Tag: Manchester City

MANCHESTER: The Premier League champions Manchester City announced to have reached an agreement to sign the Borussia Dortmund’s star striker Erling Haaland, here on Tuesday.

In an official statement released by the City, the football club confirmed the transfer of Norwegian international striker Haaland from Dortmund.

“Manchester City can confirm we have reached an agreement in principle with Borussia Dortmund for the transfer of striker Erling Haaland to the Club on 1st July 2022,” the statement read.

“The transfer remains subject to the Club finalising terms with the player,” the statement added.

Manchester City can confirm that we have reached an agreement in principle with Borussia Dortmund for the transfer of striker Erling Haaland to the Club on 1st July 2022.

The transfer remains subject to the Club finalising terms with the player.

— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 10, 2022

 

According to the international media, the City will reportedly pay a whopping 60-million-euro release clause to get Haaland onboard. This transfer will end the club’s long search for a specialist striker.

As soon as the news broke out, the City’s centre-back Aymeric Laporte took to Twitter and welcomed the 21-years-old striker in a humorous way.

“Happy not to be running after this guy for the next couple of years. Welcome, Erling,” Laporte tweeted.

Happy not to be running after this guy for the next couple of years 😂😂😂
Welcome Erling ✌🏻🔥 https://t.co/aTdTWTPlmV

— Aymeric Laporte (@Laporte) May 10, 2022

It is pertinent to mention here that the Premier League’s top-scorer City have mostly played without a recognized striker for the past two seasons.

The side also enjoyed a delightful Champions League campaign before the La Liga winners Real Madrid pulled off an exceptional comeback in the semi-final and ending City’s hopes for title victory.

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LEEDS: Manchester City displayed experience to handle the pressure of the Premier League title run-in after beating Leeds 4-0 to move back above Liverpool at the top of the table.

Rodri and Nathan Ake got the vital goals from set-pieces on a day City needed to match the aggression of the home side before Gabriel Jesus and Fernandinho sealed victory late on.

Guardiola’s men edge one point ahead of the Reds once more with four games remaining for both sides.

The defeat leaves Leeds looking over their shoulder at the relegation zone.

Burnley’s dramatic come-from-behind win at Watford earlier on Saturday pushed Jesse Marsch’s men down to 17th.

They still enjoy a five-point lead over Everton, but the Toffees have two games in hand to haul themselves out of trouble.

Leeds also appear to have the tougher run-in with Arsenal and Chelsea among their final four matches.

Guardiola clearly had one eye on Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Real Madrid as he made five changes from the side that beat the newly-crowned Spanish champions 4-3 in a thrilling semi-final, first leg on Tuesday.

Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez were among those left on the bench.

Joao Cancelo also returned to the back four after being suspended in midweek, but the Portuguese nearly gifted Leeds the lead inside five minutes.

Cancelo’s slip on the halfway line allowed Rodrigo to burst clear, but the Spanish international should have picked out the unmarked Raphinha rather than going for goal himself as his shot was easily blocked.

Leeds were flying into tackles like a side battling for survival, but that aggression was their downfall for the opening goal.

Raheem Sterling was upended on the left wing and from the resulting free-kick, Rodri headed home Phil Foden’s inviting free-kick.

Guardiola can ill afford more defensive injuries with Kyle Walker possibly ruled out for the season and John Stones struggling with a muscle problem.

Aymeric Laporte was involved in a sickening clash of heads with Robin Koch, but both players were controversially allowed to continue after receiving lengthy treatment.

Ake also went off in the second half, but by that point, the Dutchman had made arguably his most telling contribution in nearly two seasons as a City player.

Ruben Dias headed Foden’s corner across goal and Ake turned home from close range to spark wild celebrations on the City bench.

Jesus then maintained his scoring streak by latching onto Foden’s pass to smash home his sixth goal in his last three games.

Fernandinho completed the route and took City’s goal difference to within one of Liverpool’s with a sweet strike in stoppage time.

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MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola said he had to reiterate to his players they had beaten Real Madrid 4-3 in a Champions League classic on Tuesday despite the disappointment of not killing off their semi-final tie at the Etihad.

Kevin De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva were on target for Guardiola’s men, who held a two-goal lead three times.

But Karim Benzema’s double and a brilliant individual effort from Vinicius Junior gave Madrid hope of another famous Champions League fightback at the Santiago Bernabeu on May 4.

Guardiola lamented letting Liverpool escape “alive” in the Premier League title race after a 2-2 draw at the Etihad nine days ago and will have similar regrets after a blistering opening that could have seen City go 4-0 up inside half an hour.

Madrid, the record 13-time European champions, were playing in their 30th semi-final to City’s third, but the English champions lived up to their tag as pre-tie favourites early on.

Only 92 seconds had passed before the Madrid rearguard was breached by Riyad Mahrez’s quick feet and perfect cross for De Bruyne to stoop and head past Thibaut Courtois.

Jesus pounced to make it 2-0 after just 10 minutes when David Alaba failed to deal with De Bruyne’s cross.

The Spanish champions-elect were without Casemiro and his absence showed as City cut through midfield on the counter-attack at will.

Guardiola was furious with Mahrez after he selfishly smashed into the side-netting with Foden awaiting the cross for a tap-in.

Moments later it was Foden who was guilty of wasting a glorious chance when he dragged wide another pinpoint De Bruyne through the ball.

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LONDON: Middlesbrough produced another FA Cup shock to extend Tottenham’s long wait for silverware with a 1-0 win after extra time at the Riverside on Tuesday, while Manchester City eased into the last eight with a 2-0 victory at Peterborough.

Boro knocked out Manchester United at Old Trafford in the fourth round and the Championship side were worthy winners to condemn Spurs to another trophyless season.

Not since a League Cup win in 2008 have Tottenham lifted a trophy and another hugely disappointing defeat poses further questions over the future of manager Antonio Conte.

The Italian only took charge in November but has already hinted he could walk away after a run of four defeats in the past six Premier League games.

“We have to give our best for the rest of the season then we will see what is our position and the evaluation of our season,” said Conte. “It is early to say something about this.”

Teenager Josh Coburn came off the bench to score the only goal with a thumping finish across Hugo Lloris in the 107th minute.

“In between the win at Manchester United and here we got turned over at Barnsley. Football is a ridiculous game,” said Boro manager Chris Wilder.

“The supporters gave us the energy to produce a top performance.”

Harry Kane did have the ball in the net for Tottenham in the second half only to be flagged offside.

But the England captain may also be again considering his future as he waits to win the first major honor of his career.

Middlesbrough were by far the brighter side in extra time and got their reward when Coburn rifled across Lloris from Crooks’ through ball.

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