Pep Guardiola spoke about next Sunday’s Premier League game with Arsenal after Manchester City cut their lead to six, with a game in hand

Pep Guardiola said that Manchester City have ‘grown up a lot’ in the last month as he challenged them to focus on their performance against Arsenal next week rather than the result. The Blues thrashed Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge to take advantage of Arsenal’s slip on Saturday and set up a box-office match at the Etihad next week.

City still realistically have to defeat Arsenal in that game on Sunday to stand a chance of beating them to the Premier League title. However, they have beaten Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in their last three games with three clean sheets and have deserved to win with performances that have put their March disappointment in the Premier League and Champions League behind them.

“The only thing that saves us in 38 games in the Premier League is the way you play,” said Guardiola. “In the Champions League, the keeper has to save it, the strikers have to score a goal, the referees are involved amazingly. The moment, 10 v 11 for 75 minutes and we are out. Champions League is not about just about how you play, you have to defend really well.

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“The Premier League is another business, it is how you grow as a team and how you play good. If you are winning, winning, winning and not playing good, you are not going to win. You cannot hide behind the results. Results helps for the mood, for the confidence and it is an important medicine but you have to reflect what can you do better. In the last month, the team grew up a lot.”

Guardiola is still coaching a new team how to get over the line after three transfer windows over the last two years that have transformed the squad and seen a new generation. Their Carabao Cup victory over Arsenal last month was the first trophy for many of the players in the squad, and they still have to learn how to get over the line in the Premier League.

Three points over Arsenal would take City to within three points of top spot with a game in hand, but the manager wants the team to forget about the consequences of the game. Instead, they should just focus on the principles of playing that have been drilled into them all season and everything else will take care of itself.

“Winning once or twice is okay but during nine years being there all the time (except last season) defines us a little bit. It’s not just me or one player or two players, it’s all the structure to say what you have to do. Winning is difficult but winning a lot in the modern time is so complicated and we have done it,” he said.

“On Sunday with our people at 4.30pm we have the opportunity to prove ourselves again if we are able to do it. It’s not about just winning the Premier League but it’s about how you are in the game are better than the opponent and winning the game being better than the opponent and helping us through the game in the way we compete in all the details.

“We can win one game, and after that in that mindset it’s not the pressure that you have to win and if you don’t win you’re not going to win the Premier League. Forget about it, if you don’t win you don’t win. It’s how we have to play to win one single game. We have seven days to prepare it.”

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Union Berlin has appointed Marie-Louise Eta as the first female coach in charge of a men’s team in the Bundesliga as it bids to ensure its league survival.

The 34-year-old Eta takes over from Steffen Baumgart, who was fired with his assistants Danilo de Souza and Kevin McKenna after the team’s 3-1 loss at last-place Heidenheim on Saturday, Union announced just before midnight.

Eta, who was coaching the Under-19 men’s team and agreed earlier this month to take over as coach of Union’s women’s team next season, has five games to secure Union’s Bundesliga survival.

She made history in 2023 as the first female assistant coach in the Bundesliga and across the top divisions of Europe’s “big five” soccer leagues. She had to step in for media duties for head coach Nenad Bjelica when he was suspended for three games in 2024.

“I’m delighted that Marie Louise Eta has agreed to take on this role on an interim basis before she becomes head coach of the women’s first team as planned in the summer,” Union sporting director Horst Heldt said in a statement. 

Baumgart, a former Union player, was appointed during the 2024-25 winter break but Heldt said recent results prompted the club to take drastic action.

“We’ve had an completely disappointing second half of the season so far and we’re not letting the table fool us – our situation remains precarious and we desperately need points to secure our place in the league.” 
Defeat in Heidenheim left Union in 11th place in the 18-team division, just seven points clear of St. Pauli in the relegation zone with five rounds remaining.

“Two wins out of 14 games since the winter break and the performances shown in recent weeks do not give us the confidence that we can turn things around with the current setup. We have therefore decided to make a fresh start,” Heldt said.

Union next hosts Wolfsburg, which is also fighting for survival, next weekend.

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo continues to strengthen his place as the highest goalscorer in professional football history as he closes in on a remarkable 1,000 career goals milestone.

The 41-year-old forward has now scored 968 official goals in his career, leaving him just 32 goals short of reaching the historic four-figure mark — a feat no player has achieved under modern record-keeping.

Ronaldo has made it clear that he wants to reach the milestone before he retires, as long as he remains fit and free from injury. With his current form, many believe the target is within reach.

There is growing excitement over when the milestone could be achieved. Some believe he could get there before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while others see a dream scenario where he reaches it during the tournament on football’s biggest stage.

The forward’s strong form continues at club level with Al-Nassr. He scored in their 2-0 win over Al-Akhdoud on Saturday, helping his side extend their winning run in the Saudi Pro League.

Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a simple finish, taking his league tally to 24 goals this season. His strike put him just three goals behind the current top scorer, Ivan Toney.

His teammate Joao Felix added the second goal early in the second half, finishing from close range after a rebound.

The victory also saw Al-Nassr set a new club record of 14 consecutive league wins. They now sit top of the table with 73 points from 28 matches, five points clear of rivals Al-Hilal with six games left to play.

With Ronaldo still scoring regularly and chasing history, the football world will be watching closely to see when he reaches the magical 1,000-goal mark.

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior admits his side need to “improve their resilience in difficult moments” and focus on winning their next league game against Manchester United to stay in contention for a Champions League spot.

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The trainer Kris Lees has maintained his dominance at the Provincial-Midway Championships Final, notching his sixth $1 million prize while claiming the quinella.

Last year’s exacta trio appeared again, shuffled, as Lord Of Biscay ($3.50 fav), the prior bridesmaid, burst ahead to prevail by three lengths against fellow stable runner Imposant ($21), with champion Matcha Latte ($4) taking bronze.

Lees now owns victories in 50 percent of the Provincial-Midway Championships Final’s (1400m) 12 installments, launched in 2015 with a tweaked setup, but the reserved Newcastle figure praised his support staff.

“We’re the biggest stable in the provincials, we’re entitled to have a good representation, but full credit to all the staff at home to get these horses presented on the day and they raced really well,” Lees said.

“He got a perfect run in transit. I was very confident in the run with him. He was getting all the favours he needed, and he reacted well.”

Potentially less thrilled in the Lees camp was wife Kristy, investor in second-placed Imposant.

“My wife owns that one. Anyway, she ran well in the race last year, and she has run well again today, so good result,” he said of Imposant.

Lord Of Biscay, a Euro arrival, adapted gradually to Australia yet has peaked over recent times.

Next up could be the Tamworth Cup (1400m) April 24, positioning for the Big Dance (1600m) Randwick on Melbourne Cup day after seventh last time.

James McDonald, the winning pilot, hailed Kris Lees’ expertise in readying Lord Of Biscay ideally.

“Kris is a champion. He’s such a good trainer. He knows how to ‘prep’ these horses up,” McDonald said.

“He told me a couple of weeks ago, ‘you want to be riding this horse’. He’s in career-best form, and he felt enormous today.”

Lees’ earlier conquests: Spangler (2023), Kinloch (2022), Cristal Breeze (2021), Serene Miss (2018), Danish Twist (2016).

Visit betting sites for racing odds on Provincial-Midway Championships Final-style events.

Arsenal’s Premier League title bid was hit by a stunning 2-1 loss to Bournemouth in London on Saturday.

The league leader blew the chance to move 12 points clear of second-placed Manchester City after losing for the third time in four games in all competitions.

“It’s a big punch in the face,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told broadcaster TNT Sports. “It has to hurt, and you have to take it on the chin.” 
Alex Scott struck a 74th-minute winner at Emirates Stadium to pile pressure on Arsenal ahead of next week’s top-of-the-table clash at City.

Arsenal has played two more games than City, which travels to Chelsea on Sunday and could close the gap to six points.

“There are no gray areas now,” Arteta said. “You stand up and go for the fight, or you’re out and that’s it.” 
Arsenal’s is slumping at the worst time. Defeats to City in the English League Cup final and to second-division Southampton in the FA Cup ended its pursuit of a quadruple of trophies.

It beat Sporting Lisbon 1-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday, but the latest loss will only heighten tension in the race for the English title after three straight years of finishing runner-up. 

Arsenal faces a huge week against Sporting in the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday and then at City on Sunday.

Bournemouth went ahead inside 17 minutes through Junior Kroupi’s close-range goal. Viktor Gyokeres leveled from the penalty spot in the 35th but Arsenal struggled to create openings and Scott sealed the victory that potentially blew the title race open.

Bournemouth has won in back-to-back seasons at Arsenal and set a new club record of 12 straight games unbeaten in the Premier League.

While Arsenal remains in the driver’s seat at the top of the standings, the form guide does not make good reading from Arteta’s perspective.

League stats provider Opta said before kickoff that the Arsenal manager’s Premier League win percentage in April was 44%, compared to 79% for City’s Pep Guardiola.

“It’s a big week,” Arteta said. “It’s a lot at stake. We’re still in a really good position in both competitions but we need to do better.” 
Brentford frustrated by Everton 
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall struck in stoppage time as Everton twice fought back from a goal down to draw at Brentford 2-2.

Igor Thiago twice gave Brentford the lead at Gtech Community Stadium from a third-minute penalty and a goal in the 76th.

Beto leveled for Everton in the first half and Dewsbury-Hall produced his dramatic equalizer in the first minute of added time.

Brentford missed the chance to move up to sixth.

Brazil striker Thiago has 24 goals in all competitions this season and 21 in the league. Only Erling Haaland with 22 has more.

Mats Wieffer scored in both halves as Brighton beat Burnley 2-0.

The 2026 NFL Draft is now less than two weeks away. This may not be the most elite class in draft history, but it’s fascinating for a number of different reasons. There is a pass rusher that played more linebacker in college that is expected to be a top three pick, there’s a star running back that could be the next Jahmyr Gibbs, but how high he’s selected remains to be seen, and this could be a draft where just one quarterback is selected on opening night.

Every year there are players that are considered “first-round locks.” Legitimate talent that will be instant-impact players or immediate starters that numerous teams are excited about. However, not every player selected in the top 32 are considered “blue chip talents.” So how many first-round locks are there in this 2026 class?

Below, we will go position by position and break down players that are locks to go in the first round. When we say “lock,” we mean that we are betting everything on these players being selected on opening night. Not a player who has an 80% chance of being drafted in the top 32. Unless, of course, NFL teams have flagged something medical-related with the prospect that we don’t know about. With that being said, let’s begin with the quarterbacks. 

2026 NFL mock draft: Two top-five curveballs, plus a team trades back into Round 1 for Ty Simpson

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QB (1)

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The No. 1 overall prospect in this class and reigning Heisman Trophy winner led the Indiana Hoosiers to an undefeated season that was capped by a National Championship. Even if you don’t think Fernando Mendoza is Joe Burrow, he’s a college football legend who is a lock to go on opening night. DraftKings Sportsbook has him listed at -20000 to go No. 1 overall. 

RB (1)

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Some believe Jeremiyah Love is the top player in this class. The problem is that he plays running back, which could cause him to fall out of the top five. The Doak Walker Award winner led the FBS with eight plays of 20+ yards gained, and is a threat to score from virtually anywhere on the field. DraftKings has him listed at -1400 to be a top 10 pick. Lock. 

WR (2)

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Carnell Tate should be the first wide receiver off the board this month. He racked up 838 yards receiving and nine touchdowns in 2025, and led the FBS with six touchdowns on throws of 30 or more air yards. He’s not a “burner” necessarily, but does separate downfield with good route running and is a clear deep-ball threat.

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Yes he’s a “slot merchant,” but Makai Lemon is an immediate-impact player that could really shine in the right system. The reigning Biletnikoff Award winner had four games last season where he exploded for 150 yards and a touchdown, including against Iowa. Lemon is going in the first round, but it remains to be seen where. 

TE (1)

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The top tight end in this class ranked first among FBS tight ends in receiving touchdowns last year with eight, and fifth in receptions with 51. Tight ends aren’t supposed to run 4.39 40-yard dashes, but Kenyon Sadiq is that kind of playmaker that will immediately help any offense. 

OL (7)

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The three-year starter at right tackle for Miami is durable and consistent in both run-blocking and pass protection, which is why he’s commonly mocked as the top offensive lineman off the board. DraftKings has Francis Mauigoa listed at -300 to be the first offensive lineman to hear his name called this month.

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Spencer Fano won the Outland Trophy as the nation’s top interior offensive lineman last season, but he can play basically anywhere on the offensive line — including tackle. Fano allowed zero sacks in 2025, and three total sacks during three seasons at Utah. 

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Kadyn Proctor is actually CBS Sports’ top-ranked offensive tackle and No. 4 overall prospect. I would argue that he’s not the most polished prospect, but Proctor’s athleticism and 6-foot-7, 350-pound frame are hard to ignore.

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Another Utah offensive lineman here. Caleb Lomu played left tackle for the Utes and showed he can move at a high level in space. He probably needs to add some mass at 6-foot-6, 300 pounds, but he’s expected to go somewhere in the first round. DraftKings has him listed at -700 to be selected on opening night.

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Georgia’s left tackle has been mocked as high as No. 6 overall to the Cleveland Browns. I don’t think he’s the most Day 1-ready offensive tackle in this class, but pundits speculate Monroe Freeling could have the highest ceiling as a true left tackle. 

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A three-time All-ACC right tackle, Blake Miller is -900 to be selected in the first round, according to DraftKings. He’s actually the Clemson record-holder for snaps from scrimmage with 3,778 in 54 starts. 

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Vega Ioane is arguably the top interior offensive lineman in this class, and he allowed zero sacks, zero QB hits and just four pressures this past season. Is he a natural fit for the Baltimore Ravens at No. 14 overall?

DT (0)

EDGE (3)

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David Bailey is probably going No. 2 or No. 3 overall. In an EDGE class that features several different flavors, Bailey is probably the best “pure pass rusher.” He ranked second in the FBS in pressures (81), tied for first in sacks (14.5) and registered a whopping 38 QB hits. That tied for the most QB hits in a single season in the FBS over the last decade. 

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Rueben Bain Jr. appears to be falling down mock draft boards a bit, but DraftKings still has him listed at -320 to be a top 10 pick. CBS Sports ranks him as the No. 2 overall prospect in this class and compares him to Dwight Freeney. Bain famously has short arms, but his power is evident. No FBS player recorded more pressures than him in 2025 (83). 

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Arvell Reese played primarily off the ball at Ohio State, but many project him to move to EDGE at the next level. He ranked top three on a loaded Buckeyes defense in tackles, sacks, and tackles for loss, and tore up the combine with his fluid on-field work and a 4.46 40-yard dash. Some draft experts would say Reese has the highest ceiling of any pass rusher in this class, and DraftKings has him listed at -1400 to be a top five pick. 

LB (1)

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If you want to draft Fred Warner, here’s your chance. Sonny Styles is -1400 to be a top 10 pick over at DraftKings, and is arguably a top five talent on big boards. He’s a former safety that brings coverage skills and speed to the linebacker position, but is a fantastic tackler as well. 

CB (2)

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Mansoor Delane is -330 to be a top 10 pick at DraftKings. He’s fluid in both man coverage and zone, and allowed zero touchdowns with zero penalties last season. At times, I thought he was an NFL player going undercover as a college cornerback.

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Jermod McCoy is CB1 to some evaluators despite not playing a single snap last year. McCoy tore his ACL in January 2025, and prioritized his recovery. His 2024 season was fantastic, as McCoy recorded 44 tackles, nine passes defensed and four interceptions. There were concerns about his stock, but McCoy appeared to eliminate those concerns after an impressive Pro Day in Knoxville. 

S (2)

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An easy lock. The best safety in college football is the only defensive back to record 250 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and five interceptions over the past three seasons. Caleb Downs leaves Ohio State a two-time Unanimous All-American and Jim Thorpe Award winner. 

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I imagine there’s a lot of love for Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman behind the scenes. He recorded six interceptions as a freshman at Purdue, then two years later transferred to Oregon and recorded 96 tackles, five passes defensed and two interceptions while picking up First Team All-Big Ten honors. Thieneman is aggressive in both pass coverage and in defending the run. His 306 tackles over the last three seasons rank No. 1 among all defensive backs.

Final first-round lock board (20)

Players that were close, but didn’t make the cut as a ‘lock’

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Odds to be selected in the first round: (Not listed)

Jordyn Tyson will probably be the third wide receiver off the board in the first round, and that’s because of injury concerns. He’s actually holding a workout for NFL teams six days before the draft begins to prove he’s healthy. If that workout goes poorly or he re-injures his hamstring, Tyson could fall. 

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Cooper’s odds to be selected in the first round: -1600
Concepcion’s odds to be selected in the first round: -350

Both of these wideouts are likely to be selected in the first round, but it may come in the late 20s. Depending on how the board falls, could either Cooper or Concepcion be selected before the other, and that other pass-catcher fall to the second round? It’s possible. 

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Odds to be selected in the first round: -900

Keldric Faulk is a player I think NFL teams are a lot more high on than fans. He’s a 20-year-old, 6-foot-6, 276-pound pass rusher with long arms, but recorded just 29 tackles and two sacks last year. 

Odds to be selected in the first round: -550

Akheem Mesidor is absolutely a first-round talent, but he’s 25-years-old.

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Odds to be selected in the first round: -270

I have Max Iheanachor going in the first round, but he’s a raw athlete that didn’t start playing football until junior college around five years ago. 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) icon Virat Kohli was a notable absentee from the field during Mumbai Indians’ (MI) chase at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. Kohli, who struck a composed 38-ball 50 earlier in the day, was sidelined by an ankle issue, with Jacob Bethell taking his place in the outfield for the high-stakes chase. Coincidentally, as Kohli was spotted watching from the RCB dressing room, MI’s Rohit Sharma was also forced to leave the field after sustaining a hamstring injury. The sight of both these modern-day greats struggling with fitness concerns during the same match has left fans anxious about their availability for the remainder of the season.

Earlier in the day, Kohli scripted a huge record, becoming the first player to score 1,000 runs against Mumbai Indians.

During his knock, Virat held one end steady as Phil Salt and skipper Rajat Patidar fired massive sixes, scoring 50 in 38 balls, with five fours and a six, at a strike rate of over 131.

Now against MI, Virat has scored 1,030 runs in 36 innings at an average of 32.18 and a strike rate of 129.23, with a best score of 92* and seven fifties.

In his four innings in this edition of the season so far, Virat has made 179 runs at an average of 59.66, with a strike rate of 162.72, including two fifties and a best score of 69*.

In 23 matches and innings at Wankhede Stadium, Virat has made 888 runs at an average of 55.5, with a strike rate of 148.49, with nine fifties and a best score of 92*.

Virat also had a century partnership with Phil Salt, registering his 47th century partnership in T20s, the most by a batter in T20s, outdoing Chris Gayle, who was involved in 46 such stands.

A 120-run stand between Salt (78 in 36 balls, with six fours and six sixes) and Virat and a 65-run stand between Virat (50 in 38 balls, with five fours and a six) and skipper Patidar (53 in 20 balls, with four boundaries and five sixes) and later some brutal hitting from David (34* in 16 balls, with two fours and three sixes) pushed RCB to a massive score of 240/4 in 20 overs.

(With ANI Inputs)

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