The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Manchester City

  • Moses shines in Chelsea’s crushing defeat of Man City

    Moses shines in Chelsea’s crushing defeat of Man City

    Super Eagles’ in-form striker, Victor Moses was in the thick of action yet again on Saturday as Chelsea handed out a crushing 3-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium  in the English Premier League
    Though not on the score sheet, Moses’ whiles and guiles were there for all to see throughout the entertaining encounter which saw Chelsea staged an impressive fightback to claim victory over title rivals Manchester City that ended with a bench-clearing melee and two red cards. 
     The influential London tabloid, Daily Mail awarded Moses 6 out of 10 stating inter alia: ‘He(Moses) showed how much he has matured into wing-back role with a fantastic last-ditch challenge to deny Aguero a certain goal.’
    Meanwhile, Aguero was sent off in injury-time for a nasty challenge on David Luiz and Fernandinho also saw red in the scuffle that followed as City lost their cool after a potentially damaging defeat.
    City dominated the first hour, but had only a Gary Cahill own goal to show for it before quick-fire strikes from Diego Costa and impressive substitute Willian transformed the game.
    Eden Hazard wrapped up the Premier League leaders’ eighth successive win in the last minute before controversy erupted.
    Aguero and Luiz had clashed earlier in the game, with the Brazilian perhaps lucky to escape punishment for bringing down the City striker as he looked set to race in on goal.
    In a related development, Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola claims Sergio Aguero’s red card challenge on David Luiz in Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Chelsea was not intentional.
    Aguero is facing a four-match ban after receiving his second red card of the season, but Guardiola defended the Argentine striker.
    “It was not intentional, I don’t think so. If it’s a red card, it’s a red card. We accept that,” Guardiola said in his post-match press conference. “It’s a pity it finished like this. It’s the way the referee decided but it’s a pity. I don’t like that, I apologise for what happened. Fernandinho went to defend his team-mate.”
  • Chelsea tops EPL as Victor Moses delivers winning goal

    Chelsea tops EPL as Victor Moses delivers winning goal

    Chelsea Football Club on Saturday came from one goal down to end Tottenham Hotspur’s unbeaten Premier League record with a 2-1 victory.

    Liverpool and Manchester City were past Chelsea earlier in the day and fell behind in the 11th minute when Christian Eriksen became the first player to score past them in seven games.

    But Pedro Rodriguez’s glorious curler and a Victor Moses tap-in either side of half-time gave Chelsea a seventh successive win — their longest such run within one season since January to April 2007.

    Chelsea, who visit City next weekend, restored a one-point advantage over second-place Liverpool and left London rivals Tottenham seven points below them in fifth place.

    The victory propelled Antonio Conte’s soaring side back into top spot.

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  • Monchengladbach 1-1 Man City: Iheanacho benched as Citizen secure draw

    Monchengladbach 1-1 Man City: Iheanacho benched as Citizen secure draw

    Kelechi Iheanacho was benched as Manchester City sealed a place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a 1-1 draw against Borussia Monchengladbach at Borussia-Park this evening.

    Had Barcelona not defeated Celtic, Pep Guardiola’s men would have needed to beat Gladbach, but it turned out that the Spanish giants earned a 2-0 win Glasgow.

    In Germany, Raffael put the Bundesliga outfit ahead with a goal, but City found a lifeline when David Silva scored on the stroke of half-time.

    Both teams had a man sent off in the second half, with Gladbach captain Lars Stindl and City’s Fernandinho being shown second yellow cards by referee Cuneyt Cakir.

    The hosts had to wait patiently as City dominated possession in the first half, but they went ahead in the 23rd minute when Stindl left John Stones in a heap before cutting the ball back to the centre of the box to find Raffael, who hammered the ball into the back of the net.

    One minute later, City found an equaliser through Silva, who nudged the ball home from close range after De Bruyne fizzed the ball across goal after darting towards the byline. Both sides had opportunities towards the end of the game, but neither could find a winner as City booked their place in the knockout rounds, while Gladbach will be hoping for Europa League qualification. There is one more round of fixtures left in the group stage.

  • Toure double on return sinks Palace

    Toure double on return sinks Palace

    Ivorian midfielder, Yaya Toure capped a surprise return to the Manchester City starting XI with both goals as his side earned a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

    The 33 year old had not featured for City this season but showed no rustiness with his deflected shot in the 39th minute the difference in a tight first half.

    Palace came back into the match in the second half and equalised when Connor Wickham, the substitute, got past Pablo Zabaleta and shot through Claudio Bravo on 66 minutes.

    But City responded and Toure was allowed to convert Kevin De Bruyne’s low corner from six yards to send City level on 27 points with Liverpool, who could only draw at Southampton.

    Chelsea could go top with victory at Middlesbrough on Sunday.

    For Palace the result was a fifth Premier League defeat in a row and they lie a point off the relegation zone.

     

  • Iheanacho joins Man City training

    Iheanacho joins Man City training

    Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho took part in Manchester City’s training session on Tuesday after helping Nigeria to secure a 3-1 win over Algeria in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

    Iheanacho featured for 90 minutes for the Eagles but failed to find the back of the net at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo as Nigeria won successive games to remain on top of Group B with maximum points.

    The 20 year old took part in Tuesday’s session at the Manchester City training ground as they prepare for their Premier League game against Crystal Palace this weekend under the watchful eyes of City manager, Pep Guardiola and his assistant, Mikel Arteta.

    It was however a depleted squad that saw the return of injured players as the Citizens await players still on international duty.

    Bacary Sagna has returned to full training after five weeks out with a hamstring tear and will be in contention for the game at Selhurst Park.

    Tuesday’s session also featured Yaya Toure who is also back in contention for a place in the City team after saying sorry for comments made by his agent Dimitri Seluk.

    Other first team players in training include Spanish duo of Jesus Navas and Aleix Garcia, Fernando Reges and Pablo Zabaleta.

  • Nigeria vs Algeria: Iheanacho, Onazi, Ndidi storm Eagles camp on Monday

    Nigeria vs Algeria: Iheanacho, Onazi, Ndidi storm Eagles camp on Monday

    Ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Algeria in Uyo, the trio of Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ogeyi Onazi are set to storm the Super Eagles camp in Abuja on Monday, SportingLife gathered.

    The trio who are part of the 24-man squad invited by manager Gernot Rohr will touch down in Lagos on Sunday before heading out to the Federal Capital Territory.

    Ndidi has been in spectacular form for Belgium side Genk and was on the scoresheet on Thursday night in the Europa League when they lost 5-3 to Athletic Bilbao away from home.

    On his part, Iheanacho has scored three goals in the premier league so far with three assists for Manchester City and although he was on the bench against Middlesbrough at the weekend, he is tipped for a big future under Spanish manager Pep Guardiola.

    Trabzonspor midfielder Onazi had already confirmed his arrival as he tweeted that he will be at the venue of the Federation Cup match between Ifeanyi Ubah and Nasarawa United which will be played at the Teslim Balogun Stadium by 3:00pm in Lagos.

    The former Lazio midfielder may likely be in the company of Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohor who is scheduled to also be at the stadium to witness the encounter before leaving for camp on Monday.

  • Manchester City 1-1 Middleborough: Iheanacho in late cameo

    Manchester City 1-1 Middleborough: Iheanacho in late cameo

    Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho was a late substitute as Manchester City drew 1-1 against Middleborough at the Etihad this evening.

    The Nigerian was named among the substitutes by manager Pep Guardiola for the third consecutive match in all competitions – he was benched in the premier league games against West Bromwich Albion, Middleborough and the UEFA Champions League tie against Barcelona.

    Fortunately for the Citizens they’ve not lost any of those games in the absence of the Nigerian who last started a game in the 1-1 home draw against Everton on October 15.

    Manchester City found life very difficult against Aitor Karanka’s men as they mustered the home side’s pressure and goalkeeper Victor Valdez who coincidentally was Pep Guardiola’s first choice during their time together at Barcelona pulled out some decent stops to prevent City from running riots.

    Eventually, they had a breakthrough just before half-time as Belgian Kevin de Bruyne produced an exquisite cross from the right to find teammate Sergio Aguero and the Argentine made no mistake from six yards out.

    However, Manchester City were denied a win as De Roon headed in a perfect cross from left-back George Friend. Iheanacho was introduced as a late substitute but it was a little too late as the game finished 1-1 to the delight of the away fans.

  • Guardiola offers no assurances to Toure despite apology

    Guardiola offers no assurances to Toure despite apology

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he has spoken to Yaya Toure about his apology, but insists “nothing has changed” in the aftermath.

    Guardiola had said earlier this season that Toure would not feature in his plans until he makes a public apology for comments made in the press by his agent, Dimitri Seluk.

    Toure finally posted that apology to Guardiola via his Facebook page on Friday morning, just hours before the City boss was due to give his weekly pre-match press conference.

    It was expected that Guardiola would clear up the situation and shed light on whether the Ivorian would now be in contention for matches, but the Catalan gave a vague response.

    “I spoke with Yaya this morning, so of course it’s a private conversation,” he said, somewhat sheepishly. “I know what he says and it is so important for Manchester City. That’s the most important thing, and for Yaya as well. It’s good.

    “Of course I read what he wants and that’s all.”

    When asked specifically about whether Toure will be in contention for Saturday’s game against Middlesbrough, Guardiola replied: “Yaya is in our training sessions, is in our meetings. You knew the situation, nothing changed.”

    Another attempt was made to discuss the Toure situation, but Guardiola was keen to move on.

    “I answered about Yaya, I do not say any more. Now let’s focus on Middlesbrough, you know the situation.”

    Despite Toure’s earlier apology, however, Seluk spoke to TalkSport to insist that he had no intention of saying sorry, and that his client should had no reason to extend an olive branch.

     

  • Yaya Toure apologises to Manchester City

    Yaya Toure apologises to Manchester City

    Yaya Toure has issued a public apology to Manchester City’s management team after being frozen out by Pep Guardiola following comments made by his agent Dimitri Seluk.

    In September, the City manager made it clear that Toure would not play under his leadership unless he received an apology from Seluk.

    The midfielder’s representative accused Guardiola of ‘humiliating’ his client by leaving him out of City’s Champions League squad at the start of the season.

    Seluk refused to apologise for his comments, and he recently fuelled the fire by claiming that Guardiola’s snub of Toure is down to revenge.

    It appears, though, that the player himself wants to mend fences as he has released a statement via his official website and Facebook page, claiming that there has been “misunderstandings” and that previous comments do not reflect his views.

    The statement read: “I wish to apologise – on behalf of myself and those who represent me – to the management team and all those working at the club for the misunderstandings from the past. Those statements do not represent my views on the club or the people who work there.

    “I have nothing but respect for Manchester City and only wish the best for the football club. I am immensely proud to have played a part in the club’s history and want to help City succeed further. I live to play football and entertain the fans.

    “On that note, I would like to thank all of the fans for their messages through this difficult period. This means a great deal to me and my family.”

     

  • Iheanacho earns £15k weekly not £85,000

    Iheanacho earns £15k weekly not £85,000

    Contrary to wide spread speculations that Super Eagles sensation Kelechi Iheanacho currently earns £85,000-per-week at Manchester City, a very close source to the player have exclusively revealed to SportingLife that the 20-year-old receives just £15,000 weekly.

    The former Nigeria youth international joined the Citizens in 2013 following a very successive campaign at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup where he emerged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament, scoring six and assisting a seven times.

    Unsurprisingly, he broke into the City first team in the 2015/16 season after a mesmerising pre-season and made a huge impact with eight premier league goals in his debut season and scored the goal that sealed qualification for the UEFA Champions League for his team.

    He has already scored three goals with three assists this campaign and was rewarded for his form by new manager Pep Guardiola with a deal that will see him stay at the club until 2021. Financial details of the deal was not officially made public but reports have it that the Nigerian was given a pay rise from £15,000-per-week to a whopping £85,000 which makes him the highest paid Super Eagles player.

    Speaking with SportingLife, the source claimed: “Iheanacho is still receiving £15,000 at Manchester City and not the £85,000-per-week that is celebrated everywhere in the media.

    “It is true that he penned a new deal with the club earlier this season with an increased wage of £85,000 weekly but he has a clause that prevents him from actually earning that account for now. So, the club still pays him £15,000-per-week.

     “Iheanacho is a special player and well respected at the club and in due time I am very confident that they will honour him what he truly deserves.”

    Iheanacho has been an unused substitute in Manchester City’s last two games – against West Brom in the premier league and Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League and in both matches Pep Guardiola’s men won, scoring seven goals and conceding just one.