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☆ Champions League: Xavi laments ‘really bad’ referee in Barcelona’s elimination to Paris Saint-Germain
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Xavi was shown a red card in the second half. “The red card marked the tie. For as much as we speak [about the match], the red card marks everything. PSG manager Luis Enrique, who enjoyed two trophy-filled spells at Barcelona as a player and manager, said he thought his team would have won even without Araújo’s sending off. Obviously, the red card is a factor, but you still have to know how to play these games and not make mistakes.

Persons: Xavi, Germain, István Kovács, Barça, Ronald Araújo’s, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Araújo, Bradley Barcola, Kovács, Ousmane Dembélé, Hugo Pfeiffer, Kylian Mbappé, João Cancelo, clumsily, Dembélé, ” Xavi, It’s, “, Robert Lewandowski’s, José Ramón, Luis Enrique, Enrique, Kylian, Juan Medina, Reuters “, Lamine, ” Enrique, Atlético Madrid Organizations: CNN —, team’s Champions League, Paris Saint, Tuesday’s, Barcelona, Barcola, PSG, ESPN, Fuente, League, Reuters, ” PSG, Borussia Dortmund, Champions League Locations: CNN — Barcelona, Paris, Romanian, Barcelona

☆ Manchester City report record profits to match best season on pitch
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"The 2022-23 season saw Manchester City scale new heights and set new benchmarks," City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, said in a statement. "In short, last season saw Manchester City achieve the greatest football and commercial year of its storied history." Commercial revenues accounted for 341.4 million pounds, followed by broadcast at 299.4 million and then matchday at 71.9 million, for a profit of 80.4 million, nearly doubling the previous year's record profit of 41.7 million pounds. Profits also benefited from significant player trading with 121.7 million pounds generated from transfers, up a significant 79.8% over the previous 12 months. On the pitch, manager Pep Guardiola guided City to a third successive Premier League title, an enthralling 2-1 FA Cup final victory over rivals Manchester United, and a first ever Champions League title.

Persons: Lee Smith, Sheikh Mansour, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Pep Guardiola, Lori Ewing, Toby Davis Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League, Manchester City, Chelsea, Etihad, Premier, Rights, Manchester City FC Ltd, Broadcasting, Champions League, FA, City, Brand Finance, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Deloitte Football Money League, soccer, Real, Club, Super League, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, Rights MANCHESTER, England, Real Madrid

☆ Man City 84% likely to win Premier League, predict Opta
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Chelsea - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - May 21, 2023 Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan lifts the trophy as he celebrates with team mates after winning the Premier League Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Manchester City have one Premier League point less than they had after 12 games last season but according to data analysts Opta are overwhelming favourites to claim a fourth successive title. City, according to Opta Analyst, have an 84.6% probability of lifting the trophy again with Liverpool given only a 9.1% chance and last season's runners-up Arsenal on 5.6%. Back-to-back defeats for Tottenham Hotspur mean that, according to Opta, their title hopes are virtually non-existent at 0.3%, the same as Aston Villa. Manchester United, currently in sixth place, are predicted to finish seventh and only have a 5.9% chance of finishing in the top four, although that has risen slightly of late. Newcastle United have a 25% chance of a second-successive top-four finish while Chelsea are predicted to finish ninth.

Persons: Lee Smith, Pep, Martyn Herman, Toby Davis Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League, Manchester City, Chelsea, Etihad, Premier, League, Burnley, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa . Manchester United, Newcastle United, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, City

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández is keeping his cards close to his chest before the first “clasico” of the season. They all returned to training Friday, a day before Madrid arrives with a one-point lead in the Spanish league standings. “I will play my best players, those that are 100% ready,” the Barcelona coach said. Political Cartoons View All 1223 ImagesMadrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he wasn't worried who played for Barcelona as long as Jude Bellingham was ready to go. Regardless of who plays for the host team, Xavi has a huge task in finding a way to stop Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior.

Persons: Xavi Hernández, Robert Lewandowksi, de Jong, Pedri González, Jules Koundé, “, Ferran Torres, Carlo Ancelotti, wasn't, Jude Bellingham, Bellingham, Ancelotti, Xavi, Vinícius, ” Xavi, Ronald Araújo, De Jong, Oriol Romeu, Gavi Paéz, “ Oriol, ” Bellingham, Karim Benzema’s, Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, “ Camavinga, Mendy, ” Ancelotti, Yamal, Fermín López Organizations: —, Madrid, Barcelona, Braga, Champions League, Bellingham, Manchester, Xavi’s, La Masia, Shakhtar Donetsk Locations: BARCELONA, Spain, — Barcelona, Barcelona, Lewandowski, Poland, Bellingham, Manchester City, Madrid, Saudi Arabia

☆ Bayern's Neuer prepares for imminent Bundesliga return with eye on Euros
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Karolos Grohmann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BERLIN, Oct 26 (Reuters) - There is more at stake for Bayern Munich keeper Manuel Neuer when he makes his possible return to action in the Bundesliga on Saturday against Darmstadt 98 almost a year after injury. He did not travel to Bayern's Champions League game against Galatasaray in Istanbul on Tuesday to continue training while a rumoured return in the league last week did not materialise. "We have to wait and see," Bayern's Tuchel said on Tuesday when asked whether Neuer will return this week. A Bayern comeback for Neuer would mean that veteran keeper Sven Ulreich, who has been outstanding in his absence, will quickly slip back into his usual reserve role. Victory over visiting Darmstadt, in 12th place, could move Bayern provisionally into top spot, with Leverkusen, also unbeaten, in action against Freiburg on Sunday.

Persons: Manuel Neuer, Thomas Tuchel, Neuer, Barcelona's Marc, Andre ter Stegen, Ilkay, Julian Nagelsmann, Bayern's Tuchel, Manuel, Sven Ulreich, Ulreich, Karolos Grohmann, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Bayern Munich, Bundesliga, Darmstadt, Bayern's Champions League, Galatasaray, Bayern, Costa, Germany, Champions League, Bayer Leverkusen, VfB Stuttgart, Victory, Leverkusen, Freiburg, Sunday, Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt, Thomson Locations: Istanbul, Qatar, Costa Rica, Germany, Darmstadt

DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) — Germany removed Hansi Flick as coach of the men's national soccer team on Sunday, one day after a 4-1 loss to Japan deepened the gloom around the squad ahead of hosting next year's European Championship. Political Cartoons View All 1148 ImagesFlick won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2020 and swapped the club for the German national team the following year. Germany captain Ilkay Gündogan backed Flick to remain after the Japan game but said the team sorely lacked cohesion and self-belief. The men's national team, four times a World Cup winner, has not made it to the quarterfinals in any of its last three major tournaments. The women's national team, a two-time World Cup winner, was eliminated in the World Cup group stage last month in one of the tournament's biggest-ever shocks.

Persons: Hansi Flick, Rudi Völler —, Germany hasn't, Bernd Neuendorf, Flick, Ilkay Gündogan, ” Gündogan, beIN, ”, Sandro Wagner, Hannes Wolf, Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Tuchel Organizations: —, team, DFB, France, “, European, Champions League, Bayern Munich, German national, Bayern Locations: DUESSELDORF, Germany, — Germany, Japan, German, Dortmund, Wolfsburg, Qatar, Argentina, France, United States, Mexico

☆ Germany in freefall after 4-1 shock loss to Japan as Euro 2024 looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WOLFSBURG, Germany, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Euro 2024 hosts Germany slumped to a shock 4-1 home loss to Japan in their international friendly on Saturday, deepening the sense of crisis hanging over them after their third straight loss less than nine months before the continental tournament. "We have to be honest and say that Japan were better. They were better," Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan said. Ter Stegen denied Japan another goal when Ueda pounced on a defensive error a little later to charge through only to see his shot saved. Asano made amends in the 90th, slotting in to seal their second straight win over Germany before they added another in stoppage time with Ao Tanaka's header.

Persons: Hansi, Ilkay Gundogan, Junya Ito, Leroy Sane, Ueda, Marc, Andre ter Stegen, Ter Stegen, Takuma Asano's, Kaoru Mitoma's, Asano, Karolos Grohmann, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Japan, France, Germany, Thomson Locations: WOLFSBURG, Germany, Japan

☆ Barcelona sign Portuguese defender Cancelo from Man City
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 1 (Reuters) - Barcelona have signed Portuguese full back Joao Cancelo from Premier League champions Manchester City on loan until June 2024, both clubs said on Friday. "The Club wishes to thank the player publicly for the financial effort made and his desire to wear the Barca shirt," the LaLiga club said in a statement. The 29-year-old joined City from Juventus in 2019 and made a total of 154 appearances, scoring nine goals and providing 22 assists, before going on loan in January to Bayern Munich. Cancelo will now be reunited with former City captain Ilkay Gundogan, who also joined the Spanish club on a free transfer following his departure from the treble winners. Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; editing by Martyn HermanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joao Cancelo, Cancelo, Pep Guardiola's, Ilkay Gundogan, Angelica Medina, Martyn Herman Our Organizations: Premier League, Manchester City, City, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Portugal, UEFA Nations League, Spanish, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Portuguese, Mexico City

☆ Relentless Man City seek record four titles in a row
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

However, such is the nature of the Premier League that City will certainly not have everything their own way. Juergen Klopp's side's failure to qualify for the Champions League would have stung, especially with Manchester United finishing eight points above them. Newcastle United, who finished fourth last term, will be determined to prove it was no flash in the pan, although they will need to juggle the demands of battling for a top-four finish with the Champions League this time. The additions of winger Harvey Barnes from Leicester City and Sandro Tonali from Milan will certainly help. Postecoglou is the first Australian to manage in the Premier League and faces a big challenge at the north London club who endured a toxic 2022-23 campaign under Antonio Conte.

Persons: Phil Foden, Aymeric Laporte, Ruben Dias, Pep Guardiola, Guardiola, pacesetters, Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic, Declan Rice, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Juergen, Erik ten Hag, Harvey Barnes, Sandro Tonali, Ange Postecoglou, Antonio Conte, Harry Kane, Martyn Herman, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, Manchester, Victory, Champions League, FA, Premier League, Manchester United's, League, Inter Milan, pacesetters Arsenal, City, Arsenal, Etihad, LIVERPOOL Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, Luton Town's, Luton, Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, Manchester City, Abu Dhabi, Spanish, Istanbul, Barcelona, Al, Ahli, Saudi Arabia, City, Milan, Postecoglou, London, Fulham

☆ Barcelona sign Gundogan on free transfer after Man City exit
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 26 (Reuters) - Barcelona have signed Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer after his departure from treble winners Manchester City with the German midfielder signing a two-year contract, the LaLiga club said on Monday. "For me it has been a total privilege and pleasure to be part of Manchester City for the last seven years," Gundogan said in a statement. "Manchester has been my home and I have felt part of a very special family at City. Gundogan leaves City having made over 300 appearances, scoring 60 goals and grabbing 40 assists in all competitions. "Ilkay has truly cemented his place in the history of Manchester City and we all wish him well in the next chapter of his career."

Persons: Gundogan, Pep Guardiola's, Txiki Begiristain, Ilkay, Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Rohith Nair, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Manchester City, City, Premier League, FA, League, Borussia Dortmund, Barca, Barcelona, Champions League, Copa del Rey, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Spanish, England, Manchester, City, Bengaluru

☆ Manchester City dance in the rain to celebrate treble
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Soccer Football - Manchester City Victory Parade - Manchester, Britain - June 12, 2023 Manchester City's John Stones is pictured holding the Champions League trophy alongside Erling Braut Haaland and teammates during the parade REUTERS/Phil NobleJune 12 (Reuters) - Even a thunderstorm could not dent Manchester City's rousing victory parade on Monday as the players and manager Pep Guardiola celebrated completing the long-awaited treble after winning the Champions League trophy over the weekend. The blue side of Manchester were all euphoric as the team and fans also celebrated becoming only the second English club to win the treble, equalling the 1999 milestone of their fierce rivals Manchester United. "What a parade, what an afternoon, it had to be the best parade with this rain, otherwise is not Manchester. We don't want sunshine," said Premier League manager of the year Guardiola in front of thousands of fans. As the players left the stage, the celebrations seemed far from over for the City fans who were ready to party on long into the night.

Persons: John Stones, Erling Braut Haaland, Phil Noble, Pep Guardiola, Guardiola, Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, I've, Kalvin Phillips, Janina Nuno Rios Organizations: Soccer Football, Manchester, Victory, Champions League, League, City, FA Cup, Premier League, Inter Milan, European, Manchester United, United, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, Mexico City

☆ Man City 1-0 Inter Milan: Rodri's goal wins Champions League final as Pep Guardiola's team complete treble
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( Adam Bate | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Ilkay Gundogan (C) of Manchester City lifts the UEFA Champions League trophy after the team's victory in the UEFA Champions League 2022/23 final match against Inter at Ataturk Olympic Stadium. Manchester City completed the treble with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul. Having already overhauled Arsenal to retain the Premier League trophy and beaten Manchester United to lift the FA Cup at Wembley, this victory saw them match the achievement of their city rivals in 1999. City's task was made more difficult when Kevin De Bruyne trudged off injured in the first half, the second time in three seasons that he has departed a Champions League final with the game in the balance. The midfielder measured his finish, bending it beyond two Inter defenders and into the corner of the net to break the deadlock.

Persons: Ilkay Gundogan, Federico Dimarco, Ederson, Pep Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne trudged, Rodri, Erling Haaland, Lukaku, Edin Dzeko, Lautaro Martinez, Manuel Akanji, Guardiola, Akanji, Bernardo Silva Organizations: Manchester City, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Champions, Inter, Ataturk, Inter Milan, Champions League, Ataturk Olympic, Arsenal, Premier League, Manchester United, Wembley, Guardiola Locations: Manchester, Istanbul, Rodri's, Romelu Lukaku, City, Europe, Turkey

☆ 'We made history': Emotional Man City players hail treble success
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 11 (Reuters) - Manchester City must be considered one of soccer's heavyweight clubs after winning the Champions League to complete a rare treble, captain Ilkay Gundogan said, while a teary-eyed Jack Grealish hailed manager Pep Guardiola as a "genius". Players were in tears after Rodri's emphatic second-half goal against Inter Milan in the final secured a 1-0 victory and City's first Champions League title on Saturday, having wrapped up the Premier League and FA Cup last month. Today, we made history," Gundogan told BT Sport. "This team deserves the highest recognition and winning the Champions League elevates us to the very top of the game. The pressure was there, but this team is built to handle the pressure in the best possible way."

Persons: Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Grealish, Pep Guardiola, City's, Gundogan, Grealish, I'm, I've, Guardiola, you've, He's, Striker Erling Haaland, Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, De Bruyne, We'll, It's, Hritika Sharma, Tim Hart, Edmund Klamann Organizations: League, Inter Milan, Premier League, FA, BT Sport, City, Aston Villa, Bulent Usta, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Hyderabad, Istanbul

The unassuming and soft-spoken German never displayed the same flashy traits as his fellow superstars, instead quietly going about his business - overlooked by many but always an integral cog in the City winning machine. Haaland may have scored 52 times this season but Gundogan has always been a constant threat. In a tense title race where City had played catch-up for months, Gundogan scored twice against Leeds United as City maintained their advantage at the top of the Premier League in the home stretch last month. He then repeated his heroics with a brace against Everton as they kept Arsenal at bay to win a fourth league title in five seasons. Gundogan then stunned arch-rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup with another double, scoring his first by volleying home 12 seconds into the game.

Persons: Pep Guardiola, Ilkay, Gundogan, Yaya Toure, Guardiola, Erling Haaland, pip Liverpool, volleying, what's, Rohith Nair, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Manchester City, Germany, Guardiola, City, Leeds United, Premier League, Everton, Arsenal, Manchester United, League, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Istanbul, City, Bengaluru

☆ Gundogan double seals FA Cup final win for City over United
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, June 3 (Reuters) - Manchester City moved to within one victory of completing a momentous treble as they beat Manchester United 2-1 in the FA Cup final on Saturday thanks to Ilkay Gundogan's double. City captain Gundogan entered the record books as he scored the fastest goal in FA Cup final history, crashing home an exquisite volley after 12 seconds. But Gundogan restored City's lead with another volley seven minutes after the interval and Pep Guardiola's side resisted late pressure to win the trophy for a seventh time. The Premier League champions face Inter Milan in next Saturday's Champions League final when victory would see them match United's triple triumph in the 1998-1999 season. Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ilkay, Gundogan, Bruno Fernandes, Martyn Herman, Ed Osmond Organizations: Manchester City, Manchester United, FA, City, Premier League, Inter Milan, League, Thomson Locations: Manchester

☆ Man City edge closer to treble after FA Cup final win over Man Utd
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, June 3 (Reuters) - Manchester City moved to within one victory of completing a momentous treble as they deservedly beat arch-rivals Manchester United 2-1 in the FA Cup final thanks to Ilkay Gundogan's record-breaking double on Saturday. City captain Gundogan scored the fastest goal in FA Cup final history with a stunning volley after 12 seconds and struck what proved to be the winner seven minutes after halftime. It is the 13th time the English league and FA Cup double has been achieved. The FA Cup is so nice." It eclipsed the previous fastest FA Cup final goal scored by Louis Saha after 25 seconds for Everton against Chelsea in 2009 and City threatened to run riot against a stunned United.

Persons: Ilkay, Gundogan, Nat Lofthouse, Bruno Fernandes, Pep Guardiola's, Alex Ferguson, Guardiola, Stefan Ortega's, Erling Haaland, David de Gea, Louis Saha, Rodri, Jack Grealish, Kevin de Bruyne, Aaron Wan, Paul Tierney, Tierney, Fernandes, Ortega, Raphael Varane volleyed, De Bruyne's, De, Alejandro Garnacho, Erik Ten, Martyn Herman, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Manchester City, Manchester United, FA, City, Bolton Wanderers, United . United, Inter Milan, Premier League, League, Champions League, Wembley, Everton, Chelsea, United, Grealish, Inter, Thomson Locations: Manchester, City, Istanbul

☆ Man City celebrate Premier League title with 1-0 win over Chelsea
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/8] Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Chelsea - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - May 21, 2023 Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates... Read moreMANCHESTER, England, May 21 (Reuters) - Manchester City celebrated their Premier League title success on Sunday, beating Chelsea 1-0 with an early goal by Julian Alvarez in the team's home finale at a sun-drenched Etihad Stadium. Treble-chasing City, who wrapped up the title when second-placed Arsenal were beaten at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, have won 12 successive games in the top flight. City have 88 points from 36 matches, seven more than Arsenal who have just one match remaining. Haaland had been a late substitute and did not extend his record of 36 goals in a single Premier League season. "I feel a special connection with the fans... 36 goals, Premier League trophy, debut season, two finals left, not a bad start."

☆ Manchester City win Premier League title as Arsenal lose
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, May 20 (Reuters) - Manchester City were confirmed as Premier League champions for the fifth time in six seasons on Saturday without even having to kick a ball after second-placed Arsenal's challenge ended in defeat away at Nottingham Forest. City have now joined an elite group of clubs to win three successive English top-flight titles, with Huddersfield Town, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United the only others. "The Premier League is without doubt the most demanding and competitive league in the world so that tells you everything about what an achievement this is," he said. That quality and consistency helps sum up what Manchester City stand for and ensures the club will continue to strive for success going forward." Defeat at Forest means Arsenal have won only two of their last eight matches in the league.

☆ Man City outclass Real Madrid to reach Champions League final
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MANCHESTER, England, May 17 (Reuters) - Manchester City marched into the Champions League final for the second time in three seasons after outclassing holders Real Madrid 4-0 for a 5-1 aggregate victory at a raucous Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. With Inter Milan awaiting in the final, City will now be huge favourites to finally deliver the trophy Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Mansour has craved since buying the club in 2008, having lost to Chelsea two years ago. Just as in the Spanish capital, City took an early stranglehold with Real barely stringing two passes together and finding it almost impossible to escape their own half. City toyed with the 14-times champions for the rest of the half and could have been further ahead. With their place in the Istanbul showpiece secured, City can win their fifth Premier League title in six seasons this weekend and they also have an FA Cup final to look forward to.

☆ Gundogan brace takes Manchester City four points clear at top of Premier League
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Leeds United - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - May 6, 2023 Leeds United's Joel Robles in action as Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan misses from the penalty spot REUTERS/Molly DarlingtonMANCHESTER, England, May 6 (Reuters) - Hard-charging Manchester City went four points clear of Arsenal at the top the Premier League on Saturday, beating Leeds United 2-1 with a pair of near-identical goals from Ilkay Gundogan, stretching their winning league run to 10 games. Mahrez teed up Gundogan again eight minutes later in a carbon copy of his first goal. Allardyce admitted it looked bound to be a blowout at halftime, but Leeds "changed in terms of pushing up the pitch." Despite numerous scoring chances, and with the Etihad Stadium crowd cheering him on, Haaland was unable to extend the Premier League single-season record of 35 goals he set earlier in the week. Treble-chasing Manchester City, who play Real Madrid on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, are unbeaten in 20 games through all competitions.

☆ Man City climb four points clear of Arsenal in title race
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

City's victory, coupled with an Arsenal loss on Sunday to Newcastle United, would all but clinch the Premier League title for the treble-chasers who stretched their winning league run to 10 games. Liverpool notched up a sixth straight Premier League win to maintain their pursuit of a top-four spot. KANE HEADERKane headed Tottenham in front in first-half injury time to move up to second place in the all-time Premier League goalscorers list. The win vaulted Spurs to sixth in the table with 57 points from 35 games, six points behind fourth-placed United, who have played two games fewer. Wolves climbed 10 points clear of the relegation zone with 40 points, while Villa remained in eighth after their second consecutive loss.

☆ No Haaland, no problem as Man City thrash Liverpool 4-1 to keep up title chase
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-01 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MANCHESTER, England, April 1 (Reuters) - Manchester City showed they can win without goal machine Erling Haaland as they put four past Liverpool at the Etihad on Saturday to keep their chase of Premier League leaders Arsenal very much alive. Julian Alvarez, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish were all on target for Pep Guardiola's side in a goal-packed return to Premier League action after the international break. "We had a chat between ourselves and with the manager (at halftime) and he said we have to stay in the game," Grealish said. "The first minute to 93 ... really really good, the way we played." Looking ahead though, the England winger insisted that the fate of the Premier League this season is still in Arsenal's hands.

☆ Soccer-Leaders Arsenal respond in style after Man City thrash Liverpool
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-01 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Arsenal's seventh successive league win moved them to 72 points from 29 games with City, who still have to play the London club at home, on 64 having played one game less. Jean-Philippe Mateta's late goal sparked jubilation amongst the home fans as Palace moved into 12th place with 30 points, five points ahead of third-from-bottom Leicester. Pressure is intensifying on Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers as his side lost for the fifth time in six league games. Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers drew 1-1 at the City Ground as both clubs stayed far too close to the relegation zone for comfort. The result took both teams above Liverpool with Brighton in sixth place and Brentford in seventh.

☆ Haaland's absence fails to stop Man City from hammering Liverpool
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-01 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Nothing changed," Guardiola said after his 100th win at Etihad with City. The club made an exceptional signing with him – he's a world champion alongside Lionel Messi because he has something." His fitness is unclear, although TV cameras caught him on his feet wildly celebrating Alvarez's goal. The City manager pumped his fists wildly after Alvarez's goal and then confronted Liverpool substitutes Kostas Tsimikas and Arthur Melo when they walked by him on the sidelines seconds later. "Manchester City are disappointed to have heard inappropriate chants from home fans during today's game," the team said.

☆ Defiant Man City see off Villa to close gap on Arsenal
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MANCHESTER, England, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Manchester City produced a defiant response to the Premier League's charge sheet as they comfortably beat Aston Villa 3-1 to close to within three points of leaders Arsenal on Sunday. Goals by Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez put the result beyond doubt by halftime as City got back on track following last weekend's loss at Tottenham Hotspur. Villa were left with mission impossible when Mahrez tucked away a penalty in first-half stoppage time after Jacob Ramsey was adjudged to have tripped former Villa player Jack Grealish. Champions City have 48 points from 22 games to Arsenal's 51 from 21 and can go top if they win at Arsenal on Wednesday. "It was a bad result, but we have to learn and use it in the next matches."

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