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☆ 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.

☆ 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."

☆ 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.

☆ 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.

☆ 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.

☆ 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 face Leeds with points vital for very different reasons
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The pair were also brought in to try to save their teams from the threat of relegation this season. The match is a departure from the usual rules that ban the TV screening of live games on Saturday afternoon. Watching avidly no doubt will be everyone at Arsenal, hoping Leeds can do them an unlikely favour as the Gunners cling to the fading hope of their first league title since 2004. A loss at third-placed Newcastle coupled with a City win over Leeds would all but end Arsenal's title challenge. They are third with 65 points, six ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool, who have played a game more.

☆ More to come from record-breaking Haaland, says Guardiola
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 3 (Reuters) - Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has broken several records this season but the Norway international still wants to improve his game, manager Pep Guardiola said. Haaland on Sunday became the first player in England's top flight to score 50 goals in all competitions in a season since Tom Waring did so for Aston Villa in 1931. The 22-year-old is level with Alan Shearer and Andy Cole for a record-equalling haul of 34 goals in a Premier League campaign and Guardiola said there is more to come from the former Borussia Dortmund striker. "Always I said many times with Erling the future will be tough because you compare what he's done," Guardiola told reporters on Tuesday. "If he doesn't score the goals like he's scoring the people will say he's in a bad situation but he can still improve.

☆ 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.

☆ Man City have 'the mental strength' in home stretch, says Guardiola
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 2 (Reuters) - Manchester City have the mental strength to endure their packed schedule in the final stretch of the season as they target a possible treble of trophies, manager Pep Guardiola said on Tuesday. Everything is here, the mental strength, the best period we can live and we are not tired. I'm pretty sure he'll score more in the Premier League before the end of the season," Guardiola added. It is a surprise for us, but maybe not for him to do what he's done in this difficult league. Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Rampant Man City crush Arsenal with De Bruyne double
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Pep Guardiola's relentless side ran riot as they made it 12 successive league wins against Arsenal with a masterful Kevin De Bruyne scoring twice and Erling Haaland also on target as City seized control of their destiny. De Bruyne fired City ahead in the seventh minute and City bombarded Arsenal's goal before John Stones deservedly doubled their lead with a header in first half stoppage time. Guardiola's City, who have trailed Arsenal for almost the entire season, will go top if they beat Fulham at the weekend. City sensed Arsenal's fragility and went for the jugular, tearing through the visitors lines at will. Haaland then forced another sharp save from Ramsdale before Arsenal finally threatened with Thomas Partey shooting narrowly wide.

☆ Guardiola says destiny finally in Manchester City's hands
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MANCHESTER, England, April 26 (Reuters) - Manchester City wrestled control of the Premier League title race from Arsenal with a 4-1 thumping in their top-of-table clash on Wednesday, to the thrill of manager Pep Guardiola, who said destiny was finally in his team's hands. "The threat, Kevin-Erling, Erling-Kevin is so, so important," Guardiola said. Manchester City are also chasing the treble having booked their berths in both the FA Cup final and Champions League semi-finals. Asked whether he considers City one of the best teams in any league, Guardiola said: "If we play like today we are an incredible, competitive team. The biggest compliment, Guardiola added, is that Manchester City, who are chasing their third consecutive Premier League title, are always in the thick of it at the end of the season.

☆ 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.

☆ Soccer Mahrez hopes hat-trick will keep him at forefront of Guardiola's plans
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 23 - Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez is hoping that his historic hat-trick against Sheffield United in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final will keep him in coach Pep Guardiola's starting line-up in future games. "When you get an opportunity you have to prove to the coach that you deserve to play." Mahrez, 32, did not feature in either of City's Champions League quarter-final games against Bayern Munich, when Guardiola's team won 4-1 on aggregate. City, who are chasing a hat-trick of titles this season, will face either arch-rivals Manchester United or Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup final on June 3. Editing by Ahmed Mostafa, Osama Khairy and Clare FallonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ 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 'exhausted' ahead of FA Cup semi-final, says Guardiola
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 20 (Reuters) - Manchester City players are exhausted ahead of their FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United at Wembley this weekend, manager Pep Guardiola said, after his side knocked Bayern Munich out of the Champions League on Wednesday. Guardiola's side are also in the hunt for the Premier League title, sitting four points behind leaders Arsenal with a game in hand. "The team is exhausted, so I don't know how we are going to recover to play against Sheffield United because we play on Saturday," Guardiola told BT Sport. "It's so demanding, so I don't know how we will arrive because now is a tough moment for the game on Saturday." Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Title-chasing Arsenal seek home comforts against Southampton
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

With an FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United on Saturday, Manchester City's next league game is Wednesday's potential title-decider at home to Arsenal. Arteta said his players must put all thoughts of the looming trip to the Etihad out of their minds until after the Southampton game. Newcastle have 56 points from 30 games with Spurs three points worse off having played a game more. Leicester, who appointed Dean Smith as interim manager last week, have 25 points from 31 games, with Southampton on 23 points and in danger of being marooned. Third-bottom Nottingham Forest (27 points), who are without a win in 10 league games, visit Liverpool on Saturday.

☆ Manchester City reach Champions League semis with 1-1 draw at Bayern
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Soccer Football - Champions League - Quarter Final - Second Leg - Bayern Munich v Manchester City - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - April 19, 2023 Manchester City's Erling Braut Haaland celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates REUTERS/Heiko BeckerMUNICH, Germany, April 19 (Reuters) - Manchester City drew 1-1 at Bayern Munich on Wednesday to cruise into the Champions League semi-finals with a 4-1 aggregate win that moved them a step closer to an elusive first title in the competition. City forward Erling Haaland, who had missed a first-half penalty, made amends in the 57th minute, drilling in his 48th goal in all competitions this season to kill off the tie. Losing finalists in 2021, Pep Guardiola's team had a 3-0 advantage from the first leg and soaked up considerable Bayern pressure before Haaland's goal. City will next play holders Real Madrid in the last four. Reporting by Karolos Grohmann Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Jittery Arsenal losing their grip with summit in sight
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Perhaps then the enormity of what was looming on the horizon -- a first league title since 2004 -- began to sink in. Liverpool roared back to draw 2-2 and were unlucky not to claim all three points as Arsenal visibly shrank. But Arsenal have offered up the sort of gifts that Pep Guardiola's ruthless side are unlikely to reciprocate as they seek a fifth Premier League title in six seasons. GAME MANAGEMENTArteta's face at the final whistle said it all and he knows that Arsenal have lost control of the title race. "There is a moment where you could go 3-1 up after 50 minutes and probably the game is over.

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