What's new

Manchester City | Winners of the 2022/23 Season of the English Premier League

Firebat

PakPassion Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 19, 2015
Runs
15,745
PL Fixtures:

August

7: West Ham (a)

13: Bournemouth (h)

20: Newcastle United (a)

27: Crystal Palace (h)

31:Nottingham Forest (h)

September

3: Aston Villa (a)

10: Tottenham Hotspur (h)

17: Wolves (a)

October

1: Manchester United (h)

8: Southampton (h)

15: Liverpool (a)

18: Arsenal (a)

22: Brighton (h)

29: Leicester City (a)

November

5: Fulham (h)

12: Brentford (h)

December

26: Leeds United (a)

31: Everton (h)

January

2: Chelsea (a)

14: Manchester United (a)

21: Wolves (h)

February

4: Tottenham Hotspur (a)

11: Aston Villa (h)

18: Nottingham Forest (a)

25: Bournemouth (a)

March

4: Newcastle United (h)

11: Crystal Palace (a)

18: West Ham United (h)

April

1: Liverpool (h)

8: Southampton (a)

15: Leicester City (h)

22: Brighton (a)

26: Arsenal (h)

29: Fulham (a)

May

6: Leeds United (h)

13: Everton (a)

20: Chelsea (h)

28: Brentford (a)
 
City to make fast start

Manchester City will start the new season as favourites to retain their title for a third successive year, especially given their favourable-looking run at the start of the campaign.

Pep Guardiola's side play two of the promoted sides at home in August, and do not face any of the traditional 'big six' until mid-September when they host Tottenham.

https://www.news24.com/sport/soccer...ue-fixtures-the-runs-to-look-out-for-20220617
 
Manchester City have agreed a £45m deal with Leeds for England midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

The club will pay £42m for the 26-year-old with potential bonuses of £3m.

The Premier League champions made Phillips their number one summer transfer target, with Fernandinho leaving this summer after nine years with the club.

Phillips was in the Leeds academy and has made 214 appearances for the side since his senior debut in 2015.

The midfielder is expected to provide back up for Rodri at City in the single defensive midfield position favoured by manager Pep Guardiola.

A key player for Leeds under former boss Marcelo Bielsa, Phillips has also shown his ability to operate higher up the pitch alongside Declan Rice for England.

England's player of the year in 2020-21, Phillips will need to fend off competition from Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Conor Gallagher and James Ward-Prowse to earn his place in Gareth Southgate's World Cup squad.

In a separate deal, midfielder Darko Gyabi will leave City's academy and join Leeds for £5m.

BBC
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Kalvin Phillips is set to undergo a medical at Manchester City on Friday as his transfer from Leeds moves closer.
 
Manchester City have signed Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips for £45m.

The 26-year-old England international has signed a six-year deal with the Premier League champions.

He becomes Pep Guardiola's third summer signing after the arrivals of Erling Haaland and Stefan Ortega Moreno.

"I am absolutely delighted to have joined Manchester City. City have again proved to be the best team in the country," Phillips said.

Phillips, who made 235 appearances over eight seasons at Elland Road, still had two years left on his Leeds deal.

He said City have "an amazing squad and a manager in Pep Guardiola who is rightly considered to be the finest in the world".

He added: "To be able to play under Pep and learn from him and his coaching staff as well as be part of such a fantastic squad is a prospect that I am incredibly excited about."

Phillips made his international debut in September 2020 and was named England men's Player of the Year for 2020-21, having played every game at the delayed Euro 2020 tournament.

A key player under former boss Marcelo Bielsa, Phillips played 37 times in the Championship during the 2019-20 season when Leeds were promoted to the Premier League after 16 years away.

He spent a lengthy period on the sidelines last season due to a hamstring injury, making just 20 league appearances.

City's director of football Txiki Begiristain added: "His reading of the game, alongside his passing ability, energy and drive make him a formidable talent and he is a player who has a fantastic will to win.

"We feel he will be a superb addition to our squad and that he will complement our game perfectly."

BBC
 
Last edited:
Erling Haaland will wear the No 9 shirt at Manchester City this season.

The Norwegian forward completed a move earlier this summer but had to wait for the squad number to be vacated by Gabriel Jesus first before confirming it.

Jesus completed a £45m move to Arsenal this month following the arrivals of Haaland and young River Plate forward Julian Alvarez.
 
England forward Phil Foden, 22, is set to sign a new six-year deal at Manchester City worth £200,000-a-week. (Star)
 
Nathan Ake will remain at Manchester City after Chelsea failed to meet the Etihad side's valuation for the Dutch defender.

Chelsea had been in talks about signing the 27-year-old this summer.

Ake, who has featured at both centre-back and left-back for City, made 14 top-flight appearances last season, scoring twice.

He joined Chelsea as a 15-year-old before signing for Bournemouth, from where City bought him for £40m in 2020.
 
Manchester City: John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan & Phil Foden miss US tour

John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden will miss Manchester City's pre-season tour of the United States because they do not meet entry requirements.

City have not given any further information.

The players will instead train with the club's elite development squad in Croatia for their pre-season.

City play Club America and Bayern Munich in the US before the Community Shield against Liverpool on 30 July.

Aymeric Laporte was not named in the 26-man touring party because he is not fully fit. He will continue his rehabilitation in Manchester.

New signings Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips and Julian Alvarez were included, and Oleksandr Zinchenko was also named in the squad despite being linked with Arsenal.

Nathan Ake will also travel after Chelsea, who were interested in signing him, failed to meet City's valuation.

Premier League champions City are scheduled to face Mexican side Club America in Houston, Texas, on 21 July and German champions Bayern Munich in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on 23 July.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62192412
 
Brighton have rejected a £30m bid for Marc Cucurella from Manchester City.

The bid falls well short of Brighton's valuation of the player, which is understood to be £50m.
 
Brighton have rejected a £30m bid for Marc Cucurella from Manchester City.

The bid falls well short of Brighton's valuation of the player, which is understood to be £50m.

Brighton have rejected a £30m bid from Manchester City for left-back Marc Cucurella.

The 24-year-old Spain international signed a five-year deal with the south coast side when he joined from La Liga club Getafe last summer.

Brighton sold midfielder Yves Bissouma in a £30m deal last month and are under no pressure to make further sales.

They privately regard City's offer as well short of what they would be prepared to do business at.

A Barcelona academy graduate, Cucurella has one senior cap for Spain and played for the under-23 side that won silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

City have already signed Kalvin Phillips and Erling Haaland ahead of their attempt to secure a third successive Premier League title.

However, selling Oleklsandr Zinchenko to Arsenal for £30m does leave them short of left-back options.
 
<b>Man City ace Bernardo Silva responds to PSG transfer speculation</b>

Bernardo Silva has assured Manchester City fans that he will always give his best for the club, despite recent transfer rumours linking him with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Bernardo was a key player for Pep Guardiola's side last season as City won a fourth Premier League title in five seasons.

His contributions earned him a place in the PFA Team of the Season, and he made the three-man shortlist for City's Player of the Season award.

However, after asking to leave the club in 2020 and 2021, Bernardo has been linked with both Barcelona and PSG this summer.

The most recent reports from France have suggested that the French giants could up their efforts to sign the midfielder, either for cash or as part of a swap deal involving Neymar.

On Tuesday Guardiola rubbished the idea that City will pursue Neymar, but rumours are still swirling around Bernardo. City have no intention of selling the Portuguese star.

When asked about his future following City's 2-1 friendly win against Club America in Houston, Bernardo didn't go as far as to commit his future to the Blues, but his words were encouraging for supporters.

"Well, I'm not sure," Bernardo said when asked about the rumours. "What's really important is that I'm preparing my season as well as possible, and for as long as I play for Man City I will give always my best.

"My relationship with the club, with the fans, with my teammates is fantastic and I will always respect that."

Bernardo played 77 minutes of City's first game of their US pre-season tour and will hope to feature this weekend when the Blues take on Bayern Munich in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/foo...sedgntp&cvid=1b67912b8a7a461e88bb26c009988f08
 
Bayern Munich 0-1 Manchester City: Erling Haaland scores on his debut

New signing Erling Haaland scored on his debut as Manchester City beat Bayern Munich in a match twice held up by a lightning storm in Wisconsin on Saturday night.

Haaland, who joined City for £51.2m from Borussia Dortmund, scored after 12 minutes in the pre-season friendly.

The 22-year-old missed the first match of City's US tour, against Mexico's Club America, with injury niggles.

And City boss Pep Guardiola said the forward "needs time".

Haaland's goal came from a whipped cross from man of the match Jack Grealish, with the Norway international finishing from close range.

Guardiola said: "He scored a goal which is important, these type of goals in front of the keeper - always he's there.

"We'll see how he reacts to the niggles that he had in the previous weeks.

"After we come back we have long weeks to prepare every weekend game. In those two or three weeks we will get the best form."

There were two delays because of lightning in the area - one before kick-off and one in the first half - which resulted in the match being shortened to 80 minutes.

This fixture was the first soccer match to be played at one of the country's top sport venues - Lambeau Field - home of top NFL team the Green Bay Packers.

After giving City the lead, Haaland looked as if he had made it 2-0 just before the break but his left-footed shot from inside the area was disallowed for offside.

City will now fly back to England and will take on Liverpool in the Community Shield at Leicester's King Power Stadium on Saturday.

BBC
 
<b>Brighton: Manchester City target Cucurella hands in transfer request</b>

Manchester City target Marc Cucurella has handed in a transfer request at Brighton.

The Seagulls have already rejected one bid from City for the defender and are understood to be holding out for a £50m fee for the former Barcelona player.

The 24-year-old left-back joined Brighton from Getafe last summer.

He has been identified by City manager Pep Guardiola as a replacement for Oleksandr Zinchenko, who left City to join Arsenal this summer.

Cucurella is understood to feel Brighton's asking price is unrealistic.

A Barcelona academy graduate, he has one senior cap for Spain and played for the under-23 side that won silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Asked about the defender at a news conference for the Community Shield with Liverpool on Saturday at the King Power Stadium, Guardiola said: "He is a Brighton player. I cannot say anything."

Pressed further on his desire to sign a left-sided defender, the City boss added: "If it is possible, yes.

"If not, we stay with what we have. We have enough players who can play there, Joao [Cancelo] can play there. Nathan [Ake]."

Guardiola also confirmed that centre-back Aymeric Laporte is expected to be sidelined until September after knee surgery.

"Laporte is injured," said Guardiola. "He had knee surgery after last season and playing the last two or three games with an important injury. He made an incredible effort.

"So far he is doing really well, but you have to be careful with a knee. I think August will be out, September I think maybe he will start to be with us."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62350641
 
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola feels sadness at the recent exit of three star players but insists the club's record transfer income this summer proves they are sustainable.

City sold Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal for £45m and £30m.

Raheem Sterling also departed for Chelsea for £50m as part of an overhaul at the Premier League champions.

The trio were part of all four title-winning campaigns under Guardiola since his arrival in Manchester in 2016.

Seven other players have been sold this summer, including goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu and Romeo Lavia to Southampton.

"In part I'm a little bit sad that these important players have gone," said Guardiola. "But it's a business. To invest you have to sell players otherwise you can't be sustainable.

"I know the image of the club is that always we buy, buy, buy. But we sell too. We sell important players for big money.

"All the clubs know today selling players is not easy. All clubs want to do it but not everyone can."

In addition to the player departures already completed, there are decisions to be made over the short-term futures of striker Liam Delap and midfielder James McAtee, while City would also be due a substantial sell-on should Jack Harrison leave Leeds United.

The revenue generated by City this summer is already the most in a single transfer window by a Premier League side.

But there has been significant money spent on players coming into the club, including £45m on England midfielder Kalvin Phillips, £51.2m on Erling Haaland, £14.1m on Julian Alvarez and, potentially, upwards of £30m on Brighton defender Marc Cucurella, who has submitted a transfer request to force the move.

BBC
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Aymeric Laporte will miss today's game and the start of Manchester City's Premier League title defence after the Spain defender had surgery on a knee injury.

City manager Pep Guardiola revealed on Friday that Laporte needed the operation after struggling with the injury in the closing stages of last season.

The 28-year-old centre-back played through the pain barrier to help City win their fourth Premier League title in five seasons after a dramatic final-day victory against Aston Villa.

"Laporte is injured," said Guardiola. "He had knee surgery after last season, playing the last two or three games with an important injury. He made an incredible effort to do that but he could not continue.

"So far he is doing really well but you have to be careful because it is a knee. He needs time. I think August he will be out, but maybe in September he will start to be with us."
 
Brighton have ended discussions with Manchester City over the sale of defender Marc Cucurella.

The Spain left-back, 24, handed in a transfer request last week amid interest from City.

The Seagulls had already rejected one bid from City and see £50m as the benchmark - the fee they sold defender Ben White to Arsenal for last summer.

Sources say it would take an exceptional offer to consider a sale as they regard Cucurella a better player.

Pep Guardiola's side are now exploring other options as the fee is deemed too high.

Cucurella had been identified by City as a replacement for Oleksandr Zinchenko, who left the club to join Arsenal this summer.

Brighton feel no need to sell however with midfielder Yves Bissouma having already joined Tottenham this summer in a £25m deal plus add-ons.

Cucurella has a contract until 2026 having only joined Brighton in August 2021.

He has made 35 Premier League appearances for the club, scoring one goal, since joining from Getafe last year in a £15.4m deal.

A Barcelona academy graduate, Cucurella has one senior cap for Spain and played for the under-23 side that won silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
 
I thought City looked rusty against Liverpool on Saturday.

New man up top and they seemed a bit confused as to which tactics to adopt.

One things for sure, they start slowly and this time Liverpool won't let them catch up.
 
Manchester City have opened talks with Anderlecht over the potential transfer of Sergio Gómez, the Spanish left back
 
Manchester City have opened talks with Anderlecht over the potential transfer of Sergio Gómez, the Spanish left back

Fully moved on from Cucurella haven't they.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&#55357;&#56803;️ "I don't know what's going to happen..." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ManCity?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ManCity</a> boss Pep Guardiola refuses to rule out Bernando Silva leaving the club this summer. &#55357;&#56629;⤵️ <a href="https://t.co/uswsYS6IbB">pic.twitter.com/uswsYS6IbB</a></p>— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1555461851286315009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Pep Guardiola insists he wants Bernardo Silva to stay at Manchester City but concedes the decision is out of his control amid interest from Barcelona.
 
Erling Haaland opened his Manchester City goal account and demonstrated the huge threat he will pose this season as the champions began the defence of their Premier League crown in impressive fashion (0-2) at West Ham United.

The brilliant 22-year-old Norwegian striker delivered exactly what City manager Pep Guardiola wanted following his summer signing from Borussia Dortmund when he gave City the lead from the penalty spot nine minutes before half-time, after he was brought down by West Ham's substitute goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

He was on as substitute for injured Lukasz Fabianski but was helpless when Haaland wrapped up City's win after 65 minutes with a composed left-foot finish from Kevin de Bruyne's perfect pass.

City won at a canter against a strangely passive West Ham, who barely threatened after a brief opening burst, spending long spells out of possession as the champions exerted almost complete command.
 
Erling gets off to a good start with a brace. A good performance and start by City who will again be the team to beat. Any side finishing above them will win the league but I do feel they'll miss Jezuz and Sterling.
 
Manchester City are in talks with Anderlecht over Spain Under-21 international defender Sergio Gomez.
 
Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has pleaded not guilty to another charge of rape.

He entered the plea in a court hearing as preparations get under way for a trial at Chester Crown Court.

The 28-year-old now denies eight counts of rape, one of sexual assault and one of attempted rape, the hearing was told.

Mr Mendy pleaded not guilty in May to all but the latest charge, which was put to him earlier.

The trial is expected to begin on Monday and last more than three months.

The offences against seven women are alleged to have taken place at Mr Mendy's home between October 2018 and August 2021.

The French international, of Prestbury, Cheshire, will go on trial alongside co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie, 40, who has also denied the allegations.

Mr Matturie, of Eccles, Salford, denies eight counts of rape and four of sexual assault, relating to eight women, between July 2012 and August 2021.

Mr Mendy has made 50 Premier League appearances for Manchester City since joining from Monaco in 2017 and has 10 international caps for France.

He was suspended by Manchester City after being charged.

Both men, who remain on bail, were present for the proceedings earlier.
 
Manchester City are keen on Borussia Dortmund left-back Raphael Guerreiro.
 
Manchester City have agreed a fee of 13 million euros (£11m) plus add-ons with Anderlecht for Spain Under-21 international defender Sergio Gomez.

City were looking at left-sided options after failing to complete a deal for Brighton's Marc Cucurella, who joined Chelsea last week for £62.5m.

If not promoted to the first team squad, Gomez could be loaned to City Football Group club Girona in Spain.

He came through the Barcelona academy before joining Borussia Dortmund.

Gomez, 21, then spent two years on loan at Huesca in 2019, before joining Anderlecht where he played under former City skipper Vincent Kompany.
 
Erling Haaland could not mark his home debut for Manchester City with another goal, but it made no difference for Pep Guardiola's side who still swept Bournemouth aside with ease.

Haaland, who scored twice on his Premier League bow at West Ham last weekend, took 18 minutes to take his first touch but used it to set up Ilkay Gundogan for City's opener.

City had been dominating the game since the start, and it did not take long for more goals to follow.

The impressive Kevin de Bruyne made it 2-0 with a dazzling solo strike, running to the corner of the area before bending the ball into the bottom corner with the outside of his boot.

And Phil Foden made sure of the points before half-time, running on to a De Bruyne pass and letting fly with a shot that Cherries keeper Mark Travers got his body behind but could not keep out.

Bournemouth spent most of their time defending in a compact 5-4-1 formation, and only forced Ederson into action once, through a Ben Pearson snap-shot from the edge of the area.

They never looked remotely capable of staging a comeback in the second half, which had turned into a stroll in the Manchester sunshine for the home side long before Jefferson Lerma's own goal made it 4-0.

Lerma was trying to stop Joao Cancelo's low cross from reaching substitute Bernardo Silva, but only succeeded in sending the ball spinning past Travers to complete an afternoon to forget for his team.

BBC
 
Man City have confirmed the signing of Spainish defender Sergio Gomez from Anderlecht.
 
Manchester City have been charged by the Football Association after fans invaded the pitch following last season's Premier League title win.

Thousands of City fans poured on to the pitch as the club won its fourth title in five seasons by beating Aston Villa 3-2 on the final day at Etihad Stadium.

Aston Villa keeper Robin Olsen was attacked during the disorder, while a crossbar was broken.

City have until Thursday, 25 August to respond to the charge.

An FA statement said: "It is alleged that after the final whistle of this fixture that Manchester City failed to ensure that its spectators - and all persons purporting to be its supporters or followers - conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from using threatening and/or violent behaviour whilst encroaching onto the pitch."

In May, two people were charged in connection with the pitch invasion, while Greater Manchester Police said last month that it was still investigating a number of offences, including criminal damage.

City scored three goals in five minutes as they came from 2-0 down with 15 minutes remaining to beat Villa and win the title by one point from Liverpool.
 
Manchester City do not want to sell midfielder Bernardo Silva, 28, despite interest from Paris St-Germain and Barcelona in the Portugal international. (Sky Sports)
 
Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva is to be offered a massive new deal by the club in a bid to persuade the 28-year-old Portuguese to stay despite interest from Barcelona and Paris St-Germain. (Star Sunday)
 
Manchester City's Bernardo Silva to BBC Sport: "It was a very intense game. We started very well. The first 15 minutes were ours. My perception on the pitch was that we started attacking too quick.

"When we start playing like this and it's too quick it's better for the opponents. The last 25 or 30 minutes of the first half were very tough. They could have scored more than twice in that time.

"Overall we played quite well but not controlling their counter-attacks and runners. You'll suffer and that's what happened today.

"We knew how tough it is to come here. The atmosphere is great. It's a very physical team. They've been great over the last few months. They're in a great state of mind with very positive energy.

"We should have controlled the game better than we did today.

"We scored the third goal in the 64th minute. It was very early. I'm a bit disappointed we didn't score the fourth. But still a good reaction from the team.

"Not a perfect game but we take the point. It is what it is. Seven points from three games isn't bad."

On his future: "I'm happy. I'm doing my best to help the club. I'm very focused here."
 
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says his team "showed who they are" as they came back from two goals down to draw 3-3 at Newcastle.
 
Erling Haaland scored a second-half hat-trick as champions Manchester City fought back from two goals down to claim a thrilling Premier League victory (4-2) over Crystal Palace.

The visitors looked on course to win at Etihad Stadium for the second consecutive season when they led 2-0 at the break courtesy of a John Stones own goal and Joachim Andersen's powerful header.

However, City's first effort on target saw them reduce the arrears shortly after the break when Bernardo Silva's shot deflected off Palace midfielder Jeffrey Schlupp past Vicente Guaita.

And with the hosts in complete command Haaland took centre stage.

The Norwegian nodded in Phil Foden's cross to draw Pep Guardiola's side level, then prodded in Stones' wayward shot to complete the turnaround.

With Palace chasing the game, Haaland rounded off the scoring, racing on to Ilkay Gundogan's pass and holding off Joel Ward to cap a fine performance, before being replaced to a rapturous ovation from the home fans.
 
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will be able to spend £100m in the January transfer window if anyone catches his eye at the World Cup in Qatar.
 
Pep Guardiola hailed Bernardo Silva's influence after the Portuguese playmaker helped Manchester City recover from going two goals down to beat Crystal Palace 4-2 on Saturday.
 
Manchester City are in advanced talks with Borussia Dortmund about signing Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji.

No deal for Akanji has been agreed but the 27-year-old is likely to cost about £15m.

Akanji, who joined Dortmund from Basel in 2018, has entered the final year of his contract.

With Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake both injured, City boss Pep Guardiola feels he needs another central defender.

Akanji has played 158 times for Dortmund, helping them to the 2021 German Cup alongside now City striker Erling Haaland.

He has yet to play this season for the Bundesliga club.
 
Man City have signed Borussia Dortmund and Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji on a five-year deal.
 
Paris St-Germain offered Neymar to Manchester City just before the transfer deadline - but the Premier League champions turned down the chance to sign the Brazil forward, 30. (Marca - in Spanish)
 
Erling Haaland continued his remarkable start to life in the Premier League as Manchester City brushed aside 10-man Wolves to go top of the table.

Jack Grealish prodded home Kevin de Bruyne's cross inside a minute before Haaland fired in his 11th league goal in seven games from the edge of the area.

Wolves' woes worsened when defender Nathan Collins was sent off for a reckless high boot that caught Grealish in the midriff and all but ended the game as a contest at Molineux.

City eased off in the second half and Goncalo Guedes wasted a decent opening to halve Wolves' deficit before Phil Foden cleverly clipped home another De Bruyne centre for City's third.
 
City barely got out of second gear winning that match. Their potential as a team is incredible.
 
<b>Kalvin Phillips could need shoulder surgery — and could be a doubt for England at the World Cup as a result.</b>

The Manchester City midfielder missed his side’s win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon. He featured in mid-week for City in the Champions League but has had a stop-start time since his summer move from Leeds United.

And now it is understood he could need surgery on his shoulder in order to reach full fitness again. This could put him in doubt for this winter’s tournament in Qatar, which is controversial for the reasons outlined in this article.

Phillips has had issues with his shoulder since picking up an injury during Leeds’s final game of the 2020-21 season. There were concerns he would miss Euro 2020, but he recovered and played a key part as Gareth Southgate’s side reached the final at Wembley that summer.

The 26-year-old has been called up for England’s Nations League fixtures against Italy and Germany later this month. His involvement in those matches could now also be in doubt.

<I>The Athletic</I>
 
Jack Grealish could not have asked for a better response to his growing band of critics.

After having both his performances for Manchester City and his place in the England squad called into question, Grealish responded with his first goal of the season, after just 55 seconds, against Wolves on Saturday.

The forward was also at the centre of most of the visitors' attacking play as he helped Pep Guardiola's men cruise to a 3-0 victory.

The result sees City head into the international break on top of the table after scoring 23 times in seven Premier League matches, while in Erling Haaland that have a striker in red-hot form with 14 goals in nine games in all competitions.

The campaign is not yet one fifth of the way through, but already questions are being asked about how anyone can stop City becoming only the fifth English club - after Huddersfield, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United - to win three league titles in a row.

"It feels ominous for everyone, and almost feels like a one-horse race whatever the table tells you," former England defender Rio Ferdinand told BT Sport.

"People have started to question Jack Grealish, today he answered the critics in a wonderful way."
 
Manchester City have reached an agreement in principle on a new contract for England attacking midfielder Phil Foden, with the deal believed to be over six years and worth about £250,000 a week
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Living the dream 🥰<br><br>Boyhood Manchester City fans Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both scoring hat-tricks against Manchester United!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BBCFootball?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BBCFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MCIMUN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MCIMUN</a> <a href="https://t.co/cXEFPFEcxz">pic.twitter.com/cXEFPFEcxz</a></p>— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCMOTD/status/1576586715975880704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Erling Haaland scored his 20th goal for Manchester City as his side swept Southampton aside to move top of the Premier League.

The 22-year-old Norway striker has taken only 13 games to reach that mark in all competitions, with struggling Saints the latest side to find out how hard it is to keep him or his team-mates quiet.

City attacked relentlessly from the start and Haaland was within inches of giving them an early lead when he hit the inside of the post after galloping clear.

Instead it was Joao Cancelo who put the home side ahead, running on to Phil Foden's pass and cutting past James Ward-Prowse before finding the bottom corner of the net.

Foden, who like Haaland scored a hat-trick here against Manchester United last weekend, got on the scoresheet himself soon afterwards with a dinked finish after Kevin de Bruyne found him in space in the box.

That put City in complete control at the break and they wrapped up the points at the start of the second half when Mahrez volleyed home a Rodri cross.

The only thing missing for the home fans was another Haaland goal, and for once it appeared it might not be his day.

Haaland was unable to get on the end De Bruyne's cross under pressure from Mohammed Salisu, and then brilliantly denied by Bazunu, who dived at his feet as he charged through at goal.

As the chances kept coming however, you just knew Haaland would take one - and so he did, meeting Cancelo's cutback with a typically precise low finish to make it 4-0 after 65 minutes.

Southampton, who managed only one touch in the City area and a total of two shots - both from distance, and both off target - never looked like avoiding a fourth-straight defeat.
 
FT: FC Copenhagen 0-0 Manchester City

It ends goalless in Denmark after a very eventful first half.

Pep Guardiola's side come away with a point despite playing with 10-men since the 30th minute.

They go four points clear at the top of Group G.
 
<b>Phil Foden has signed a new contract with Manchester City which will keep the England midfielder at the club until 2027.</b>

The 22-year-old's previous deal was due to expire in 2024.

Foden has scored 52 goals in 182 games since making his debut in November 2017 after emerging as one of City's brightest academy products.

"It's hard to put into words how happy I am to have signed this contract," Foden said.

"It's a dream come true. I have been a City fan all my life. I've trained here for so many years and I've even been a ballboy.

"I love this club so much, so to know I am going to be a part of it until 2027 feels amazing."

Stockport-born Foden, who has scored two goals in 18 caps for England, has won 11 trophies with City, including four Premier League titles, four EFL Cups and the FA Cup.

He has also won the Premier League Young Player of the Season and PFA Young Player of the Year awards in each of the last two seasons.

City boss Pep Guardiola handed him his debut as a 17-year-old and Foden credited the Spaniard for his impressive development over the last five years.

"I've improved a lot in recent years and so much of that is down to Pep and his staff, who guide me every single day on the training field," added Foden.

"Working with them gives me the best chance of improving even more and becoming the best player I can be.

"With the squad we have here, I feel I can keep learning and winning trophies. Those are the two most important things to me."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63263491
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Man City have won Club of the Year at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BallonDor?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BallonDor</a> awards 👏👏<br><br>Agree with this? 🤔 <a href="https://t.co/PxZuf4MgXt">pic.twitter.com/PxZuf4MgXt</a></p>— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) <a href="https://twitter.com/talkSPORT/status/1582096595986022400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Detectives are investigating a complaint of alleged criminal damage to the Manchester City bus as it returned home from Liverpool.

An image showed damage to the windscreen following City's 1-0 defeat at Anfield on Sunday.

Merseyside Police said inquires were continuing and appealed for information.

The force urged anyone with video, CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident to come forward.

It comes after City boss Pep Guardiola said members of the Anfield crowd threw coins at him during the game while Liverpool condemned "vile" chanting from the away end.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has since been charged by the FA after he was was dismissed for berating a referee's assistant when a foul was not given for a challenge on Mohamed Salah.
 
Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City equalled a 91-year-old top-flight record in their 3-1 win against Brighton at the Etihad Stadium.

City were completing their 10th straight Premier League home win. They have scored at least three goals in all of them, something no side had done since Aston Villa, also across two seasons, in 1930 and 1931.

Haaland now has an incredible 17 goals in 11 league games - and 12 in his past five home games.

However, it was skipper Kevin de Bruyne who scored the best of the day, curling a superb shot into the top corner from 25 yards from Bernardo Silva's inside pass.

It ended hopes of a Brighton comeback, which were raised after Leandro Trossard's second-half effort beat Ederson from the corner of the area.

As it is, Brighton are still without a win under new boss Roberto de Zerbi, while Pep Guardiola's side close to within a point of leaders Arsenal.
 
Boss Pep Guardiola praised Kevin de Bruyne for his 'masterclass' goal but still feels Manchester City can get more from the Belgian.

Only City team-mate Erling Haaland has had more top flight goal involvement's than De Bruyne's two goals and nine assists this season.

Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi said De Bruyne's superb curling 25-yard effort 15 minutes from time "closed the game" as City won 3-1 on Saturday.

He would also have had another assist if Riyad Mahrez had taken a clear chance to put City three up, just before Leandro Trossard pulled one back for the visitors.

However, Guardiola wants more from his captain.

"Kevin can be better," said Guardiola. "He is not playing at his top level. Not yet.

"He made a fantastic goal - a masterclass action. But he is not playing at his best. He knows. I spoke with him but I don't have to tell him. It's not perfect."

De Bruyne on top form, coupled with striker Haaland at his present level is a worrying thought for City's Premier League rivals.

The club have now scored 601 top flight goals since Guardiola arrived in 2016.

Only Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have presided over teams who have scored more, but Guardiola says he will not be around as long as the legendary former Manchester United and Arsenal managers.

However, the Spaniard does accept it is an achievement of which to be proud.

"Have you been here seven years, watching our games?" he said. "Six hundred goals. You should have had a ticket. We have scored a lot of goals in this time.

"It is a compliment to the club and the players. If you don't have fantastic players, you can't score 600 goals."

BBC
 
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says Manchester United are on their way back to being competitive at the top of the table.

United have not won the Premier League since 2013 and their last trophy came in 2017.

But they are unbeaten in seven matches since a 6-3 defeat by City and Guardiola says he sees positive changes under manager Erik ten Hag.

"I have the feeling United are coming back," said Guardiola.

"Finally United is coming back - I've seen it on Thursday [the 3-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol], and against Chelsea in the first half [of the 1-1 draw last weekend].

"I said I like what I see of United right now. There will be a lot of teams like United fighting. That's why you have to fight to qualify for the Champions League and fight for the title."

Guardiola also says he sees Newcastle being in the mix this season to challenge for the title and top four.

"Newcastle are already there," added Guardiola, whose City side are seeking a third consecutive Premier League title.

"I saw them against Tottenham. The central defenders went man to man against Kane and Son with no problem at all.

"We played them in the third game of the season. Imagine this team playing one game a week? We know how good Eddie the manager is.

"They have new players. They play brave. They are a contender to be there."

'Too tired for Insta'
Guardiola believes his team don't get enough credit for what are perceived to be easy successes.

Last weekend against Brighton was one such example. City won 3-1, with Erling Haaland scoring twice in what appeared to be a routine win against inferior opposition.

"I saw the players in the locker room after Brighton, they were exhausted," said Guardiola.

"They couldn't even take the phone. Imagine how tired they were - they didn't even have the energy to open Instagram."
 
Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League after Kevin de Bruyne's world-class free-kick broke down Leicester City's stubborn resistance at the King Power Stadium.

Foxes' manager Brendan Rodgers had clearly set up his team to do a containing job on the reigning champions and it had worked effectively until De Bruyne curled a magnificent strike into the top corner from 25 yards four minutes after half-time.

De Bruyne's goal was reward for City's dominance, even though they missed the killer touch of the absent Erling Haaland, who has been suffering from a fever and a foot injury.

Leicester almost broke out of their defensive shell when Youri Tielemans struck a volley from a corner that was turned on to the bar by Manchester City keeper Ederson but ultimately they did not have enough attacking intent or quality to test Pep Guardiola's side.

Arsenal can return to the top of the table with victory against Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on Sunday but for now Manchester City are back in the position that has become such familiar territory in recent years.
 
Manchester City fear Ilkay Gundogan will leave the club on a free transfer next summer. The Germany midfielder, 32, is yet to agree a new contract, with his current deal expiring in June. (Football Insider)
 
Rico Lewis became the youngest player to score on his first Champions League start as he sparked a Manchester City comeback in a 3-1 win over Sevilla.
 
Erling Haaland is feeling "much better" and could be in line for a return to the Manchester City XI for this weekend's game with Fulham, says Pep Guardiola.

The Manchester City striker missed the wins over Leicester and Sevilla with a bruised foot but Guardiola said the Norway striker was in contention.

"We will decide today [Friday]," he said. "He is much better and it has been a good step for him to be in training.

"We'll listen to his opinion and the doctor's opinion and then see if he is good to play 90 minutes or fewer. We'll see after training."

Julian Alvarez has taken Haaland's place and was outstanding against Sevilla, scoring one and making two more as City won 3-1.

Asked whether Alvarez was in shape to start three consecutive games inside a week, Guardiola shrugged off the question.

"He is so young," he said. "When you are that age, you can play every day."

Millions of fantasy football players wait the team news with bated breath.
 
Substitute Erling Haaland scored an injury-time winner from the penalty spot to give 10-man Manchester City victory over Fulham (2-1) and send the defending champions top of the table.

The importance of his 95th-minute strike was underlined moments later when Haaland was embraced by his manager Pep Guardiola at the final whistle, and joined his team-mates on a lap of honour.

What appeared as though it would be a frustrating and potentially costly afternoon in City's pursuit of a third-successive title, instead ended with a memorable victory thanks to Haaland's 18th league goal of his dazzling start to his career at Etihad Stadium.

All seemed to be going according to plan for Guardiola's side early on, as they took the lead through Julian Alvarez's powerful finish and pressed forward looking for more goals.

But the anticipated march to a seventh successive home win this season did not transpire. Instead the game took an unexpected turn just before the the half-hour mark when Joao Cancelo muscled Fulham forward Harry Wilson off the ball in the box.

Referee Darren England pointed to the spot and showed Cancelo the red card, to the disbelief of Guardiola and his players, before Andreas Pereira sent Ederson the wrong way from the spot.

That was Fulham's first effort at goal and they rarely threatened afterwards either, even with the extra man, instead being content to sit deep and frustrate their hosts.

It initially appeared they would be successful, even when Haaland came off the bench in the second half after two games out injured.

Haaland thought he had scored the winner when he headed home a Kevin de Bruyne cross with 15 minutes to go, but the home side's celebrations were cut short when VAR showed he was offside.

City's attacks grew increasingly frantic towards the end and Haaland got no closer to finding the net, until Antonee Robinson tripped De Bruyne inside the area in injury time.

Haaland - who else? - stepped up to fire his penalty into the bottom corner and spark wild celebrations from his team-mates, manager and in the stands.
 
Seems like they might have got a bit lucky today?
 
FULL-TIME
Man City 1-2 Brentford

==

Pep Guardiola speaking to Match of the Day: "The best team won, we struggled from the beginning and we couldn't deal with their long balls.

"Usually you press the balls to win it but this was different. They defended so deep and so well.

"We didn't have the dynamic today because we were dictated by long balls that we were losing.

"The game was so difficult, it was so tight.

"They did really well in the plan they had and were better.

"We have done exceptional in the Champions League and well in the Premier League. We'll come back and prepare for the second-half of the season now."
 
Pep Guardiola has signed a new one-year contract at Manchester City with an option of a further 12 months in a deal that could stretch his supremely successful tenure to 2025.

The manager’s terms were due to expire in June and it is understood he agreed the renewal during the current domestic break for the Qatar World Cup. He had been tight-lipped when asked in the lead-up to the tournament whether he could discuss a fresh deal then.

Guardiola, who will receive a rise on his reported £20m-a-year salary, has led City to four Premier League titles, one FA Cup, four League Cups and one Champions League final, which was lost to Chelsea in May last year.
 
Manchester City are considering expansion plans that would increase the capacity of their Etihad Stadium to more than 60,000.

The club, who are undertaking feasibility studies, are exploring options to expand the North Stand and also create a covered fan zone.

Previous expansion in 2015 increased capacity to the current 53,400.

The club said their ambition was to develop the site into a "world-leading" sport and entertainment venue.

City added the main objective would be to create growth and employment opportunities for the local community.

Fans are being invited to share their feedback on the proposals in early 2023.

Another priority, the club said, was to identify opportunities for matchday and non-matchday "entertainment experiences".

In August, City announced discussions were in a primary phase to expand the two-tiered North Stand to three tiers.

BBC
 
City struggle to fill the Emptyhad as it is on a “non big six” matchday so looks like they will be lining up more untenanted seats.
 
Kalvin Phillips: Pep Guardiola says Man City midfielder was 'overweight' after World Cup

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says England midfielder Kalvin Phillips was "overweight" when he returned to training from the World Cup.

The 27-year-old was a surprise omission from the City squad for Thursday's Carabao Cup victory over Liverpool.

Guardiola's initial explanation was to say Phillips, who joined City from Leeds in July, was not fit.

However, the City boss later stated: "He is not injured. He arrived overweight."

When asked why, Guardiola replied: "I don't know.

"He didn't arrive in the condition for the training sessions and to play."

Phillips played twice for England in Qatar after recovering from shoulder surgery, coming on as a substitute against Wales and Senegal.

He joined City in a £45m deal last summer but has made just one Premier League appearance this season, coming on as a last-minute substitute at West Ham in August.

When it was pointed out Phillips would have benefited from the best training and nutritional advice when he was on international duty, Guardiola said: "Absolutely."

Guardiola refused to explain what he had said to Phillips about the situation, saying it was a private conversation.

In total, Phillips has made four appearances for City, all from the substitutes' bench.

His last was against Chelsea in the EFL Cup on 9 November.

It is not known whether Phillips is in contention to face old club Leeds on 28 December but, despite his disappointing time at City so far, Guardiola says the 27-year-old will be welcomed back into his squad.

"When he will be ready, he will play," he said. "We need him. We need him a lot."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64081762
 
Wow, managers don't usually air something like this out in public. Big warning sign to Kalvin to fix up.
 
Bernardo Silva: “In June we'll talk again to see what's best. I'm focused on City project and my contract would end at 31”,

“I won’t hide that my goal in recent years, if something good happens elsewhere, will probably be to move to a new project”.
 
Wow, managers don't usually air something like this out in public. Big warning sign to Kalvin to fix up.

It’s been a poor move for Phillips.

He’s getting nowhere.
 
Pep Guardiola Says Manchester City Will Struggle To Catch Premier League Leaders Arsenal

Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City have it all to do if they are to overhaul leaders Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. Reigning champions City can move back to within five points of the Gunners away to Chelsea on Thursday after Arsenal dropped points in Tuesday's goalless draw with Newcastle. "We have to reduce the gap by playing good and winning games, but they (Arsenal) get more than 100 points if they keep this average and we will not catch them," Guardiola told a pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

"We have to be almost perfect and hope they drop points. Last night they were still excellent."

Chelsea have won just one of their last seven Premier League games but Guardiola still expects a difficult encounter at Stamford Bridge.

"It's the Premier League," the Spaniard said. "They're all tough. They're a tough side, well-managed. It doesn't matter what position you are when you go to Stamford Bridge. It is always difficult."

Aymeric Laporte will be given a fitness test ahead of the journey to London after missing the New Year's Eve clash with Everton with a back problem but fellow centre-back Ruben Dias is still sidelined with a thigh injury. Guardiola added: "Ruben is out. Ayme we will see in this afternoon's (Wednesday's training session."

NDTV
 
City haven't looked great in certain games, though they have Haaland who is unbelievable they don't seem as potent all round

Plus defensively they've shown a vulnerability

City have a run of fixtures coming which will tell us what we are likely to see for the rest of the season. Beat both Chelsea and City and you fancy them to go on a big winning run

As it happens I think Chelsea will get something tomorrow night
 
Chelsea vs Man City:

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Ake, Cancelo, Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Bernardo, Haaland, Foden.

Subs: Ortega, Phillips, Grealish, Alvarez, Gomez, Akanji, Mahrez, Palmer, Lewis.

As expected, Pep has stopped with his funky selections as he realised can't continue with it with a draw at home to Everton while Everton are shipping 4 goals to Brighton at home. He's knows he can't afford to give Arsenal too much of a head start.

This sees the re-introduction of Cancelo and Foden. Walker is also a good addition in defence. Question is, can the Chelsea defence stop Haaland tonight?
 
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola talking to Sky Sports: "Erling Haaland and the process has been quick. In many times in previous seasons we've played with a false nine to have an extra man in the middle, but now the extra man is in the box.

"We've had to adjust something, but we are delighted, not just with his efficiency in front of goal, but everything."

On the biggest challenge since the World Cup: "I took a look at how they came back individually. The happiest man was Julian [Alvarez]. I looked step-by-step, day one, day two, day three. It depends on the body language.

"It was important to do that after the World Cup and see how the mood was and make good decisions. Step-by-step they come back in reality and play games."
 
That's what makes Pep such a great manger.

Awful first half, he changed it around with the tactics and substitutions resulting in a much better second half.

3 important points.
 
This is what Man City do, they win and sometimes they win ugly like tonight. The City juggernaut starting to gear up.
 
Even after a poor first half that was a solid win for City in the end. Who can cope with 90 minutes of them? They take the game so deep. Being able to bring on Grealish, Mahrez, Phillips and Akanji (£220M combined cost) as your second half subs is ridiculous. Nobody in England, and few in the world, can compete with this level of strength in depth.
 
Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has "improved his level" and may play in Sunday's FA Cup third-round tie against Chelsea, says manager Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola criticised Phillips for being overweight on his return from England World Cup duty in December.

Phillips, a £45m signing from Leeds last summer, has played less than 10 minutes in the Premier League for City.

"I had the feeling last week that he's back," said Guardiola.

"It will maybe be a good lesson for him for the future. I have the feeling that a football player has to be, for 12 months, perfect. Even in holidays you have to be perfect.

"You can enjoy, you can do whatever you want, but you have to be ready because this level is so demanding. You have to play every three days, you have to be fit, and when you're not fit, nothing.

"In the last week, or days, he improved his level. In the Carabao Cup (quarter-final against Southampton on Wednesday) he is going to play and Sunday we will see."

BBC Sport
 
Back
Top