Manchester City have issued a statement in response to accusations from the Premier League of more than 100 alleged financial rule breaches dating back to the 2009/10 season.
City stand accused of failing to accurately report financial information in each season from 2009/10 util 2017/18, with various rules alleged to be broken in each.
There are additionally allegations of incorrect records of manager payments between 2009 and 2016, pre-dating Pep Guardiola’s arrival at the club, as well as financial fair play concerns between 2013/14 and 2018/19, and failing to act properly under investigation from 2018/19 until now.
The Premier League has submitted its evidence to an independent commission for a final ruling.
The statement from the club speaks of ‘surprise’ at the Premier League’s allegations, refutes failing to cooperate with and assist the investigation and expresses confidence that the evidence does not point to any financial wrongdoing.
“Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with,” the club have said in response.
“The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.
“As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard says his side are focused on their own progress and not the challenge of Manchester City in the Premier League title race.
Odegaard’s Gunners beat Manchester United in a thrilling Emirates encounter on Sunday, with Eddie Nketiah scoring twice including a dramatic winner to send Arsenal 11 points clear of United.
City remain Arsenal’s biggest challengers at the top of the table and the two sides are still to square off three times this season – firstly in Friday’s FA Cup meeting before league clashes in February and April.
City beat Wolves earlier on Sunday before Arsenal reinstated their five-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s side by beating United. The two sides are the clear frontrunners for the title, though Norway international Odegaard insisted Arsenal are maintaining focus in north London first and foremost.
Asked about City’s presence, Odegaard said: “No, honestly, we don’t care about City or any other team. We expected them to win so that was not a big surprise and we just focused on our game, to come here and win and that’s what we did. The way we won this game gives us a special feeling that will help as well.”
Marcus Rashford had given United the lead with a strike from distance in the 17th minute but Nketiah converted Granit Xhaka’s equaliser before Bukayo Saka struck home brilliantly in the second half.
Lisandro Martinez brought United level with a header from a scrappy set piece, but Nketiah’s late winner ensured Arsenal maintained their lead in the Premier League heading into the FA Cup weekend
Manchester United fought back for a dramatic 2-1 win against Manchester City that left their arch-rivals fuming over a controversial VAR decision to allow Bruno Fernandes’ equaliser, while troubled Liverpool crashed to a shock 3-0 defeat at Brighton on Saturday.
Fernandes’ goal was the turning point and City boss Pep Guardiola and his players were seething after the flag went up for offside when Rashford ran on to Casemiro’s pass.
“The first goal is a joke that it can be allowed,” City defender Manuel Akanji told BBC Sport.
“He runs for 30 metres, he’s chasing the ball. In the situation, I played him (Rashford) offside. I understand he doesn’t touch the ball, but for me it is clearly offside.”
A win for leaders Arsenal at north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday would put the Gunners eight points clear.
While City splutter, United are in fine form following their ninth successive victory in all competitions.
Asked if they are in the title race, boss Erik ten Hag said: “The fans may dream but we are not. We have improved, that is obvious. There is still a long way to go.”
Marcus Rashford scored the winner as Manchester United came from behind to beat Manchester City 2-1 in a thrilling match at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Both United goals came in the final 12 minutes as Erik ten Hag’s side moved to within one point of their local rivals in the Premier League table after inflicting a damaging blow to City’s hopes of retaining the title.
Pep Guardiola’s men looked to be heading to victory when Jack Grealish came off the bench to head the visitors into the lead.
But Bruno Fernandes’ controversial equaliser turned the game and four minutes later Rashford netted for the ninth consecutive match at Old Trafford.
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.
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“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.”
Manchester City are hopeful that Pep Guardiola will sign a new deal before the end of the year, 90min understands.
The Spaniard, who has won four Premier League titles with City since taking over in 2016, is out of contract at the end of the 2022/23 season, though discussions over an extension have been ongoing for a number of months.
Sources have told 90min that there is already a ‘broad agreement’ in place with Guardiola’s representatives over a new deal – which would tie him down to the club until 2025 – and that City, who remain calm about the situation, would ideally like Guardiola to put pen to paper before the end of the calendar year.
Whether or not Guardiola does commit remains to be seen – it’s widely known that he’s keen to return to America at some stage after enjoying a year-long sabbatical in New York in 2013 – but City are ‘very confident’ that he’ll opt to continue at the club, where he can work with and develop Erling Haaland.
Nevertheless, 90min further understands that City Group have made it clear to the 51-year-old that he’d have a place at New York City FC should he want it, and that a succession plan has been floated by the club’s hierarchy if Guardiola decides to leave at the end of his current contract.
One name to have been discussed is Mikel Arteta, sources have told 90min, who is now seen to be a genuine contender for the job after leading Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table.
Arteta is well known to City after spending three years as Guardiola’s assistant, and his startling progress at the Emirates Stadium – which has seen him linked with the top job at Barcelona in recent months – has not gone unnoticed.
Bayern Munich’s Julian Nagelsmann and River Plate’s Marcelo Gallardo are two others believed to be on City’s radar, although the Premier League champions ultimately hope that Guardiola will stay and that any succession plan won’t need to be actioned for another few years
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The Spaniard led his team to equal the number of goals scored by any team under a particular manager since Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger for Manchester United and Arsenal. Manchester City are now the third team to score at least 600 goals in the Premier League under one manager.
The Cityzens achieved this feat after scoring the second goal against Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday, October 22nd, 2022 which was scored by Erling Haaland.
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Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland made European football’s biggest stage their own as Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City made winning starts to their Champions League campaign Tuesday.
While big-spending Chelsea suffered a shock 1-0 defeat away to Dinamo Zagreb, holders Real Madrid rode luck at times before demonstrating its class to kick off its title defense with a 3-0 win at Celtic despite the loss of Karim Benzema to injury.
Mbappe showed why PSG was so desperate to keep him at the end of last season when he seemed set to depart for Real by scoring both goals in PSG’s 2-1 victory at home to Juventus, to launch the French champions’ quest for the biggest prize in European club football.
“We played well and we got a win in a tremendous atmosphere at home,” Mbappe told Canal Plus.
“We always want to play against big teams – that’s why you play in the Champions League. It’s that sort of atmosphere we love; matches like this, in which you have to show character.”
The France forward volleyed Neymar’s delightful scoop past Mattia Perin in the fifth minute at the Parc des Princes before adding another brilliantly-worked goal midway through the first half.
Substitute Weston McKennie headed Juventus back into the game but PSG held on and are level with Benfica in Group H. The Portuguese side beat Maccabi Haifa 2-0 courtesy of goals from Rafa Silva and Alex Grimaldo.
Pep Guardiola has warned Haaland alone can not lead City to Champions League glory this season, but the Norway striker kept up his scintillating form for his new team with two goals in a 4-0 rout of Sevilla.
“He has an incredible sense of goal. We have incredible numbers in scoring goals, so we want to continue like that,” said Guardiola.
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Haaland keeps on scoring
Having already scored 10 times in six Premier League outings, Haaland put City in front on 20 minutes in Spain as he poked in a Kevin De Bruyne cross.
Phil Foden doubled the lead on the hour before Haaland struck again. Ruben Dias bagged a fourth to compound the misery for a struggling Sevilla side.
Haaland faces a reunion next week with old club Borussia Dortmund, who eased to a 3-0 win over FC Copenhagen earlier in Group G.
First-half goals from Marco Reus and Raphael Guerreiro had the hosts cruising, with 19-year-old England international Jude Bellingham delivering a late third.
Real up and running Scottish champion Celtic was left to rue not making the most of a bright start against Real in Glasgow as Callum McGregor rattled the post before the Spanish giants made its experience count.
Vinicius Junior, who grabbed the winning goal in last season’s final, opened the scoring in the 56th minute and Luka Modric soon doubled the advantage.
Eden Hazard, who came on for the ailing Benzema, netted his first goal for the club since January to seal the victory.
“It was like two games, first half we suffered a bit with intensity, second half we had control,” Ancelotti told BT Sport.
“We were not surprised (with Celtic’s start). We knew they could start really fast. We were lucky because they hit the post.”
Shakhtar Donetsk romped to a memorable 4-1 win over RB Leipzig in Germany in the other Group F game.
Shakhtar, who has not played in its hometown since 2014, did not have any competitive matches this year until Aug. 23 due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
It has lost multiple key players since as FIFA allowed foreign players and coaches to suspend their contracts and leave the club.
Marian Shved scored twice on his full debut either side of Mohamed Simakan’s equalizer. Mykhaylo Mudryk and Lassina Traore made sure of the win for Shakhtar.
Chelsea made a miserable start to its Champions League campaign as Dinamo Zagreb ruined Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s debut.
Thomas Tuchel’s side was expected to cruise through Group E after being drawn with Dinamo, Red Bull Salzburg and AC Milan.
But its task might not be so simple after Mislav Orsic’s first-half strike punished the Blues for another sloppy display.
Having spent 250 million pounds ($280 million) on new signings since the end of last season, Tuchel is under pressure to deliver silverware in return for that huge investment.
“We are clearly not there, where we need to be and where we can be. So it’s on me, it’s on us, we need to find solutions. At the moment, everything is missing,” said Tuchel.
Italian champions Milan began with a 1-1 draw at Salzburg as Alexis Saelemaekers canceled out Noah Okafor’s opener for the hosts
Manchester City are in discussions with Borussia Dortmund over a deal for Manuel Akanji, 90min understands.
The Switzerland international has less than a year left to run on his contract at Signal-Iduna Park and has not made an appearance so far this season.
He has been linked with moves to Leicester and Manchester United in recent times, but 90min understands talks are ongoing with Man City over a move instead.
John Stones’ poor start to the season and the need for Nathan Ake to cover at left-back following Oleksandr Zinchenko’s departure means Pep Guardiola is looking towards the transfer market to find a solution.
A deal for Akanji is expected to cost less than £15m, which makes him an attractive option to Man City.
The Premier League champions have already brought in Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips, Stefan Ortega Moreno and Sergio Gomez this summer, while Julian Alvarez has joined up with the squad after his January signing from River Plate.
Man City have conceded five goals in their opening four Premier League games – the worst record of the division’s current top five – and Guardiola has publicly expressed their need to be better defensively.
Akanji has made 158 appearances for Dortmund since joining from Basel in 2018. The 27-year-old has also featured at two major tournaments for Switzerland
It was a thrilling end to the 2021/22 Premier League season, with 90min’s final day live blog capturing all the many twists and turns of an incredible afternoon.
Manchester City clinched their fourth Premier League title in five seasons as they overturned a shock 2-0 deficit to beat Aston Villa at the Etihad 3-2 – their three goals coming in a remarkable five-minute spell.
Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Wolves at Anfield was rendered irrelevant, though Mohamed Salah did share the Golden Boot spoils with Tottenham’s Son Heung-min – the pair ended the season on 23 goals each.
Tottenham sealed a place in next season’s Champions League at the expense of Arsenal with a convincing 5-0 win over Norwich – the Gunners beat Everton 5-1 at the Emirates Stadium. Manchester United will join them in the Europa League despite losing at Crystal Palace, as West Ham slipped up at Brighton.
In the relegation fight, Burnley were the team to lose their Premier League status – a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle sending them down to the Championship after Leeds’ 2-1 win over Brentford.
Premier League full-time scores Arsenal 5-1 Everton Brentford 1-2 Leeds Brighton 3-1 West Ham Burnley 1-2 Newcastle Chelsea 2-1 Watford Crystal Palace 1-0 Manchester United Leicester 4-1 Southampton Liverpool 3-1 Wolves Manchester City 3-2 Aston Villa Norwich 0-5 Tottenham
The final table 1. Manchester City – P38, 93pts (+73GD) 2. Liverpool – P38, 92pts (+68GD) 3. Chelsea – P38, 74pts (+43GD) 4. Tottenham – P38, 71pts (+29GD) 5. Arsenal – P38, 69pts (+13GD) 6. Manchester United – P38. 58pts (0GD) 7. West Ham – P38, 56pts (+9GD)
Man City retained their Premier League crown with a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday.
City knew would have to match or better Liverpool’s result against Wolves on the final day of the season to ensure the Premier League trophy remained in Manchester, and they did just that on a balmy afternoon at the Etihad.
It was a nervy one though
City had actually gone two goals behind before two late goals from Gundogan and one from Rodri earned Pep Guardiola’s men the Premier League title.
This represents the Citizens’ sixth Premier League title win and follows their comfortable victory in 2020/21.
Things were not so simple this time around, with Liverpool going on an incredible run of form to push City all the way until the last day.
Just one point separated the two teams at the start of play following City’s draw at West Ham last time out, with the matches kicking off simultaneously.
Elsewhere Liverpool held up their end of the bargain too, beating Wolves 3-1 having too come behind at home on the final day.
This is Guardiola’s fourth Premier League title since he arrived in the Premier League in 2016, following successes in 2017/18, 2018/19 and last season.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he maintains belief that the Reds can beat Manchester City to the Premier League title and keep their hopes of a historic quadruple alive.
City extended their lead at the top of the table to three points and also boosted their goal difference to four better than Liverpool’s with a 5-0 thrashing of Newcastle on Sunday.
The Reds stumbled a day earlier when they were held 1-1 at home by Tottenham.
However, Klopp shrugged off suggestions that he should now focus on saving his players’ energies for facing Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday and the Champions League final against Real Madrid on May 28.
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“Until it’s not reachable anymore, why should we stop believing? That’s what we do,” said Klopp at his pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Aston Villa.
“It is clear that it is not over, whatever happened, because we both have three games to play. And my concern is actually: how can we win our games?
“In an ideal world you win all the games and you are always in a great mood. A lot of times we have to respond on setbacks and that’s what we have to do.”
City boss Pep Guardiola claimed he felt the whole of England is behind Liverpool’s title bid.
Speaking shortly after the win over Newcastle, Guardiola said: “Everyone in this country supports Liverpool, the media and everyone.”
However, Klopp said he does not get that feeling with the hostile environment his side face on the road.
“I have no idea if the whole country is supporting us,” added Klopp. “It is not the feeling I get when we go to other places and play there, it is actually the opposite, but maybe he knows more about that than me.”
Liverpool are sure to have a fan in the manager of their next opposition.
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Steven Gerrard never lifted a league title as captain at Anfield, but is revered as one of the club’s greatest ever players and been tipped as a potential successor to Klopp.
Villa secured safety with a 3-1 win at Burnley at the weekend, but Gerrard said he has no divided loyalties when facing his old club.
“My job is to win games for Aston Villa, that will always be the case when I’m representing the club. I want to win, fiercely, and that is no different tomorrow,” said Gerrard.
Liverpool were thrashed 7-2 on their last visit to Villa Park in October 2020.
But Gerrard believes he is coming up against the best team in world football right now.
“Liverpool are a world-class team. Arguably, the best team in the world right now,” he added.
“We’re well aware of the size of the challenge, but it’s exciting and I’m looking forward to it. Big games of football are what it’s all about.”
Pep Guardiola admits “no words can help” ease the pain of Manchester City’s elimination from the Champions League as he refocuses on his side’s Premier League title challenge.
City were just moments away from claiming a place in the final against Liverpool before Real Madrid staged a stunning fightback at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Real scored twice in the final seconds of normal time and eventually won the game 3-1 after extra-time, taking the semi-final tie 6-5 on aggregate.
Asked on Friday what he said to his players, Guardiola told reporters: “We didn’t speak. No words can help what we feel.
“It’s a question of time, try to sleep and think of the targets. Tomorrow we will talk.”
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The City boss must now pick his men up for the Premier League run-in.
City, who lead Liverpool by just one point with four games left, host mid-table Newcastle on Sunday, a day after Jurgen Klopp’s team play Tottenham.
“We’re not thinking about the title, we’re thinking about Newcastle,” said Guardiola.
“That’s enough to focus on. Then Wolves, then West Ham. It’s not necessary to listen to what people are saying we can achieve.”
Guardiola, speaking at his pre-match press conference, made a passionate defence of his side after their latest stumble on the European stage.
City have dominated English football over the past decade but have yet to be crowned European champions despite huge investment from their Abu Dhabi owners.
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“If people say it’s a failure then I disagree,” said Guardiola, whose team lost last year’s Champions League final to Chelsea.
“The people in the squad know how difficult it is. But they accept it. 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.”
Guardiola, who won two Champions League titles when in charge of Barcelona, said Real deserved their victory but vowed City would not give up on their Champions League dream.
“The players wanted to play the final but for this club to compete against Real the way we did is a joy,” he said.
“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 Madrid and Liverpool have both spoken with Monaco to register their interest in signing Aurelien Tchouameni, Noble Reporters Media understands.
The 22-year-old has been in fine form this season in Ligue 1 and is widely recognised as one of European football’s top midfield prospects.
Chelsea have long held an interest in signing Tchouameni, who joined Monaco from Bordeaux in January 2020, and were in talks last summer over a possible transfer – though they ultimately opted against making a move despite discussing a buy to loan deal.
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Noble Reporters Media understands that Chelsea remain keen to agree a deal for Tchouameni, but not only will a deal be difficult to complete because of the club’s ongoing ownership issues, they now face competition from heavyweight duo Real Madrid and Liverpool.
The pair are both keen to bolster their midfield options – with one eye firmly on the future – and Noble Reporters Media can confirm they have made their interest in Tchouameni known to Monaco. But, at the time of writing, no bids have been lodged with the Principality outfit.
Real would ideally like to pay little more than the €40m they forked out for Eduardo Camavinga last summer, and Tchouameni is understood to be ‘intrigued’ by the prospect of playing in Madrid.
However, Noble Reporters Media has learned that Monaco intend to stand by their valuation of €60m and are likely to hold out for that price given the substantial interest in him.
Manchester United and Manchester City are also believed to be keeping tabs on Tchouameni’s situation – he has two years remaining on his Monaco contract – although they have other targets ahead of him on their summer shopping lists, while Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid are also admirers
Leeds utility man Stuart Dallas has been ruled out indefinitely after fracturing his thighbone in the defeat to Manchester City on Saturday.
Dallas was left in clear distress following a challenge on Jack Grealish in stoppage time at the end of the first half at Elland Road with the score at 1-0 to the visitors.
The 31-year-old was swiftly stretchered off as the Leeds medical team recognised the significance of the injury.
The club have since confirmed Dallas spent the night in hospital having suffered a femoral fracture. The Northern Irishman is now set to undergo surgery and further tests.
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According to Phil Hay, Dallas has sustained ‘significant damage’ to his knee cap.
A Leeds statement read: “Stuart Dallas faces a lengthy period out of action due to a femoral fracture sustained in yesterday’s Premier League game with Manchester City.
“Stuart was kept overnight at Leeds General Infirmary and will now travel to London for surgery and further tests.
“It is impossible to put into words just how important Stuart is to Leeds United on and off the field.
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“Anyone who knows Stuart, knows he will come back from this stronger than ever, and in the meantime, he is sure to make his presence known at both Thorp Arch and Elland Road.
“There’s only one Stuart Dallas.”
Leeds were eventually soundly beaten by City, with three more goals flying in after Dallas was stretchered off.
Speaking after the match, head coach Jesse Marsch said: “We don’t think it’s good with his knee and obviously, with where we are in the season, we will miss him very much because he is in many ways the heart and soul of the group and one of the guys that I think is always at the forefront in terms of being a leader and someone who, who can stand up to big challenges.
“Our hearts and minds are with him and his family and we’re hopeful that the prognosis is okay, and that he can have a speedy recovery and get himself healthy and back on the pitch again soon.”
The Manchester City hierarchy are pushing manager Pep Guardiola to sign a new contract, 90min understands.
Guardiola last signed an extension in November 2020, with his current deal due to expire in just over a year’s time.
The Catalan went on to win the third Premier League title of his tenure last season, and City are on course to repeat that trick this campaign – currently leading Liverpool by a single point at the top of the table.
The 51-year-old has also won the League Cup four times and the FA Cup once since taking the reins at the Etihad Stadium in 2016. City reached a first Champions League final last year, but tasted defeat to domestic rivals Chelsea.
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Widely regarded as one of the finest coaches on the planet, 90min understands City are keen to tie Guardiola down to another contract following his two-year extension in 2020.
An agreement could be reached swiftly, with the structure of a new deal expected to be similar to the one the manager is on now. A further two years would keep the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss at the Etihad until 2025.
However, City do not anticipate Guardiola putting pen to paper until the summer, with on-field matters set to provide a distraction until then as the club battle for both the Premier League and Champions League.
Guardiola’s main rival both domestically and in Europe, Jurgen Klopp, signed a new contract with Liverpool last week, and the Citizens are hopeful that will prompt Guardiola to do the same.
The two coaches have often spoken of their mutual admiration, with Liverpool and Man City pushing each other to new heights this season and doing battle in epic encounters both in the Premier League and FA Cup. They are also on course to meet in the Champions League final as they currently hold leads from their respective semi-final first legs.
Listen now to 90min’s brand new podcast, Talking Transfers, with Scott Saunders & Graeme Bailey. Toby Cudworth joins the show again this week to discuss how Erik ten Hag’s appointment may affect Man Utd’s pursuit of Paul Mitchell. There is also chat on the futures of Jesse Lingard & David de Gea and a look at what Newcastle are planning this summer.
Speaking about his future on Friday, Guardiola – who has previously spoken about wanting to stay at City ‘forever’ – said: “I’m so concerned about the last month we have ahead, and after we have time. I have a feeling that one year is a long time. I’m enjoying this part of the season and after we have time.
“I have incredible relationships with the chairman and CEO. I’m incredibly happy and could not be in a better place. I cannot visualise a better place. But it’s not just me, it’s many things, other situations. We are going to think about it.”
Manchester City retook top spot in the Premier League from Liverpool after weathering a Leeds storm to win 4-0 at Elland Road on Saturday.
Rodri and Nathan Ake got the vital goals from set pieces on a day City needed to match the aggression of the home side before Gabriel Jesus and Fernandinho sealed victory late on.
Pep Guardiola’s men edge one point ahead of the Reds once more with four games remaining for both sides.
The defeat leaves Leeds looking over their shoulder at the relegation zone.
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Burnley’s dramatic come-from-behind win at Watford earlier on Saturday pushed Jesse Marsch’s men down to 17th.
They still enjoy a five-point lead over Everton, but the Toffees have two games in hand to haul themselves out of trouble.
Leeds also appear to have the tougher run-in with Arsenal and Chelsea among their final four matches.
Guardiola clearly had one eye on Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Real Madrid as he made five changes from the side that beat the newly-crowned Spanish champions 4-3 in a thrilling semi-final, first leg on Tuesday.
Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez were among those left on the bench.
Joao Cancelo also returned to the back four after being suspended in midweek, but the Portuguese nearly gifted Leeds the lead inside five minutes.
Cancelo’s slip on the halfway line allowed Rodrigo to burst clear, but the Spanish international should have picked out the unmarked Raphinha rather than going for goal himself as his shot was easily blocked.
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Leeds were flying into tackles like a side battling for survival, but that aggression was their downfall for the opening goal.
Raheem Sterling was upended on the left wing and from the resulting free-kick Rodri headed home Phil Foden’s inviting free-kick.
Guardiola can ill afford more defensive injuries with Kyle Walker possibly ruled out for the season and John Stones struggling with a muscle problem.
Aymeric Laporte was involved in a sickening clash of heads with Robin Koch, but both players were controversially allowed to continue after receiving lengthy treatment.
Ake also went off in the second half, but by that point the Dutchman had made arguably his most telling contribution in nearly two seasons as a City player.
Ruben Dias headed Foden’s corner across goal and Ake turned home from close range to spark wild celebrations on the City bench.
Jesus then maintained his scoring streak by latching onto Foden’s pass to smash home his sixth goal in his last three games.
Fernandinho completed the rout and took City’s goal difference to within one of Liverpool’s with a sweet strike in stoppage time.
Manchester City clinched an epic 4-3 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinal Tuesday, but Pep Guardiola’s side will be disappointed for not killing it off at the Etihad.
Kevin De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva were on target for Guardiola’s men, who held a two-goal lead three times.
But Karim Benzema’s double and a brilliant individual effort from Vinicius Junior gave Madrid hope of another famous Champions League fightback at the Santiago Bernabeu on May 4.
Guardiola lamented letting Liverpool escape “alive” in the Premier League title race after a 2-2 draw at the Etihad nine days ago and will have similar regrets after a blistering opening that could have seen City go 4-0 up inside half an hour.
“I want to try to convince my players that we won the game and we have to go to Bernabeu to play like we did today,” said Guardiola.
“It doesn’t matter if we would have won by one goal or four, in the Bernabeu you have to show who you are otherwise there is no chance. It is a good test for us.”
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Madrid, the record 13-time European champion, was playing in its 30th semifinal to City’s third, but the English champions lived up to their tag as favorites early on.
Only 92 seconds had passed before the Madrid rearguard was breached by Riyad Mahrez’s quick feet and perfect cross for De Bruyne to stoop and head past Thibaut Courtois.
Jesus pounced to make it 2-0 after just 10 minutes when David Alaba failed to deal with De Bruyne’s cross.
“We started the game very badly, we were too soft in conceding the goals,” said Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.
“After that, the team showed what they have shown recently, a great reaction.
“We have to defend better. If we defend better in the second leg we’ll win. If we don’t, we will be out.”
The Spanish champion-elect was without Casemiro and his absence showed as City cut through midfield on the counterattack at will.
Guardiola was furious with Mahrez after he selfishly smashed into the side-netting with Foden awaiting the cross for a tap-in.
Moments later, it was Foden who was guilty of wasting a glorious chance when he dragged wide another pinpoint De Bruyne through ball.
Benzema dragged Madrid back from the dead to see off Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea in the previous two rounds and again rose to his side’s rescue before halftime.
The Frenchman cushioned in his 40th goal of the season off the post from Ferland Mendy’s cross.
“We never gave up,” said Benzema. “Sometimes you have to grin and bear it and we did that. City is a great team but kept working hard and got the three goals.”
Yet, Madrid’s good work in steadying the ship towards the end of the first half was undone in another slow start after the break.
Mahrez hit the post when one-on-one with Courtois before Dani Carvajal blocked Foden’s follow-up on the line.
Fernandinho was forced to deputize at right-back after replacing the injured John Stones in the first half.
And the City captain had a major role to play in two goals in two minutes at either end.
Firstly, he picked out Foden to restore City’s two-goal lead.
But the 36-year-old showed his age as Vinicius sprinted clear of his Brazilian compatriot from the halfway line before slotting past Ederson.
City continued to create chances at an alarming rate for Ancelotti but it took something special when it did finally get a fourth.
Oleksandr Zinchenko was fouled on the edge of the area, but Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs played advantage and Silva thrashed into the top corner.
Again City failed to put the tie to bed as Mahrez was inches away from finding the far corner from the narrowest of angles.
But there was a final twist eight minutes from time when Aymeric Laporte handled inside the area.
Benzema was the coolest man in the stadium as he chipped the spot kick down the middle to leave the tie on a knife-edge headed back to the Spanish capital
Liverpool blitzed Man City in a clinical first half display to seal their place in this season’s FA Cup final next month with a 3-2 victory over Pep Guardiola’s side at Wembley.
Liverpool’s route to goal to open the scoring in the 9th minute ought to have come as little surprise to City. Andy Robertson’s outswinging corner was met flush on the head by the rising Ibrahima Konate who powered his header beyond Zack Steffen.
The red end of Wembley was rocking, and they were sent into delirium again just seven minutes later. Steffen, handed the starting gloves in place of Ederson, dawled in possession just yards from his goalline before the opportunitistic Sadio Mane slid in to divert the ball into the net.
City were struggling to exert any pressure on the Liverpool backline and, with Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan watching on from the sidelines, Pep Guardiola would have been forgiven for turning to his bench.
There was no activity, however, and the game was ultimately placed beyond City’s reach two minutes before the interval. Liverpool moved the ball intricately on the edge of the penalty area and when Thiago moved the ball onto Mane, who sliced an exquisite volley beyond the diving Steffen.
However, City cut the deficit immediately after the restart. Gabriel Jesus was released in-behind by a clever Fernandinho pass before the Brazilian cut across goal and laid the ball onto Jack Grealish who sidefooted a left-footed effort beyond Alisson.
As he did in the league fixture last weekend, Jesus’ movement was causing Liverpool issues, and he almost grabbed a second for Guardiola’s men minutes later. Sterling turned provider this time, but the Brazilian was ushered wide after springing in-behind the Liverpool backline by the backtracking Virgil van Dijk before Alisson smothered the danger.
Third time is usually the charm, but Jesus was denied again after being slipped in behind by Grealish on 69 minutes. Alisson was quick off his line to deny the Brazilian as he attempted to curl his finish around his countryman.
Liverpool had the chance to add to their lead minutes later when Oleksandr Zinchenko made a mess of a cushioned header back to his goalkeeper. Mohamed Salah stole in, but the Egyptian could only lift his finish into the side netting.
City handed themselves a further lifeline in stoppage time when Bernardo Silva stroked the ball into the net after terrific work from substitute Riyad Mahrez on the right. However, it was too little, too late for City despite Fernandinho and Sterling’s best efforts.
Man City vs Liverpool player ratings
Man City (4-3-3) GK: Zack Steffen – 1/10 – Calamitous error to allow Mane to steal in and double Liverpool’s lead in the first half. The type of mistake that is unforgivable at this level.
RB: Joao Cancelo – 4/10 – Struggled against the quick feet of Diaz and was stifled offensively by Liverpool’s intense press.
RCB: John Stones – 5/10 – Slow to move the ball from defence, although he was inhibited by the lack of Rodri ahead of him.
LCB: Nathan Ake – 6/10 – Didn’t display the assurance with the ball which Laporte typically does, although he showed good recovery pace on a few ocassions.
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko – 3/10 – Didn’t add much in possession, often struggling with his positioning on both sides of the ball.
CM: Fernandinho – 4/10 – Took him until the 56th minute to finally draw a booking, which is remarkable considering the rate he was flying into challenges.
CM: Bernardo Silva – 5/10 – Didn’t display his qualities on the ball as much as he usually does. Wasn’t afraid to snap in for a challenge as City chased shadows in the first half.
CM: Phil Foden – 3/10 – His passing was decidedly off, switching between a midfield and wide left role.
RW: Gabriel Jesus – 8/10 – His penetrative runs caused Liverpool issues in the second half and he ought to have done better with the pass from Grealish. Suits playing against Klopp’s high defensive line.
ST: Jack Grealish – 6/10 – Looked an awkward fit as part of the City frontline to start the game. Improved as the match wore on.
LW: Raheem Sterling – 5/10 – Didn’t have many opportunities to stretch his legs. Often forced to come infield in search of the ball.
SUB: Riyad Mahrez (82′ for Jesus) – 6/10 – Left Robertson for dead to tee up Bernardo Silva in stoppage time.
Liverpool (4-3-3): GK: Alisson – 6/10 – Crucial save to deny Jesus late in the second half, underlining his importance for Liverpool.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6/10 – Considering much of the coverage around the England international is that he seemingly can’t defend, worth underlining that he won the majority of his duels.
RCB: Ibrahima Konate – 7/10 – Bullied Ake in the air to open the scoring for the Reds and looked an unmovable object all afternoon.
LCB: Virgil van Dijk – 7/10 – Displayed great recovery pace to push Jesus wide as he raced through on goal in the second half. Heroic block in stoppage time to deny Fernandinho an equaliser.
LB: Andy Robertson – 4/10 – Careless pass inside led to the turnover which City exploited after the interval, but he added great value going forward for Klopp’s men. Beaten too easily by Mahrez in stoppage time.
CM: Fabinho – 6/10 – Booked in the first half which curbed his aggressive instincts, but his positioning was usually immaculate to compensate.
CM: Thiago Alcantara – 9/10 – Played with immense poise in midfield, constantly dropping into pockets to circumnavigate the City press. Great link-up play with Alexander-Arnold to supply Mane’s second goal of the afternoon.
CM: Naby Keita – 8/10 – Underlined his growing importance to Liverpool, closing City’s midfielders down instantly and helping his side to pin City into the middle third.
RW: Mohamed Salah – 3/10 – A very quiet afternoon, which has characterised his form recently. Had to wait 71 minutes for a meaningful sighting at goal.
ST: Sadio Mane – 9/10 – A performance full of conviction. Showed tremendous opportunism to close down a dawdling Steffen, before displaying excellent technique on his volley to add to Liverpool’s lead.
LW: Luis Diaz – 8/10 – Played as if he was down the park with his friends. A gorgeous array of tricks, flicks and powerful running.
Liverpool and Manchester City will resume their domestic duel in the FA Cup on Saturday after the pair reached the semifinal of the Champions League in contrasting styles on Wednesday.
Jürgen Klopp’s Reds proved too strong for Benfica despite being held to a 3-3 draw at Anfield a week after winning 3-1 in Lisbon. They meet Villarreal, conquerors of Bayern Munich, in the last four ties that begin at the month’s end.
City, meanwhile, endured a nervous night at Atletico Madrid as they secured a goalless draw in their quarterfinal second leg, which gave them progress 1-0 on aggregate.
Pep Guardiola’s Premier League leaders now face a mouth-watering clash against record winners Real Madrid but will first focus on Wembley where they meet Liverpool, a point behind them domestically, in the FA Cup semifinal.
The teams also drew 2-2 in Manchester last weekend and Klopp took the chance to rotate heavily given the heavy schedule facing his players.
Star forwards Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane were rested along with defender Virgil Van Dijk but Liverpool always had an element of control.
Ibrahima Konate, who opened the scoring in Portugal, repeated the trick by heading in Konstantinos Tsimikas’ 21st-minute corner only for Gonçalo Ramos to level from a break of the ball soon after.
But farcial defending ended Benfica’s hopes when keeper Odysseas Vlachodimos spilled the ball and Roberto Firmino tapped in a cross from Diogo Jota 10 minutes after the restart.
Firmino then volleyed his second in the 65th from an excellent Tsimikas free-kick but Roman Yaremchuk and Darwin Núñez drew Benfica level. Only a brilliant save from Alisson stopped Núñez immediately cutting the deficit to one with seven minutes remaining but Liverpool settled and saw out the tie.
Atletico started strongly in Madrid in the reverse of their defensive display in Manchester but the only first-half chance fell to City’s Ilkay Gündoğan, who stroked a shot off the post.
City was pinned back in the second period but Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo De Paul fired just off target. Defender Felipe was sent off in an injury-time brawl but there was one more chance which Ángel Correa struck straight at City keeper Ederson which ended Atletico’s hopes of a semifinal derby with Madrid rivals Real, who eliminated holders Chelsea in the last eight.
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has heaped praise on Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp for helping him become a better manager.
There was nothing to separate the two teams when they faced off on Sunday, with the 2-2 draw leaving Guardiola’s side one point ahead in the Premier League title race with seven games to go.
The build-up to the game was dominated by Guardiola and Klopp throwing praise at one-another, and with the match now over, the City boss has admitted that he relishes constantly having to improve to keep up with Klopp.
“I don’t know if Jurgen respect me but I respect him a lot,” said Guardiola. “He makes me a better manager… his teams are positive, aggressive and they want to attack. I try to imitate him.
“We aren’t friends, we don’t have dinner together, we will have dinner one day in the hall of fame, I have his telephone number but I don’t call him. I have a lot of respect for him and he knows next Saturday, we’ll try to beat him.”
On top of competing for the league title, the two sides will also butt heads in the FA Cup semi-final next weekend, with City eyeing a treble and Liverpool pushing for the quadruple after their Carabao Cup triumph earlier in the season.
When asked about his side’s run-in, Guardiola added: “Seven games in the Premier League is a lot of points, we have to play away, they have to but I had a feeling we’ll behave. I don’t know what’s going to happen. The way we performed against a team that I admire a lot, that made me think a lot, offensively, defensively, make me think for so many years perform the way they perform.
“I want to win the Premier League but it doesn’t matter. We’re so good and I think all our fans enjoyed it.
“It is what it is [the draw]. You are the pundit, you have to analyse, to write and tell, it’s what is. In Anfield we played an incredible half and when we equalised, it was the same result.
“I had the feeling we’ll miss the opportunity to get four points but I said to you, it doesn’t happen. Win, lose, draw – it’s not over. I’d say the same with a win, it’s not over because I told you we’d take an advantage. We know what we have to do, go to Madrid, FA Cup then we finish. The Premier League is as big as possible.”
Manchester City’s breathless draw with Liverpool on Sunday afternoon almost encapsulated their season as a whole; they were comfortably the better side for lengthy periods, but they failed to make their dominance pay and their rivals closed the gap.
Whether this 2-2 draw comes back to bite them at the end of the season remains to be seen, but if they are to surrender what had been a comfortable lead at the top of the Premier League, then they will look back on this fixture as a missed opportunity.
While this had been touted as a potential title decider had either side been able to pick up the three points, Pep Guardiola’s men were utterly dominant in the first half – demonstrating just how and why they had moved out in front as title favourites in the first place.
At times City looked capable of routing Liverpool and making a mockery of the ‘title-decider’ billing with the extraordinary level of their passing, movement and intensity. Their season has generally been about efficiently seeing off opponents with minimum fuss and minimal thrills, but on Sunday they seemed hell-bent on obliterating the competition. In truth, the game could and should have been over before half-time.
Having taken the lead inside five minutes through Kevin De Bruyne’s deflected strike, the hosts exploited the Reds’ ill-advised high line time and time again, but only once did their relentless attacking yield a goal as either the final pass or the finish went astray.
After Liverpool had equalised, John Stones was unable to get onto the end of Rodri’s excellent header across goal, and both De Bruyne and Joao Cancelo dragged efforts wide when they might have done better.
Gabriel Jesus’ wonderful finish to restore the lead should have opened the floodgates, but City would be punished for only taking a one-goal lead into half-time despite their dominance.
Sadio Mane equalised seconds into the second period, and the momentum swung. Suddenly Liverpool had a foothold and were able to stretch to the level of their hosts for the first time.
However, while the Reds were much improved, City still had the better of the chances. Jesus spurned a golden opportunity for his brace after coming inside from the byline and beating Alisson, but his low drive was fired straight at the recovering Virgil van Dijk.
Raheem Sterling thought he had restored the lead, but he mistimed his run and that strike was chalked off for offside. That is how fine the margins are in this title race.
Substitute Riyad Mahrez – who has been so deadly in front of goal this season – was the guilty party in the dying embers as City failed to put the game and the Premier League title beyond their visitors.
Having cannoned a 30-yard free kick off the outside of the post, Mahrez was found by the brilliant De Bruyne in the final minute of added time and looked for all the world like he would run through and find the back of the net.
However, his recent confidence in front of goal eluded him as he checked back and bizarrely opted to attempt to lift the ball over Alisson and a swarm of recovering defenders. It would have been a near-impossible finish, and perhaps inevitably the ball sailed over the crossbar to essentially bring an end to proceedings.
A draw means City maintain their slender one-point lead over Liverpool at the top of the Premier League, but in truth this was a missed opportunity to flex their authority as champions and see of their plucky challengers.
As it is, this is a result that could provide fuel for their rivals as the title race goes down to the wire.
Manchester City are hopeful that they can finalise Phil Foden’s new contract before the end of the season, Noble Reporters Media understands.
Foden, whose currrent contract runs until 2024, has been in talks over a new deal for nearly 12 months, but as yet City have not been able to finalise the terms.
Last summer, talks were put on the back burner until Jack Grealish completed his move to the Etihad Stadium, and negotiations then continued after the transfer window.
90min revealed in October that the deal was verbally agreed, but pen was not put to paper with just some clauses proving a sticking point.
Those talks were again paused during the January window, but Noble Reporters Media understands they resumed last month and once again talks are close.
Reports have claimed that City’s pursuit of Erling Haaland has forced a rethink in terms for Foden and others, but sources close to the club have insisted this is not the case.
City’s current wage structure has Kevin De Bruyne as their top earner on just over £400,000 per week, and their intention is not break it.
Foden himself has made it clear he has no intention of leaving the club and City are not worried about securing the deal – especially concerning finances, and they hope a final agreement will be reached in the coming weeks.
A source with knowledge of the situation has confirmed to Noble Reporters’ known Media that City are hopeful Foden’s deal can be announced ‘sooner rather than later’.
City are looking to finalise a number of deals in the coming months, as they are also locked in talks with Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus – all whose contracts expire next year.
Barcelona remain keen on England and Manchester City star Raheem Sterling, who 90min understands is considering his long-term options.
The 27-year-old has less than 18 months left on his current deal and City first engaged with him last summer over a contract extension.
After an excellent Euro 2020, Sterling struggled to make his club side’s starting line-up, but he soon fought his way back into Pep Guardiola’s plans.
Guardiola has not hidden his desire to keep the forward, though the former Liverpool man has not made a decision over his long-term future. Sterling is looking at possible avenues he may take should he leave, but 90min has been told than he is also considering penning fresh terms with City.
The main interest in his services has come from Catalunya, with Barcelona making moves for both Sterling and then-teammate Ferran Torres in January.
Noble Reporters Media revealed in November that Sterling made it known to City that he would like the chance to move to Camp Nou. City then allowed Torres to leave, but rebuffed their offers for Sterling.
Despite this initial failure, La Blaugrana remain interested in a deal and they are paying close attention to the ongoing contract talks.
If Sterling was to reject City’s proposals, the club would have a big decision to make as the England international could sign a pre-contract with an overseas club in January.
With Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus in similar contractual situations, City’s hierarchy are aware that some big decisions are due to be made, and talks with all three players are taking place.
Internally, the Cityzens don’t see an issue with Mahrez agreeing fresh terms, but the futures of Sterling and Jesus are still at a delicate stage. The club would be reluctant to allow any player of significant value to depart on a free transfer.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has suggested it would definitely be possible for his team or Liverpool to complete a Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble this season because it has been done before.
Manchester United in 1999 were the first and still only English club to complete it, seen as one of the ultimate feats in English football history, although Guardiola himself has experience of it in Spain after leading Barcelona to league, cup and Champions League titles in 2009.
With City top of the Premier League, preparing to face Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals and into the last eight of the Champions League against Atletico Madrid, attention is starting to turn towards potentially doing a treble of their own.
For Guardiola, the fact is has been done before is proof that it can be done again.
“If United did it, another team can do it,” he said at a press conferece on Friday.
“To break a record is because someone has done it. When it happens – I think it will – it’s not easy, but you can do it,” he added.
The City boss has also suggested it is always a more likely possibility later in the season, when more games have been played and a treble is closer.
“In September or October it’s more difficult,” he explained. “Two months left, yeah it can be done. But it happened once in a lifetime.”
Liverpool also remain in the hunt for a treble – or even an unprecedented quadruple. Having recently lifted the Carabao Cup, the Reds are now only one point behind City in the Premier League table, which promises for a tense final stretch of the title race, and are still in the FA Cup and Champions League themselves.
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