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LONDON (AP) — It took Kevin De Bruyne less than five minutes to show why his return from injury could be so crucial for Manchester City in the second half of the Premier League season. De Bruyne had not made a league appearance since the opening round of the season in August, but it looked like he'd never been away. And in stoppage time, he lifted a perfectly weighted ball into the box for substitute Oscar Bobb to score his first Premier League goal and complete the comeback. Only two games were played Saturday with half of the Premier League teams having the weekend off for a short winter break. It was the 21-year-old Palmer’s ninth league goal of the season and fifth from the penalty spot after joining from Man City in the offseason.

Persons: Kevin De Bruyne, De Bruyne, he'd, James ', Pep Guardiola's, Martin Dubravka, Oscar Bobb, I’m, Eddie Howe's, Erling Haaland, “, Kevin, Guardiola, Oscar, ”, Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Isak, Walker, Stefan Ortega, Gordon, Ortega, Ederson, Sean Longstaff, Mauricio Pochettino, Cole Palmer, Palmer, ” Palmer, Marco Silva, Malo, ” Silva, Dai Yongge, Port, ___ Organizations: Manchester City, Premier League, City, Newcastle, Chelsea, Fulham, Premier League teams, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Arsenal, League, DERBY WIN, CHELSEA Chelsea, Blues, Stamford, Man, Middlesbrough, “, TNT, ” Fulham, Port Vale, Reading, English Football League, Cheltenham Locations: St, London, Man City, Middlesbrough, Bolton

☆ 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

☆ Man Utd show signs of life, but City offer real test
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Another not-too-convincing victory at bottom club Sheffield United last weekend was admirable in its own way following the news of club great Bobby Charlton's death before kickoff. City suffered consecutive league defeats before the international break but have answered any doubts with wins over Brighton & Hove Albion and then at Young Boys on Wednesday in the Champions League. Guardiola will need no reminding that City lost at Old Trafford last year, having crushed United 6-3 at home. City also won the FA Cup final against United on their way to matching the Reds' treble of 1999. Sixth-placed Newcastle United will have to shrug off the disappointment of their Champions League loss to Borussia Dortmund as they face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Persons: Erik Ten, Bobby Charlton's, Harry Maguire's, Andre Onana, Guardiola, Sergio Aguero, They've, they've, Rasmus Hojlund, Erling Haaland, Ange Postecoglou, Monday's, Postecoglou, Martyn Herman, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Manchester, Manchester City, Brentford, Sheffield United, FC Copenhagen, Champions League, Pep, City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Young Boys, Old, FA, United, Reds, Manchester Evening, Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur, Tottenham, Fulham, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Borussia Dortmund, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Saturday, Aston Villa, Luton Town, Thomson Locations: Old Trafford, City, Celtic, Liverpool

☆ Haaland brace lifts Man City to 3-1 win over Young Boys
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

City can clinch their spot in the knockout stage when they play Young Boys again, this time at home, on Nov. 7. Haaland scored for the first time in six Champions League games with a penalty in the 67th minute after Mohamed Camara's tackle on Rodri in the box. Haaland, who rewrote several scoring records last season, added another one on Wednesday, breaking Kylian Mbappe's mark as the youngest player to score 37 Champions League goals. But Young Boys caught City keeper Ederson in no man's land to level four minutes later, sending in Meschack Elia with a superb pass which he scooped high over Ederson into the net. Young Boys are third in the group on one point after three matches.

Persons: Erling Haaland, Manuel Akanji, Pep, Guardiola, I'm, Haaland, Mohamed Camara's, Akanji, Ruben Dias's, Anthony Racioppi, Meschack Elia, Jack Grealish's, Racioppi, Matheus Nunes, Loris Benito, Rico Lewis, City's Julian Alvarez, Grealish, Lori Ewing, Clare Fallon Organizations: Manchester City, Champions League, Swiss, Young Boys, Wednesday, TNT Sports, League, Boys, Ederson, Thomson Locations: Norwegian, Swiss

Gabriel Martinelli's late goal handed Arsenal a 1-0 win over defending champion Manchester City on Sunday, ending a 12-game losing streak in the league against Pep Guardiola's team in the process. City pipped Arsenal to the title by five points last term, in part by beating the Gunners 3-1 away and 4-1 at home. In fact, Arsenal had not taken a point against City in the league since 2017, its longest losing streak against a single opponent in club history. City as a team only had four shots in the game, its lowest total ever under Guardiola in a Premier League game. Newcastle was denied a fifth straight win in all competitions, including an 8-0 victory over Sheffield United in the league.

Persons: Gabriel Martinelli's, Pep Guardiola's, Mikel Arteta's, Martinelli, hadn't, Erling Haaland, Guardiola, ” Guardiola, Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kai Havertz, Martinelli —, Partey, Nathan Ake's, City's, Arteta, Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Lewis Dunk, Mohamed Salah, Van Dijk, Mac Allister, Simon Adingra, Alisson Becker, ”, Klopp, Alexander Isak, Germain, Mohammed Kudus, Isak, Tomas Soucek, Wolverhampton . Pau Torres, Hwang, Hee Chan, ___ Organizations: Emirates, Premier League, Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham, City, City pipped Arsenal, Gunners, Wembley, Rodri, Wolves, Bukayo, LIVERPOOL, Liverpool, Brighton, NEWCASTLE, WEST HAM, Paris Saint, Champions League, Man, English League, Newcastle, West, Sheffield United, Aston Villa, Premier League’s, Wolverhampton . Pau, Villa Locations: City pipped, City, Liverpool, West Ham

☆ Man Utd set for busy deadline day, Man City get Nunes over the line
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Aadi Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Turkish keeper Bayindir was signed for just 4.3 million pounds ($5.41 million), while Spanish left back Reguilon and Morocco midfielder Amrabat's signings are loan deals. Champions City, who have had a 100% start to the Premier League season and top the standings, added another midfielder to their squad with Nunes joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Earlier on Friday, 21-year-old winger Cole Palmer moved from Manchester City to Chelsea in a deal reportedly worth 40 million pounds. The transfer fee offered was reportedly 100 million pounds, with a further 50 million in add-ons. ($1 = 0.7946 pounds)Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Matheus Nunes, Peter Cziborra, Jonny Evans, Sergio Reguilon, Sofyan Amrabat, Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, Andre Onana, Bayindir, Evans, Nunes, Pep, Kevin De Bruyne, Fati, Tyrone Mings, Clement Lenglet, Cole Palmer, Mason Burstow, Mohamed Salah, Juergen Klopp, Salah, Joao Palhinha, Aadi Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion, Wolverhampton Wanderers, American Express, Manchester United, Altay Bayindir, Manchester City, United, Leicester City, Champions City, Premier League, Portugal, Barcelona, Brighton & Hove Albion, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Championship, Sunderland, Liverpool, Saudi Pro League, Al, Saudi, Bayern, Fulham, Thomson Locations: Brighton, Britain, United, Spanish, Reguilon, Morocco, Manchester, Ittihad, Egypt, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Germany, Bengaluru

☆ 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

☆ PSG, Dortmund, Milan, Newcastle in tough Champions League group
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MONACO, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain will kick off their quest for a maiden Champions League trophy in a strong Group F featuring Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Newcastle United following the draw on Thursday. PSG, AC Milan and Dortmund have crossed paths on multiple occasions in Europe's elite competition, but it is a tough welcome back to the Champions League for Newcastle, who will be playing in the tournament for the first time in 20 years. Record 14-times winners Real Madrid will play Serie A champions Napoli, Braga and Union Berlin in Group C."It will be difficult. Braga and Union Berlin will be two very competitive teams," Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno told Spanish media. The Champions League group stage will begin on Sept. 19 and conclude on Dec. 13.

Persons: Paris St Germain, Hans, Joachim Watzke, Pep, Emilio Butragueno, Harry Kane, Aadi Nair, Ed Osmond Organizations: MONACO, Paris St, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Newcastle United, PSG, Newcastle, Dortmund, Manchester, RB Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade, Young Boys, G, City, Real Madrid, Serie, Napoli, Braga, Union Berlin, Spanish, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, FC Copenhagen, Galatasaray, United, Bayern, England, Bundesliga, Inter Milan, Benfica, RB Salzburg, Real Sociedad, Europa League winners Sevilla, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven, RC Lens, Barcelona, Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Royal, H, Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid, Celtic, Dutch, London's Wembley, Thomson Locations: Paris, Dortmund, Leipzig, Napoli, Union Berlin, Royal Antwerp, Lazio, Bengaluru

☆ Wolves' Nunes set for Man City move, says O'Neil
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO-Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - January 4, 2023 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Nunes during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Molly Darlington/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 31 (Reuters) - Wolverhampton Wanderers' Portugal midfielder Matheus Nunes will be signing for Premier League champions Manchester City, the Midlands club's manager Gary O'Neil said on Thursday. According to reports in British media, the two clubs have reached an agreement on a fee of 53 million pounds ($67.07 million) for the 25-year-old. "The situation is resolved, he (Nunes) is signing for Manchester City," O'Neil told reporters ahead of Wolves' trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday. Nunes, who has 11 caps, moved to Wolves from Sporting last August for a club-record fee reported to be around 45 million euros ($48.78 million). Then a big club came calling and players want to play for Manchester City.

Persons: Matheus Nunes, Molly Darlington, Gary O'Neil, Kevin De Bruyne, Nunes, O'Neil, Aadi Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League, Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Villa, Portugal, Manchester City, Midlands, Belgium, Wolves, Sporting, City, Thomson Locations: Birmingham, Britain, Bengaluru

☆ No complacency for Man City after Super Cup win, says Newcastle's Howe
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Newcastle United - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - May 8, 2022 Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola after the match Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 18 (Reuters) - Pep Guardiola's Manchester City will not get complacent after winning the UEFA Super Cup as they return to Premier League action over the weekend against Newcastle United, manager Eddie Howe said on Friday. City beat Sevilla on penalties to win the Super Cup and add to last season's treble success. Howe said Guardiola's side will not rest on their laurels against a team looking to establish themselves as regular top four contenders. "They (City) went into a tough game and were desperate to win, you could see their reactions afterwards. "We want to become a top team consistently in the Premier League and to do that we have to have a clear identity and try to implement that on other teams."

Persons: Eddie Howe, Pep Guardiola, Jason Cairnduff, Pep, Howe, Guardiola, I've, We've, Lewis Hall, Rohith Nair, Toby Davis Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Etihad, UEFA, City, Sevilla, Newcastle, Chelsea, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, Athens, Bengaluru

☆ Timing could be right for Newcastle in big test at Man City
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Newcastle United face the first big test of their Premier League title aspirations on Saturday but the trip to champions Manchester City could be coming at the right time for the table-topping Magpies. "Thank you so much to the Premier League for letting us play on Saturday, and not on Sunday and Monday," Guardiola said sarcastically of the 72-hour turnaround from Wednesday's game. Newcastle have yet to win a Premier League match at The Etihad but the arrival of Italy's Sandro Tonali has boosted an already strong midfield featuring Brazil internationals Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton. Guimaraes explained on a Brazilian podcast last month how much he has hated playing City in the past, so good were their players. Liverpool are overwhelming favourites to win their first home league game of the season against Bournemouth on Saturday, a side they thumped 9-0 at Anfield last August to equal the Premier League record.

Persons: Pep, Kevin de Bruyne, Guardiola, Abu, Italy's Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Guimaraes, Erling Haaland, KANE, Harry Kane, Ange Postecoglou, Cristian Romero, Jurrien Timber, Mikel Arteta, Luton's, Vincent Kompany, Alan Baldwin, Ken Ferris Organizations: Newcastle United, Premier League, Manchester City, Magpies, Etihad, UEFA Super, Sevilla, Burnley, Aston Villa, Saudi, St James, City, Newcastle, Brazil, City's, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Spurs, Bayern Munich, Brentford, Arsenal, Crystal, London, Chelsea, West Ham United, Sunday, Fulham, Jurrien, Bournemouth, Anfield, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Brighton & Hove Albion, Everton, Kenilworth, Thomson Locations: Athens, Belgium, Abu Dhabi, Joelinton, Argentina, Liverpool

☆ Arsenal down Man City in shootout to win Community Shield
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Arsenal beat Manchester City 4-1 in a penalty shootout to win the Community Shield on Sunday and strike the first blow in this season's rivalry between the two clubs. It's a marker to know we can go and beat Man City in a big game when it matters," Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale told ITV. The win extended City's run of defeats in Community Shield matches, following losses to Liverpool last season and Leicester City in 2021. "We have to pick ourselves up and go again," City goalscorer Palmer told ITV. "Hopefully we can win the treble again but it will be a difficult ask.

Persons: Fabio Vieira, it's, Aaron Ramsdale, I'm, Kai Havertz, Stefan Ortega, Pep Guardiola's, John Stones, Striker Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer, Palmer, Ramsdale, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, Thomas Partey, Leandro Trossard, Kevin de Bruyne, Vieira, Pep, Aadi Nair, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Arsenal, Manchester City, Premier League, Wembley, City, Man City, ITV, Arsenal's, Manchester United, Community, Liverpool, Leicester City, Thomson Locations: Man, Bengaluru

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ Haaland holds no fear for Man Utd, says Varane
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 2 (Reuters) - Manchester United defender Raphael Varane said they do not fear Erling Haaland ahead of their FA Cup final showdown against Manchester City but acknowledged that their rivals pose a threat from every area of the pitch. The only team to have won the English tile, FA Cup and Champions League in the same season are United, who achieved the feat in 1999. Varane said nullifying playmaker Kevin De Bruyne would be key to stopping Haaland. De Bruyne finished the league season with 16 assists, half of which were for Haaland. As a defender, the connection (Haaland has) especially with De Bruyne - that kind of pass is complicated to defend, so we try to cut that connection.

Persons: Raphael Varane, Erling Haaland, Pep, Haaland, Varane, Kevin De Bruyne, De Bruyne, De, Erik, Rohith Nair, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Manchester United, FA, Manchester City, Premier League, Champions League, Inter Milan, United, Premier League Golden, League, Real Madrid, Thomson Locations: England, Norwegian, Bengaluru

☆ Everton survive as Leicester and Leeds are relegated on dramatic final day
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-28 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The Merseyside club's 69-year stay in the top flight was in peril at halftime as they were drawing 0-0 and 2016 champions Leicester were ahead against West Ham United. That combination of results meant Everton were in the relegation zone but Abdoulaye Doucoure's stunning 57th minute right-foot strike from outside the area earned Everton the victory they required. The final whistle prompted a pitch invasion with smoke from blue flares drifting across the old stadium that will host top-flight football again after another Everton escape. Everton ended in 17th place on 36 points after 38 games, with Leicester in 18th on 34 and Leeds on 31. EVERTON RELIEFThe celebrations at Everton were more of relief than pride as the famous old club once again found itself battling not for silverware but to avoid relegation.

loadingWhile Arteta and his players dismissed talk of "bottling" the title race, for their fans there is a crushing sense of what could have been. Arsenal were eight points clear two months ago and appeared to be heading towards bagging their first league title since Arsene Wenger's 2003-04 'Invincibles'. GUARDIOLA MIND GAMESBut the eight-point gap was an illusion as City always had games in hand while Guardiola played mind games, effusive in his praise of Arsenal and Arteta, his former assistant at City. Guardiola has seen his fair share of tense title races and even when Arsenal had three games to go, he gently applied more pressure. The master had outshone the apprentice as Guardiola's side marched to their fifth league title in six seasons.

☆ Manchester City: Pep Guardiola's side lays claim to being Premier League's greatest ever team
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —When all is said and done, it is looking increasingly likely that this iteration of Manchester City will go down as the greatest team in Premier League history. A 'Premier League Champions' banner is revealed outside Manchester City's stadium on Saturday. Catherine Ivill/Getty Images Europe/Getty ImagesIndeed, defender Rúben Dias recently called Guardiola the “main piece” of this City team. Back in February, the Premier League accused Manchester City of more than 100 breaches of the league’s finance rules and referred the club to an independent commission. The Premier League told CNN it had no comment to make on the issue, while Rosen said he wasn’t taking press inquiries.

☆ Arsenal pushed us but we capitalised on their 'hiccups', says Man City's Walker
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Arsenal pushed us right to the limit, they've been fantastic, so all credit to them. We just went on an incredible run, they had a few hiccups, we capitalised on it and we've managed to end up where we have," Walker told City's website. We're a bunch of lads who have achieved so much over the last number of years and we understand the standards we've set. "We wanted to prove anyone doubting us wrong - it wasn't good enough," Walker added. Certainly that's how it's been for the six years I've been here, so fair play to everyone involved."

☆ 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.

☆ Arsenal hopes crushed by Brighton as Man City on the brink of title
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

With relentless Manchester City winning at Everton in the earlier kickoff to move four points clear, long-time league leaders Arsenal knew only a victory would suffice. The result also moved Brighton up to sixth place with games in hand on the teams around them. City could even secure it before that if Arsenal lose against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. I don't think City are going to do too many mistakes now," Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard said. And there was a lethargy about Arsenal's play as Brighton sucked the life out of them with their measured passing game.

☆ Real Boss Ancelotti hopes to get mental edge over Man City at Bernabeu
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"We need to play a complete game tomorrow and be aware that the decisive match will be the second leg. So our aim is to travel to Manchester with a small advantage," Ancelotti told a press conference on Monday. "As for an advantage I mean it’s not only about the result, it’s attitude, the mental part of the game too. "If you play well, give trouble to your rival, put them in an uncomfortable position, it’s a mental advantage. "Manchester City didn't change their style to accommodate Haaland, they have more options vertically with him using long balls and a more direct approach," he said.

☆ Arteta's video nasty helped fire Arsenal to win at Newcastle
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEWCASTLE, England, May 7 (Reuters) - Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he played a video of his side's bitter defeat at Newcastle United a year ago before their vital 2-0 Premier League win at St James's Park on Sunday. He said the collective memory of what happened at Newcastle last year had been a massive motivation. The manager showed us the video of the documentary and we had a burning desire that it wouldn't be the same today." With City winning for the 10th league game in a row on Saturday to open a four-point lead, the pressure was piled on Arsenal ahead of the clash at Newcastle. "After dropping points against Man City, to win against Chelsea and then come here and win shows the mentality.

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