Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (22) lines up during action against the Wyoming Cowboys, with Dec 30, 2023 marking the Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona. McNeil-Warren contributed in the secondary during the postseason matchup between Toledo and Wyoming. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.
You are not far away from learning who the Minnesota Vikings draft in Round 1 this offseason. The club has the 18th pick and will render a verdict on Thursday night. So to make sure you’re prepared, it’s time to peek at the leading contenders to turn purple that night.
Seven names. One pick. Thursday is here.
Ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = Vikings’ most likely draft pick), here’s the list.
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The Prospects Most Firmly in Play for Minnesota at No. 18
The long offseason journey is close to a grand reveal.
Tennessee defensive back Colton Hood (8) walks with teammates during the Vol Walk before Tennessee’s home opener against ETSU, Sept 6, 2025, at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, moving through a crowd of fans as part of the pregame tradition that builds energy ahead of kickoff in the Volunteers’ early-season matchup. Mandatory Credit: Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
7. Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
Turning 21 this year, Hood could be the answer to Minnesota’s decade-long search for a successful rookie cornerback drafted to effectively fill the position. Ranked No. 35 on the Consensus Big Board, Hood aligns with the Vikings’ history of drafting in this range, as seen with Donovan Jackson at No. 39.
His ability to play outside cornerback makes him a particularly valuable prospect, with the potential to contribute as a starter immediately.
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6. Kayden McDonald (DL, Ohio State)
If Minnesota considers trading back 5–12 spots, McDonald is a stable, reliable option. A true run-stopping nose tackle, he could fill the void in the defense left by the departures of Linval Joseph and Dalvin Tomlinson. McDonald is a “safe” pick.
At No. 31 on the CBB, trading with a team like Miami at No. 30 could yield additional Day 2 draft capital while still allowing the Vikings to secure McDonald.
SB Nation‘s Michael Peterson on McDonald and the Vikings’ fit: “With the way the Vikings want to play defense under Brian Flores, they’ll need big bodies to plug up as many holes as possible so as not to get burnt by well-timed runs into some of their pressure packages.”
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“McDonald is the best at doing just that while still having the strength to push the pocket when needed. He likely won’t be a three-down player immediately at the next level, but I can easily foresee him being able to re-work his body, transform some of the bad weight into better mass, and become an all-around menace in the middle.”
5. Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
With T.J. Hockenson’s contract potentially extending through the 2027 free agency period, Sadiq’s long-term fit becomes particularly appealing.
If Sadiq is the highest-rated player available at No. 18, the timing aligns well for a future-oriented selection. At 21 years old, Sadiq offers a combination of pass-catching and blocking abilities and meets all the necessary physical requirements.
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4. Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee)
McCoy is projected to be selected before Minnesota’s pick, making his acquisition less likely. Widely regarded as the CB2 in this draft class behind LSU’s Mansoor Delane, he is generating Top 15 buzz.
The 20-year-old McCoy, currently recovering from a torn ACL that will sideline him for the 2025 season at Tennessee, specializes in outside cornerback duties, similar to Hood.
3. Peter Woods (DT, Clemson)
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The departures of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, who collectively accounted for over 1,300 defensive snaps last season, create a significant void on the defensive line, typically necessitating addressing the position in the draft.
Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods (11) stands on the field before the game against NC State, Sep 21, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina, preparing during pregame warmups as he readies for a key conference matchup with expectations centered on his impact along the defensive front. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
If Minnesota remains at No. 18 and seeks to bolster the interior, Woods emerges as a logical and impactful choice.
2. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
A strategic trade down could create an opportunity to select McNeil-Warren while simultaneously acquiring additional premium draft capital.
With safety projected to become a pressing need if Harrison Smith retires, McNeil-Warren offers a combination of size, range, and a proven ability to generate turnovers. While the selection of safeties in Round 1 is often debated, his overall profile makes a compelling case.
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SI.com‘s Justin Melo wrote about McNeil-Warren to Minnesota this week, “Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman is among the more commonly mocked players to the Minnesota Vikings at No. 18 overall. Does McNeil-Warren not warrant consideration here?”
“We’re not convinced Thieneman is the consensus No. 2 safety on every draft board. The Vikings are almost certainly in the market at the position, with 14-year mainstay Harrison Smith available in free agency. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores preaches physicality and violence in the defensive backfield, and McNeil-Warren would fit his scheme like a glove.”
1. Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
Those who closely follow mock drafts have frequently seen Thieneman linked to Minnesota. Parallels to Harrison Smith continue to emerge, and the timing aligns well with Smith’s career trajectory. Smith might retire; he might be back for one more season. Nobody knows.
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Purdue defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) speaks with teammate Joseph Jefferson II (32) after a Notre Dame touchdown, Sep 14, 2024, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana, reacting to the play during a difficult game as the Boilermakers regroup following a scoring drive by the Fighting Irish. Mandatory Credit: Alex Martin/Journal and Courier-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Initially viewed as a Round 2 prospect, a strong Combine performance has elevated his stock, and the connection between Thieneman and Minnesota continues to gain momentum.
If you ask the general population who will end up with the Vikings on Thursday night, most will say Thieneman.
Erling Haaland and Gabriel endured a war on Sunday as Manchester City beat Arsenal 2-1 to take control of the Premier League title race
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland said he would never feign injury to get another player sent off after a controversial incident involving Arsenal centre-back Gabriel. With the Blues leading 2-1 thanks to Haaland’s second half strike, tempers flared when Haaland pushed the defender after a free kick was awarded in his favour.
The two players then squared up to each other with Gabriel appearing to be the aggressor as he moved his head towards Haaland. Instead of going to ground, the City man continued to face off with the Arsenal defender before both sets of players piled in to separate them.
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When asked about the incident at full time, Haaland told Sky Sports: “If I fell on the floor there, which I will not do unless someone really attacks me, then it would be red card. I’m not sure, I haven’t seen the situation. It is what it is, I will not fall on the floor. For me I don’t know why he comes up to my face.”
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Once the incident had settled, both Haaland and Gabriel were booked. Former Premier League referee Mike Dean said on commentary the defender was ‘very, very lucky’ not to be sent off and former Manchester United captain Gary Neville was equally confused by the decision.
Post-match, he told Sky Sports: “If Gabriel had scored later on or had some impact on the game, Pep Guardiola would’ve been fuming. It’s accepted in football you can put your head against each other, but once you push it forward, it’s usually a red. I was happy he didn’t send him off. I got sent off for it against Steve McManaman, I leant my head forward.”
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Former City and Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira added: “I really enjoyed that battle [between Haaland and Gabriel]. In the last couple of years those two players have been really hard for each other, but the referee managed it really well.
They were competitive, they were difficult, but these are the kind of games we want to see, that we enjoy watching. I don’t think Gabriel deserved a red card.”
On the game itself, Haaland concluded by paying tribute to Bernardo Silva who was awarded Man of the Match. “I told him, when he headed [a late cross beating Viktor Gyokeres to the ball] out: ‘You were like f****** [Fabio] Cannavaro today,” he said.
“Today, Bernie, I’m not going to make it emotional, you were amazing today as well. Every game is a final. On Wednesday we have a new final. When we have stopped speaking here, it’s about recovering for the Burnley game. Because the Burnley game just as important as this game. We need to stay focus, stay humble.”
BOSTON — Jayson Tatum had 25 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in his first playoff game since rupturing his right Achilles tendon last season, and the Boston Celtics rolled past the Philadelphia 76ers 123-91 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round matchup on Sunday.
Jaylen Brown scored 26 points and Neemias Queta added 13 for the second-seeded Celtics.
Tatum scored 21 points in the first half, playing in just his 17th game this season following surgery last May to repair his Achilles tendon.
Boston never trailed, building a 35-point lead as coach Joe Mazzulla gave minutes to 12 players. The Celtics connected on 16 3-pointers.
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Game 2 is Tuesday night in Boston.
Tyrese Maxey had 21 points and eight assists for the 76ers, who played without Joel Embiid. The 2023 MVP continues to recover following an appendectomy on April 9. It’s unclear when he will be able to return.
Paul George scored 17 points and V.J. Edgecombe added 13. Philadelphia was 4 of 23 from three-point range.
Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton was caught voicing his frustration in a hot mic moment before being ejected for arguing a check swing call during Saturday’s loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
The incident went down in the seventh inning after first base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ruled that Reds star Elly De La Cruz didn’t swing, resulting in a ball on the pitch with the Twins leading, 4-2.
Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton walks to the dugout during the first inning of the Boston Red Sox game in Minneapolis on April 13, 2026.(Abbie Parr/AP)
“No swing?” could be heard shouted from the dugout, although it wasn’t immediately clear who shouted it. De La Cruz hit an RBI single on the next pitch, and Rece Hinds scored to narrow the Twins’ lead.
Shelton’s displeasure could be heard from the dugout, and just a few moments later, home plate umpire Nic Lentz ejected him.
The broadcast picked up Lentz telling Shelton, “I wasn’t going to hear it anymore.”
Shelton charged at him, denying the accusation and repeatedly shouting, “I’m not even f—ing talking to you,” and, “I didn’t say anything to you.”
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Manager Derek Shelton of the Minnesota Twins argues with home plate umpire Nic Lentz at Target Field in Minneapolis on April 18, 2026.(David Berding/Getty Images)
After the game, Shelton said the comment that got him tossed was made when his head was down.
“I had my head down when I made the comment I made,” he said, via The Minnesota Star Tribune. “He evidently thought I was making the comment at him, but I had my head down and I was not looking at any umpire after I made it.
“You guys can make the determination on the check swing what you think, but when I made the comment I made, I had my head down. I’ve been ejected a lot of times. In that one, I was not directing anything at anything except frustration down at our bench.”
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Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton argues with umpire Laz Diaz over a pitch challenge during the Orioles game, March 29, 2026, in Baltimore.(Gail Burton/AP)
This was the second time Shelton was ejected this season. Last month, he became the first manager to be ejected over the new Automated Balls and Strikes (ABS) system during a loss to Baltimore.
This latest win represents Maher’s second in the Mornington Cup, building on Right You Are’s 2023 success that led to a fifth placing in the Caulfield Cup some six months later.
Kings Valley ($6.50), guided by Lachlan Neindorf, edged out Pounding ($10) by a head, as Suntora ($10) ended up 1-¼ lengths further adrift in third.
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According to Jack Turnbull, National Assistant Trainer for Maher’s team, the Saturday result could be pivotal in Kings Valley’s development.
“He didn’t go about it as you would like,” Turnbull said.
“He was on and off the bridle, but he had an economical run and got the right splits when he needed to.
“We’ve been trying to get to 2400 metres, but he’s been a fierce horse to train and race, so we worked the horse down into the race today and it’s worked out really well.
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“Credit to the horse as I think he will go to the next level over this trip because he’s not slow with good change up speed.”
Securing the ‘Golden Ticket’ to the Caulfield Cup prompts the group to consider the most suitable strategy for advancing Kings Valley to the prestige event.
He indicated indecision between Maher potentially wrapping up the campaign or continuing to polish the stayer’s competitive demeanor.
“We always wanted to get to this stage before having to think about that,” Turnbull said.
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“We are in a really good position now.”
Rising in his saddle after the winning line, Neindorf conveyed that this achievement outweighed his dual Group 1 successes in his native South Australia.
“This might sound outrageous, but it probably means more to me winning one of these than any of my Group 1’s,” Neindorf said.
“Just for the simple fact when I first came over as an apprentice, I lived in Mornington and then when I went back (to Adelaide) I had to build myself from the ground up and it felt like I was trying to build a skyscraper.
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“I’ve come back a second time and based myself in Mornington again and this is now more so home than home in Adelaide.
“It means a lot to win this Cup today.”
For the best betting sites, punters should review options ahead of the 2026 Caulfield Cup where Kings Valley eyes glory.
Former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch is facing two misdemeanor charges after he was arrested in Athens early Sunday. The arrest of the star receiver comes just days before he is projected to be a second-round pick in this week’s NFL Draft.
Branch, who turned 22 just last month, was arrested by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and booked into the Athens-Clarke County Jail just before 1:30 a.m. on two charges.
Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch celebrates with wide receiver Colbie Young after scoring a touchdown during the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinals at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Jan. 1, 2026. Ole Miss defeated Georgia 39-34.(IMAGN)
The former Bulldogs star was charged with obstructing public sidewalks/streets – prowling and obstruction of a law enforcement officer. He was released after more than two hours in jail after posting $39 in bonds.
ESPN reported that Branch attended Georgia’s spring game on Saturday. His brother, Zion Branch, is a safety for the team after both transferred there in 2025.
Branch transferred after two seasons at Southern California and immediately became quarterback Gunner Stockton’s favorite target. He finished the season with a team-high 811 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.
Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch runs during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., on Feb. 28, 2026.(Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
In January, he announced his plans to declare for the draft.
“DAWG NATION, thank you for your unwavering support. You welcomed me with open arms. Having the opportunity to play between the hedges and winning the SEC Championship is a story only God could’ve written, and for that, I am forever grateful,” he wrote in a statement shared on social media.
Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Zachariah Branch celebrates after a touchdown catch against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on Nov. 28, 2025.(Brett Davis/Imagn Images)
Manchester City swung the race for the championship in its favor by beating Arsenal 2-1 on Sunday thanks to a second-half winner by Erling Haaland.
Haaland’s league-leading 23rd goal of the campaign in the 65th minute allowed City to trim the gap to Arsenal, the long-time front-runner, to three points. City has a game in hand at relegation-threatened Burnley on Wednesday, after which Pep Guardiola’s team is likely to have overturned its goal-difference deficit to Arsenal and taken the lead with five rounds remaining.
“Panic on the streets of London” read a banner held aloft behind one of the goals after the final whistle – a reference to a 1980s song by The Smiths and a nod to Arsenal’s end-of-season implosion that has seen Mikel Arteta’s team lose four of its last six games in all competitions, including two straight in the league.
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This might be a familiar sinking feeling for Arsenal fans, who have seen their team finish as runner-up for the past three Premier League seasons.
“Two weeks ago, this didn’t look very likely, this scenario,” City captain Bernardo Silva said.
An often-frenetic match exploded into life when Rayan Cherki gave City a 16th-minute lead with a weaving run and finish, only for Arsenal to draw level in bizarre circumstances two minutes later after Gianluigi Donnarumma’s clearance was charged down by Kai Havertz and rebounded into the net from close range.
Haaland and Arsenal pair Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes struck the goal frame, before Haaland slotted home a low shot from Nico O’Reilly’s cross, dealing a huge blow to Arsenal’s hopes of a first league championship since 2004.
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City is expected to beat next-to-last Burnley, but has a tougher run-in than Arsenal that includes trips to Everton and Bournemouth and a final-day meeting with Aston Villa.
“Every game is a final,” Haaland said.
Unlike City, which is unbeaten in 10 league games, Arsenal is struggling for form and also has to balance playing in the Champions League after reaching the semifinals.
“It’s a new league now – everything is still to play for,” Arteta said.
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Liverpool and Aston Villa look to be headed for the Champions League after grabbing stoppage-time winners on Sunday.
Virgil van Dijk headed home in the 10th minute of added-on time to earn Liverpool a 2-1 victory at Everton in a Merseyside derby featuring a record-tying goal from Mohamed Salah.
Salah, who is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season after nine trophy-filled seasons, marked his final derby by slotting in a low finish in the 29th minute. His ninth Merseyside derby goal drew him even with Liverpool great Steven Gerrard for the most in the Premier League era (since 1992).
It was Liverpool’s other stalwart, Van Dijk, who sealed the win by turning in a corner by Dominik Szoboszlai.
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There was so much stoppage time because Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was forced off on a stretcher after sustaining an injury attempting in vain to save a 54th-minute shot by Beto that brought Everton level.
Villa, meanwhile, beat Sunderland 4-3 thanks to Tammy Abraham’s goal in the third minute of stoppage time.
Fourth-placed Villa moved 10 points ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea. Liverpool is in between them, but stretched its advantage over Chelsea to seven points.
The top five in the Premier League will qualify for the Champions League.
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Morgan Gibbs-White scored a second-half hat trick as Nottingham Forest rallied to beat Burnley 4-1 and further boost its survival hopes.
Forest moved five points clear of third-to-last Tottenham in the relegation zone, while next-to-last Burnley slipped closer to the drop to the Championship.
INDIANAPOLIS — Caitlin Clark looked right at home inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday.
She wore her favourite Indiana Fever practice gear, stretched and ran with teammates and, of course, flashed her trademark smile. And while she didn’t line up any three-pointers during the open portion of the team’s first training camp practice, everyone knows those will be back — in time.
For now, just getting back to work in her adopted hometown served as a welcome respite after enduring so many frustrating twists during her injury-plagued 2025 season.
“It’s hard, it’s very isolating to come to practice every single day and spend two hours getting treatment and rehab and then you come out here and you have to show up and be the best teammate you can be,” she said. “I think that taught me a lot about what I can do if I’m not on the court, and I got to be their biggest fan. I think that was a great experience for me because through a lot of my career, everyone else was my biggest fan. That doesn’t mean I wasn’t cheering for my teammates. It was like I was playing the most minutes, I had the ball in my hands and when you’re not doing that you have to find another way to impact the team.
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Clark did her part last year, serving essentially as the WNBA’s highest-profile coach on game days while working relentlessly behind the scenes to get back to full strength. But the NCAA Division I’s career scoring leader never fully recovered from what turned out to be a season-ending injured right groin just before the All-Star break.
The seemingly indestructible Clark appeared in just 13 games, missed the All-Star Game and the surrounding weekend’s festivities in Indianapolis, and embraced the Fever’s inspirational playoff run, which ended one win short of the WNBA Finals despite a rash of injuries.
So getting Clark back to practice Sunday was a victory for her and the Fever. Now comes the hard part — keeping her healthy.
“The biggest thing is just making sure we’re mindful it’s Day 1,” coach Stephanie White said. “It’s not like she has to go out there and go through everything. I think with her, Kelsey (Mitchell), with AB (Aliyah Boston), just being mindful of getting them in and out, and we need to get other people integrated anyway, so I think it will give us a good opportunity to do that.”
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Clark didn’t just spend the offseason rehabbing. She worked as a television broadcaster and as a sports photographer during an NBA game before returning to action while representing the U.S. during the recent World Cup qualifier in Puerto Rico. That gave her a chance to knock off some rust and get back into playing shape.
But things have changed since Clark last appeared in a WNBA game.
There’s a new collective bargaining agreement in place, a deal that helped her All-Star teammates Boston and Mitchell recently sign million-dollar contracts. Longtime rival Angel Reese has been traded to Atlanta, and the league has added two expansion teams as it prepares for its second straight 44-game schedule.
It was about this time last year, Clark said Sunday, she sensed something was off. A few weeks later, she missed Indiana’s first pre-season game, her first absence in six years, with a left leg injury that marked the start of her injury-plagued season.
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The good news for Clark fans: She declared herself 100 per cent and said she had no restrictions entering camp. That could set her up for a comeback year — presuming a slightly different approach helps her stay healthy in 2026.
“I’ve been playing pickup, playing live all the time. Eventually, skill workouts get a little boring, so you just want to play and play and play,” she said. “I’m the person that doesn’t want to miss a rep, I want to be out there every single time. Like I just love competing and none of that has changed. But I think just being a little smarter with my body and understanding what it takes — I think especially through camp days — taking care of my body is probably the most important thing.”
While the Major League Baseball season is only just underway, some clear storylines are forming for the year.
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For the New York Yankees, the biggest storyline is the breakout of Ben Rice. He was already great last season, but he’s taking his play to a new level in 2026.
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Amid such a breakout, MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch is calling for Yankees fans to believe this breakout is for real, and that Rice is a future All-Star, and a lefty-hitting counterpart to Aaron Judge on the right side of the plate.
Yankees fans should believe in Ben Rice’s breakout
“Yankees: Ben Rice is a future All-Star,” Hoch writes. “The next step in Rice’s development will come with increased opportunities against left-handed pitching.”
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Rice had a .255 batting average and an .836 OPS across 138 games last season. It was a great year, but there was room for improvement.
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And he’s shown exactly that so far in 2026. While it’s only been 20 games, with limited playing time against lefty pitching, Rice has dominated this season.
He is currently hitting .339 with a ridiculous 1.242 OPS to begin the season. While not a super-long sample-size, Rice’s production has been extensive enough to believe in.
He already has seven homers and 17 RBIs with six doubles this season, and could be headed towards an elite season for the Yankees.
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But, there is one issue: his chances against left-handed pitching. Aaron Boone has held Rice back from getting reps against lefties, and while those chances are sure to come at some point, Yankees fans are running out of patience.
Rice, the 27-year-old slugger, looks to be a future All-Star even if he’s not playing every game as a starter. He’s one of the best hitters in baseball this season, and his breakout is one Yankees fans should believe in. Rice is actually this good.
Ben Shelton connects with the ball during his second-round match at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., Friday, March 6, 2026.
Ben Shelton rolled to his second title of the year, winning the BMW Open with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Italy’s Flavio Cobolli at Munich, Germany.
Shelton won 85% of his first-serve points on the clay surface and saved all six break points he faced to win his fifth career title and first since Dallas earlier this year. Shelton showed his form early when he broke Cobolli’s serve twice in the first three games of the match.
With the second set tied 5-5, Shelton broke Cobolli again and won on serve on his first match point. Shelton became the first American man since 2009 to win three ATP 500 titles.
“I have big ambitions for the clay courts,” Shelton said in his post-match interview. “It is a surface I want to get better on each year. It is slowly becoming one of my favorite surfaces to play on.”
Barcelona Open
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Arthur Fils of France held off a late charge from Russia’s Andrey Rublev to record a 6-2, 7-6 (2) victory in the final of the tournament.
Fils won his first title since returning in February after missing eight months because of a back injury.
Fils was well on his way to victory after cruising in the first set and leading 5-2 in the second before Rublev dug in his heels. Rublev broke Fils’ serve to pull within 5-4 in the second set, then staved off one match point to make it 5-5.
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Rublev broke serve again to lead 6-5 in the second set before Fils finally regained control and finished off the match in a tiebreak.
“The end of the second set was just about the mental (pressure),” Fils said. “The whole match was a bit tough because I was a bit tight. I played well for a set and a half, but when I had to close, I started to think a little. But I’m very happy with the way I played the tiebreak.”
Manchester City were the better team against Arsenal but still had to work to make that count on the scoresheet
18:44, 19 Apr 2026
Arsenal are desperately trying to end the Manchester City era of dominance in the Premier League. In the biggest game of the season, even an error wasn’t enough for them.
There was an irony given all the conversation around Kepa Arrizabalaga and goalkeeping No.2s after the Carabao Cup final, but also a pattern for City’s season. All the forward steps they have taken towards the top of the Premier League table have not been enough for them to actually reach the summit before they have suffered another setback: nearly but not quite.
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When Rayan Cherki danced his way through the Arsenal defence to score the opening goal of the game, it looked like City were once again the unstoppable force in April that barge all title contenders to one side. Then the Donnarumma error came seconds later and the whole stadium went into shock, Guardiola running back towards his seat in the dugout with his hands on his head to get a second look at the horror that had unfolded.
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Arsenal, whose inclusion of Martin Odegaard in the XI was a surprise boost for them, were more aggressive and more attacking than their performances in recent weeks have been. In a first half littered with errors, City had the better of it but Arsenal were hardly spectators.
Then, as the game opened up and stretched in the second half, the visitors sensed their opportunity. Donnarumma saved well from Havertz, then moments later Eberechi Eze’s shot hit the inside of the left-hand post and spun past the other one and away from danger.
As the game ticked past an hour enter Donnarumma again, this time starting an attack with a positive throw forward for Nico O’Reilly. City’s matchwinner from the cup final sprung forward, exchanged passed with Jeremy Doku and then put the ball across the box where Erling Haaland held off Gabriel and lashed it into the bottom corner.
The Norwegian should have scored before then, but he was also putting in a monstrous shift against Gabriel and the Arsenal backline that referee Anthony Taylor was happy to let go unchecked. It wasn’t the worst strategy, although how Gabriel escaped a red card for throwing his head forward to Haaland’s was beyond anyone in the stadium with sense.
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Haaland, like O’Reilly and Donnarumma, had his moment and made it count and a terrific rearguard effort kept out Arsenal for the rest of the game and seven long added minutes. Bernardo Silva and Rodri are unrivalled in these big games and Silva was straight to Donnarumma at full-time before celebrating with the South Stand in his first game since announcing he is leaving.
This afternoon was the high point for this new team as they overcame the pressure and the setbacks in the game, building on their Carabao Cup win to produce an even bigger victory. And in claiming a huge three points, they give more hope to the idea that their climax this season may come with more silverware.
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