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‘We have 13 players, we are in trouble’ – Guardiola fears for Man City

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'We have 13 players, we are in trouble' - Guardiola fears for Man City

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City have “13 players” and are in “trouble” after his side suffered more injuries in the League Cup defeat at Tottenham on Wednesday.

The visitors, already without six first-team players for the game, lost defender Manuel Akanji with a calf issue in the warm up.

Forward Savinho was then taken off on a stretcher in the 63rd minute of the game after appearing to hurt his ankle.

Guardiola also said defender Ruben Dias, who went off at half-time, is “struggling” sometimes.

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“We have 13 players, we are in real difficulties,” Guardiola said.

“The guys that play, they finish most of them with problems and we’ll see how they recover.

“I think we are in trouble, because in nine years we’ve never been in the situation with so many injuries.

“The players make a step forward, more together than ever, and we will try to do this week in this short time of recovery.”

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‘We couldn’t handle Bournemouth’ – how Man City’s 32-game unbeaten run ended

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'We couldn't handle Bournemouth' - how Man City's 32-game unbeaten run ended

All good things must come to an end.

Manchester City’s 32-game unbeaten Premier League is over after a lacklustre performance led to a 2-1 loss at in-form Bournemouth.

That incredible run was a club record without tasting defeat.

Saturday’s loss also means City have dropped to second in the Premier League, trailing leaders Liverpool by two points.

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“They [Bournemouth] were another pace today and we could not handle it,” Guardiola said.

“We knew we couldn’t match the intensity. We have talked about it. It was an open game.

“We had chances at the end but I congratulate Bournemouth for the victory.”

Guardiola has overseen 488 games since being appointed as City manager in 2016, winning 360, drawing 60 and losing 68.

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Prior to Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth, City’s last loss came at Aston Villa on 6 December 2023.

During that run they picked up 26 victories and six draws, scoring an impressive 80 goals and conceding just 26.

They amassed 84 points and went on to end 2023-24 with the Premier League title – winning the top flight for a third successive season.

Arsenal, who finished second last term, were the next best performing team during City’s unbeaten streak.

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However, the Gunners lost five times during that period, scored five fewer goals and collected just 71 points.

Liverpool were the third-best performing team, collecting one fewer point than Arsenal as they won 21, drew seven and lost four.

“We would like to keep defending it but how many games and months we did it… it’s great,” Guardiola told Sky Sports when asked about going almost a year without losing.

As impressive as City’s form has been over the last 11 months, they remain way off the all-time Premier League record.

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Indeed, City are fourth when it comes to longest unbeaten runs since the inception of the Premier League in 1992-93.

Arsenal are top of the pile after enjoying a 49-game stretch without losing between May 2003 and October 2004 – spanning across three seasons.

The Gunners went through the 2003-04 campaign without losing, becoming the only club to achieve that feat, and earning the nickname “The Invincibles”.

Liverpool rank second on that list with a 44-game unbeaten run between January 2019 and February 2020, while Chelsea avoided defeat for 40 matches from October 2004 through to October 2005.

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Brandon Moreno styles on Amir Albazi in big win

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Brandon Moreno styles on Amir Albazi in big win

Former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno returned to the win column with a stellar performance against Amir Albazi.

The flyweight bout was the UFC Fight Night 246 main event at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Moreno (22-8-2 MMA, 10-5-2 UFC) styled on Albazi (17-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) over the 25-minute fight, earning unanimous scores of 49-46, 50-45 and 50-45.

The fight started with a measured pace, with both fighters working behind jabs. Moreno’s primary weapon was the left hand, which set up the occasional combination. Albazi looked for a few leg kicks in his offense but was outstruck by the former champion in the opening round.

Moreno found success early in Round 2 with a solid left head kick that wobbled Albazi. After quickly getting up from a takedown, Moreno continued to lead the dance with effective striking on the feet, stumbling Albazi with a punch in the last minute.

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With Albazi bruised and bloodied, Moreno poured on the pressure early in Round 3, getting a bit sloppy at times as he tried to create a big moment. Albazi found a home for a few solid punches, but Moreno quickly settled back in and continued to lead the fight.

Albazi’s corner implored their fighter to ramp up the aggressiveness heading into the championship rounds. That’s easier said than done against Moreno, who was loose and flowing with his offense.

In Round 4, Albazi did let his hands go more, but Moreno was more than willing to quickly return fire as he maintained control of the center of the octagon.

Albazi entered the final round needing a finish, but he was met with an aggressive Moreno, who came out fighting like he was the one down on the scorecards.

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Shortly after an eye poke to Moreno caused a brief pause in the action, the former champ cracked Albazi with a big punch. The Canadian crowd responded with chants for Moreno.

The Mexico-born fighter wasn’t done yet, though.

He stayed on the hunt, cracking Albazi with more punches, and even attempted a rolling thunder kick in the closing seconds to end the fight with flair.

The result ended a two-fight skid for Moreno, as he ended up on the wrong end of a pair of split decisions against Alexandre Pantoja in a title fight at UFC 290 and Brandon Royval in a February main event.

During his post-fight interview, Moreno expressed his desire to dive into a full plate of food, but more importantly, regain his flyweight title and once again rule the 125-pound division.

For Albazi, his return to action for the first time since last June did not go his way, as he struggled to find momentum. As a result, his six-fight winning streak comes to an end with just his second loss as a pro.

Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 246 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 246.

Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.

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‘Our aim is to challenge to try to win the WSL, says Manchester United Women’s boss Marc Skinner

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‘Our aim is to challenge to try to win the WSL, says Manchester United Women’s boss Marc Skinner

WHILE  Manchester United have parted company with two senior men’s team bosses in the last three years, one Red Devils gaffer is set to reach a new milestone. 

Today against Arsenal Marc Skinner will oversee his hundredth game at the helm of their Women’s Super League side. 

Man United are currently unbeaten having registered four wins and a draw from their first five WSL games this term

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Man United are currently unbeaten having registered four wins and a draw from their first five WSL games this termCredit: Getty
Marc Skinner hopes to guide his side to victory on his 100th game in charge of the Red Devils' WSL team

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Marc Skinner hopes to guide his side to victory on his 100th game in charge of the Red Devils’ WSL teamCredit: Alamy

It is the first time in a top-flight coaching career, that began at Birmingham City in 2015, that Skinner has reached this mark across all contests at one club. 

And the head coach has another target in his sights – a first WSL title win for the club. 

Skinner, 41, who was appointed in July 2021, said: “There’s been lots of ups and downs as a manager reaching 100 games here. 

“It’s the first club I’ve achieved this for and I’m really proud. I want to be successful and be here for another hundred games.

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“Regardless that it’s a great milestone, we’ve got to try and win this game.

“We’ve got to win trophies and keep progressing this team and that’s what I’m here to do.

“I’ve got to make sure I maintain focus on every single game and see where we go. 

“Our aim is to be challenging to try and win the WSL. 

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“But we also have to understand the competition we’re up against and that it’s not a give-me.”

In May Man United made history under Skinner winning the Women’s FA Cup for the first time following a 4-0 defeat of Tottenham.

The Red Devils boss also faced criticism at times from some supporters following losses to Liverpool and Chelsea preceding a fifth-place finish last term. 

This season his side have got off to a flying start and are currently third and three points off leaders Man City with a game in hand. 

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Along with Chelsea and the Cityzens, they are the only top-flight side yet to lose a league game this term. 

So far they have been defensively solid, conceding just once in four WSL games this term with Phallon Tullis-Joyce impressing in goal. 

However today’s game will see the American shot stopper come up against a side in the top five for the first time this term. 

Skinner adds: “We’re looking to test ourselves. It’s a big test on game five, so we’ll see where we’re at”.

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Arsenal’s visit comes after their return to winning ways before the international break under interim boss Renee Slegers.

One win from their first four WSL games was among the results that led to former boss Jonas Eidevall resigning on October 15.

However, Slegers, 35, has backed the Gunners to remain on track following their 2-0 win against West Ham last month. 

Arsenal’s stand-in gaffer said: “I can imagine how you can look at it from the outside. 

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“We know what’s happening on the inside and we’ve seen a lot of positive things

“We’re very positive about what’s ahead of us, but we know a lot of hard work and ownership is going to be needed.”

Slegers hopes to help Arsenal remain unbeaten since the team picked up two wins in the WSL and Champions League before the October international break

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Slegers hopes to help Arsenal remain unbeaten since the team picked up two wins in the WSL and Champions League before the October international breakCredit: Getty

Despite their mixed results in the league Skinner believes Arsenal will be a threat

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He adds: “We’re going to face a team that could either be wounded and really want to show that or hopefully a team we can take advantage of. 

“But they’re a fantastic team and one that will be difficult to play against.”

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UFC Edmonton bonuses: Youssef Zalal’s brutal club-and-sub stoppage earns extra $50K

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UFC Edmonton bonuses: Youssef Zalal’s brutal club-and-sub stoppage earns extra $50K

Youssef Zalal’s return to the UFC has been quite lucrative.

Zalal earned an impressive second-round submission win over Jack Shore after landing a picture-perfect knee at UFC Edmonton to improve to 3-0 in his second stint with the promotion. The incredible finish earned Zalal a Performance of the Night bonus for Saturday’s event — which makes it back-to-back bonus winning submission victories.

The UFC awarded four Performance of the Night bonuses for their latest Fight Night event, with no Fight of the Night honors on the list.

Dustin Stoltzfus took home an extra check for his brutal first-round knockout upset win against Marc-Andre Barriault in a main card middleweight contest. Canada’s own Jasmine Jasudavicius and Charles Jourdain also walked away with bonuses following their submission victories on the card.

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Jasudavicius tapped Ariane da Silva in the third round to pick up her third straight win, and second career UFC post-fight bonus. Jourdain submitted Victor Henry in the second round to cap off a successful debut in the bantamweight division.

All four fighters earned an extra $50,000.

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England 22-24 New Zealand: George Ford focus can’t disguise other failings

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England 22-24 New Zealand: George Ford focus can't disguise other failings

It made sense at the time. In the grey matter and guts alike, the rationale felt right.

With 62 minutes on the clock, and an eight-point advantage on the scoreboard, you tighten the grip, not chance your arm.

Steve Borthwick chose that point to withdraw fly-half Marcus Smith, architect of his team’s only try.

On came George Ford, a 97-cap arch game manager, the hero of England’s World Cup win over Argentina, to snuff the life out of New Zealand and nurse the scoreline through to victory.

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But, that’s the thing: it always feels right at the time.

By the time referee Angus Gardner blew the final whistle, that reasoning, for many, had been exploded.

England had ceded momentum, territory and finally the lead, with New Zealand scoring 10 unanswered points in the final quarter and Ford missing two kicks – one penalty, one drop-goal – that would have snatched back victory.

Ford hasn’t played for more than a month because of a quad injury. He wasn’t ready. Smith was having a fine game. He should have been pulling the strings, not cooling his heels on the bench, when the final stages played out.

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Now, that is the theory that fits. The events seem to bear it out. The narrative of where England lost the game is an easy tale to spin.

But Borthwick and his team will know there were more moving parts to England’s latest defeat than just an exchange of 10s.

Recency bias – the phenomenon that loads greatest importance on the freshest events – doesn’t last long in the video review.

When the tape rolls at Pennyhill Park this week, England’s new defence coach Joe El-Abd will highlight the holes too easily opened by two blind-side darts that led to All Black tries.

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The six replacement forwards – an Anglo-Saxon answer to South Africa’s bomb squad – failed to detonate, falling foul of Gardner at scrums and breakdown.

An overall lack of an attacking threat, beyond Smith’s smart intercept, meant that England could never get out of the range of a late All Black surge.

Smith himself had two fluffed drop-goal attempts, both uglier shanks than Ford’s effort.

Ford, who was also shrugged off by Mark Tele’a on the way to a match-winning try, undoubtedly had a day to forget.

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But England’s latest heartbreak – after a string of narrow defeats – has more sources than one man.

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MMA

Brandon Moreno def. Amir Albazi at UFC Edmonton: Best photos

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Brandon Moreno def. Amir Albazi at UFC Edmonton: Best photos

MMA: UFC Fight Night – Edmonton – Moreno vs Albazi

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