Lisandro Martinez was shown a red card for Manchester United vs Leeds after being adjudged to have pulled Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair.

The discussion around Lisandro Martinez‘s red card during Manchester United’s Premier League loss against Leeds United in April continued after an incident during Chelsea vs Leeds United in the FA Cup on Sunda.. The defender was shown a straight red after being adjudged to have pulled Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair.

United were trailing 2-0 at the time and went on to lose 2-1. The incident was not spotted by referee Paul Tierney, but was picked up by VAR.

United were later unsuccessful with an appeal against the decision, meaning that Martinez is serving the full three-match suspension. The debate over the decision was raised again during Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final between Leeds and Chelsea.

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With Chelsea 1-0 up thanks to Enzo Fernandez’s header, the game was temporarily stopped with VAR having a second check of a potential hair pull incident, ironically involving Calvert-Lewin.

Speaking on TNT Sport, commentator Darren Fletcher said: “The game is being delayed at the moment, because they’re just having a look at a potential pull of Marc Cucurella’s hair by Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

“It’s just been fed into Jarred Gillett, the referee, that the video assistant wants to look at it.”

Upon seeing a replay, co-commentator Ally McCoist said: “Not a lot in that for me.”

Fletcher then explained the decision not to award a red was reached, but touched on the Martinez incident: “So, Paul Howard has had a look, and he’s kind of said it’s ok and he’s gone through the explanation that it was the flat of the hand,” he said.

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“It’s very much en vogue at the minute this pulling hair isn’t it? We’re all talking about it at the minute after the Martinez thing.”

McCoist made his feelings on the Martinez decision clear: “Lets cover it and say Martinez was never a sending off, never a sending off,” he said.

“And that’s (the Calvert-Lewin decision) not even worth talking about, I don’t think.”

It’s not the view shared by former United full-back Gary Neville. Commentating on the Martinez decision at the time, he said: “You are not getting away with a hair-pull.”

Neville added: “Martinez is looking perplexed and confused. But a hair-pull results in a red card these days. He knew what he was doing.”

The suspension saw Martinez miss United’s 1-0 win over Chelsea last weekend. The defender will also miss Monday night’s clash against Brentford and the visit of Liverpool to Old Trafford.

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After every NFL draft, several losers from each team emerge from the fallout of the event — even though they personally did nothing wrong. The 2026 campaign is no different, so let’s examine the “losers” for the Minnesota Vikings from the last few days.

Minnesota’s draft class created fresh pressure at running back, offensive line, and along the defensive interior.

Ranked from smallest to largest — No. 1 is the biggest loser — here’s the list.

Ten Vikings Facing a Tougher Path after Draft Weekend

Not everyone had a swell event per long-term roster trajectory.

10. Michael Jurgens (C)

In Round 7 — too late, according to some fans’ estimation — the Vikings took a plunge with a center of the future, a man named Gavin Gerhardt from Cincinnati.

Gerhardt was not a coveted draft prospect, but since the draft, some credible reporting has indicated that he was the Vikings’ rookie center plan all along. They basically knew they could wait until Round 7 to get their man.

Blake Brandel will probably start in September, but Minnesota appears comfortable pivoting to Gerhardt — not Jurgens — in the somewhat near future.

9. Walter Rouse (OT)

Minnesota employs two stud offensive tackles: Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill. Since the start of the offseason, the club has signed free-agent OT Ryan Van Demark from the Buffalo Bills, and it drafted Northwestern’s Caleb Tiernan in Round 4. Players from Round 4 should be reasonably expected to play before too long.

In short, it’s Rouse in the backseat, with Van Demark and Tiernan elevated. In fact, Rouse may have to battle for a regular season roster spot in the preseason.

8. Fans Who Wanted a Rookie WR

The Vikings did homework on oodles of wide receivers before the draft. That trail convinced onlookers that they’d leave the event with one — and then that theory was just wrong.

For now, Tai Felton is on tap for WR3 duty in 2026. Last summer, Minnesota traded for a washed Adam Thielen — using a 4th-Round pick to get him — a maneuver to keep Felton sidelined. The guy must be sitting on a breakout season, or so goes the working theory after the Vikings didn’t take any wideouts.

7. Johnny Hekker (P)

Minnesota signed Hekker last month, its punting solution after Ryan Wright skeddaled in free agency to the New Orleans Saints. For Hekker, life was good.

But on Saturday evening, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski captured Georgia’s Brett Thorson from undrafted free agency. He’s one of the best punters in college football, and some wild rumors suggested he could be drafted in Round 3 or so on Friday.

While that didn’t happen, Hekker, who thought he’d be the Vikings’ punter in 2026, must now look over his shoulder at training camp.

6. NFC North RBs

Fans thought the Vikings might leave the draft with one new defensive tackle. Instead, Brzezinski (or Brian Flores?) pressed the button on two: Caleb Banks (Florida) and Domonique Orange (Iowa State).

After mostly failed experiments with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in 2025, Minnesota opted for youth at DT, and if one or both men pan out, running backs from the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears won’t enjoy life when facing the purple team for the next 4+ years.

5. WR Coach Keenan McCardell

Entering the draft, McCardell had Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Tai Felton, and Myles Price as his four main wideouts for 2026.

Exiting the draft, McCardell had Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Tai Felton, and Myles Price as his four main wideouts for 2026.

McCardell pitched the shutout from Thursday through Saturday, and not in a fun way.

4. Zavier Scott (RB)

Demond Claiborne became a Viking on Saturday, and he won’t be cut in August. Minnesota usually keeps three tailbacks on the September roster, so folks are looking at Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, and Claiborne for Week 1.

That puts Scott on the roster bubble, for better or worse.

3. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (DT)

There was a world — perhaps in a far-off galaxy — where the Vikings promoted Ingram-Dawkins to a starter’s job while drafting Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, for example, in Round 1. That didn’t happen, and with the snap of two fingers, Banks ended any dream of Ingram-Dawkins slipping through to the starting lineup.

He is now what his draft stock in 2025 originally suggested: a backup interior defensive lineman.

2. Ivan Pace Jr. (ILB)

Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson will start as off-ball linebackers in 2026. Then, the Vikings used a 2nd-Round pick on Jake Golday. He’s the new youth movement at ILB.

Pace Jr. is scheduled to be a Viking through the 2026 campaign. If Golday is worth the draft pick, that probably puts Pace Jr. on the chopping block next offseason.

1. Levi Drake Rodriguez (NT)

Nobody anywhere in the Vikings’ fan or analyst orbit expected the team to draft two defensive tackles before the end of Round 3. But when Orange’s name was read on Friday night, well, that ended Rodriguez’s realistic hopes of being the long-term nose tackle for Kevin O’Connell’s team.

If Orange matures and develops as his scouting report suggests, Drake Rodriguez will be the NT2 in Minnesota for the rest of his rookie contract, not the NT1, which might’ve been the case without the Orange selection.

Big Citrus squeezed Rodriguez.

A new American has joined the long line of Borussia Dortmund debuts as 16-year-old winger Mathis Albert made his senior debut for the German club on Sunday. Joining the likes of Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, and others who have played for the club, Albert has now become the youngest American to ever play in the Bundesliga, entering Dortmund’s 4-0 victory over Freiburg in the 88th minute.

Albert broke Reyna’s record as the youngest American to ever play in the Bundesliga after only signing his first professional contract with the club in July of 2025. His appearacnce on Saturday saw his debut come at 16 years and 340 days old. Both Pulisic and Reyna were 17 when they debuted.

A native of Greenville, S.C., Albert was able to obtain French and German citizenship through his parents, allowing him to join the youth reserves of Dortmund in 2024 and leave America before his 18th birthday. A strong dribbler, Albert is at home on the left wing, but being such a young player, it’s hard to tell if he will stick there or end up moving central or further back on the pitch.

Background

Before joining Dortmund, Albert was a member of the LA Galaxy youth academy while also making appearances for the United States youth teams, first being capped at the U-15 level in 2023 before debuting for the U-19 team in March of 2026 in a victory over Wales. He also represented the U.S. U-17 team at the Under-17 World Cup in 2025. Already moving up age levels with the youth national teams alongside making his debut at such a young age, it’s clear that the Black and Yellow have a serious talent on their hands. That dual citizenship is something to watch here, though, since while Albert has youth national team caps, he could be eligible to represent Germany or France if one of those nations comes knocking.

It’s something that the USMNT are currently experiencing with Noahkai Banks. Called into the USMNT squad during the September international window of 2025, Banks wasn’t capped, but he continued to excel for Augsburg, earning the attention of the German national team. Only 19, he now has a decision on his hands of which nation he’d like to commit to. Represent the United States, and there’s a chance that he could be in the squad for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, but committing to Germany, there’s a higher chance that he could win the World Cup in the future. It’s a decision that many have to make, but it’s also a reason why it can’t be assumed that just because someone is born in America, they’ll wear the colors.

Esmir Bajraktarevic hails from Wisconsin, and while he also has USMNT youth caps, he’ll be representing Bosnia and Herzegovina at the World Cup.

Albert has some time, but it’s worth keeping an eye on.

Other Americans to represent Dortmund

While Pulisic and Reyna were the most notable Americans to play for Borussia Dortmund, Albert is actually now the seventh American to make an appearance for the club. He joins Lennard Maloney, who is now with Mainz, Joe Gyau, Jovan Kirovski, and Cole Campbell, who is on loan at Hoffenheim, as American representatives for the club.

Natalie Young and Trent Busuttin intend to travel north with Blind Raise to Brisbane following his standout effort at Flemington.

Blind Raise won the Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) this Saturday, the identical race stablemate Epimeles took in 2024.

Busuttin and Young chose to rest Epimeles post-win for a spring assault, yet they plan differently for Blind Raise this time.

Ridden by Beau Mertens as $2.15 favourite, Blind Raise won by two lengths from Profligate ($7.50) and Seraphox ($4.40) who was a half-head further back in third.

According to Busuttin, upcoming plans feature the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) next month at Eagle Farm and the Group 1 J J Atkins (1600m) in June for the horse.

“Plenty of things can go wrong between now and when they turn three and that’s why we want to go to Brisbane,” Busuttin said.

“When Epimeles won this race, we said we’d spell and go for the spring, but things haven’t stopped going wrong with him ever since.

“For this bloke, there’s two one-million-dollar races up in Queensland and I might even get a trip up there.”

With two wins from two attempts, Blind Raise first succeeded at Sandown earlier in April.

Busuttin noted satisfaction in Blind Raise’s elevation from maiden win to Stakes glory on Saturday.

“He did it pretty impressively and the market said he would and you always want to see them do it, especially at their second start,” Busuttin said.

“He’s taken that next step, and he’s done it pretty easily, although he floated out in front by himself a bit, but it’s good to get the job done.”

Bred in New Zealand for $70,000, Blind Raise is sired by Victoria Derby winner Ace High from a progeny of Group 1 star Seachange.

“This horse has got some of his sire’s ability and his granddam’s ability, Seachange,” Busuttin said.

“She was a proper horse, and the blood always seems to come through out of those good mares, probably not the first line but in their second.”

Discover competitive racing betting markets for Blind Raise’s Brisbane campaign among the leading sports betting platforms.

Trevor Bauer, the former Cy Young Award winner and MLB All-Star, tossed a no-hitter for the independent Long Island Ducks in a 13-0 win over the Lancaster Stormers on Sunday afternoon at Penn Medicine Park in Pennsylvania.

It was just Bauer’s second start in the United States since 2021, and he faced just one batter over the minimum in a scheduled seven-inning game of a doubleheader against the Stormers.

Bauer threw 84 pitches, striking out seven hitters and walking just one to lose out on the perfect game.

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Trevor Bauer smiles after pitching no-hitter for Long Island Ducks on Sunday, April 26, 2026. (Jordan McGregor)

But Bauer unleashed a roar on the mound after a called strike three to notch the third no-hitter in Ducks history.

Combined with his first outing for the Ducks on April 21, Bauer has a strong 1.64 ERA to start the season in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB), which is a “Professional Partner League” of MLB.

Fans might have been supporting the opposing Stormers, but they understood what was at stake as Bauer was mowing down hitters throughout his start. They were even heard chanting his name at one point, hoping he could keep his hitless streak alive.

After the game, Bauer returned the favor for those at the Pennsylvania ballpark, signing autographs and taking pictures with fans after entering his name into the Ducks’ record books.

TREVOR BAUER SIGNS WITH PRO BASEBALL TEAM IN UNITED STATES AMID MLB RETURN HOPES

“I’m looking forward to competing in front of U.S. fans again this season,” said Bauer when he signed with the Ducks earlier this month. “The Ducks have had some incredible players come through their organization, and I’m excited to be part of that tradition.”

Ex-MLB stars like Dontrelle Willis, Daniel Murphy, Rich Hill and Eric Gagne have played for the Ducks in the past. New York Mets legends Gary Carter and Bud Harrelson both managed the team, with the latter also being a part-owner.

Bauer’s first start for the Ducks impressed an AL team scout in attendance, saying he was pretty impressed by Bauer’s arsenal on the bump.

“He showed flashes of the guy he used to be and a guy who can help a club,” the scout told the New York Post. “He went out and handled himself well. He showed flashes of the breaking ball he had in the past. Certainly the velocity is not what it once was, but it’s still solid, mostly 92-94. He didn’t throw the ball particularly well on the inside part of the plate with his fastball, but I think it was a really good first outing. You’d expected him to get sharper and probably tick up in velocity.

Trevor Bauer and catcher high-five after finish inning for Long Island Ducks in no-hit bid on Sunday April 26, 2026. (Jordan McGregor)

“You’re talking about a guy who was at the top of the game. Is he back there? No, but he looked like a guy who could go out and compete.”

Bauer pitched in Japan in both 2023 and 2025, while a stint in Mexico came in 2024. He pitched to a 2.59 ERA and 9.2 K/9 in Japan in 2023, and in Mexico, those numbers improved to 2.48 and 13.0. Last year in Japan, though, his ERA shot up to 4.41, and he struck out just 8.2 batters per nine innings.

This June will mark five years since Bauer, as the reigning Cy Young Award winner, last appeared in an MLB game. On June 28 of that year, he tossed six innings of two-run ball while striking out eight batters, recording the win.

Two days later, Bauer was hit with sexual assault allegations, which eventually led to a 324-game suspension (the equivalent of two seasons). It was eventually reduced to 184 games for violating the league’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.

Bauer has maintained his innocence, settling with one accuser while another is facing 16 years in prison after being charged with fraud for faking a pregnancy and asking Bauer for money for an abortion.

Trevor Bauer pitches for Long Island Ducks during no-hitter on Sunday, April 26, 2026. (Jordan McGregor)

Bauer and Lindsey Hill, who accused the pitcher of beating and sexually abusing her in 2021, settled their case in late 2023. Bauer revealed texts from Hill, who said that Bauer would be her “next victim,” among other damning messages. Hill has since said that MLB has more evidence of Bauer’s alleged misconduct.

Last June, Hill was ordered to pay Bauer more than $300,000 for violating settlement terms. Hill breached their settlement agreement with each other by discussing Bauer on podcasts and in public appearances, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Nearly two years ago, Bauer said he “may have no other choice” but to sue Major League Baseball “if I continue being kept out” of the league. Bauer has said he’d “play for the league minimum,” but he has yet to sign with an MLB team.

“Anyone that’s willing to sit down with me and listen: I’d like to play the second half of my career in a better way than I played the first half,” Bauer told Fox News Digital in January 2024. “I’d like to be an example that you can make mistakes, recognize them, adjust and then be better in the future. I think that’s something us as humans have to do and should be doing constantly.”

Long Island Ducks pitcher Trevor Bauer throws against the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip, N.Y., on April 21, 2026. (Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday RM/Getty Images)

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Bauer has since called out MLB after Pete Rose and other deceased former players were taken off the league’s permanently ineligible list.

“So, since Pete is welcome back now, does that go for everyone who has been blackballed?” Bauer asked on X. “Or do you actually have to be guilty of something to qualify for that?”

Bauer was performing well for the Dodgers at the time of the allegations, pitching to a 2.59 ERA.

Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.

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Sanju Samson could not replicate his stunning century against Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 on Saturday, yet he reached a momentous milestone. The Chennai Super Kings opener, who slammed an unbeaten 101 against Mumbai Indians in the previous match, was out for 11 against GT. However, with a boundary off the second ball of the second over bowled by Kagiso Rabada, he completed 5,000 runs in the IPL.

Samson took 3,555 balls to reach the milestone. He is the third-fastest to do so, after AB de Villiers (3,288 balls) and David Warner (3,554 balls). He is the quickest among Indians to reach the landmark.

Fewest balls to 5,000 IPL runs

3288 – AB de Villiers

3554 – D Warner

3555 – S Samson

3620 – S Raina

3688 – KL Rahul

3691 – MS Dhoni

Gujarat Titans won the toss and elected to bowl against hosts Chennai Super Kings in the 37th fixture of the IPL 2026 at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, the first match of Sunday’s double-header.

At the halfway stage of the tournament, both CSK and GT are evenly placed with three wins and four losses from seven matches, making this clash important for momentum and standings.

CSK head into the game high on confidence after a dominant win over Mumbai Indians, powered by Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 101 and a four-wicket haul from Akeal Hosein. Back at Chepauk, where they have won two of three matches, CSK will look to continue their strong home form.

In contrast, GT are under pressure after back-to-back losses to MI and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, despite a century from Sai Sudharsan. While their bowling remains a strength, concerns over an inconsistent middle order persist as they aim to regain form.

Winning the toss, GT skipper Shubman Gill said,

“We’re going to bowl first. It looks like a good wicket. On a surface like this, it’s good to have a total on the board. The heat isn’t that bad, and there’s a good bit of breeze, so hopefully it won’t be too tough on our bowlers.

“We’re doing a lot of things right; it’s just about winning the small moments. In bowling, when we leak runs, we give away too many in a three- to four-over period. It’s about hitting the right length consistently in the middle overs.

“Honestly, if the wicket is nice in the powerplay, the talk is to get 70-80 runs, or as many as possible, but it’s important to assess conditions. If it’s a 170-180 wicket, you have to adjust accordingly. At the end of the day, it’s important to play the conditions rather than focus on what hasn’t happened. One change: Arshad is coming back into the squad.”

Featured Video Of The Day

IPL 2026 News | RCB Outplay CSK For 2nd Win On Trot, Ruturaj Gaikwad & Co Suffer 3rd Loss

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 witnessed a highly controversial moment on Sunday during the match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants, when Angkrish Raghuvanshi was given out for obstructing the field. The incident occurred in the fifth over after Cameron Green sent Raghuvanshi back while attempting a single. The batter got back into his crease with a dive, but Mohammed Shami appealed for obstructing the field.

The on-field umpire referred the decision upstairs, and the third umpire ruled that Raghuvanshi had changed his direction, handing him out. The decision did not go down well with the KKR camp, who were visibly surprised by the verdict. Raghuvanshi looked distraught and smashed his bat on the boundary-line cushion, while KKR coach Abhishek Nayar was seen in a heated discussion with a match official.

Angkrish Raghuvanshi given out for Obstructing The Field!

worst decision by third umpire.pic.twitter.com/H211ptIf7E

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— Chai_Sutta (@Chai_SuttaGuy) April 26, 2026

OBSTRUCTING THE FIELD :

Angkrish Raghuvanshi gone for Obstructing the field.

Disappointed that Rishabh Pant going against spirit of the game. Even he can withdraw the appeal but he didn’t. pic.twitter.com/fh64DXfG4U

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— Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77) April 26, 2026

Abhishek Nayar furious with the umpires on the call of giving Angkrish Raghuvanshi out. pic.twitter.com/uDyilKT314

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 26, 2026

KKR is unhappy with the decision on Angkrish Raghuvanshi. pic.twitter.com/8n6EBeWPdT

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— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 26, 2026

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper Rishabh Pant won the toss and opted to field against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their clash in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) on Sunday in Lucknow. Their previous meeting earlier this season produced a thriller, with LSG edging past KKR in a contest decided by fine margins.

It has been a disappointing campaign so far for both teams, with LSG managing just two wins from seven matches, while KKR have fared even worse, registering only one victory from seven outings.

“We’re going to bowl first. We want to once again put the opposition under pressure and find answers as a batting group. Just one change: Linde comes in for Siddharth. Definitely, we are working towards improvement. When there are lots of leaders in the group, you have to find a way, and we’re pretty close to doing that. We just need to stick together and stay tight, because we know we can turn the season around from here. I’m pretty confident we can make it happen. Any kind of confidence helps, and we’ll take that as well,” Pant said.

“We were looking to bat first. At the moment, it’s important to assess how we are playing as a team and give freedom to the batting unit. We need to assess the conditions. We are going with the same team. That victory was very good, but it’s always about improvement. We had some good practice sessions and are looking forward to the game,” KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane said at the toss.

Featured Video Of The Day

IPL 2026 News | RCB Outplay CSK For 2nd Win On Trot, Ruturaj Gaikwad & Co Suffer 3rd Loss

Police have issued a statement after the viral video showed chaotic scenes on the pitch

Police have issued a statement after a social media video went viral and appeared to show a fan being punched during chaotic scenes on the pitch following the 1-1 draw against Rochdale on Saturday (April 25).

York won promotion to the Football League however drama ensued in added time as Emmanuel Dieseruvwe scored for the hosts in the 95th minute to seemingly win the title for Rochdale.

But Josh Stones equalised in the 13th minute of stoppage time to send York back to the top of the table and win the league.

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Both goals saw fans invade the pitch to celebrate. Following York’s goal there were chaotic scenes when a fan ran onto the pitch from the stand and appeared to lay his hands on someone wearing a red kit who was on his knees, the Daily Star reports.

Security intervened before the man then appeared to punch the supporter in the face, knocking him to the floor. The video then swiftly ends.

Following the incident, Greater Manchester Police released a statement, saying: “We are aware of a video that is circulating of a possible assault involving a player and we have linked in with both clubs and the National League. We will be further assessing the video and reviewing CCTV of the incident.”

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Police said that four Rochdale fans were arrested following the incidents, with one on suspicion of assault and pitch incursion. One on suspicion of a public order offence, and two on suspicion of pitch incursion.

One male York fan was arrested on suspicion of assault with police adding the individual would be interviewed at a later date. The incidents are also under investigation by the Football Association.

Manchester City booked their spot in the FA Cup final thanks to a 2-1 victory over Southampton

Manchester City will still have some players on the sidelines when they return to Premier League action next weekend. City reached the final of the FA Cup thanks to a dramatic victory over Southampton on Saturday afternoon.

Pep Guardiola’s side secured a 2-1 win over the Saints at Wembley Stadium with Jeremy Doku and Nico Gonzalez scoring the decisive goals for City in the semi-final contest.

City will now face either Chelsea or Leeds United in next month’s final at Wembley, and will also have four crucial Premier League fixtures to navigate in the final weeks of the season.

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Guardiola was without some key players for City in the win over Southampton, and that could be the same when his team returns to Premier League duties against Everton on May 4.

READ MORE: Man City look like they have another transfer priority after FA Cup winREAD MORE: Pep Guardiola gives Phil Foden verdict after being brought off in Man City win vs Southampton

Here, the Manchester Evening News takes a look at City’s current injury list and potential return dates after their victory over Southampton.

Rodri

City will be hoping to call upon Rodri when they face Everton in their next fixture, with the midfielder missing the last two matches with a groin injury.

Rodri was not risked for the FA Cup semi-final against Southampton, with Guardiola offering an update during the pre-match press conference on Thursday.

“He’s better. We don’t want to take a risk,” Guardiola said.

“I don’t know yet [if he’ll play vs Everton] – hopefully but we don’t want to take a risk because if he’s injured we will lose him for the next five games and Rodri is so important.”

Potential return date: Everton (A) – May 4 – Premier League.

Ruben Dias

Ruben Dias has been sidelined with injury since being substituted at half-time of their Champions League last-16 second leg against Real Madrid.

It remains to be seen when Dias will be available for City once again, with Abdukodir Khusanov or Marc Guehi forming an impressive centre-back partnership since the defender’s injury.

“He’s getting better. He’s not ready for Sunday,” Guardiola said earlier this month before City’s win over Chelsea.

Potential return date: Everton (A) – May 4 – Premier League.

Josko Gvardiol

Josko Gvardiol suffered a fractured leg back in January and has been on the sidelines in recovery ever since.

Croatian media recently claimed that the defender could return to training some time next month, but it’s still unclear if Gvardiol will be available for City before the end of the season.

“He’s getting better but still he isn’t close,” Guardiola said earlier this month.

Potential return date: July pre-season

If one calf strain was not enough, MS Dhoni has faced another setback. Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming has revealed that the former captain has “tweaked” his calf again. Fleming indicated that Dhoni’s return to the playing XI for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has been further delayed after the veteran wicketkeeper-batter suffered another setback in his recovery. Dhoni, who was initially expected to miss only the opening two weeks of IPL 2026, has now been sidelined for nearly a month, with CSK already eight matches into their campaign without their talismanic former captain featuring even once.

Providing an update after Chennai’s defeat to Gujarat Titans on Sunday, Fleming revealed that the 42-year-old aggravated the injury during a practice session, complicating what was initially thought to be a short-term issue.

“He’s pretty keen. The calf is a tough one, though. If he takes off and rips the calf again, then he will be gone. So we pushed it early, in the warm-up game – he tweaked it again, is my understanding – and since then he has been working hard to get some movement into it. But there was another setback, so it has taken longer than we thought,” Fleming said while addressing the media after CSK’s loss to GT on Sunday.

Despite his absence from match action, Dhoni has remained involved in training sessions. He has frequently been spotted working on his batting in the nets, largely focusing on throwdowns, although he has gradually increased his workload in recent days. On Saturday, he was seen sprinting under the supervision of the team physio before spending time facing spin bowlers as well as deliveries from batting coach Michael Hussey.

The former CSK skipper was also seen donning the wicketkeeping gloves during the team’s practice session at the Wankhede Stadium ahead of their clash against the Mumbai Indians last week.

Fleming emphasised that the final call on Dhoni’s comeback rests with the player himself, while the support staff continues to monitor his progress closely.

“He is the guide on this one. He’s working hard with the physio and doing all the rehab, and we’re just waiting for the word, really. But all I can keep saying is to stop making light of it, because he is progressing and doing everything he can,” Fleming added.

Chennai’s campaign has been inconsistent so far, with five defeats in their first eight outings, leaving them placed sixth on the points table. The side now has a brief window to regroup, with a five-day break before their next fixture against arch-rivals MI at home on May 2.

As speculation around Dhoni’s availability continues to dominate the narrative, the franchise will be hoping for a timely return from the experienced campaigner as they look to revive their season.

With IANS inputs 

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