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EPL: Guardiola rules Man City out of title race, eyes January signings

Published

3 days ago

December 31, 2024

Pep Guardiola has declared there is “no chance” of Manchester City winning the Premier League this season.

This comment follows the club’s 2-0 victory over Leicester City on Sunday— their second win in 14 matches across all competitions.

The win leaves City fifth on the table, trailing leaders, Liverpool, by 14 points.

In a late Sunday statement on the Premier League website titled “‘No chance’ – Guardiola rules Man City out of title race,” the Catalan manager admitted the title is already out of reach.

“Hopefully the new year can help us bounce back,” Guardiola said post-match. “It is not enjoyable right now, it is just relief. We have done incredible things for many years. It is not the best.”

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, he was more blunt.

He said, “We are far away from winning the Premier League. We accept there’s already no chance of that, but we have other things to fight for – FA Cup, top four… and winning games helps.”

January reinforcements needed

With the transfer window opening on Wednesday, Guardiola hinted at incoming signings to bolster his injury-hit squad.

“In some positions we need help,” Guardiola admitted. “When we’re all together, we’re the team we were, but with important players out for weeks and months, it’s so difficult.”

City’s injury struggles, particularly in defense and midfield, have taken their toll.

“I thought central defenders would be fit all season, but we have struggled—holding midfield and central defenders, we need help,” he said.

“The market is the market—it’s not easy, it’s expensive, so we will see what the club can do.”

Guardiola 500 matches at City

Despite City’s struggles, Sunday’s win marked a personal milestone for Guardiola – his 500th match as Manchester City manager. Reflecting on the achievement, Guardiola spoke with pride.

“Yeah definitely [proud],” he said. “It is better to celebrate it with a victory and the new year. I am so proud. I would cry now. I’m so proud to be a part of this club.”

“Today when they told me, ‘You are going to do 500 games,’ I said ‘Wow.’ But we are judged in the last 13. In the other 480 games, they have been an incredible period and yeah, more to come.”

Record of dominance

While City’s form has dipped this season, Guardiola’s legacy at the club remains unparalleled. Since his arrival in 2016, no Premier League manager has come close to matching his achievements.

City have claimed six of the last eight Premier League titles, including an unprecedented four in a row last season. They also completed the Treble in 2022/23, echoing Manchester United’s historic feat from 1999.

Since Guardiola took charge, City have accumulated 45 more points and scored 83 more goals than any other team in the league.

Guardiola is the first Premier League manager to oversee 500 matches since David Moyes hit that landmark with Everton in 2013. As the league’s longest-serving active manager, Guardiola’s reign at City surpasses Brentford’s Thomas Frank by two years.

Only Sir Alex Ferguson, with 13 Premier League titles, has more than Guardiola’s six – but with more milestones ahead, Pep’s chapter in City’s history is far from over.

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Sad! Two months after dad’s demise, Super Eagles goalie, Nwabali announces mum’s death

Published

1 day ago

January 2, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Barely two months after losing his father, Super Eagles and Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has lost his mother.

The South Africa-based goalkeeper shared the heartbreaking news via X on Wednesday.

“Rip mom, worst year of my life already,” the goalkeeper posted with tears and heartbreak emoji on New Year’s Day.

“A very very crazy world indeed,” he posted before sharing the news.

The Nigeria Football Federation sent soothing words to the goalkeeper.

“Our heartfelt condolences to Stanley Nwabali on the loss of his mother. Stay strong, Stanley. Sending you strength and support during this difficult time. You are not alone; we are all with you.”

Nwabali’s father’s passing was announced in November, a few hours after the goalkeeper was in goal for the Super Eagles in their 1-1 draw against the Benin Republic during their penultimate 2025 AFCON qualification match.

Although he did not disclose the cause of his mother’s death, it must have come as a rude shock to him, having shared a 2024 recap video in the wee hours of New Year’s Day.

“2024 was a good year, we’re doubling everything in 2025. Thank you Chippa United FC. Thank you Super Eagles. Thanks to all my fans. Let’s do more!” he wrote.

The player has been receiving condolences messages after announcing the sad news.

“So sorry for your loss. May God comfort you and your family,” journalist Latifat Adebayo-Ohio commented.

A fan, Hillary Remy also wrote, “So sorry for your loss. May God strengthen you and all your family members.”

“Accept my heartfelt condolences chief,” wrote Adewale Damilare.

Sports

Arsenal wallop Brentford 3-1 at home

Published

1 day ago

January 1, 2025

Austin Ojomah

Arsenal came from behind in Wednesday to beat Brentford 3-1.

Having been rocked by Bryan Mbeumo’s early goal, Mikel Arteta’s side very nearly went two behind when David Raya let Keane Lewis-Potter’s shot squirm through his fingertips.

But the Spanish goalkeeper scrambled superbly to hook the ball off his own line, and barely 60 seconds later, Gabriel Jesus latched on to a rebound to nod home an equaliser.

Brentford came into the game with somewhat of an injury crisis as Thomas Frank had near enough a full Premier League team out on the sidelines.

However, it was the hosts, boosted by the availability of goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who took the lead through Bryan Mbeumo’s early strike (13).

Frank was asked about potential interest in the forward from Premier League clubs ahead of the game and the Brentford boss laughed off suggestions the 25-year-old could leave the club this month. Mbeumo showed once again how crucial he is to this Brentford side, nestling a low strike past David Raya at his near post for his 11th league goal of the season.

It is regularly said football is a game of fine margins. It proved to be the case again in this match as Raya inexplicably let Keane Lewis-Potter’s shot slip through his fingers. The ball bounced agonisingly towards goal but Raya reacted quickly and leapt back to claw the ball off the goal line.

Sports

‘After earning millions as a footballer – but I ended up with only £597 in the bank’

Published

2 days ago

January 1, 2025

Naijablitznews

Asamoah Gyan went from earning a staggering amount of money in the Chinese Super League to having just £597 in his bank account.

The 39-year-old Ghanaian striker started his career at Liberty Professionals in 2003 before being snapped up by Udinese for an undisclosed fee later that year. Gyan spent five years with the Italian club, including a loan spell with Modena between 2004 and 2006, before Rennes signed him.

After netting 14 goals in 51 games for the French side, Sunderland shattered their club-record transfer fee to bring Gyan to Wearside for £10million in 2010. However, his stint in the North East was brief – he was loaned out to Al Ain in 2011 before a permanent deal was struck the following year.

In the United Arab Emirates, Gyan raked in a reported £160,000 per week – three times what he was earning with the Black Cats in the Premier League.

His hefty salary was certainly justified as he scored an impressive 112 goals in 107 matches.

In 2015, Gyan further boosted his wealth by securing a move to Shanghai SIPG under ex-England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson. And Gyan was said to be the eighth highest-paid footballer globally at the time, pocketing a cool £227k per week.