It comes to something when your long-time nemesis says it is time to move on and you actually feel a little bit sad about it.
It feels like a chapter of English football is truly closing.
I actually grew to quite like Guardiola – a feeling made easier by Liverpool refusing to be any competition to his team this season.
Between his compassionate politics and his increasingly funny news conferences, the man who became the bane of our existence has started to cut a much more likeable figure.
The respect element was always there.
Yes, there are caveats to City’s success, but there are very few doubts about Guardiola’s greatness as a manager.
After Jurgen Klopp left Anfield in 2024, it seemed only natural that the man he went toe to toe with for so many years would move on fairly soon after.
The truth is, the standards those two managers set would warp our perception of what a normal title-winning points total looks like.
Arsenal have pipped Guardiola to the Premier League this season, but they have done so with a maximum of 85 points – a climbdown from the days of Liverpool and City pushing each other to 90-plus totals.
Liverpool have fallen away this season, but Guardiola moving on means the barrier to entry for a title race is likely to not be as high.
Therefore, Liverpool supporters should be reassured that a return to the top is not too far away, especially with such a talented group of players.
We might not see those 2018-2022 levels again for a little while, though, and for that we will always – at least partly – have Guardiola to thank.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Danny Murphy and Joe Hart discuss what Manchester City do now after missing out on the Premier League title, along with strong reports that manager Pep Guardiola will leave the club in the summer.
Arsenal are crowned champions of the Premier League for the first time in 22 years after Manchester City are held to a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, a result which secures European football for the home side for the first time in their history.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is understood to be stepping down at end of season after 17 years at EPL club.
Published On 18 May 202618 May 2026
Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City after a decade in charge, according to widespread reports, bringing to a close one of the most successful spells in Premier League history.
Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, who lead the Blues to the FIFA Club World Cup last summer, is expected to replace him.
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The 55-year-old Guardiola will reportedly announce his departure shortly after City’s final game of the season against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium, capping a campaign that included winning both the League Cup and the FA Cup trophies.
Saturday’s FA Cup victory over Chelsea secured Guardiola his 20th trophy with the club.
Maresca, who left Chelsea four months ago, has been rumoured for months to be the top contender for the Spaniard’s job. Guardiola’s contract at City is set to expire in June 2027.
Guardiola shrugged off questions about his future after the FA Cup final. When asked about the rumours by TNT Sports, Guardiola replied “What rumours?” and then ended the interview, saying “Have a lovely evening.”
City have made no comment on the speculation.
However, the club have arranged a parade through Manchester on Monday to celebrate their League Cup and FA Cup triumphs this season, which could act as a farewell to Guardiola.
City must win their final two games of the season, starting at Bournemouth on Tuesday, and hope Arsenal drop points at Crystal Palace on Sunday if they are to win the Premier League this season.
Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw has been named WSL Football’s Player of the Season after an impressive campaign in the Women’s Super League.
The 29-year-old also won the Golden Boot for a third successive season after scoring 21 goals in 22 appearances as City claimed a first WSL title in a decade.
She won the Football Writers’ Association Women’s Footballer of the Year award earlier in May and was named City’s Player of the Season on Sunday.
Known affectionately as ‘Bunny’, she has dominated headlines after contract renewal discussions broke down with her current deal set to run out in June.
During City’s homecoming celebrations at Manchester’s Albert Hall on Sunday, fans chanted “we want Bunny to stay”.
Shaw, who arrived at City in 2021, has finished as the club’s top scorer in four of her five seasons there and holds the record for the most hat-tricks in the WSL (six).
Some of Shaw’s best performances this season included a hat-trick against Tottenham and a four-goal haul at home to Aston Villa, as well as scoring an important opener in the 3-2 win over Arsenal in October.
The Jamaica international could help City snatch a domestic double if they beat Brighton in the Women’s FA Cup final on Sunday, 31 May (15:00 BST).
Shaw beat team-mate Kerstin Casparij, Arsenal forward Alessia Russo and Aston Villa winger Kirsty Hanson to the award.
England international Russo netted 13 goals in 22 matches, playing as both a striker and a midfielder, while Hanson finished third in the goalscoring charts behind Shaw and Russo with 12 goals.
Also shortlisted for the main award were Manchester United’s Jess Park, Chelsea’s Alyssa Thompson, Tottenham’s Olivia Holdt and Everton’s Ruby Mace.
Who: Chelsea vs Manchester City What: English FA Cup final Where: Wembley Stadium in London, United Kingdom When: Saturday, May 16 at 3pm (14:00 GMT) How to follow: We’ll have all the buildup on Al Jazeera Sport from 11 GMT in advance of our live text commentary stream.
History will be made on Saturday as Manchester City become the first side to line up in four consecutive finals as they take on Chelsea for the trophy.
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Between them, the sides have won 15 FA Cup titles, but this is a first meeting between the clubs in the final itself – despite the teams between them appearing in five of the last six finals.
City, who have already claimed the League Cup, are still in with the chance of a domestic treble. Chelsea, however, have been engaged in a managerial merry-go-round – all off the back of beating Paris Saint-Germain to claim the expanded FIFA Club World Cup last year.
Al Jazeera Sport takes you through all the information you need to know in the run-up to the 145th FA Cup final.
Who won last season’s FA Cup final?
Crystal Palace beat City 1-0 in last season’s final to lift the trophy for the first time in their history.
Eberechi Eze scored the only goal of the game after 16 minutes to sign off from the Eagles in style. The England forward joined Arsenal at the end of the season.
City had dominated the final with a staggering 78 percent of possession.
Who did Chelsea beat in the FA Cup semifinal?
Chelsea overcame Leeds United 1-0 in their last four clash, with Enzo Fernandez scoring the only goal in the 23rd minute.
The Blues thumped Port Vale in the quarterfinals with a 7-0 win, while there was a more Hollywood feel to their clash with Wrexham in the prior round.
Extra time was required in their 4-2 win in Wales.
Who did Man City beat in the semifinals?
City were well tested in the semifinal by Championship side Southampton as Nico Gonzalez scored with three minutes remaining after Jeremy Doku’s 82nd-minute strike cancelled out Finn Azaz’s opener.
Liverpool were seen off in the quarterfinals with a 4-0 thumping at Etihad Stadium, while a 3-1 win was recorded at Newcastle United in the round prior to that.
What happened the last time Chelsea played Man City?
Manchester City were 3-0 winners in the last meeting between the sides, which came in a Premier League fixture in west London on April 12.
All three goals came within 17 minutes of each other in the second half, with Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi and Jeremy Doku netting at Stamford Bridge.
Where are Man City and Chelsea in the Premier League?
City sit second in the English top flight, just two points behind leaders Arsenal with two games to play.
Club World Cup holders Chelsea have sacked both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior this season and sit ninth in the league.
Calum McFarlane will be taking charge of his sixth game in his second spell as the club’s interim manager.
What happened the last time Chelsea and Man City met in the FA Cup?
The teams last met in the FA Cup in a semifinal clash at Wembley Stadium in April, 2024.
Bernardo Silva scored the only goal of the game to send City through to the final, where they were beaten 2-1 by Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United.
Alejandro Garnacho, now of Chelsea, gave United the lead, which Kobbie Mainoo doubled before the break. Jeremy Doku netted an 87th-minute goal to set up a tense finale.
How many times have Chelsea won the FA Cup?
Chelsea have had their name etched on the trophy on eight occasions, with their first win coming in 1970 as they beat Leeds United 2-1 in a replay at Manchester United’s Old Trafford.
The first attempt ended in a 2-2 draw, leading to the first time a final would be replayed. Wembley hosted the opening match, but was unavailable for the replay due to the pitch being in unfit condition.
How many times have Man City won the FA Cup?
City have lifted the cup on seven occasions, with their first win coming in 1904 with a 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers.
When did Chelsea last win the FA Cup?
Chelsea’s last win came in 2022 and required penalties against Liverpool to seal the win.
The match ended 0-0 after extra time – the first final to end goalless since Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United beat Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal on spot kicks in 2005.
When did Man City last win the FA Cup?
City last lifted the trophy in 2023, beating Manchester United 2-1. In a final that would see a rerun between the cross-city rivals the following year, Ilkay Gundogan opened the scoring in the first minute and later restored his side’s lead five minutes after the break, after a Bruno Fernandes penalty had levelled the tie at the break.
Who has won the most FA Cup titles?
Arsenal are the record winners of the competition with 14 victories to their name. The first was in 1930 under the club’s famous manager, Herbert Chapman. The Gunners beat Huddersfield Town 2-0 in the final.
Their last win came in 2020 when they beat Chelsea 2-1. It was the first of three successive finals for the Blues, who tasted defeat the following year against Leicester City before the 2023 win against Liverpool.
Manchester United are the second-most successful side in the competition’s history with 13 wins. Chelsea’s eight victories are joint third on the list with Liverpool and Tottenham.
When was the first FA Cup final and who won it?
The first FA Cup final was staged in 1872 with Wanderers beating Royal Engineers 1-0 in a match staged at the Kennington Oval cricket ground, which remains the current home to the English county cricket club, Surrey.
Head-to-head
This will be the 181st meeting between the teams, with Chelsea winning 99 of the meetings and Manchester City winning 68 of the encounters.
The first match was played in 1907 in the old Division One of English football (now the Premier League), with the match ending in a 2-2 draw in London.
How many times have Man City and Chelsea met in the FA Cup?
This will be the 11th meeting between the sides in the FA Cup, with City winning six of the matches to Chelsea’s four wins.
The first cup meeting was in February, 1915, with Chelsea winning 2-1 in Manchester. City had to wait 33 years for a chance of cup revenge, which they took at first attempt with a 2-0 home win in January 1948.
This will be the side’s seventh meeting in the competition in the last 13 seasons.
Chelsea team news
Estevao Willian, Jamie Gittens and Jesse Derry are all out with injuries, but Robert Sanchez, Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho have all trained in the build-up to the game as they attempt to shake off knocks.
Guardiola made several changes to his starting lineup for their last outing in the Premier League game against Crystal Palace, with Erling Haaland playing no part.
The Norwegian will be leading City’s attack in Saturday’s showpiece, though, aiming to correct a remarkable statistic.
Haaland has scored 161 goals in 196 games for City in all competitions, yet has never found the net or made an assist in the 12 semifinals or finals in which he has featured.
But Guardiola says it is up to the players to take VAR out of the equation.
“When this happens it is because we have to do better, not the referees or VAR,” he continued.
“I never trust anything since I arrived a long time ago. Always I learned you have to do it better, do it better, be in a position to do it better because you blame yourself with what you have to do, because (VAR) is a flip of a coin.”
Guardiola was speaking before Wednesday’s meeting with Palace, which they need to win to cut Arsenal‘s lead at the top of the table to two points.
That would still leave Arsenal needing to drop points in their remaining two games – against relegated Burnley and Palace – for City to have any chance of winning the Premier League title.
“Of course it is not in our hands in the Premier League. Always I say to the players, ‘Do it, do it, do it better’,” Guardiola added.
“The only thing we can do is do it better, that is only in your control.”
Guardiola’s side will play in their third FA Cup final in three seasons when they meet Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday.
Who: Manchester City vs Crystal Palace What: English Premier League Where: Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, United Kingdom When: Wednesday, May 13, at 8pm (19:00 GMT) How to follow: We’ll have all the buildup on Al Jazeera Sport from 16:00 GMT in advance of our live text commentary stream.
Second-placed Manchester City kept themselves alive in the Premier League title race with their solid home win over Brentford on Saturday, but league-leading Arsenal’s controversial win at West Ham United the following day again pegged City behind in the two-team fight for the trophy.
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Al Jazeera Sport previews City’s delayed Matchday 31 contest against Crystal Palace on Wednesday and breaks down the Sky Blues’ championship hopes as the season draws to a close.
Where does the Premier League title race stand?
Frontrunners Arsenal are in a favourable title position on the Premier League ladder; they enjoy a five-point lead over Man City, with the Gunners having two matches remaining in the 38-round season.
City have three games to go, including their home tie with Palace.
A screengrab of the 2025-26 Premier League points table [Al Jazeera]
What happens if City win against Palace?
If City beat Palace on Wednesday, they will reduce the gap on league leaders Arsenal to two points. Both teams will then have two games remaining.
A victory against Palace would keep City alive in the title hunt, but they would need to beat Bournemouth in their penultimate match to continue the title fight to the final round of matches on May 24.
What happens if City draw or lose to Palace?
If City draw, they will end up four points behind Arsenal, and in the event of a defeat, the gap would remain at five points. Dropping any points against Palace would mean City all but bowing out of the title race, even if they still have a mathematical chance to contend heading into the penultimate round.
In such a scenario, Arsenal can be crowned Premier League champions as early as Monday, May 18. A win over already-relegated Burnley in Matchday 37 would mean Arsenal would be at least seven points clear, with City only having a maximum of six points available in their last two fixtures.
If the Gunners are crowned champions of England, it would mark the end of the North London club’s 22-year wait for the honour.
How does City’s and Arsenal’s run-in look?
After hosting Palace on Wednesday, City face sixth-placed Bournemouth on May 19 before facing fifth-placed Aston Villa in their final game of the season on May 24. Both fixtures will be challenging as City’s opponents will be fighting to secure European football qualification next season.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have a much easier run-in to the end of the season. They host already-relegated Burnley on May 18 and play away to Palace on the final day of the season. Palace will likely name a weaker side for that fixture, with their eyes certainly on their first European final: The Conference League final vs Rayo Vallecano on May 27.
Is the Premier League trophy Arsenal’s to lose?
Yes.
Arsenal’s dramatic win on Sunday against their London rivals, West Ham, means they already have one hand on the trophy. Should they win their final two matches of the campaign, they will be crowned champions, regardless of Man City’s results.
But any slip-up would allow their title rivals back in.
Opta’s supercomputer has given the Gunners an 87.2% chance of winning the title from hereon.
Can City and Arsenal end the season on equal points?
Yes, it is possible.
If City win all three remaining matches, and Arsenal draw one of their two games, both teams will end the season level on points.
What happens in this case? Rule C.17 of the Premier League Handbook says the final table placings would be determined by the following criteria, in this order:
goal difference
goals scored
points won in head-to-head matches
away goals scored in head-to-head matches
a playoff match.
Currently, the goal difference between Arsenal and City is very close. Arsenal have a +42 goal difference, and City’s is +40. It could come down to goals scored across the season: City’s current tally is 72, Arsenal’s is 68.
Manchester City’s Norwegian striker #09 Erling Haaland is the leading scorer this season with 26 goals. Can he guide them to a surprise title win? [AFP File]
If the clubs finish level on points, goal difference, and goals scored, City would claim the title on the next criterion – points won in head-to-head matches – because they have won four points against Arsenal this season, thanks to a win and a draw.
The odds of such a scenario are very low, given City are lagging in the title race, but if this were to happen, it would go down as the closest title race ever. The previous closest race was in 2011-12 when City edged their rivals, Manchester United, on goal difference following Sergio Aguero’s stoppage-time winner against Queens Park Rangers on the final day.
City still in the hunt for domestic double
While City’s odds of winning the league title are very slim, they remain on course to complete a domestic double. City, who won the League Cup in March, face Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday. They are bidding for their eighth FA Cup, having last lifted the trophy in 2023.
Manager Pep Guardiola has backed striker Omar Marmoush, who scored off the bench in the last game, to have a key role in the closing stages of the English season.
“We’ve talked many times,” said Guardiola. “I know it’s not easy for them [fringe players], but I’m pretty sure in the next games they’re going to play.
“I want to rotate the team because otherwise we cannot arrive in the final or Bournemouth a little bit (fresh).
“Especially Omar. It’s not easy because normally you just want one striker. He’s a proper striker but Erling (Haaland) is there.
“Erling is so important for us, but the contribution of Omar – the amount of goals for the minutes played – is so high.”
‘I love it’ – Pep Guardiola relishes title run-in
Guardiola said he is “loving” the Premier League run-in, despite his side no longer controlling their own fate in the title race.
“It’s not in our hands now,” Guardiola said. “They have to drop points. The only thing we can do is win again and see what happens.”
Guardiola said win or lose, the thrilling race to the finish has been thoroughly enjoyable.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, left, and City manager Pep Guardiola exchange a hug before a game [File: Carl Recine/Reuters]
He pointed to his team’s consistency, as their unbeaten run in the league stretches back to mid-January. With another major final still to come, City have had plenty to celebrate this season, regardless of how the Premier League finishes.
“I love it. I love to be here again, we’ll finish second again in this season, minimum,” Guardiola said. “Last season, we were fighting to qualify for the Champions League, was so difficult.
“I love too Carabao (League Cup) in our pocket. We play an FA Cup final in Wembley, it is the most beautiful game of the season.”
What happened the last time City played Palace?
In their reverse fixture at Selhurst Park in December, City won 2-0, thanks to two goals from Haaland, including a penalty, and another by Phil Foden.
Head-to-head
Palace and City have faced each other in 75 games in all competitions since 1921.
City have won 40 of those encounters, while Palace won 18. A total of 17 matches ended in a draw.
Man City team news
Defenders Josko Gvardiol and Abdukodir Khusanov, along with defensive midfielder Rodri, are out injured.
Predicted Man City lineup
Gianluigi Donnarumma (goalkeeper); Matheus Nunes, Marc Guehi, Nathan Ake, Nico O’Reilly; Bernardo Silva, Tijjani Reijnders; Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, Jeremy Doku; Erling Haaland
Palace team news
Edward Nketiah, Cheick Oumar Doucoure, Evann Guessand and Borna Sosa are sidelined with injuries.
Predicted Palace lineup
Dean Henderson (goalkeeper); Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, Jaydee Canvot; Daniel Munoz, Adam Wharton, Daichi Kamada, Tyrick Mitchell; Brennan Johnson, Ismaila Sarr; Jorgen Strand Larsen
Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says the club need to decide quickly whether to appoint Michael Carrick as their permanent manager, as the uncertainty could lead to difficulty when trying to sign transfer targets ahead of next season.
Phoenix Rose and his dad James intervened to calm a disruptive passenger whose behaviour threatened to divert the Jet2 plane, which was travelling from Izmir, Turkey to the UK
Phoenix Rose was praised for calming a disruptive passenger on a plane
An eight-year-old boy praised for calming a disruptive passenger on a plane has been showered with gifts from around the country and even overseas.
Phoenix Rose and his dad James have even been rewarded with free flight vouchers after their actions on the Jet2 plane prevented it from being diverted. Since James, 42, insisted his son is the “real hero”, the little boy has received thank you cards and presents from strangers.
James, of Salford, Greater Manchester, has been gifted with a games console from a stranger in The Netherlands, a Lego set, football kits and vouchers for toys among other presents. He said he thought it “was like Christmas Day” when he saw the gifts.
When a woman began shouting on the flight from Izmir, Turkey, Phoenix leapt into action, speaking to her, sitting next to her and then spending hours showing her his football cards, singing and asking about her family. It calmed her and the holiday flight did not need to divert.
Speaking about the reaction to his intervention, Phoenix said: “It has been brilliant.” His dad told BBC Radio Manchester Phoenix now intends to give the presents away to children less fortunate than him.
James added: “When the first gift came, we thought it was nice for someone to do that, but since then it’s been parcel after parcel.
“One of the things he wants to do is give the stuff away, so if people are in financial hardship or they know someone who might want one of these presents then they can get in touch. What Phoenix now would like is for people to stop sending things, and if you’ve got money just donate it to charity.”
Phoenix wants his story to help others. He encouraged others to be kind if they experience similar issues on aircrafts. His father said the woman was “almost trying to smack the stewardesses”. However, at James’ request, cabin staff moved the passenger to a seat between him and his son, where Phoenix “bounced into action”.
Phoenix, a Manchester United fan, was thanked personally by the pilot. Jet2 praised the boy’s actions. In a statement, the company, which flies 120 carriers to 80 destinations, said: “I want to say a massive thank you to you both on behalf of everybody at Jet2. What you did was absolutely fantastic.”
Richard Manville has lived in the UK all his life – but now he’s leaving Salford for Israel, because he says the antisemitism in Britain is intolerable.
A self-described proud secular Jew, he told the BBC’s Judith Moritz that making the move was a traumatic experience, as he never thought he’d leave his home.
But Richard’s mind is made up, reinforced by hundreds of abusive messages he received online after speaking publicly about his decision to leave.
Most British Jews say they have no intention of going anywhere, but Richard isn’t alone. A recent survey suggests that one in five are thinking about leaving for Israel in the next five years.
Founded back in 1995, the team played in the then newly opened Manchester Arena as a tenant and became inaugural champions of the Ice Hockey Superleague in 1996. They also set a British ice hockey attendance record when 17,245 fans watched their game against Sheffield Steelers the following season, which still stands.
Match of the Day pundits Wayne Rooney and Danny Murphy discuss how “two top players” in Erling Haaland and Gabriel went head-to-head in Manchester City’s 2-1 victory against Arsenal, with the Norwegian striker reaching “unplayable” levels.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says his side had “the best chances in the game” against Manchester City but admits the Gunners’ inability to take their chances was the difference between the two sides in their 2-1 defeat.
Manchester United strengthen grip on third spot in Premier League with 1-0 win that leaves Chelsea relying on favours.
Published On 18 Apr 202618 Apr 2026
Manchester United took a giant step towards ending a two-year exile from the Champions League as Matheus Cunha scored the only goal in a 1-0 win against Chelsea.
United’s victory on Saturday opens up a 10-point gap between the Red Devils in third place and sixth-placed Chelsea, with only 15 points left to play for this season.
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The top five in the Premier League will qualify for the Champions League next season.
But a fourth consecutive league defeat leaves Chelsea’s chances of being back among Europe’s elite next season in tatters. It also piles pressure on manager Liam Rosenior, only three months into his reign.
Chelsea once again bemoaned the lack of a clinical striker as they failed to break down a makeshift United defence ravaged by injury and suspension.
United manager Michael Carrick was forced to name a backline featuring three full-backs and 19-year-old Ayden Heaven. But they held out to boost the former England midfielder’s case to get the job at Old Trafford beyond the end of this season.
Chelsea were missing their top scorer, Joao Pedro, through injury, and one-time United target Liam Delap failed to take his chance to shine up front.
Rosenior recalled Enzo Fernandez after the Argentinian was given a two-game suspension by the Blues for suggesting he would be open to a summer move to Real Madrid.
Fernandez started with a point to prove and came agonisingly close to the opener when he curled inches wide.
United looked rusty in a 2-1 defeat to Leeds on Monday, their first action for three and a half weeks.
But Carrick’s men repaired the damage done to their chances of returning to the Champions League next season.
Cunha provided a precise finish to open the scoring two minutes before the break from Bruno Fernandes’s 18th Premier League assist of the season.
Chelsea improved after the break but failed to prevent another damaging defeat, leaving Rosenior’s role in doubt heading into next season.
Delap crashed a header against the woodwork, and Noussair Mazraoui turned a dangerous cross onto his own bar, under pressure from Wesley Fofana.
Moises Caicedo, fresh from signing a new seven-year contract, also came close to rescuing a point for the hosts.
But the final whistle was met by a chorus of boos at full-time, with the Club World Cup winners looking resigned to Europa League football at best next term.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has called Sunday’s Premier League clash with leaders Arsenal a final, saying defeat would end his side’s title hopes before the much-anticipated showdown at the Etihad Stadium.
City trail Arsenal by six points but have a game in hand, and victory would cut the gap while ramping up the pressure as the race enters its decisive phase.
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Guardiola, however, said there was little room for error, acknowledging that anything less than three points would leave his team facing too steep a climb.
“Yes, obviously,” the Spaniard added on whether he sees the game as a final. “If we lose, it is over.”
Despite the fine margins, Guardiola said City are confident, stressing that belief is crucial at this stage of the season.
“If you could buy confidence in a supermarket, we would buy it immediately. It is one of the most important aspects,” he told a news conference. (Our confidence) is good. We are ready,” he added.
“A month ago, because we dropped points in moments, I thought we would not be here. (But) we saw the calendar and said, ‘OK, we play Arsenal at home for a chance. It is six points. It is not a short distance, but we have a chance to do it.’
“That is the situation we are in. It depends on our behaviour, and everything will be said on Sunday. Our fans have sold out. Everything is perfect to play a game.”
Guardiola said Nico O’Reilly, who scored twice in City’s 2-0 League Cup final win over Arsenal, is fit after he left last weekend’s game at Chelsea clutching his left hamstring.
Solid Man City form sows unease among Arsenal fans
That thrilling victory was part of a solid City run of form, including a 4-0 throttling of Liverpool in the FA Cup quarterfinals. They have not lost a league game since mid-January.
City’s results have begun to sow unease among Arsenal fans.
“If we play like the second half (of the League Cup final) during 95 minutes and they play like the second half, we are going to win. Well, maybe not, because football is unpredictable,” Guardiola said.
“I know (Arsenal manager) Mikel (Arteta). They are going to adjust something, and we have to prepare to do it. In the end, it is more simple. It is how your players individually win the me-against-you.”
Guardiola insisted City must still raise their level if they are to sustain a title push through the final weeks.
“We need to get even better,” he said. “The first half against Chelsea (a 3-0 win on Sunday) was not bad but not great. The first 30 minutes against Liverpool was not good either. The first 30 minutes against Arsenal in the final, they were better.
“You cannot pretend that these kind of teams will be 90 or 95 minutes perfect, but this one aspect is not about the future, present or past, it’s about confidence, which is an incredible aspect.”
Asked if City are underdogs, Guardiola played down the label. “I understand your message, but maybe we’re not,” he said. “They have been the best so far, but we want to challenge them.
“I said today to the players, it is just a football game, and we have to approach it like a football game. If you get distracted by emotions, that is how you lose focus.”
Guardiola said City remain proud to still be challenging on multiple fronts, even if Sunday’s result could prove decisive.
“We will see what happens,” he said. “But it is never over until it’s over, and we are still here. I am proud to be there, still challenging them.”
Who: Chelsea vs Manchester United What: English Premier League (EPL) Where: Stamford Bridge, London, United Kingdom When: Saturday, April 18 at 8pm (19:00 GMT) How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 16:00 GMT in advance of our live text commentary stream.
Chelsea can tighten up the Premier League battle for UEFA Champions League qualification when they host third-placed Manchester United on Saturday, but they will have to reverse a dreadful run of form to do so.
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The Blues have only won one of their last five Premier League matches, increasing the pressure on manager Liam Rosenior in his first season in charge of the football club.
United suffered a shock home defeat by Leeds United last week and arrive with injuries and suspensions that will leave them feeling vulnerable for the first time under interim head coach Michael Carrick.
Al Jazeera Sport takes a look at a game that could ignite a late-season scrap for the top five finishing spots, which offer the route to Europe’s top table next season.
How does the Premier League race to the Champions League stand?
Third-placed United will arrive at Stamford Bridge with sixth-placed Chelsea seven points behind them.
Fifth-placed Liverpool are four points in front of the Blues, while Aston Villa are fourth, level on points with United but seven down on the Red Devils on goal difference.
With Villa and Liverpool not playing until Sunday – Sunderland at home and Everton away, respectively – a Chelsea win would close the gap between third and sixth to just four points for Saturday at least.
Four clubs, including Sunderland and Everton, sit just two points behind Chelsea. A certain run of results across the weekend means just six points could separate third from tenth by the close of this round of matches.
If fans of a close race were to be particularly greedy, wins for Bournemouth and Fulham – 11th and 12th, respectively – as well this weekend could mean the gap from third to 12th would only be eight points with five games to play.
As the former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson once said: “It is squeaky bum time”.
Clock ticking on Champions League qualification, admits Chelsea manager
Rosenior has warned Chelsea that their bid to qualify for the Champions League is hanging in the balance.
The Blues are on a dismal run of one win from their last seven Premier League games, placing their hopes of reaching Europe’s elite club competition in jeopardy.
It is more than six weeks since Chelsea last scored a goal in the league, but Rosenior knows there is no time left to feel sorry for themselves after last weekend’s 3-0 home defeat against Manchester City.
“As the season goes on, the less games you have left, the more important the games become,” Rosenior told reporters ahead of the game.
“We have to take advantage of this moment. We’re running out of time.
“We need to show that initiative on Saturday and play on the front foot and make up those points, which is still definitely possible.
“If I look at each game, I think it’s just come down to loss of concentration of focus in a moment that then has snowballed into the rest of the performances.
“What we have to do is manage the margins of the game a little bit better.”
Chelsea braced for fan protest ahead of Man Utd visit
A protest by Chelsea supporters is planned ahead of the United game, reflecting the growing discontent since owners BlueCo took over from Roman Abramovich almost four years ago.
Unless results improve drastically in the next few weeks, this season will be the first under the club’s American owners that the team’s league position has dropped.
Rosenior’s position is also likely to come under scrutiny after a disappointing start to his reign, which started in January when he arrived from Strasbourg to replace Enzo Maresca.
Maresca departed by mutual consent after hinting he did not receive sufficient support from the owners.
Strasbourg are owned by BlueCo, which led some fans to criticise Rosenior’s appointment and claim he would be a puppet for the board, in contrast to the volatile Maresca.
“Every supporter has their viewpoint,” Rosenior said. “Every supporter wants their club to do well and to win games. Our job, my job, is to produce those results in the long term.”
What happened the last time Chelsea played Man Utd?
The reverse fixture at Old Trafford earlier this season resulted in a 2-1 win for the Red Devils at Old Trafford.
Following the sending off of Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez in the fifth minute, Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro gave the home side a two-goal advantage at the break.
The latter, however, saw red in the last minute of the first half, but Trevor Chalobah’s 80th-minute strike was in vain as United held on for the win.
Head-to-head
This will be the 199th meeting between the clubs, with United winning 81 of the matches and Chelsea emerging victorious on 56 occasions.
Stat attack – Manchester United
United playmaker Bruno Fernandes is just three assists away from equalling the all-time record of 20 in a single Premier League season.
Chelsea team news
Chelsea manager Rosenior says midfielder Enzo Fernandez has returned to full training and is available for selection for the visit of Manchester United after being dropped for disciplinary reasons.
The 25-year-old Argentina World Cup winner was omitted from the squad for the 7-0 win over League One Port Vale in the FA Cup quarterfinals and last week’s 3-0 Premier League defeat by second-placed Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
Fernandez, who had been wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of the injured Reece James, had previously said he would assess his future after the World Cup and expressed a desire to live in Madrid, comments for which he later apologised.
“Enzo has been with the group and has been training very, very well,” Rosenior told reporters on Thursday. “So, it’s business as usual in terms of selection for the game.
“In terms of his training, his application to training, Enzo has been fantastic as well.”
Rosenior also provided updates on defender Trevoh Chalobah, who has not played since the second leg of Chelsea’s Champions League defeat by Paris Saint-Germain, and on James, who has been sidelined since the loss to Newcastle United also in March.
“Trevoh trained today but not quite fully; it was a modified training,” Rosenior said. “We’ll make a decision on him, but he’s very, very close. Reece is a little bit further away.”
United’s first-choice centre-backs Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire are both suspended for the match.
Maguire was set to return from a one-game ban, but has had his suspension extended by an additional game for improper conduct following his sending off against Bournemouth last month.
Fellow centre-back Matthijs de Ligt is still sidelines by a back injury, while Kobbie Mainoo missed the defeat by Leeds with a knock and remains a doubt.
