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☆ Haaland breaks Premier League record as Man City reclaim top spot
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

West Ham remain in trouble in 15th place, four points above the relegation zone. West Ham, hampered by the absence of midfielders Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek, defended valiantly with the colossal Angelo Ogbonna heading away cross after cross. West Ham still looked capable of adding a twist to the title script until Grealish released Haaland for his milestone moment. Foden then put the icing on his side's ninth successive league win with the 1,000th goal in Guardiola's City reign. As well as five league games left, City are in the semi-finals of the Champions League and FA Cup final.

☆ Arsenal desperate to hold off City charge in title showdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Arsenal still have a five-point lead with six games to play but City have two matches in hand and look irresistible having collected 25 points from the last 27 on offer. According to statistician Simon Gleave of data company Gracenote, Arsenal's draw with Southampton left them with a 21% chance of dethroning City, while Pep Guardiola's side now have a 79% probability of finishing top. "I cannot wait, these are the games you want to play," Arteta said in the wake of Friday's draw. Arsenal have lost their last seven meetings with City in all competitions and have not won at City in the league since 2015. City have chipped away at Arsenal's lead while also progressing to the semi-finals of the Champions League and on Saturday reached the FA Cup final after easing past Sheffield United in third gear.

☆ Manchester City cruises into FA Cup final with 3-0 victory over Sheffield United
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Manchester City’s treble hopes remain alive after defeating Sheffield United 3-0 in the FA Cup semifinal, thanks to a hattrick from Riyad Mahrez. Still, City is one of the best teams in Europe while Sheffield United is fighting for promotion in England’s second tier – the Championship – but it was not an entirely one-sided game. And then five minutes later, he had a hattrick – the first in an FA Cup semifinal since 1958 – latching onto Jack Grealish’s cross and making no mistake with the finish. “It feels very good (to score a hat-trick),” Mahrez told ITV afterwards. It’s a good team achievement and we took the game seriously.”City will face either Manchester United or Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup final on June 3.

☆ Mahrez hat-trick sends Man City into FA Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/5] Soccer Football - FA Cup - Semi Final - Manchester City v Sheffield United - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - April 22, 2023 Sheffield United's Wes Foderingham looks dejected after Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez scores their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason CairnduffLONDON, April 22 (Reuters) - Riyad Mahrez scored a hat-trick as Manchester City snapped their losing streak in FA Cup semi-finals with a 3-0 stroll over second-tier Sheffield United at Wembley on Saturday. Championship promotion hopefuls United began brightly and frustrated City for most of the first half but Mahrez fired City ahead from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute. It was the first FA Cup semi-final hat-trick since Alex Dawson for Manchester United against Fulham in 1958. City have not conceded a goal and scored 17 in reaching their 12th FA Cup final in which they could face Manchester United in what would be the showpiece's first Manchester clash. "It is an honour to be in the FA Cup final on 3 June.

☆ City's Haaland on the same level as Messi, Ronaldo - Guardiola
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SOUTHAMPTON, England, April 9 (Reuters) - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said striker Erling Haaland is of the same calibre as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo after the Norwegian international scored twice in Saturday's 4-1 Premier League victory at Southampton. Haaland scored on a header and remarkable bicycle kick, taking his tally to 44 goals in all competitions this season, with 30 of those coming in the Premier League. His total is now tied for the most ever by a Premier League player in all competitions in a single campaign, equalling Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2002-03 and Mohamed Salah in 2017-18. "We have lived two incredible decades with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but he is on that level," Guardiola told the BBC on Saturday. The 22-year-old, who joined City from Borussia Dortmund, is now four short of the record of 34 goals in a Premier League season set by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole.

☆ Man City cruise to win over Saints, Newcastle maintain top-four push
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-08 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

loadingLeaders Arsenal play Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday where the London side seek a first league win since 2012. Manchester United maintained their top-four pursuit while at the bottom there were vital victories for Bournemouth and West Ham United. Leicester City's plight worsened as the 2015-16 Premier League champions suffered a seventh defeat in eight league games as they lost 1-0 at home to Bournemouth to stay 19th. Newcastle's fifth consecutive win moved them up to 56 points from 29 games -- the same as Manchester United who beat Everton 2-0 in Saturday's early kickoff. SON MILESTONETottenham's Son Heung-min scored his 100th Premier League goal with a sublime 10th-minute curler -- the first Asian player to reach that milestone.

☆ 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.

☆ 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.

☆ Kane on target again as England ease past Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Ukraine had their moments and enjoyed some pressure after the interval but never really looked capable of claiming only a second victory over England in 10 attempts. It took them a while to get going, however, as Ukraine comfortably kept the hosts at bay for most of the first half. Kane, who was presented with a golden boot beforehand, missed two routine chances, fluffing a close-range volley and then prodding an inviting Maddison delivery over. The 21-year-old has now had a hand in 10 goals in his last 16 games for England in all competitions. Their next game will be against North Macedonia in June while England are away in Malta next.

☆ Manchester City Rolls Over Arsenal and Takes Charge of the Premier League Race
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Jack Grealish celebrates after scoring during Manchester City’s 3-1 victory over Arsenal. Barely a week after the Premier League accused Manchester City of more than 100 breaches of its rules on spending, the most expensively assembled team in Premier League history took control of the title race. Manchester City, with an all-star squad worth more than a billion dollars, returned to the top of the standings on Wednesday night with a swaggering 3-1 victory at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. Though Arsenal is only in second place due to its lower goal differential—and has played one less game than City—the result immediately felt like a turning point in the season.

☆ 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."

☆ Kane's record-breaking goal seals Tottenham win over Man City
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-05 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 5, 2023 Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane scores their first goal past Manchester City's Ederson and becomes Tottenham Hotspur's all time top goalscorer REUTERS/David KleinLONDON, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Manchester City's bid to chop Arsenal's Premier League lead to two points was scuppered as Harry Kane's record-breaking goal earned Tottenham Hotspur a 1-0 win over the champions on Sunday. Kane's 15th-minute effort punished some sloppy City passing and made him the north London club's all-time top goalscorer with 267, taking him past former great Jimmy Greaves whose record had stood since 1970. Tottenham then withstood a late City siege with some tenacious defending to clinch a third win in four league games over Pep Guardiola's side. Tottenham, whose manager Antonio Conte was absent after having surgery to remove his gallbladder, are fifth on 39 points from 22 games, one behind Newcastle United. "Sooner or later it is going to change, but it is strange we haven't scored one goal," Guardiola said of City's troubles with Tottenham.

☆ Chelsea smash British transfer record to sign Benfica's Fernandez
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Chelsea announced the signing of Enzo Fernandez from Benfica on Wednesday after days of complex negotiations between the clubs to secure the Argentina midfielder for a British transfer record 106.8 million pounds ($131.46 million). Premier League club Chelsea announced the signing on Wednesday 1000 GMT via a video on Twitter, which showed a clip of a clock ticking down, making a reference to race against time to sign the World Cup winner. It takes Chelsea's transfer spending in January alone to close to 300 million pounds and to more than 500 million pounds since last May's takeover by an investment group led by American Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. His fee eclipses the 100 million pounds Manchester City paid Aston Villa for England midfielder Jack Grealish in 2021. On Tuesday, Chelsea sold experienced midfielder Jorginho to Premier League leaders Arsenal for 12 million pounds.

☆ Enzo Fernandez: Chelsea sign midfielder in £106.8m British-record transfer deal from Benfica
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Chelsea had been in talks to sign the World Cup winner throughout January, but Benfica had refused to do business unless the Blues paid his €120m release clause. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesChelsea have signed midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Benfica for a British-record £106.8m. The deal for the Argentine surpasses the £100m Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish from Aston Villa 18 months ago. But Chelsea agreed a deal of €121m at 9.15pm on Deadline Day after 12 hours of talks led by Chelsea's co-owner Behdad Eghbali from London. Fernandez will help to replace Jorginho, who joined Chelsea's London rivals Arsenal on Deadline Day in a £12m deal.

☆ Rashford fires Man United into title race, Liverpool lose again
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( Peter Hall | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

England forward Rashford completed the turnaround eight minutes from time to score for the seventh successive match in all competitions, the first United player to do so since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008. City were furious the goal was awarded after a VAR review, with Rashford initially flagged offside before letting Fernandes take the shot ahead of him. We'll celebrate a big win but from tomorrow our focus has to be on the next game." Brighton picked up their first home league victory against Liverpool since January 1961 as they climbed above their opponents into seventh. The same players played outstanding football matches before but if things aren't properly organised then it can look like that.

☆ I make fake snow for films like 'Fantastic Beasts.' It's fun to make but painstaking to clean up — now I never look at winter movies the same.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Jem Bartholomew | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Jon Llewellyn works at Snow Business International, a company that produces fake snow. I work at Snow Business International, where we make fake snow for all kinds of movie sets and more. There's a lot of secrecy around Christmas TV ads in the UKPeople talk, so we use code names to muddy the water. Jon LlewellynRecently, we cleaned up this entire area of fake snow on a shoot in Ireland. But it's funny because I thought it looked a bit unrealistic on the cars, even though it was real snow.

☆ Man City squad depth makes the difference at Chelsea
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( William Schomberg | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Within three minutes, Grealish sent in a pinpoint cross for Mahrez to win the match for City. The victory at Stamford Bridge, against an injury-hit and out-of-form Chelsea, moved City to within five points of Arsenal who failed to pierce Newcastle United's defence on Tuesday in a 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium. Despite the array of top-name stars at his disposal, Guardiola heaped most praise on 18-year-old Rico Lewis who came off the bench at halftime to replace wing back Joao Cancelo and helped turn the game in City's favour. "This young boy has the ability and quality to not just play good, but to make his mates better. He said Mount might be available to face Manchester City on Sunday in the FA Cup and hoped Pulisic's injury was not too serious.

☆ Mahrez earns City win at Chelsea to narrow gap with Arsenal
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Second-half substitute Riyad Mahrez earned Manchester City a 1-0 win at Chelsea on Thursday to move to within five points of leaders Arsenal in the Premier League. Mahrez got on the end of a perfectly placed cross from fellow sub Jack Grealish in the 63rd minute after 2022 champions City upped the tempo following a lacklustre first half from the visitors. Graham Potter's Chelsea, stranded in unaccustomed 10th place after some poor performances and a series of injuries, suffered more bad luck, losing former City forward Raheem Sterling and U.S. international Christian Pulisic to injury within the first 22 minutes. Their replacements and later young subs fought hard against a powerful City side and had some bright moments with 19-year-old Carney Chukwuemeka hitting the post in the first half but could not get past an experienced defence. Reporting by Clare Lovell, editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Haaland scores twice as Man City cruise past Leeds
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Peter Hall | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LEEDS, England, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Erling Haaland continued his incredible season in front of goal with a brace to help Manchester City cruise to a 3-1 victory at Leeds United on Wednesday, ensuring the champions closed the gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal to five points. It appeared City would go into the interval frustrated, before Spanish midfielder Rodri finally made one count in first half stoppage time, firing home after another Meslier save. The victory helped second-placed City move back to within five points Arsenal at the top of the standings, while Leeds stay 15th, two points clear of the relegation zone. "I have a (goal) target but I cannot say it," Haaland told Amazon. Leeds boss Jesse Marsch felt the timing of the goals his side conceded were their undoing.

☆ World Cup 2022 - England 1-2 France: Harry Kane misses late penalty as Olivier Giroud heads defending champions into semifinals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Peter Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

France celebrates after beating England the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final match in Al Khor on Dec. 10, 2022. But ultimately it was a penalty that caused England World Cup heartbreak again. England players console each other after losing to France in the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final match in Al Khor on Dec. 10, 2022. How England's World Cup dream ended It was a dramatic ending to this epic first-ever knockout clash between these sides. Harry Maguire of England and Olivier Giroud of France clash during a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match on Dec. 10, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar.

☆ England's subs can be key against France, says Hoddle
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - England's depth on the substitutes bench could tip the balance in their favour in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against France, according to former manager Glenn Hoddle. But Hoddle, who led England at the France 1998 tournament, says England's ability to make attacking changes when things get tight could be the key to the outcome. It could be a game that England have to come back into, which is something they've not experienced yet. While England's depth is underlined by the fact that they have had eight different scorers so far, France possess arguably the greatest match-winner in Kylian Mbappe. "They've got the most outstanding player of the tournament in Kylian Mbappe, and England are going to have to stop him."

DOHA, Dec 8 (Reuters) - All eyes will be on Kylian Mbappe once again as France take on England in a mouthwatering World Cup quarter-final clash but the defending champions must hope their lack of options from the bench will not be exposed on Saturday. WALKER v MBAPPEOne of the strengths that has emerged through the tournament is England’s depth. Their tally of 12 goals – equalling their World Cup best set from three more matches in 2018 – has been achieved via eight players. While the goalscorers grab the headlines, Southgate made sure he complimented his defenders after the last 16 match as his side chalked up a third successive World Cup clean sheet for the first time in 20 years. One thing that should be a given is that England will not be overawed by the occasion after their recent runs to the last four of the 2018 World Cup and final of Euro 2020.

☆ World Cup 2022 top goal scorer: who could win Golden Boot?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Dec 1 (Reuters) - The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is nearing its knockout phase. England's captain Harry Kane bagged the prize in the 2018 edition of the World Cup in Russia, where he scored six goals and led his team to the semi-finals. MARCUS RASHFORDSoccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group B - Wales v England - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - November 29, 2022 England's Marcus Rashford with manager Gareth Southgate after being substituted REUTERS/Hannah MckayThe England striker has enjoyed a dream start to his World Cup campaign in Qatar. BRUNO FERNANDESSoccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group H - Portugal v Uruguay - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - November 28, 2022 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes celebrate after the match REUTERS/Kai PfaffenbachPortugal's run in the World Cup in Qatar so far has been overshadowed by controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo and his acrimonious departure from Manchester United. WORLD CUP TOP GOAL SCORER 2022: GOLDEN BOOT STANDINGS** Stats as of Nov. 30Compiled by Siddharth K in Bengaluru; Editing by Milla NissiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ England suffer reality check in 0-0 draw with U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

AL KHOR, Qatar, Nov 25 (Reuters) - England suffered a sobering reality check as they were outplayed for long periods by a youthful United States side in a tense 0-0 draw in their second World Cup Group B game on Friday. A 6-2 thrashing of Iran on Monday sent fans' hopes soaring but Gareth Southgate's side were fortunate not to suffer a repeat of their 1950 World Cup calamity against the Americans. England captain Harry Kane sent a late header wide that would have given England a first World Cup win over the U.S. at the third attempt but it would have been a travesty. "Wasn't the best performance for sure," Kane, who remains two behind Wayne Rooney's England record 53 goals, said. Haji Wright, the only change to Gregg Berhalter's line-up from the opening draw with Wales, headed wide and England had a huge let-off when McKennie half-volleyed over.

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