-
)
Premier
10 Feb 21:30
)
Chelsea
)
LeedsUnite
2 2 -
Premier
10 Feb 21:30
)
Everton
)
AFCBournem
1 2 -
Premier
10 Feb 21:30
)
TottenhamH
)
NewcastleU
1 2 -
Premier
10 Feb 22:15
)
WestHamUni
)
Manchester
1 1 -
Premier
11 Feb 21:30
)
CrystalPal
)
Burnley
- - -
Premier
11 Feb 21:30
)
AstonVilla
)
Brighton&a
- - -
Premier
11 Feb 21:30
)
Manchester
)
Fulham
- - -
Premier
11 Feb 21:30
)
Nottingham
)
Wolverhamp
- - -
Premier
11 Feb 22:15
)
Sunderland
)
Liverpool
- - -
Premier
12 Feb 22:00
)
Brentford
)
Arsenal
- - -
)
Ligue 1
13 Feb 20:00
)
Rennes
)
ParisSaint
- - -
)
Bundesl
13 Feb 21:30
)
BorussiaDo
)
Mainz05
- - -
)
Serie A
13 Feb 21:45
)
Pisa
)
ACMilan
- - -
)
LaLiga
13 Feb 22:00
)
Elche
)
Osasuna
- - -
Ligue 1
13 Feb 22:05
)
Monaco
)
Nantes
- - -
LaLiga
14 Feb 15:00
)
Espanyol
)
CeltaVigo
- - -
Serie A
14 Feb 16:00
)
Como
)
Fiorentina
- - -
Bundesl
14 Feb 16:30
)
BayerLever
)
St.Pauli
- - -
Bundesl
14 Feb 16:30
)
EintrachtF
)
BorussiaMo
- - -
Bundesl
14 Feb 16:30
)
HamburgerS
)
UnionBerli
- -
REVEALED: THE SECRET SHORT-PASSING METRICS THAT CONVINCED PEP GUARDIOLA TO SIGN GIGIO DONNARUMMA
Guardiola hails Donnarumma’s passing as City chase Arsenal. See the stats behind the Ederson swap and why Pep trusts his No. 1.
Pep Guardiola’s not having any of the criticism about Gianluigi Donnarumma’s passing. The Manchester City boss has praised his new goalkeeper’s calmness, control, and especially his short passing. According to Guardiola, people don’t give the 26-year-old enough credit for how good he is with the ball at his feet. Sure, he admits Donnarumma isn’t Ederson when it comes to launching those long passes—but then again, who is?
A lot of people doubted if Guardiola would actually sign Donnarumma, since the Italian’s distribution had been questioned, and City’s style is built around keepers who can play out from the back. But City went for it anyway, paying £26 million after Donnarumma became surplus to requirements at PSG—even though he’d just helped Luis Enrique’s team win their first Champions League. PSG moved on to Lucas Chevalier, who cost them €40 million, mainly because of his superior passing.
The city made room for Donnarumma by selling Ederson to Fenerbahce for £10 million. Ederson’s known as one of the best passing goalkeepers in the world, so swapping him for Donnarumma was always going to raise some eyebrows. Guardiola has always wanted keepers to be comfortable with the ball—remember when he replaced Joe Hart with Claudio Bravo as soon as he arrived? But now, Guardiola’s made it clear: he thinks Donnarumma deserves more respect.
Before City’s FA Cup game against Exeter City, Guardiola said, “Donnarumma’s really, really good with short passes. He can’t hit the long ones like Ederson, but honestly, nobody can. Gigio’s calm, his first touch is solid, and his decision-making and short passing are way better than people think.”
Comparing stats from last season, Ederson was on the ball a lot more—averaging 31.7 passes per 90 minutes, compared to Donnarumma’s 23. 4. Ederson also played more long balls (9.4 versus 6 per game), and with better accuracy (almost 58% to Donnarumma’s 45%). Since coming to City, Donnarumma hasn’t been as involved in build-up play—he averages 25.5 passes a game—but he’s reminded everyone he’s still one of the best old-school shot-stoppers, with a 71.7% save rate in the Premier League.
Guardiola clearly trusts Donnarumma, even if people still talk about his discipline and passing. The Spaniard avoided criticising him after four yellow cards in his first ten games and even stepped in to calm things down when Donnarumma got involved in a scuffle during the 1-1 draw at Sunderland.
City needs Donnarumma to be at his best if they’re going to keep up with Arsenal, who are six points ahead in the title race. With some big league matches coming up, Donnarumma’s getting a rest for the FA Cup third round against Exeter—James Trafford steps in for that one. But make no mistake, Guardiola’s got faith in his new number one.
ERLING HAALAND’S MENTALITY IS THE ONLY REASON MAN CITY CAN CATCH ARSENAL
Erling Haaland’s late penalty at Anfield has cut Arsenal’s lead to three points, reigniting Manchester City’s title charge.
_1770642805.webp)
Erling Haaland isn’t giving up on the title just yet. After slotting home a penalty deep into stoppage time at Anfield, he made it clear: “The title race isn’t over until it’s actually over.” That late goal kept Manchester City’s hopes alive.
Honestly, things looked grim with six minutes left. Szoboszlai had just smashed in a free kick, and even with Bernardo Silva’s equaliser, City were still staring at an eight-point gap behind Arsenal. But that penalty—Haaland’s first league goal at Anfield—changed the mood. Now, if City beat Fulham at home on Wednesday, the gap shrinks to three points before Arsenal even kick a ball at Brentford the next day.
Haaland tried to play it cool when people pressed him about the win. “It’s just three points, that’s it. Doesn’t matter if it’s Tottenham, whoever,” he said. But then he admitted, “Yeah, I get it. It was a big one.”
He’s not getting carried away, though. “We’ve seen it before—this race goes down to the wire. Right now, Fulham’s all I’m thinking about. There’s still a lot of football left.”
Haaland’s still the league’s top scorer with 21, but his penalty at Anfield was only his second league goal since Christmas. In his first 20 games this season, he couldn’t stop scoring—30 goals for club and country. Lately, though, the goals have dried up, and he knows it.
“Honestly, I haven’t scored enough since the start of the year. I have to be sharper and better at everything. That’s on me—I owe it to the team and to everyone watching.”
He didn’t want to make excuses or talk too much about what’s behind his dip in form. “I don’t think there’s an excuse. Fatigue? Most of it’s in your head. The schedule’s brutal, sure, but for me, it’s all about staying fit and being ready to help the team. That’s what matters most.”
INSIDE RULE 6.4.2: DISCOVER WHY MARC GUEHI IS BANNED FROM THE CUP FINAL
Pep Guardiola is fighting the EFL over a rule barring Marc Guehi from the Carabao Cup final despite City paying his full salary.
Marc Guehi can’t play for Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final. Pep Guardiola wanted him in the squad for Wembley on March 22, right after City knocked out Newcastle with a 5-1 win on aggregate. But the EFL isn’t budging on the rules. Guehi joined City from Crystal Palace on January 19—six days after the first leg of the semi-final. The rulebook says you can play for more than one team in the Carabao Cup, but only if you sign before the winter window closes or before the first semi-final, whichever comes first. Guehi missed that cutoff.
The rule is new this year. It’s why Antoine Semenyo got to play for City in the semi at St James’ Park, right after signing from Bournemouth. Max Alleyne, who was on loan at Watford earlier in the tournament, also managed to feature after City brought him back.
Guardiola’s frustrated. “Why shouldn’t he play? He’s our player. We pay him; we signed him…” he said on Wednesday. “We’ll definitely ask the EFL—I just don’t get why he can’t play in the final when he’s been with us for a while. Of course we’ll try. It just makes sense. But, honestly, I don’t see them changing the rule.”
Switching gears—Tijjani Reijnders knows City can’t slip up anymore. They’re six points behind Arsenal in the league, and after a rough stretch where they dropped points in five out of their last six matches, there’s no more room for error. At least they’re feeling good after brushing past Newcastle to book a spot in the Carabao Cup final.
But next up? Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. Liverpool’s title defence might be over, but they’re still fighting hard for a Champions League spot. Reijnders knows what’s at stake. “It’s a big match, for sure. We have to show up and be ready. No more mistakes. We want to win every game, and this one’s no different.”
City made light work of Newcastle at the Etihad. The second leg finished 3-1, with Omar Marmoush scoring twice and Reijnders adding another. They had all three goals before halftime. Anthony Elanga got one back for Newcastle after the break, but City had already done the job.
Now it’s Arsenal waiting for them in the final at Wembley. Reijnders is hungry for success. “We’re one step closer to a trophy, and we’re very hungry. Personally, winning my first trophy with Manchester City would be amazing.”
Read More News