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Tag: Manchester City

  • Man City players to refund fans after UCL Loss

    Man City players to refund fans after UCL Loss

    Manchester City’s players will refund ticket costs for fans who flew all the way to the Arctic Circle only to witness a humiliating 3-1 defeat to Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League.

    City suffered one of the most chastening results in their history on Tuesday as the Norwegian minnows claimed their first Champions League group-stage victory.

    The entire 55,000 population of Bodo could nearly fit into City’s Etihad Stadium, while the financial gulf between the clubs is huge.

    City’s players have agreed to reimburse the cost of tickets for the 374 supporters who made the trip.

    Tickets for the tie at the tiny Aspmyra Stadion cost around £25 ($33) each.

    A statement on Wednesday from City’s group of captains, comprising Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland, said: “Our supporters mean everything to us.

     “We know the sacrifice that our fans make when they travel across the world to support us home and away and we will never take it for granted. They are the best fans in the world.

     “We also recognise that it was a lot of travelling for the fans who supported us in the freezing cold throughout a difficult evening for us on the pitch.

    “Covering the cost of these tickets for the fans who travelled to Bodo is the least we can do.”

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    City’s only wins in their past seven games have come in the FA Cup third round against third-tier Exeter and in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final against Newcastle.

    They have not won a Premier League match this year and last weekend’s limp 2-0 loss at Manchester United left them seven points behind leaders Arsenal.

    The refund gesture was welcomed by Kevin Parker, a representative of City’s official supporters club.

     “Manchester City fans will travel to the ends of the earth to support our team, and last night was no different in the Arctic Circle,” Parker said.

     “Bodo is not an easy place to get to, and the sub-zero temperatures made it a challenging evening on a number of levels for our fans.

     “The City support has an incredible connection with the players on a match day, and this gesture is yet another reminder of that relationship – it means a lot to us.”

  • Man City capture Palace defender Guehi

    Man City capture Palace defender Guehi

    Manchester City have  signed Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi on a five-and-a-half-year contract for a reported fee of £20 million ($27 million).

    City stepped up their pursuit of the England international after suffering an injury crisis at centre-half.

    Guehi, who came close to joining Liverpool on transfer deadline day in September, is City’s second signing of the January transfer window after their capture of Ghana winger Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth for about £65 million.

     “I am really happy and incredibly proud to be a Manchester City player,” Guehi said.“This move feels like the culmination of all the hard work I have put into my career. I am now at the best club in England and part of an unbelievable squad of players.

     “It feels good to be able to say that. I want to grow as a player and a person, and I know at this club that’s going to happen.”

    City director of football Hugo Viana said Guehi had been “one of the best defenders in English football for quite some time now”.

     “I feel we have signed a huge talent who will help us improve,” he said.

    “He is only 25, but he has shown already he is a leader, a brilliant professional and someone desperate to improve.”

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    The Chelsea academy graduate played 188 times for Palace after moving to Selhurst Park from the Blues in 2021.

    He captained Palace to FA Cup glory against City in May – the first major trophy in the south London club’s history – and has won 26 England caps.

    Other teams reportedly interested in the defender, including Liverpool once again and Bayern Munich, were understood to be targeting a move at the end of the season, when Guehi would have been a free agent.

    Pep Guardiola’s City, dethroned as Premier League champions by Liverpool last year, are second in the table, seven points behind leaders Arsenal.

    Central defenders John Stones, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol all missed from Saturday’s 2-0 defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford.

    The club are also still challenging for silverware in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.

    Guardiola has overseen an expensive rebuild of his squad over the past year, with a clutch of long-serving players exiting the club, including Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Ederson.

  • Bayer Leverkusen beat Manchester City 2 – 0 in UCL first-round game at home after seven years

    Bayer Leverkusen beat Manchester City 2 – 0 in UCL first-round game at home after seven years

    Manchester City suffered a rare Champions League defeat at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, losing 0-2 to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen and ending its 23-game unbeaten home run in the competition’s group or league stage.

    The loss spoiled Pep Guardiola’s 100th Champions League match as City manager and left the Premier League side provisionally sixth on 10 points after five games. Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrik Schick scored for Leverkusen, which is 13th.

    Guardiola rested most of his regular starters for the first half, with 10 changes to his team, and the risky move backfired.

    Leverkusen struck in the 23rd minute on the counter-attack when Malik Tillman sent in a cross that Christian Kofane held up in the penalty area for Grimaldo to fire home.

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    Guardiola sent on reinforcements to start the second half in Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku and Nico O’Reilly, but it did not stop the visiting side from doubling its lead in the 54th minute with a glancing Schick header over a lunging Nathan Ake and past the outstretched hands of goalkeeper James Trafford.

    City’s scoring machine, Erling Haaland, entered the game in the 65th minute to a standing ovation.

    Though he was in the thick of the action, there were no late-game heroics, with Mark Flekken making a brave stop from the big Norwegian’s best chance, a one-on-one with the ‘keeper after running onto a through ball from Foden.

  • EPL: Haaland scores brace as Manchester City beat Burnley 5-1

    EPL: Haaland scores brace as Manchester City beat Burnley 5-1

    Erling Haaland scored twice late on and Maxime Esteve inadvertently scored two own goals to help Manchester City to a thumping Premier League victory over Burnley.

    Pep Guardiola’s side were questioned after losing back-to-back games in August, but have responded by winning three and drawing one to return to form and climb up to sixth in the table.

    They were given a huge helping hand by French defender Esteve, who scored the first of his unfortunate double by miscuing an attempted clearance into his own net, the goal coming after Jeremy Doku’s low effort was pushed out by Martin Dubravka.

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    City were controlling the contest. Belgium winger Doku has started the season brightly and he forced the Burnley goalkeeper into a sharp save at his near post.

    Having been made to defend for most parts of the first half, Scott Parker’s side unexpectedly equalised, with the in-form Jaidon Anthony scuffing in a finish via a deflection off Ruben Dias.

    Boosted by the goal, Burnley were out quickly in the second half and Lyle Foster’s low shot was deflected narrowly wide, with Quilindschy Hartman’s long-range drive being batted away by City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

    But the visitors were made to pay for those near misses as Matheus Nunes superbly smashed home a volley from Haaland’s knock-down.

    Minutes later Nunes turned provider by playing a low cross into the area and, although Oscar Bobb poked an effort at goal, the last touch came off Esteve.

    But Haaland was not to be denied, converting twice in the closing stages to continue his prolific start to the campaign.

    BBC Sports

  • Tottenham stun Manchester City at Etihad

    Tottenham stun Manchester City at Etihad

    Tottenham Hotspur made it back-to-back Premier League victories under new manager Thomas Frank by stunning Manchester City once again at the Etihad Stadium.

    Spurs came here last November and inflicted a 4-0 humbling of City in a scintillating performance and went home once more with all three points courtesy of a resolute defensive display.

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    They started slowly as Omar Marmoush latched onto Pedro Porro’s loose header and squeezed a shot narrowly wide of the far post before seeing a thunderous strike from range pushed away by Guglielmo Vicario.

    The Egyptian was lively early on and forced another excellent save from the Spurs goalkeeper after being played through by Erling Haaland.

    With their first real threat of the game, Spurs took the lead courtesy of a lightning breakaway as Richarlison’s low cross was converted by Brennan Johnson.

    The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but overturned following a review by the video assistant referee.

  • Man City sign kit deal worth £1 billion

    Man City sign kit deal worth £1 billion

    Manchester City have signed a blockbuster new kit deal with Puma worth a reported £1 billion ($1.34 billion) over the next 10 years.

    City’s extension of their contract with Puma ranks as the largest kit manufacturing partnership in Premier League history.

    Having agreed a £65 million per year deal with the German company in 2019, City’s new arrangement is believed to be worth a £100 million per year until 2035, according to British media reports.

    That figure shatters the £90 million per year deal signed by Manchester United with Adidas in 2023.

    Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are both reported to have kit deals worth in excess of £100 million per year.

    “We joined forces with Puma with the ambition to challenge ourselves and go beyond the expectations. We have achieved this and more over the last six seasons,” City Football Group chief executive Ferran Soriano said. “Puma have seamlessly integrated into our organisation, and we have enjoyed many historic moments together, engaging fans globally.”

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    Puma chief executive Arthur Hoeld added: “Puma’s partnership with Manchester City has been a great success both on and off the pitch.

    “Trophies, a perfect stage for our performance products and commercial success were exceptional.”

    City’s massive deal comes after the club’s first season without major silverware since 2016-17.

    Pep Guardiola’s men finished third in the Premier League after winning the title for the previous four seasons.

    They also suffered a shock FA Cup final defeat against Crystal Palace and crashed out of the recent Club World Cup in the last 16 against Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

  • Shock win over Manchester City was like climbing Mount Everest — Inzaghi

    Shock win over Manchester City was like climbing Mount Everest — Inzaghi

    Al-Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi likened his side’s shock 4-3 extra-time win over Manchester City in the last 16 of the Club World Cup to “climbing Mount Everest without oxygen.”

    This was after the Saudi side booked an unexpected berth in the quarter-finals.

    Marcos Leonardo scored a 112th minute winner for the Riyadh-based club to eliminate Pep Guardiola’s team at the end of a seven-goal thriller in Orlando.

    Inzaghi’s side will face Brazil’s Fluminense in the last eight on Friday.

    Al-Hilal have been majority-owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund since 2023 and over the last two years have invested heavily in big-name foreign signings including Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Kalidou Koulibaly.

    Al-Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi told reporters that the key to his team’s remarkable result was the players, and the heart they put on the pitch.

    Read Also: Club World Cup: Manchester City thrash Juventus to top group

    “We had to do something extraordinary because we all know Manchester City, that team.

    “We had to climb Mount Everest without oxygen and we made it. All the players were exceptional in everything, in the possession phase, the non-possession phase

    “We were very well organised in possession and we played well from a technical point of view against a team which is really aggressive and strong in possession.

    “(Pep) Guardiola, I believe, is the best coach in the world, but tonight we did our best and I believe we deserve this result,” he said.

    (Reuters/NAN)

  • Club World Cup: Manchester City thrash Juventus to top group

    Club World Cup: Manchester City thrash Juventus to top group

    Manchester City secured top spot in Group G of the Club World Cup with a 5-2 thrashing of Juventus on Thursday, exposing the Serie A side’s defensive frailties in emphatic fashion.

    With both teams already through to the knockout stage, City underlined their status as title favourites by becoming the only team to finish the group phase with three wins, showing flashes of their brilliant selves.

    Pep Guardiola’s side finished three points clear of Juventus, who will face the winners of Group H in the last 16.

    Real Madrid can clinch that group later on Thursday with a win over RB Salzburg. Both Salzburg and Al-Hilal, who face already-eliminated Pachuca, remain in contention for qualification.

    City took the lead early through Jeremy Doku, who finished a precise move set up by a superb through pass from new signing Rayan Ait-Nouri.

    Juventus responded quickly, capitalising on a mistake from City goalkeeper Ederson, whose poor clearance allowed Teun Koopmeiners to pounce, and the Dutch midfielder made no mistake, driving in the equaliser.

    City regained the lead in the 26th minute when Matheus Nunes delivered a low cross into the box from the right.

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    Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu, under little pressure, deflected the ball into his own net past a helpless Michele Di Gregorio.

    The Premier League side added another with a third goal from Erling Haaland.

    This was after a quick break, Nunes again provided the assist, threading a pass into Haaland’s path for the Norwegian forward to bundle the ball over the line from close range.

    Phil Foden put the result beyond doubt in the 69th minute, poking the ball home after Savinho tapped Haaland’s low cross into his path.

    Savinho rubbed salt in Juve’s wounds when the ball fell to him at the edge of the box and he crashed a thunderous effort in off the crossbar.

    Dusan Vlahovic reduced the arrears six minutes from time but it was way too little, and much too late for Juventus.

  • Man City, Chelsea, Newcastle secure Champions League

    Man City, Chelsea, Newcastle secure Champions League

    Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle secured places in next season’s Champions League as Liverpool celebrated with the Premier League trophy after a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace in Sunday’s dramatic final round.

    A record-equalling 20th  league title for Liverpool and relegation for Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton had long since been decided, leaving the focus of attention on the battle for European places.

    Liverpool and Arsenal had already secured their place in the Champions League by finishing in the top two, while Tottenham will join them after winning the Europa League on Wednesday.

    City ensured a disappointing season did not end in disastrous fashion by qualifying for Europe’s top competition for the 15th consecutive season by beating Fulham 2-0 to finish third.

    Ilkay Gundogan’s overhead kick from close range put Pep Guardiola’s men in front before Erling Haaland secured the points for the visitors from the penalty spot.

     “It’s not perfect, but we’ll be in Europe next season in the Champions League,” said Guardiola.

    Chelsea ended Nottingham Forest’s dreams of a first appearance in the Champions League since they were European champions back in 1980.

    Levi Colwill tapped in Pedro Neto’s cross for the Blues’ goal in a 1-0 win at the City Ground to secure fourth place for Chelsea.

     “We brought this club where it has to be,” said Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.

    Forest have to settle for seventh and a place in the UEFA Conference League.

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    Newcastle narrowly avoided throwing away their place in the top five after losing 1-0 at home to Everton.

    Carlos Alcaraz’s header earned the Toffees victory on Tyneside.

    However, the Magpies finished fifth on goal difference after Aston Villa were controversially beaten 2-0 at Manchester United.

    Villa’s hopes were dented when goalkeeper Emi Martinez was sent off just before half-time for bringing down Rasmus Hojlund outside his box.

    Yet the visitors thought they had taken the lead at Old Trafford only for Morgan Rogers’ effort to be ruled out for kicking the ball out of the hands of Altay Bayindir.

    Aston Villa’s Unai Emery missed out on Champions League football on goal difference

    Villa were furious at the call and were hit with a sucker punch moments later when Amad Diallo headed in Bruno Fernandes’ cross.

    Christian Eriksen’s penalty sealed the win as United finished the campaign in 15th .

    A place in the Europa League is Villa’s consolation for finishing sixth.

    There was a mutual guard of honour at Anfield as Palace paid homage to Liverpool before the hosts repaid the favour to mark the Eagles’ FA Cup victory over City last weekend.

    Liverpool’s last title celebrations in 2020 took place in front of an empty stadium due to coronavirus restrictions, meaning it was the first time in 35 years they could celebrate lifting the trophy in front of the Reds’ support.

     “It’s always special to win something, but at certain clubs maybe a little bit more,” said Liverpool manager Arne Slot.

    Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp made his first return to Anfield since an emotional farewell 12 months ago.

    Palace, though, spoiled the party when Ismaila Sarr slotted home the opening goal after just nine minutes.

    Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch was sent off in the second half but the 10 men still secured a point thanks to Mohamed Salah’s deflected leveller.

    Tottenham suffered a hangover from their Europa League celebrations as Brighton came from behind to win 4-1 and secure eighth place.

    A double from Jack Hinshelwood, Matt O’Riley’s penalty and Diego Gomez condemned Spurs to a 22nd  league defeat of the season and a 17th-place finish.

    Arsenal needed an 89th -minute winner from Martin Odegaard to beat bottom-of-the-table Southampton 2-1.

    West Ham were 3-1 winners at Ipswich, Leicester lost 2-0 at Bournemouth and honours were shared between Wolves and Brentford in a 1-1 draw.

  • Guardiola confident Man City will qualify for Champions League

    Guardiola confident Man City will qualify for Champions League

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said on Monday that he was “absolutely” confident his side can seal one of the top five spots in the Premier League that will guarantee them Champions League football for next season.

    While the Premier League title has been long-wrapped up by Liverpool, and Arsenal assured themselves a top-five finish on Sunday, the race to secure the other three remaining places is wide open.

    Newcastle United, Chelsea and Aston Villa all have 66 points after 37 matches, while City are sixth with 65 and have a game in hand over the three clubs.

    The last time City failed to qualify for Europe’s elite club competition was in the 2009-10 season.

    “If we are not there (Champions League) then we don’t deserve it and will be in the Europa League. It is what it is,” Guardiola told reporters ahead of  today’s home game against 11th-placed Bournemouth.

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    “I am thinking we are going to qualify. My thoughts and the way I think — I think that. We need four points. That is the main target. I am absolutely (confident of qualifying).”

    City are looking to recover from Saturday’s shock FA Cup 1-0 loss against Crystal Palace.

    “We played a really good final, not enough to win it. And we have the last two games, we need four points to next year to be in the Champions League. This is enough, and everyone has to be aware of that,” Guardiola said.

    “Newcastle won the Carabao Cup (League Cup), Liverpool won the Premier League and City won the Community Shield. The other teams didn’t win anything,” the Spaniard added.

    City’s game against Bournemouth will be their final home fixture of the season, with the club taking a trip to 10th-placed Fulham for the last Premier League round on Sunday.

    The match against Bournemouth will also mark Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne’s last home game for City, with the 33-year-old having announced that he will leave the club at the end of the season after 10 successful years.

    “We want to win the game so we can qualify for the Champions League next season — this is what Kevin wants, it couldn’t be otherwise,” Guardiola said.

    “I am going to decide what is the best for us to win the game against Bournemouth, that is for sure. Kevin will get what he deserves, and what he deserves is the best moment and the best compliment for his incredible trajectory.”