon.

"Liverpool are a team we give highest respect towards," he said. "As with any rivalry, like the one we have had with Liverpool, we have made each other better.

"We are the benchmark for global football."

BBC

 

[James]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gabriel Jesus deal. He still wants to leave Man City and the expectation is for Gabriel to join a Premier League club this summer, official bids will arrive soon. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MCFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MCFC</a> <br><br>Real Madrid had some contacts few weeks ago to explore situation but still nothing advanced, as of now. <a href="https://t.co/qM8Rh5Hq2a">pic.twitter.com/qM8Rh5Hq2a</a></p>— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1534458274233438208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Firebat]

Manchester City will push to sign a midfielder, with Leeds United and England international Kalvin Phillips, 26, the preferred target. (Times)

 

[James]

They can buy anyone they want… the world is their oyster and any player will gladly sign for them.

Hands off our Kalvin

 

[James]

<b>Manchester City goalkeeper Scott Carson signs new one-year deal</b>

Manchester City goalkeeper Scott Carson has signed a new one-year deal.

The former England international, 36, first joined on loan from Derby in 2019, before making the move permanent last season.

Carson, who has started just one game for City - a 4-3 win against Newcastle in May 2021. - was out of contract at the end of the month.

City's director of football Txiki Begiristain said Carson is "an exemplary professional".

"His experience is of real benefit to the entire squad. His teammates, especially the goalkeepers, have great respect for his achievements in the game," added Begiristain.

Carson came on against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League in March for just his second appearance for the club.

He made his senior debut for Leeds in 2004 and also played for Liverpool, Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton, Aston Villa, West Brom, Turkish side Bursaspor and Wigan during his career.

BBC