Sports

Man City Beat Arsenal 3-1, Top Premier League

Published

1 month ago

February 15, 2023

Manchester City earned a crucial 3-1 win against title rivals Arsenal as the resurgent champions knocked the Gunners off the top of the Premier League on Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola’s side showed they are not ready to surrender the title with a ruthless display of finishing that lifted them above Arsenal on goal difference.

Kevin De Bruyne put City ahead in the first half at the Emirates Stadium and, although Bukayo Saka equalised with a controversial penalty, Jack Grealish landed the vital blow in the second half when he restored the visitors’ lead.

Erling Haaland’s 26th goal in 22 league appearances for City killed off Arsenal in the closing stages.

In the most eagerly anticipated Premier League clash this season, City seized the momentum in the title race.

Although Arsenal have a game in hand that could tip the balance back in their favour, City headed home with renewed belief they can win their fight for a fifth title in six seasons.

Having trailed Arsenal by eight points a month ago, Guardiola’s men have won four of their last five league games, while Arsenal have stumbled.

City’s title defence is taking place under a dark cloud after the Premier League last week charged the club with more than 100 breaches of its financial rules between 2009 and 2018.

But the race could yet reach a memorable climax, with City due to host Arsenal on April 26 in what is shaping up to be a do-or-die showdown for both teams.

Bidding for their first Premier League title since 2003-04, Arsenal were unable to subdue City’s battle-hardened stars.

Mikel Arteta’s team have failed to win their last four games in all competitions, losing to City in the FA Cup before a surprise defeat at Everton and Saturday’s draw against Brentford.

Arteta, who worked under Guardiola as assistant to the City boss before joining Arsenal, found out just how hard it is for the apprentice to outwit the teacher.

Guardiola has beaten Arteta in seven of their eight meetings and this was the most significant by far.

City took the lead in the 24th minute when Grealish harassed Takehiro Tomiyasu into a miscued backpass.

City turn the screw
De Bruyne pounced on the mistake with a perfectly-weighted chip from the edge of the area that floated over out-of-position keeper Aaron Ramsdale into the net.

De Bruyne’s first goal since October, and only his fourth this season, was a rare bright spot in a difficult campaign for the Belgium midfielder.

Arsenal drew level in debatable fashion three minutes before half-time.

As Eddie Nketiah flicked a shot goalwards from a tight angle, Ederson raced off his line and collided with the Arsenal striker just before the ball was cleared off the line by Nathan Ake.

Ederson appeared to be trying to pull out of the challenge but Anthony Taylor awarded a penalty despite City’s furious protests and Saka stepped up to send Ederson the wrong way with a nerveless strike.

As the tension mounted after half-time, tempers flared when De Bruyne shoved Arteta and exchanged angry words after the Arsenal boss stopped him collecting the ball.

In the midst of a frantic clash, it was City who kept their heads and gradually turned the screw.

Gabriel’s foul on Haaland was ruled a penalty but the Norway star was just offside when he received Kyle Walker’s pass and the spot-kick decision was overturned.

Yet City’s pressure paid off in the 72nd minute as a sweeping move cut through the Arsenal defence.

Gabriel conceded possession too easily and Silva, Haaland and Ilkay Gundogan exchanged passes before Grealish applied the finishing touch, driving a deflected strike past Ramsdale to send Guardiola into a jubilant, fist-pumping jig on the touchline.

Haaland sealed the points in the 82nd minute, drilling into the far corner from De Bruyne’s cross to underline City’s desire to retain their crown.

AFP

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Sports

Just In: Antonio Conte Leaves Tottenham

Published

18 hours ago

March 26, 2023

Editor

Antonio Conte has left his role as Tottenham Hotspur manager by mutual consent after 16 months in charge.

Recall Conte had called Spurs players “selfish” and lambasted the club’s culture in a press conference after their recent draw at Southampton.

After the press conference, Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy described Conte’s position as untenable, and has now parted ways with the Italian.

Conte’s assistant Cristian Stellini will step up as head coach for the rest of the season, with former midfielder Ryan Mason his deputy.

Announcing the decision on Sunday night, Levy said, “We have 10 Premier League games remaining and we have a fight on our hands for a Champions League place,” chairman Daniel Levy said.

“We all need to pull together. Everyone has to step up to ensure the highest possible finish for our club and amazing, loyal supporters.”

Conte’s exit means Spurs are searching for their fourth permanent manager in four years since Mauricio Pochettino left in 2019.

Steve Cooper, Roberto De Zerbi, Olivier Glasner, Luis Enrique and recently-axed Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann are among the coaches who could succeed Conte.

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Sports

Messi, Neymar, Ramos May Join Ronaldo In Saudi Arabia League

Published

22 hours ago

March 26, 2023

Editor

Paris Saint-Germain’s trio – Lionel Messi, Neymar and Sergio Ramos may relocate to Saudi Arabia to ply their trades.

According to Marca, there are emerging reports that the French club is encouraging its senior players to move to Saudi Arabia where Cristiano Ronaldo currently plays for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

PSG is reportedly willing to let Messi and Ramos, who are both out of contract at the end of the season, move on.

The report further revealed that the club is open to receiving offers for Neymar, who has been a key player for the team in recent years.

Marca reported that PSG is eager to convince some of its players to follow Ronaldo’s lead and join a Saudi Arabian team in the transfer window.

The report states that the Ligue 1 champions are looking to part ways with the high-profile trio with Ramos already believed to be in negotiations for a potential move to Al Nassr.

It has also been reported that Al Nassr’s rivals, Al Hilal, are interested in signing Messi. If they fail to lure the Argentine to Saudi Arabia, they may make a move for Neymar, who, while not keen on leaving PSG, is reportedly open to considering offers.

The potential moves come as PSG looks to shake up its squad following another disappointing Champions League campaign.

The team was knocked out in the last 16 by Bayern Munich, and while they currently sit atop the Ligue 1 standings, it has been another disappointing season.

By encouraging several players to move on, PSG is signaling its willingness to rebuild and start fresh.

While losing players of the caliber of Messi and Neymar would be a blow to any team, PSG has shown in the past that it has the financial resources to make big moves in the transfer market.

The potential moves also highlight the growing interest in Saudi Arabian football, which has been attracting top talent in recent years.

The country has invested heavily in football infrastructure and has been hosting high-profile tournaments, such as the Super Cup and the Club World Cup.

It also has aspirations to host the 2030 World Cup and Ronaldo and Messi acting as ambassadors would certainly help their cause.

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Sports

Man City To Offer Haaland £500k-a-week Deal

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2023

Editor

English Premier Manchester City is set to offer a bumper deal with player Erling Haaland.

The new contract is expected to be £500,000-a-week.

My Pastoral Work Doesn’t Stop Me From Singing Secular…
The new deal would make Haaland become the best-paid player in the Premier League.

Halland currently earns £375,000 per week, putting him equal at the top of the Premier League’s best-paid stars, along with teammate Kevin De Bruyne and Man United shotstopper David de Gea.

The Norwegian striker has also scored 42 times so far for Manchester City.

The 22-year-old performance has seen him linked with Real Madrid, who are believed to be keen on landing him in the summer of 2024.

The player’s current deal lasts until 2027.

However, at the end of the season, Man City would be negotiating a new deal with Haaland to extend that by a year as part of the proposals to maintain Haaland’s services despite Real Madrid’s interest in him.

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