Manchester City
Review: Chelsea’s amazing title defence against Man City and co in WSL
Chelsea Women have defended the FA Women’s Super League title in a keenly-contested race with Manchester City, who finished runners-up for the fourth season running. After being crowned champions in 2019/20 under controversial circumstances, the Blues had a point to prove this time around. Title Run-In The Super League title run-in was always a two-horse race between the two best sides, Chelsea and Man City. Eventually, the London side’s 3-1 home victory in the direct encounter back in October 2020 made all the difference. Emma Hayes’ ladies wrapped up the league crown thanks to a slender two-point lead on second-placed City, having outclassed Reading 5-0 on the final matchday of the season. Both sides had suffered a single loss apiece, with Gareth Taylor’s team missing out on the title de...
Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona stars could beat Lewandowski for 2021 Ballon D’Or
The Ballon d’Or is arguably the most prestigious individual award in modern football, celebrating the beautiful game’s best player from the previous year. Now it is worth noting that the Ballon d’Or is not the be-all-and-end-all of football. It’s often biased towards those who shine in the Champions League. Media hype, big moments, and trophies won usually take precedence in the voting over individual performances. In fact, all Ballon dOr winners since 2007 has either won the Champions League or been the competition’s top goalscorer, and all since 2007 have reached at least the semi-finals stage. With no obvious standout, however, this summer’s international tournaments could be decisive. Lionel Messi and co. will compete in the Copa America, while Europe’s finest battle it out at the Euro...
Tottenham Hotspur’s one-word reaction as Man City clinch Premier League title
Manchester City have won the 2020-21 Premier League title after Manchester United suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands Leicester City this evening. Pep Guardiola’s side secured their fifth EPL title and their third title in four years under the Catalan, and they will be hoping to defend it next season. Tottenham Hotspur are the first Premier League side to send congratulatory message to Man City, reacting thus to their rivals’ triumph on Twitter: Congratulations, @ManCity 👏 — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 11, 2021 Spurs were not able to challenge for the title this term and are hoping to finish in the top-four in order to play Champions League football next season. The North Londoners parted ways with Jose Mourinho last month after the Portuguese spent just 17 months in char...
Gary Lineker reacts to Aguero’s Twitter post in eight words after Man City defeat vs Chelsea
Sergio Aguero has apologised on social networking site Twitter after Manchester City lost 2-1 against Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday. The Argentine striker, who is the club’s all-time highest goalscorer, is set to leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires. Aguero will definitely be remembered as one of the most decorated strikers in Premier League history. However, his shocking penalty miss at the Etihad Stadium was the central topic of discussion yesterday. City were leading 1-0 in first-half stoppage time, and a second goal would have secured the club’s fifth Premier League title. The former Atletico Madrid striker was given the ball to score from the spot after Billy Gilmour fouled Gabriel Jesus inside the penalty area. However, Aguero’s att...
Tactical Analysis: How Chelsea halted Manchester City’s Premier League title party
Just over three weeks after their FA Cup semi-final success, Chelsea faced Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, with the hosts having the chance to seal the Premier League title with a victory. The two sides were fresh after midweek Champions League semi-final successes – against Paris Saint-Germain for City and Real Madrid for Chelsea – but with wholesale changes to the line-ups (nine for City and five for Chelsea), this was no dress rehearsal. Psychologically, though, this was a significant battle, and Chelsea came away with a crucial win (for their top-four hopes, too) after going a goal down in the first half. The match was filled with plenty of controversies, but we will strictly restrict ourselves to focusing on the tactical aspects of the clash. Manchester City in poss...
UEFA ‘seriously considering’ switching Champions League final to Wembley
Europe’s governing body, UEFA, are reported to be ‘seriously considering’ switching the upcoming Champions League final to Wembley, the clash set to be an all-English affair. At present, the final is set to be played in Turkey’s capital Istanbul, at Ataturk Olympic Stadium, the arena having already missed out on hosting the showpiece last season due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the last phase of the knockout stage having been moved to Portugal. However, despite missing out on hosting last year’s final, they could well be set to suffer the same fate this term, amid calls to move the final to England, after both Manchester City and Chelsea progressed from their semi-final encounters with Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, respectively. With an all-English final on the way, it seemingly makes ...
Key Leeds duo on the bench, Spurs star keeps place, Blues midfielder ruled out
The 35th round of fixtures in the Premier League features some crucial matches at both ends of the EPL table. We’ll update this story with reports, results, highlights and the latest Premier League standings throughout the weekend. The action got underway on Friday evening as Leicester City went head-to-head with Newcastle United at the King Power Stadium. The Magpies upset the odds with a superb 4-2 victory – Callum Wilson (2), Joe Willock and Paul Dummett got the goals. Leeds United ran out comfortable 3-1 winners at home to Tottenham Hotspur – Stuart Dallas, Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo were on the scoresheet. Christian Benteke and Eberechi Eze were on target as Crystal Palace triumphed 2-0 at Sheffield United. Manchester City will have to wait to clinch the title after losing 2-1 at hom...
Manchester City boss reacts to Sergio Aguero’s penalty miss vs Chelsea
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has reacted to Sergio Aguero’s shocking penalty miss during Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at the Etihad on Saturday. Man City took the lead through Raheem Sterling in the first half and Aguero shockingly missed the opportunity to give the home side a 2-0 lead before the half time whistle. The Argentine attempted a Panenka penalty but the chipped effort lacked conviction and was comfortably saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Chelsea came back very strong in the second, putting up an impressive display that gave them 2 goals from Hakim Ziyech and Marcos Alonso. With the win, the Blues delayed Manchester City’s Premier League title celebrations and also gave the west London outfit a psychological advantage ahead of the Champions League fina...
Sergio Aguero apologises after embarrassing penalty miss vs Chelsea
Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero has issued an apology for his penalty miss against Chelsea. Aguero made a hash of his Panenka effort on Saturday, spooning the kick straight into the arms of Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. It was a surprising slip from the usually unerring Argentine, but it was in keeping with a torrid season for the Premier League leaders from 12 yards out and contributed to a 2-1 defeat that prevented City from claiming the title. City boss Pep Guardiola refused to criticise the forward following the game, but Aguero has taken to Twitter to issue an apology. “I would like to apologise to my team-mates, staff and supporters for missing the penalty,” Aguero wrote. “It was a bad decision and I take full responsibility.” Aguero’s Panenka nightmare was the fourth penal...
Mark Lawrenson states his prediction for Manchester City vs Chelsea
BBC Football expert Mark Lawrenson has stated his prediction for Saturday’s Premier League clash between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium. The Cityzens and Blues booked their spots in the final of the Champions League in midweek after aggregate wins over Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. Before the final on May 29, they will face a dress rehearsal in the league tomorrow, but the match has significance for both clubs for different reasons. The Cityzens need a maximum of two points to secure a third league title in four seasons, and they will be aiming to get the job done against the Blues. Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel’s side are yet to cement their top-four place in the league despite their sublime run of form in recent months. The Blues are three points ahead of fifth-place...
European Super League clubs set to be given hefty fine by Premier League
The Premier League plans to punish the six clubs that attempted to break away and form a new European Super League with a substantial fine, reports the Telegraph. On April 18, it was announced that 12 of Europe’s biggest clubs had planned to break away from the Champions League and form a new European Super League. The clubs involved were Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan. Florentino Perez and Andrea Agnelli were at the heart of the negotiations The idea was met with widespread outrage from the footballing world. Fans gathered outside grounds to protest, while top players and pundits were critical of the idea. Some of the game’s governing bodies threatened bans for ...
Eden Hazard apologises to Real Madrid fans for laughing after Champions League exit
Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard has apologised for laughing with Chelsea players after his side were knocked out of the Champions League semi-finals. The former Chelsea man, 30, was seen joking and smiling with his former team-mates at the final whistle. Hazard said on Instagram it was “not my intention to offend Real Madrid fans”. Hazard was substituted before full-time after failing to have an impact on the game, which the Spanish giants lost 2-0 as Chelsea progressed 3-1 on aggregate. Hazard, who left Stamford Bridge in 2019, has received much criticism from Real Madrid fans and the Spanish media, with some calling for him to be transferred. Hazard helped Chelsea, who will face Manchester City in an all-English Champions League final, to two Premier League and two Europa League trophies...
