TheNewsGuru

Tag: Man City

  • EPL: Pressure mounts on Lampard as Man City brush Chelsea

    EPL: Pressure mounts on Lampard as Man City brush Chelsea

    Manchester City produced a ruthless attacking display to ease past Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and increase the pressure on Blues manager Frank Lampard.

    The visitors, who were without a number of first-team players following an outbreak of coronavirus at the club, stunned Lampard’s side with three goals in the space of 16 first-half minutes.

    Ilkay Gundogan’s crisp low finish broke the deadlock before Phil Foden doubled City’s lead three minutes later, tucking a superb first-time strike beyond Edouard Mendy after fine work from Kevin de Bruyne.

    The Belgian then deservedly got his name on the scoresheet with a close-range finish after Raheem Sterling’s curling strike had rebounded off the woodwork.

    Callum Hudson-Odoi scored in second-half stoppage time for Chelsea, firing Kai Havertz’s cross beyond Premier League debutant Zack Steffen.

    The result lifts City up to fifth in the table, four points off Liverpool and Manchester United, and with a game in hand on both their rivals.

    BBC

  • Man City defender agrees terms with Barca

    Man City defender agrees terms with Barca

    Manchester City defender Eric Garcia has agreed terms with Barcelona.

    Garcia turned down the opportunity to extend his contract with City and is said to have agreed personal terms for a five-year-contract with the Catalans.

    Barcelona will first have to reach an agreement with the Premier League giants in order to see the deal materialise – as City rejected their previous offer of £9million last summer.

    Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports Barcelona are keen to complete the deal during the January transfer window.

    However, should they fail to reach an economically viable agreement with City, Garcia could leave for free from June 30, 2021.

    As it stands, Garcia has played just 200 minutes of Premier League football this term – despite establishing himself as a mainstay in Pep Guardiola’s team at the end of last season.

  • Man City duo test positive for coronavirus

    Man City duo test positive for coronavirus

    Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus and defender Kyle Walker have tested positive for Covid-19.

    The players, along with two members of staff, will isolate in accordance with Premier League and government protocol.

    City will likely be without the duo for Premier League games against Newcastle United on December 26, Everton two days later and Chelsea on January 3.

    Jesus’ obvious replacement Sergio Aguero is being eased back after a knee issue and played 16 minutes on Tuesday.

    England right-back Walker apologised in May for breaking coronavirus lockdown guidelines twice.

    Manchester City are eight points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool with a game in hand.

  • Guardiola defends Arteta after Arsenal loss to City

    Guardiola defends Arteta after Arsenal loss to City

    Pep Guardiola says it would be a “big mistake” for Arsenal to sack manager Mikel Arteta after Manchester City’s 4-1 win over the Gunners in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday.

    Arsenal are without a win in eight domestic league and cup matches.

    “I’m pretty sure they are going to trust him,” said Guardiola when asked if Arsenal need to stick with Arteta.

    “They will do a big mistake if they are thinking [of dismissing him].”

    Arteta said on the eve of the last-eight tie with City that he has no plans to walk away from his job and feels he has the support of the club.

    The former Arsenal captain won the FA Cup in his first season in charge and his side then beat Premier League champions Liverpool in the Community Shield at the end of August.

    But they have been poor in 2020-21 and languish in 15th spot in the top flight, four points above the relegation zone and without a win in seven league games.

    They have qualified for the last 32 of the Europa League but they were comfortably beaten by City on Tuesday.

    Guardiola, who has won two Premier League titles, three EFL Cups and one FA Cup after failing to secure a trophy in his first season at City in 2016-17, said Arteta needs time.

    “I know his incredible quality as a human being and especially as a manager, how he is involved in everything,” added the City boss.

    “It’s just a question of time and he will do well.

    “Football changes in one week so quick. I can speak about my experience alongside him – one of the most incredible, successful teams in English history we had, and he was part of this success.

    “It would not be possible without him. To create something like this you need time like I had in my first season.”

  • I met with Pep Guardiola, but… – Laporta

    I met with Pep Guardiola, but… – Laporta

    Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta concedes a return for Pep Guardiola is now off.

    Guardiola won two Champions League titles with Laporta during the latter’s previous time as Barca president.

    There has been talk of Laporta trying to revive the partnership, but a new Manchester City contract signed by Guardiola last month has ended those hopes.

    Laporta recently met Guardiola at a function in Spain and he revealed: “He came to see us and have a good time.

    “I congratulated him on his renewal at City and I hope all is well for him because he is a friend.”

  • EPL: Man City move closer to top four after win

    EPL: Man City move closer to top four after win

    Manchester City returned to winning ways in the Premier League and closed the gap to the top four with a hard-fought victory over in-form Southampton at St Mary’s.

    Raheem Sterling swept in from Kevin de Bruyne’s cutback after 16 minutes as Pep Guardiola’s side stamped their authority following the hosts’ energetic start.

    Southampton, who began the day third in the table, responded well but their efforts to draw level were hampered by the loss of striker Danny Ings through injury before half-time.

    In a tightly contested second half, Bernardo Silva miscued his shot after being played in by De Bruyne, while the hosts had appeals for a penalty for handball against Sterling dismissed by VAR.

    Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy kept his side’s hopes of salvaging a result alive with a good save from Ilkay Gundogan’s curled shot, but Sterling’s finish proved decisive for a City side which had drawn their past two games.

    City are one point behind fourth-placed Southampton and eight adrift of leaders Liverpool, having played one game fewer than both.

  • EPL: Arsenal must trust in Arteta, says Guardiola

    EPL: Arsenal must trust in Arteta, says Guardiola

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has backed former assistant Mikel Arteta to turn Arsenal’s fortunes around in spite of the club’s dismal start to the season.

    With 13 points from 12 Premier League games, Arsenal are off to their worst start to a campaign in almost 40 years and the pressure is building on Arteta, who was given the manager’s job last December after winning two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups under Guardiola at City.

    “Arsenal don’t have a better manager that can lead this club in this year and the next,” Guardiola said ahead of City’s home game against West Bromwich Albion later on Tuesday.

    “I don’t have to give publicly my support because he has it. He’s one of the best managers I’ve ever worked with and seen.

    “I’m pretty sure he will turn things around and perform like everyone expects. When a club comes from not a good period, it needs time.

    “If I was part of the board, I would not have any doubts about his capacity to put Arsenal in the place they deserve to be.”

    Arsenal technical director Edu said Arteta was on the right track and predicted a bright future for the club, who have not won a league title since 2004.

    “Mikel is doing a great job,” Edu said. “It’s normal and easy to be driven by results. But I can see the future, see where we go and the way we are building things on a daily basis.

    “I can see a big and beautiful future. It’s very strange to say that in this moment, but I have to be fair – that’s the way I see it.”

  • Foden becoming fundamental for City – Guardiola

    Foden becoming fundamental for City – Guardiola

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has described Phil Foden as fundamental to his squad.

    The dynamic diminutive playmaker has stepped up this season after the departure of David Silva.

    “Yeah, it’s so good. Now in this moment I see him playing upfront because of his dynamic sense of goal and he helps us with first pressure,” Guardiola declared.

    “When he is 24, 25 I think he will be able to play more defensive positions.

    “Now he can play both wingers, behind strikers and as a striker.

    “As a manager, having a player like this who can play several positions is fundamental.”

  • I hope Messi does not join Man City – Mata

    I hope Messi does not join Man City – Mata

    Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata admits Manchester City’s move for Barcelona star Leo Messi has him worried.

    Mata revealed that friends keep texting him to tell him that Messi will be wearing Sky Blue next season.

    He said: “Well I hope not – I hope not for the betterment of my club.

    “I don’t know what will happen, but I hope he doesn’t go there. If he comes to Manchester I hope it’s to my club and not the other.

    “There were rumours, for example, that Cristiano Ronaldo might come back to Manchester in the future.

    “One of the things that I realised in professional football is that you should focus on what you can control and forget about what you cannot.”

  • Man City open talks with Lautaro Martinez

    Man City open talks with Lautaro Martinez

    Premier League side Manchester City are making a move for Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez.

    With concerns over Sergio Aguero’s plans, City have sent out feelers to Lautaro’s camp about the prospect of a move to England in 2021.

    Aguero’s deal expires in June and manager Pep Guardiola admitted last week they were waiting for a response from the Argentine over their new contract offer.

    In the meantime, Goal says City have identified Lautaro as a potential successor.

    And talks have already kicked off, with City registering their interest with the striker’s representatives.