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Tag: Man City

  • EPL: Give credit to Tottenham, they will punish you – Guardiola

    EPL: Give credit to Tottenham, they will punish you – Guardiola

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admitted frustration with his players after defeat at Tottenham.

    Spurs won 1-0 on Sunday night thanks to Harry Kane’s lone goal.

    Guardiola said: “We started really well, as usually happens against Tottenham home and away, but after we made a mistake they punished us – 1-0 down it is different, we had chances, and of course when we lose balls in transition with Kulusevski and Son, it is not easy. We dropped three points.

    “But it is not easy when 10 players defend, and sit back a little bit more than in the Etihad two weeks ago. We played good, started well and missed maybe the last pass, to shoot.

    “Sooner or later it is going to change, but it is strange we haven’t scored one goal, we have missed penalties in the past. To find an explanation is not easy.

    “We found the positions, made good balls to the channels, but missed the last action up front.

    “We are not in the position to think about being champions, just the next game, Aston Villa, we will prepare well and play our game as best as possible.

    “Tottenham has a fantastic team and squad and they punish you. They have a lot of quality up front and don’t need much with transitions, set pieces, give a lot of credit to them.”

  • Arsenal not at Man City’s level despite United win – Arteta

    Arsenal not at Man City’s level despite United win – Arteta

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insists Manchester City remains Premier League title favourites after victory over Manchester United.

    Eddie Nketiah’s 90th-minute effort secured a euphoric win over Erik ten Hag’s improving side to maintain their five-point lead over champions City, who beat Wolves earlier in the day.

    But Arteta said, “I know my team so well. I know where we are, I know why we are here and I know where we want to be and we are far from that.

    “I know the levels of the other teams and one especially that has won in the last five or six years and we are not there yet.”

    Arteta says the win will be a huge boost to his players’ self belief.

    He said, “I hope they believe, not that they (believe they) are champions, but they are good enough to play against these teams and that they have done it.

    “We talked about that in the last two or three days. We know our reality, we know still how much we have to improve.

    “We know what’s taken us to the position we are today and we have to reinforce that every day.

    “(Wins like this gives us) Belief and confidence that we are going in the right direction. That the way we’re playing is going to reward them.

    “It’s just pure spirit, pure belief and testament to what we do. In my opinion that’s what we have to continue.”

  • Antonio Conte finds positives in Man City defeat

    Antonio Conte finds positives in Man City defeat

    Tottenham boss Antonio Conte admitted mixed feelings after their 4-2 defeat at Manchester City.

    Spurs were 2-0 up at halftime before City, inspired by Riyad Mahrez, clicked into gear.

    Conte later said, “We played a good game with personality. We put a lot of pressure on City and created problems for them. They are always really difficult to play, but I am disappointed too.

    “I hate losing – especially when we scored the two goals first.

    “We have to continue to work and have patience. We need to create something important with this team. We are ready to improve and grow from this game. That means we have to adapt. We have experience in our team so we need to use that.”

  • Guardiola blasts Man City players, fans after Tottenham victory

    Guardiola blasts Man City players, fans after Tottenham victory

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola took aim at his players and the home support after last night’s 4-2 win against Tottenham.

    Guardiola criticised almost every single member of his squad by name after the 4-2 victory and was insistent that they are nowhere near challenging Arsenal for the Premier League title.

    The defending champions were booed off at half time, which appeared to upset the 52-year-old, and he suggested the club had become complacent with success.

    “Playing with this lack of passion, this season I can announce we are not going to win anything,” Guardiola said.

    “[We lacked] guts, passion, fire, desire to win from minute one. The same with the fans, they are silent for 45 minutes. I want my fans back. The fans have to shout.

    “They booed because we were losing, but not because we played bad. We played good. We were better. They booed because we were losing, but maybe it’s like our team.

    “Maybe they’re too comfortable because we have won four Premier Leagues in five years. After we scored a goal they react, but tsch, that is not the point.

    “I don’t recognise my team, they [previously] had the passion and desire to run. Do you think we are going to chase the gap to Arsenal the way we are playing? No way.”

    Guardiola also said: “I want a reaction from the whole club – everyone. We are a happy flowers organisation. I don’t want happy flowers. I want to beat Arsenal. Play this way and Arsenal will destroy us.

    “We are far away from the team we had in previous seasons. Do you think this comeback will happen every time? It won’t.

    “Today we were lucky. If we want to win something or compete – but complaining, complaining, complaining – no chance we will win anything.

    “There is something in the clouds, that you cannot express, that we just don’t have.”

  • Mahrez goal earns Man City win to narrow gap with Arsenal

    Mahrez goal earns Man City win to narrow gap with Arsenal

    Second-half substitute Riyad Mahrez earned Manchester City a win at Chelsea on Thursday to move the 2021/2022 champions to within five points of leaders Arsenal in the English Premier League.

    Mahrez got on the end of a perfectly placed cross from fellow substitute Jack Grealish in the 63rd minute for the 1-0 win.

    This was after Manchester City raised the tempo following a lacklustre first half from the visitors.

    Guardiola’s half-time talk and substitutes proved the difference, because Manchester City were often outplayed in the first half in spite of Chelsea’s injury woes.

    The Spanish coach looked delighted and relieved when the final whistle went and said the team had been sloppy and slow in first half.

    “In the second half we were miles, miles better in every department. It’s a big result for us,” he said.

    Chelsea lost two key forwards to injury within the first 22 minutes.

    Former Manchester City stalwart Raheem Sterling apparently injuring a hamstring shortly after kick-off and U.S. international Christian Pulisic taking a knock.

    Graham Potter’s side were already missing England full-backs Ben Chilwell and Reece James as well as midfielder N’Golo Kante.

    Then, Chelsea’s ever-present England midfielder Mason Mount failed to make the squad after an injury in training earlier this week.

    While Manchester City move closer to Arsenal, Chelsea are stranded in unaccustomed 10th place after some poor performances under Potter.

    Potter might be encouraged by his young substitutes who fought hard against a powerful Manchester City side.

    They had some bright moments with 19-year-old Carney Chukwuemeka hitting the post in the first half.

    But they could not get past an experienced defence, ably marshalled by John Stones.

    “It’s a big three points for us,” Stones said adding the side regretted dropping points in a draw against Everton in their last game. “How we especially played in the second half was brilliant.”

    Manchester City, who knocked Chelsea out of the League Cup late last year, host Chelsea next Sunday in the FA Cup.

  • Pep Guardiola agrees new Man City contract

    Pep Guardiola agrees new Man City contract

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has agreed a new two-year contract to remain at the Etihad Stadium.

    The Spaniard joined City in 2016 and in six years has won nine major trophies, including four Premier League titles.

    City have also made a Champions League final under Guardiola, but they lost the 2021 all-English affair 1-0 to Chelsea.

    And they’ll have until 2025 to win their first European crown under the iconic manager, as, says The Athletic, City have reached an agreement with Guardiola to extend his stay for another two years.

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has agreed a new two-year contract to remain at the Etihad Stadium.

    The Spaniard joined City in 2016 and in six years has won nine major trophies, including four Premier League titles.

    The deal will be structured as an initial one-year deal, with both the club and manager holding an option for a further season.

  • Guardiola did a lot of harm to football – Messi

    Guardiola did a lot of harm to football – Messi

    Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi feels Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has harmed the game.

    The Argentine forward played some of his best football under the guidance of Guardiola at Barcelona in what is widely regarded as the best club side in history.

    Speaking during an interview with Universo Valdano, he recalled his time at Barcelona with Guardiola.

    “Guardiola did football a lot of harm because everything we did seemed very simple and everyone wanted to copy him,” Messi remarked.

    “After that period I’ve met a lot of Guardiola-style teams and then you realise what we did.

    “Pep has something special to prepare the games, to see them, to analyse them and to communicate.”

  • We’re under no illusions over Liverpool threat – De Bruyne

    We’re under no illusions over Liverpool threat – De Bruyne

    Manchester City ace Kevin de Bruyne has warned teammates of a backlash from Liverpool today.

    City’s brilliant Belgian midfielder – a Liverpool fan as a kid – insists Pep Guardiola’s champions still view the Merseysiders as the team to beat despite being 13 points better off than Jurgen Klopp’s side.

    He said: “They (Liverpool) are a brilliant team and have the quality to hurt you at any time during a game. Winning 7-1 away from home at Rangers in a very tough competition on Wednesday shows how dangerous they are.

    “When you play against top players, they will always be a threat. But I am sure they think the same about us. They have had a few injuries and a few difficult results so far this season, but it will be a challenging and intense game on Sunday – like it always is against them. We are really looking forward to it.

    “Liverpool have a top side and we are under no illusions that Sunday is going to be a huge test for us. It is true that they haven’t quite reached the same level as previous seasons so far, but they are so dangerous and have so much quality all over the field. We have started the season really well, so our focus is on our performance and to try to ensure that we continue our good form.

    “Anfield is always a tough place to go, but we have won there before and have come close to winning on numerous occasions.”

  • Phil Foden signs 5-year deal at Man City

    Phil Foden signs 5-year deal at Man City

    Phil Foden has signed a new five-year contract with Manchester City, the English Premier League (EPL) champions announced on Friday.

    The 22-year-old England midfielder, a boyhood Manchester City fan and the crown jewel of the club’s modern academy system, is now committed to the Etihad Stadium outfit until 2027.

    Born in Stockport, Foden has made 182 first-team appearances and scored 52 goals since being handed his debut by Pep Guardiola in 2017.

    He has already won 11 trophies in his burgeoning career, including four Premier League titles, and has been the PFA’s Young Player of the Year for the past two seasons.

    His new deal supersedes a previous one due to expire in 2024.

    “It’s hard to put into words how happy I am to have signed this contract,” said Foden. “It’s a dream come true.

    “I have been a Manchester City fan all my life. I’ve trained here for so many years and I’ve even been a ball boy.

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

    Foden feels he owes a lot of his success to Guardiola, Manchester City’s inspirational manager.

    “Amazing, unbelievable,” said Foden of the Spaniard. “I think he’s made me 10 times the player I was.

    “He’s improved all aspects of my game and I’m just thankful to have him here and I’m enjoying my football with him.”

    Foden, who has earned 18 England caps and is poised to play a role in the upcoming Qatar FIFA World Cup, has been in fine form this season.

    He has netted seven goals this term, including a first senior hat-trick in the 6-3 derby thrashing of Manchester United earlier this month.

    “I don’t think anything beats it. It’s definitely been one of my favourite moments in my career,” said Foden.

    “This year I’ve been scoring a lot more goals. So, hopefully I can keep going in that direction.”

    Foden is seen as a natural for a central playmaking role but he has also proved highly effective in attacking roles across the front line.

    He said: “At the moment I enjoy playing off the right and left. My preferred position is obviously midfield but I can do those other jobs as well.

    “It’s just nice to know I can play different positions and do a job for the team.”

    Manchester City have high hopes for the future with Foden.

    The club’s Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain, said: “We are all so proud of Phil and what he has achieved already —- but we know there is so much more to come.

    “His natural talent and ability are obvious, but his hard work, professionalism and dedication make him really special.

    “We feel he can progress further and become even better.

    “By signing this contract, he now has stability and can focus absolutely everything on becoming one of the best players in the world.”

  • EPL: I talk about Haaland a lot – Pep Guardiola

    EPL: I talk about Haaland a lot – Pep Guardiola

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that he talks about Erling Haaland a lot.

    He said the Norwegian is among the best strikers he’s worked with.

    The striker has already scored 15 goals and produced three assists in nine games in the Premier League for City.

    Haaland has also scored five goals in three games in the Champions League.

    “He is one of the best (strikers I have had). I have many very, very good strikers and Erling is one of them.

    “He understands quickly and he is a nice guy. He can do it for the team, but we have to work together and we have. I talk about him a lot, but sometimes I shouldn’t have to because the numbers do”, said Guardiola.