Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp insists his side produced a "top performance in all departments" in the thrilling 4-3 home win over Tottenham Hotspur and praises Diogo Jota's match-winning goal.
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Sunday, April 30, 2023
Ryan Mason says Diogo Jota ‘shouldn’t have been on the pitch’ to score late winner for Liverpool against Tottenham
Tottenham interim boss Ryan Mason was left furious after Diogo Jota escaped a red card before scoring Liverpool’s late winner.
Liverpool beat Spurs 4-3 at Anfield having been 3-0 up after just 15 minutes thanks to goals from Curtis Jones, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah.
From there, the away side rallied and after Harry Kane and Son Heung-min reduced the deficit, Richarlison equalised in injury time with his first ever Premier League goal for Tottenham.
But just 99 seconds later, Jota latched on to a poor back pass from Lucas Moura to win the the game in the 94th minute.
However, the forward was lucky to be on the pitch having kicked Oliver Skipp in the head, with the midfielder requiring stitches, but was only shown a yellow card.
‘Probably one of the clearest red cards I’ve seen on Oliver Skipp. I have to be careful what I see but ultimately that’s an impossible one to miss,’ Mason told Sky Sports.
‘When you talk about endangering an opponent, to draw blood from a stud when his head is 5ft in the air just baffles me. That type of decision is the difference between winning the game or not.
‘For me it’s tough to understand and I’d like an explanation. I see it in real time and you have a feel for those sort of moments. The VAR official has a replay. I’m devastated about today because of the way the game went.’
He later told the BBC: ‘It endangered the opponent, Skipp needs stitches and Jota has scored the goal when he shouldn’t be on the pitch.
‘I need an explanation, I want to know why the referee on the pitch didn’t see it, but also why an experienced one in the VAR room can’t.
‘It’s hard to justify how that isn’t a red card. It ticks all the boxes for dangerous play so it’s hard to understand why. There’s no positives right now because we’ve lost, there’s anger and disappointment.’
Jota himself was asked about the incident by BBC MOTD and conceded: ‘It’s not a great tackle. I also touched the ball.
‘I also think he gets his head down. It’s just brave from him. Unfortunately it’s a foot in the face. I saw the ref could see I didn’t mean it and it’s just football.
‘A big moment for me and the team. Scoring a last-minute winner is always a day to remember. For all the people involved here it will be a special game.’
The result means that Liverpool have now leapfrogged Tottenham into fifth in the table, with Spurs winning just one of their last seven games.
MORE : ‘Set up a direct debit to the fans!’ – Gary Neville slams Tottenham duo after loss at Liverpool
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Rangers 0-1 Celtic: Highlights as Jota earns his side a semi-final place
Watch highlights of Celtic's Scottish Cup semi-final victory over Rangers courtesy of Jota's first-half header.
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Bruno Fernandes ‘still hurting’ from FA Cup semi-final injury but ready to play through the pain barrier for Man Utd
Bruno Fernandes is playing through the pain barrier to help Manchester United secure a top four finish, admitting he is still feeling the effects of an injury suffered in the FA Cup semi-final.
The Portugal international has turned in two superb performances this week against Tottenham and Aston Villa, scoring the winner in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Unai Emery’s side.
Last Sunday, the 28-year-old suffered what appeared to be an ankle injury in the first-half of the semi-final clash with Brighton at Wembley. Fernandes was able to carry on before he was finally replaced in 101th minute as United secured victory on penalties.
The following day, Fernandes was pictured with a protective boot and crutches with reports suggesting he would miss the midweek clash at Tottenham only to play the full 90 minutes in London and again on Sunday against Villa.
The midfielder has been ever-present in Erik ten Hag’s Premier League line-up, missing one game through suspension last October having played every other available minute of top flight football.
While he is still nursing the injury suffered last week, Fernandes insists he will always strive to be available.
‘I am happy to never be in a condition where I can’t play games,’ Fernandes said after the 1-0 win at Old Trafford.
‘I had a knock in the semi-final that is still hurting a little bit but I can play, I can still help the team and when the manager needs me I will be available for the team to help.
‘It is important for me to play as much as I can but obviously I want to be in the best condition, try not to get ill, eat healthily enough to be in the best condition to play every game.’
With Harry Maguire not in the side, Fernandes has been United’s regular captain this season but faced criticism over his suitability for the role following the 7-0 defeat to Liverpool last month.
Having praised his performance against Villa, one that leaves United in a commanding position to secure a top four finish, Erik ten Hag fired back at his skipper’s critics.
‘He’s so tough. A couple of weeks ago there was questions about his captaincy. It’s crazy because he’s such a big leader, by example,’ ten Hag said.
‘He gives so much energy to the team besides his smartness. But also his determination, his passion and his resilience, so I think we as a team are so happy.
‘We need such players if you want to win games, if you want to win trophies.’
MORE : Erik ten Hag responds to Manchester United supporter protests against the Glazers
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Paris St-Germain 1-3 Lorient: Achraf Hakimi sees red as leaders PSG lose at home to Lorient
Lorient stun 10-man Paris St-Germain as the hosts fall to their ninth defeat in all competitions in 2023.
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Saturday, April 29, 2023
Shkodran Mustafi says Arsenal have ‘already won a title’ this season
Former Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi says the Gunners have ‘already won a title’ this season despite the club looking destined to finish second.
The Gunners were eight points clear at the top of the Premier League earlier in the campaign but a late capitulation has put Manchester City back in control.
Arsenal have failed to record a victory in their last four top-flight matches and lost 4-1 at City last time out, who are now two points behind with two games in hand.
Unless there is a late twist, it seems Mikel Arteta’s team will end the season without any silverware having crashed out of every other competition this term.
But ex-Arsenal centre-back Mustafi says his old club being back in the Champions League for the first time in seven years next term is the same as winning a title.
The 31-year-old went as far to say that the progress Arsenal have made this season even tops Leicester City winning the Premier League at odds of 5000-1 in 2016.
‘Arsenal haven’t played in the Champions League since Arsene Wenger left the club,’ Mustafi told Sky Germany.
‘In my view, the positive development that the club have gone through under Arteta is almost more important than winning the league just once and then not being able to build on it, like Leicester City did after winning the title in 2016.
‘I think Arsenal have already won a title in which they play in the Champions League again next year because that’s where the club belongs.
‘Of course, Arsenal want to win the league after a season like the current one. But the goal will be to play at the top for the next few years and not just win the Premier League once.’
Arsenal return to action on Tuesday when they face Chelsea at the Emirates.
MORE : Mikel Arteta changes Arsenal transfer priorities following Manchester City defeat
MORE : Pep Guardiola says Arsenal should be delighted with finishing second
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Crystal Palace 4-3 West Ham: Roy Hodgson 'the great entertainer' leading Palace to safety
After Crystal Palace all but secured their Premier League status with victory in a seven-goal thriller against West Ham, has Roy Hodgson returned as the "great entertainer"?
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Real Madrid 4-2 Almeria: Karim Benzema hits hat-trick as second-placed Real seal home win
Karim Benzema's hat-trick against Almeria sees him pass Hugo Sanchez as the fourth-highest scorer in La Liga history with 236 goals.
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Gary Neville makes ‘surprise’ prediction about Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino
Gary Neville is confident Chelsea are capable of ‘causing a big surprise’ next season and has backed Todd Boehly’s decision to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as the club’s new manager.
The Argentine is set for a return to management following his sacking by Paris Saint-Germain nearly a year ago.
Pochettino will inherit a club and a squad in a state of disarray following an unprecedented spending spree that has created a situation that has been impossible to manage for the likes of Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Frank Lampard this season.
The Blues are currently languishing in mid-table obscurity and in the midst of a five-game losing streak ahead of Tuesday’s visit to Arsenal.
Lampard has failed to steady the ship following his own return to Stamford Bridge but Neville believes he saw enough in a goalless draw against Liverpool earlier this month, when the team was coached by Potter’s assistant Bruno Saltor, to suggest a competent, experienced manager would be capable of overseeing a quick turnaround in fortunes.
The former Manchester United defender admitted he championed Pochettino’s cause when the Old Trafford hotseat was vacant last summer and is confident Chelsea have eventually stumbled on the right man to take the club forwards.
He told The Overlap: ‘Chelsea played Liverpool and there was something in that game that you saw in that collection of players and you thought they could be brought together by a talented coach.
‘Pochettino I think is a really talented coach and I think Chelsea next year could really cause a surprise, just by Pochettino bringing the club together because he will. He’s likeable and the players will respect him enormously.
‘He’s worked at PSG and worked with big players, worked at Tottenham, worked at Southampton where he did a great job.
‘I think he’ll do a very, very good job next season and he’ll cover a lot of the stuff that’s going on behind the scenes. Those players are perfect for Pochettino. Talented, young but just needing direction.
‘I wanted Pochettino and United, that’s not to say I didn’t want Erik ten Hag. It was close and I’m happy we’ve got Ten Hag I think he’s done brilliantly well but Pochettino is a top coach who I’d be happy having at my club.’
MORE : Some Chelsea signings ‘starting to regret’ signing such long contracts
MORE : Paul Merson hammers Frank Lampard and Chelsea flops – ‘the worst run in football history!’
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Brentford 2-1 Nottingham Forest: Thomas Frank praises 'remarkable' Ivan Toney
Brentford manager Thomas Frank praises the performances of Ivan Toney this season after the striker scored in the 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest to reach 20 Premier League goals.
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Brentford 2-1 Nottingham Forest: Steve Cooper reacts to 'tough' defeat
Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper reflects on a "tough" result after his side were stunned by two late Brentford goals.
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Friday, April 28, 2023
VfL Bochum 1-1 Borussia Dortmund: Leaders held at struggling Bochum
Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund see their title chances dealt a blow as they are held to a draw at VfL Bochum.
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Women's Super League: Man Utd's Millie Turner heads in last-gasp winner at Aston Villa
Watch as Manchester United's Millie Turner heads in a last-gasp winner to beat Aston Villa 3-2 and extend her side's lead at the top of the Women's Super League table.
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‘Son of a b****’ – Ex-Man Utd star slams Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for picking Harry Maguire over him despite ‘huge mistakes’
Former Manchester United star Marcos Rojo has launched a scathing attack on Harry Maguire and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The defender claims that he was told by the former United manager that he had to start Maguire over him even after he made ‘huge mistakes’ because of the world-record fee they had signed the centre-back for.
Rojo had been in and out of United’s starting XI for five years when Maguire arrived at Old Trafford for £80million, making him the most expensive defender of all-time.
He instantly became a key part of Solskjaer’s team, later being named club captain, though his performances came under heavy scrutiny, something that has only increased over time.
But it also spelled the end for Rojo’s time in Manchester as the Argentinean was limited to just nine appearances in the first-half of the 2019/20 season before leaving for boyhood club Estudiantes on loan and then joining Boca Juniors the following year.
But the 33-year-old has now revealed that he was furious that Maguire had taken his place in the team, and issued an ultimate to Solskjaer to either sell him or start him.
He told TyC Sports: ‘In 2019 I was playing in the Europa League, but I was really angry with the Manchester coach because he was putting Maguire [in the team] instead of me.
‘One day I went to Solskjaer’s office to tell him to let me leave for the other club or put [me] in the starting line-up, but he told me that Maguire had to play because of the money they paid for him.
‘He [Maguire] was making huge mistakes already and I told Solskjaer, “Son of a b***h, let me play because this guy is making huge mistakes every week”.
‘Thank god finally they took him out from the starting line-up for Licha [Lisandro] Martinez.’
Maguire actually started out alright for United, though was still culpable of making some high-profile errors, helping the club finish in the top four two years running and leading them to the Europa League final in 2021.
After that though, the Red Devils suffered a huge dip in form and Maguire was often made the scapegoat, and this season the England International has spent more time on the bench with Erik ten Hag signing Martinez to effectively replace the 30-year-old.
And with the defensive partnership of Martinez and Varane thriving, when fit, many expect him to leave United in the summer.
MORE : Paul Merson makes Manchester United top four prediction ahead of Aston Villa clash
MORE : Liverpool legend John Barnes tells Jurgen Klopp to move Trent Alexander-Arnold back to right-back
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Harry Maguire to be stripped of Man Utd captaincy, predicts Nigel Winterburn
Nigel Winterburn has predicted that Harry Maguire will be stripped of the Manchester United captaincy in the summer.
Maguire has fallen down the pecking order since the arrival of manager Erik ten Hag and is now used a a back-up to Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.
But injuries to fellow centre-backs Martinez and Varane have seen Maguire, who still captains the club, thrown back into a more prominent role.
While Maguire has been absent, Bruno Fernandes has been handed the armband and Winterburn thinks Ten Hag will pick a new United captain for next season.
‘It’s unlikely that Harry Maguire will be Manchester United’s club captain next year because you want your club captain to be playing regular football,’ he told Paddy Power.
‘He certainly won’t be club captain, but whether he looks for a move away depends on whether he feels he’s getting enough game time or can force his way back into the team.
‘My gut feeling is that he’ll move on from Manchester United if he doesn’t get the reassurances that he’ll be after.
‘It’s a difficult situation because modern players are used to playing less and still being part of the squad.’
Former Manchester City captain Richard Dunne, meanwhile, has urged Maguire to ‘learn his limitations’ and leave United.
Maguire has been linked with various clubs including French champions Paris Saint-Germain while he turned down a loan to Italian side Inter Milan in January.
MORE : Why Harry Maguire was not in Man Utd squad vs Spurs despite returning from suspension
MORE : 15 players at risk of leaving Man Utd this summer as part of major summer clear-out
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Falkirk v Inverness CT: Semi-final that recalls most surprising final
John Hughes and Rory Loy recall the 2015 Scottish Cup final as Falkirk and Inverness Caledonian Thistle prepare to meet in this season's last four.
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Everton fans call for Bill Kenwright to be removed as chairman
An Everton fans' group has called on owner Farhad Moshiri to sack Bill Kenwright after saying it had "no confidence" in the Toffees chairman.
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WSL: 'Really exciting' relegation fight takes centre stage as four sides battle for survival
With Arsenal and Chelsea in Champions League action, attention turns to the battle to stay in the Women's Super League this weekend.
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Thursday, April 27, 2023
Spirited Tottenham battle back from 2-0 at half-time down to draw with Manchester United
Goals from Pedro Porro and Son Heung-min helped Tottenham battle back from 2-0 down at half-time to draw 2-2 with Manchester United on Thursday night.
In a pivotal game in the Premier League top four race, first-half goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford looked to have all but sealed a routine United victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
However, Spurs had other ideas, brilliantly earning a point to keep their faint Champions League hopes alive, while Erik ten Hag’s team were left to rue a wasted opportunity to virtually book their place in the competition for next season
Under new interim manager Ryan Mason, Tottenham looked transformed from Cristian Stellini’s side that lost 6-1 at Newcastle last Sunday, conceding five goals in the opening 21 minutes.
History looked like it might repeat itself for Spurs when Sancho opened the scoring after just seven minutes with a fabulous finish, with the home side’s defending leaving a lot to be desired.
The winger came close to a second later on but his deflected effort was cleared off the line by Ivan Perisic, while Fraser Forster made several good stops to deny Bruno Fernandes and Rashford.
Though United had the better of the ball, Richarlison and Perisic continually caused problems down the left-flank with the latter’s flicked header from a corner forcing David de Gea into a great save.
But just as it looked as if Spurs were getting back in the game, United hit back with Rashford finishing a quick counter just seconds after De Gea had denied Perisic from a one v one.
But whatever Mason said to his side at half-time appeared to do the trick with Clement Lenglet heading onto the bar from close range following a scramble in the box just minutes after the break.
They eventually got their goal in the 56th minute courtesy of a stunning, outside of the boot volley from Porro who was following up on Harry Kane’s blocked shot.
Once again, United looked to hit back instantly and should have restored their two-goal cushion when Fernandes weaved his way into the box but fired his shot into the crossbar before Forster saved from Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the rebound.
A now revitalised Spurs continued to press and probe United’s defence but lacked a clinical edge, with Eric Dier squandering the biggest chance when he, unmarked, headed wide from just a few yards out.
They found their finishing boots in the end however, with Son tapping home at the back post from Kane’s low cross with just over 10 minutes to go to set up a grandstand finish.
Both sides pushed for a winner but couldn’t generate too many meaningful chances, with Casemiro coming closest with his header sailing just over the bar.
The result means United remain fourth in the table but now two points behind Newcastle who thrashed Everton 4-1.
Tottenham have moved up to fifth, six points behind United having played two games more, and though their top four hopes are still slim they’ll have renewed hope for the rest of the run-in.
MORE : Rio Ferdinand slams Daniel Levy saying ‘you can sense the toxicity’ at Tottenham
MORE : Tottenham hit stumbling block in pursuit of Julian Nagelsmann over Bayern Munich compensation
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Southampton 0-1 Bournemouth: Ruben Selles says Saints can perform much better
Southampton boss Ruben Selles says his side can perform better than they did in their 1-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Bournemouth.
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Fortuna Dusseldorf: German club's free home ticket plan 'could revolutionise football'
German club Fortuna Dusseldorf wants to give fans free tickets to all home matches - a move which could "ignite a revolution in football".
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Tottenham hit stumbling block in pursuit of Julian Nagelsmann over Bayern Munich compensation
Tottenham have made Julian Nagelsmann their top managerial but there is a significant problem that may prevent them from appointing him.
Nagelsmann emerged as the early favourite to take the reins at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, having been shockingly sacked by Bayern Munich just days before Antonio Conte was axed in March.
It seemed that Spurs had missed out on the German after he held talks with Chelsea to replace the sacked Graham Potter, but last week he decided against moving to Stamford Bridge, with former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino now expected to join the Blues.
It is now reported that Nagelsmann is the first name on Daniel Levy’s four-man shortlist and many believe the 35-year-old to be the perfect manager for Tottenham right now.
However, though he is interested in the job, they have now hit a tricky stumbling block in their bid to sign him as he is proving to be a very expensive option.
According to The Telegraph, there was no termination clause in Nagelsmann’s contract at Bayern, and is effectively on gardening leave with three years left on the five-year deal he signed in 2021.
As a result, the Bundesliga giants are still paying his €12 million (£10.6m) annual salary, even with Thomas Tuchel firmly installed at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern will also be due compensation if their former manager joins another club during this season.
The possibility of having pay this compensation and these huge salary demands may well prove too much for Spurs and Levy and could well force him to seek a cheaper alternative.
This news won’t please Tottenham supporters who are once again likely to voice their displeasure towards the chairman and owner at Thursday night’s pivotal home game against Manchester United.
Ryan Mason is back in temporary charge of the team after the previous interim Cristian Stellini was dismissed after the humiliating 6-1 defeat at Newcastle last Sunday.
It is not clear who the other three names of Levy’s shortlist are, though Arne Slot is likely to be one having impressively taken Feyenoord to the verge of the Eredivisie title.
Other names who have been of interest to Spurs include Burnley’s Vincent Kompany, Celtic’s Ange Postecoglu, Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi and former Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique.
MORE : Alan Shearer says ‘unplayable’ Manchester City duo ‘bullied’ Arsenal pair during 4-1 thrashing
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Alan Smith names three signings Arsenal must make this summer to catch Manchester City
Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith believes the Gunners will need to invest in a centre-half, a midfielder and another striker if they are to launch another title challenge next season.
After sitting top of the table for most of the season, Arsenal’s hopes of winning a first league title in 19 years are fading after Wednesday’s crushing 4-1 defeat to Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta’s side are still two points clear at the summit but City now have two games in hand with a more favourable fixture list ahead of them.
City can move top with a win at Fulham on Sunday with Arsenal not in action until Tuesday when they host Chelsea.
Mikel Arteta’s side dropped points in their three games heading into the City defeat with the absence of William Saliba at centre-half serving as a major blow for their title prospects.
West Ham United star Declan Rice is thought to be one of Arsenal’s top summer targets to reinforce the midfield but Smith believes Saliba’s absence has heightened the need for another option at the back.
Gabriel Jesus has proved to be a shrewd acquisition following his arrival from City last summer but Smith suggests another option up front could also be considered.
He told Sky Sports: ‘I think you’re probably looking through the heart of the team, through the centre.
‘We’ve obviously seen how they’ve suffered without Wiliam Saliba and the drop-off was quite drastic really, no manager would want to see that so they miss the Frenchman.
‘Thomas Partey has been a bit in and out this season, when Xhaka didn’t play they missed him certainly.
‘There’s been a lot of attention on Arsenal’s central midfield, possibly Declan Rice coming. That’s going to be a saga in the summer. Where’s the West Ham midfielder going to end up, it looks like he’s going to leave the Hammers.
‘Possibly another forward to compete with Jesus, they’ve got Eddie Nketiah but I think the centre-half and the central midfielder that will start games.
‘[Jakub] Kiwior, the defender who came in in January, could develop into a very good player so that might be a bit premature because they bought one in Kiwior but Mikel Arteta didn’t feel he was ready yet and Rob Holding got the shout.’
MORE : Kevin De Bruyne reveals Manchester City tactics used to exploit Arsenal
MORE : Paul Merson writes off Arsenal’s hopes of winning next season’s Premier League title
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Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Man City vs Arsenal player ratings: Kevin de Bruyne and Erling Haaland run riot as Gabriel Jesus and Oleksander Zinchenko wilt
Manchester City took a major step to defending their Premier League title after sweeping aside Arsenal at the Etihad.
The combination of Kevin de Bruyne and Erling Haaland bewildered the Gunners, whose gap at the top has now been reduced to two points with City holding two games in hand.
De Bruyne struck twice either side of John Stones’ precise header with Haaland providing the assists for both of his efforts.
Rob Holding pulled one back for the visitors late on but there was no dramatic comeback with Haaland getting his goal in injury time.
Arsenal were unable to find any rhythm all night with the difference in class evident as City’s array of stars shone when it mattered most.
Metro.co.uk dishes out the player ratings after a pivotal night in the Premier League.
Ederson – 6
Will be frustrated with no clean sheet but could do nothing about Holding’s strike.
Kyle Walker – 7
Back in the side to deal with the threat of Gabriel Martinelli. Snuffed out any danger from the Arsenal counter with ease.
Ruben Dias – 6
Booked for a silly kick-out at White late in the first-half. Otherwise a quiet evening at the office.
Manuel Akanji – 8
Another excellent performance at the back, contributing with driving runs up the pitch.
John Stones – 8
Headed home a superb header to double his side’s lead, again provided to De Bruyne. Perfectly placed by the England man who didn’t put a foot wrong all night.
Rodri – 8
His usual, classy self. Pressed and pounced on the Arsenal midfield.
Bernardo Silva – 7
A quiet but energetic performance on the right.
Kevin de Bruyne – 9
Sublime. Tormented Arsenal with his runs through the middle, effortlessly combining with Haaland. On the score sheet twice with two perfect finishes.
Ilkay Gundogan – 7
Superb in the transition, pressed the opposition into mistakes at will.
Jack Grealish – 7
A constant driving presence down the inside left.
Erling Haaland – 8
Just a poacher? No chance. Dropped deep to free de Bruyne throughout the evening and bullied Holding and Gabriel when the furthest man forward. Some poor finishing but inevitably got his goal – no49 of the season in injury time.
Aaron Ramsdale – 5
Perhaps should have done better with De Bruyne’s opener, beaten by a low drive. Made key saves in the first-half before denying Haaland one-on-one early in the second.
Ben White – 4
Made a decisive block to deny de Bruyne a second in the first-half but kept Stones onside for City’s second.
Rob Holding – 4
Fired home a superb consolation but was run ragged by Haaland and de Bruyne. Difficult evening where William Saliba’s presence was sorely missed.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 4
Couldn’t deal with de Bruyne and Haaland running at speed.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 4
Offered little going forward back in Manchester, part of a backline that couldn’t live with the hosts.
Martin Odegaard – 4
A bad night. Gave the ball away carelessly for City’s third, passing the ball straight de Bruyne’s feet.
Thomas Partey – 5
Couldn’t live with the City press.
Granit Xhaka – 4
Like Partey, overrun in midfield. Started losing his composure in the second-half and was replaced by Jorginho on the hour.
Bukayo Saka – 5
Worked hard, but as quiet a game as he has had all season.
Gabriel Jesus – 4
Not in the game at all back at the Etihad.
Gabriel Martinelli – 4
Anonymous. Replaced on the hour by Trossard.
MORE : Tony Adams reveals the surprise scoreline he’d ‘love’ to see when Arsenal play Man City
MORE : Barcelona open to selling Arsenal target Raphinha in order to fund Lionel Messi return
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