Sports
Manchester City regain lost ground slam Wolves 2-0
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Manchester City fans at the Etihad Stadium finally had something to cheer about on Saturday, January 24, 2026, as their team snapped a frustrating winless streak with a 2-0 triumph over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Premier League clash saw City, under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, return to form and close the gap on league leaders Arsenal to just four points. For Wolves, rooted to the foot of the table, it was another tough outing in a season full of struggles.
City entered the match desperate for a result, having endured a barren run of three draws and a defeat in their previous four league games.
The recent 3-1 Champions League loss at Bodo/Glimt still stung, and the pressure was mounting as Arsenal continued to pull away at the top. Guardiola, ever the tactician, made a bold call by resting his top scorer Erling Haaland, citing the striker’s exhaustion after a relentless fixture schedule.
“The striker was ‘exhausted’ after an intense fixture schedule,” Guardiola explained, opting to freshen up his starting eleven.
The decision paid off almost instantly. Starting his first league match since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, Omar Marmoush seized the opportunity and put City ahead in just the sixth minute.
Latching onto a precise cross from Matheus Nunes, Marmoush fired home his first league goal of the season, sending the home crowd into raptures.
It was the kind of early breakthrough City had been missing in recent weeks, and it set the tone for a dominant first half.
Wolves, languishing at the bottom of the table with just 8 points from 23 games, struggled to create meaningful chances.
City’s defence, newly bolstered by the debut of Marc Guéhi—recently signed from Crystal Palace—looked composed and rarely troubled. Guéhi slotted in seamlessly, showing the kind of poise and positional awareness that City fans will hope becomes a mainstay in the weeks to come.
As the first half ticked into stoppage time, City doubled their advantage. This time, it was new signing Antoine Semenyo who made his mark.
Acquired from Bournemouth just two weeks prior, Semenyo unleashed a fierce low drive past Wolves’ keeper Jose Sa, notching his first league goal for the club and giving City a comfortable cushion heading into the break.
The timing couldn’t have been better for Guardiola’s side, who had struggled to capitalize on their dominance in previous outings.
Meanwhile, Haaland finally made his entrance in the 74th minute, having been given a rare rest at the start.
The Norwegian striker, who has managed just one goal in his last eight appearances across all competitions, looked eager but was unable to add to City’s tally.
Still, his presence alone kept Wolves’ defenders honest and allowed City to see out the match with relative ease.
The win lifted City to 46 points from 23 games, narrowing the gap on Arsenal, who remain atop the Premier League with 50 points from 22 matches. With Arsenal set to host fifth-placed Manchester United on Sunday, the title race is far from settled, and City’s return to winning ways could not have come at a more crucial juncture.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, it was a day of drama and late goals.
Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at Turf Moor, with emotions running high for both sides. Tottenham, led by manager Thomas Frank, looked to have steadied the ship after a morale-boosting Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund earlier in the week.
They took the lead through Micky van de Ven in the 38th minute, quieting the home crowd and hinting at a possible turnaround in their recent poor form.
However, Burnley had other ideas. The hosts mounted a spirited comeback in the second half, with Axel Tuanzebe and substitute Lyle Foster scoring to put Burnley in front. As the match entered its final stages, Tottenham’s Cristian Romero came to the rescue, powering home a header in the 89th minute to salvage a point.
It was Romero’s second crucial goal in as many games, having also scored against Dortmund.
Despite the late equalizer, Tottenham’s struggles remain evident. The draw means they have now managed just two wins in their last 14 league games—a dismal run that has supporters voicing concerns about the direction of the club.
Manager Frank remained defiant after the match, emphasizing the need for composure and continued improvement. “I think it is very important to focus on how we started the game. The first half was really good. We came here, boom, on top of it.
Created chances, getting up 1-0, could have scored one, didn’t. And then it is very important to focus on how strongly we ended with the character and keep fighting until the end. That is good. Then we need to improve the bit in the middle,” Frank reflected.
He added, “Calm heads. Carry on. Keep doing what we think is the right thing. No doubt about that and you can see the game today, we do more than enough to win the game.
“So we need to defend better in two situations and of course score a goal more and that could have been the difference when you’re up 1-0.”
Tottenham’s Simons echoed the frustration, stating, “We wanted to win and the two goals we conceded are not acceptable. It’s a shame but we have to go on.
In general, yes [we deserved to win], but you have to win here – even if the keeper has a great match. We have to score those goals and we have to win. We cannot concede this goal one minute before half-time and the second goal as well, I think we can avoid this. The only solution is to keep working. That’s how we do it.”
Fulham also enjoyed a dramatic afternoon, coming from behind to defeat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 at Craven Cottage. Brighton took the lead through Yasin Ayari in the first half, but Fulham’s Samuel Chukwueze equalized in the 72nd minute. The hosts completed their comeback in stoppage time, with Harry Wilson curling in a brilliant free kick to secure all three points. The win saw Fulham climb to seventh in the standings, keeping their European aspirations alive.
As the dust settles on a pulsating round of Premier League fixtures, Manchester City’s victory stands out as a statement of intent. With key players returning to form and new signings making immediate impacts, Guardiola’s men look poised to mount a serious challenge in the title race. The pressure now shifts to Arsenal, who must respond on Sunday to keep City at bay. For the teams at the other end of the table, the battle for survival is heating up, promising plenty more twists and turns as the season unfolds.
[Grand Pinnacle Trobune]
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed confidence in his team’s readiness for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following their narrow 2–1 victory over Nigeria’s Super Eagles in an international friendly played on Wednesday night in Leiria.
The match took place at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa on June 10, where both sides delivered a competitive encounter that served as an important preparation fixture ahead of next year’s global tournament.
Portugal Strike First, Nigeria Respond Quickly
Portugal opened the scoring in the 23rd minute through Pedro Neto, who finished off a well-constructed attacking move to give the hosts an early advantage.
Nigeria, however, responded impressively before halftime. Akor Adams restored parity for the Super Eagles after connecting neatly with a pass from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, calmly slotting past the Portuguese defence to level the match.
The equaliser reflected Nigeria’s resilience and attacking intent as they matched Portugal for significant spells in the first half.
Conceição Delivers Winning Goal
After the break, Portugal increased their intensity and regained control of possession. Their pressure eventually paid off when Francisco Conceição scored the decisive goal that secured the win for Roberto Martínez’s side.
Despite Nigeria’s efforts to find another equaliser, Portugal managed to maintain their lead until the final whistle.
Ronaldo Reacts After Victory
Following the match, Ronaldo took to social media to express satisfaction with Portugal’s performance and preparation level.
“The preparation is done. Eyes on the World Cup,” he wrote on Instagram, signaling confidence ahead of the tournament.
Portugal are placed in Group K for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they will face DR Congo, Colombia, and Uzbekistan.
Although Nigeria lost the match, the Super Eagles delivered a spirited performance that produced several positives against a top European side.
Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye stood out with a series of important saves that prevented a heavier defeat, while defenders Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey were solid and composed under pressure.
In midfield, Tochukwu Nnadi impressed with his energy and discipline, helping Nigeria compete strongly in central areas.
Akor Adams continued his good form with a well-taken goal and posed a constant threat to the Portuguese defence before being substituted late in the game.
Alex Iwobi marked his 100th international appearance for Nigeria but had a relatively quiet outing, while Moses Simon struggled to make a major impact before being withdrawn in the second half.
Substitutes Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika added more stability in midfield, but Nigeria were unable to find a second goal as Portugal held on for victory.
Despite the defeat, Nigeria’s performance offered encouraging signs ahead of future international fixtures, particularly in terms of organization, intensity, and attacking combinations against elite opposition.
US President Donald Trump announced plans Wednesday to attend the World Cup, as the global football tournament prepares to kick off.
“I will, I will,” Trump said when an AFP reporter asked him in the Oval Office if he planned to be at any World Cup matches.
He did not give any details, but FIFA boss Gianni Infantino has said he expects Trump to present the trophy to the winning team at the final on July 19.
Last year Trump did the honors — and was booed — at the FIFA Club World Cup final at the MetLife stadium in New Jersey, the same stadium where the World Cup final will take place.
The Republican billionaire has tried to stamp his mark on the World Cup that is being jointly held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, repeatedly mentioning how he successfully bid for it in his first term as president.
He has also struck up a firm friendship with Infantino, who presented Trump with a special peace prize in December, before US military operations in Venezuela and Iran.
“I spoke to Gianni this morning… he said there’s never been anything close” to the success of the coming tournament, Trump said.
The World Cup has however been dogged by off-field distractions ranging from sky-high ticket prices to an immigration crackdown that has seen fans, team officials and a top Somali referee barred from entering the United States.
Trump said his administration was working on the issue.
“We’re working on it very closely to ensure the right people come into our country,” he told reporters.
A protest blocked an avenue leading to Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium for hours on Tuesday, just days before the 2026 World Cup kicks off at the venue.
As football fans flood into tournament, co-hosted by the United States and Canada, Mexico is grappling with chaotic teacher protests in its capital.
Thousands took part in Tuesday’s protest, which was led by a breakaway group of the CNTE teachers union following a week of demonstrations that President Claudia Sheinbaum has called a “provocation.”
“As if to say, ‘Look at how bad the situation is in Mexico,’” she told a press conference.
A police blockade prevented the demonstrators from reaching the Azteca Stadium, which will host the World Cup opening match on Thursday.
With thousands of officers deployed and concrete barriers set up around the venue, protesters rallied on the street for around three hours before dispersing.
Mexico City’s security chief, Pablo Vazquez, said in a statement that the movement had been peaceful.
Sheinbaum said earlier that the opening match was “guaranteed,” though the left-leaning leader again ruled out using police to repress the demonstrations.
Her government has favored dialogue with the protesting teachers, but to no avail.
“We’re going to continue our struggle,” said protester Austreberto Flores.
The CNTE teachers’ union has been on strike since last week to demand a salary raise and the reversal of a pension law — which the government considers unfeasible.
The teachers have also set up camp near the World Cup fan zone in Mexico City’s Zocalo Square.
On June 1, police dispersed protesters in the area with rubber bullets and teargas.
“They want to make it seem like there is mass social turmoil in Mexico, and that’s not true,” Sheinbaum has said of the protests.
Teachers and students from Ayotzinapa school march to the Ciudad de México Stadium in Mexico City on June 9, 2026.
The teachers have called for demonstrations on Thursday that will also include families of so-called “disappeared” people, who are alleged to have been killed or kidnapped by Mexican authorities or criminal gangs.
The 2026 edition of the world’s biggest football extravaganza is the most logistically complex ever staged.
Teachers and students from Ayotzinapa school march to the Ciudad de México Stadium in Mexico City on June 9, 2026.
A vast global TV audience is set to tune in to the opening ceremony and match pitting Mexico against South Africa.
Mexico is still rushing to complete renovations at subway stations and at its main airport ahead of the tournament.
AFP
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