1. Guardiola sticks to his guns over title chase
Pep Guardiola has refused to concede that Manchester City’s title chase is over after Monday’s 3-3 draw with Everton, despite insisting it would be finished if every game from last month’s victory over Arsenal were not won.
City beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on 19 April and went on to win 1-0 at Burnley and go level on points with Mikel Arteta’s pacesetters, above them on goals scored. But they now find themselves five points behind after failing to win at Hill Dickinson Stadium, so even if City’s game in hand is won they cannot overhaul Arsenal without their title rivals also dropping points in their final three games.
Reminded of his desire for a perfect run-in, expressed before the Arsenal game and the 1-1 draw with West Ham on 14 March, Guardiola said of winning the title: “Well, it is more difficult because we are facing the team that is going to play the final of the Champions League. We dropped two points in a tough game against Everton. But we try to win – let’s leave two points behind them and see what happens.”
City host Brentford on Saturday at 5.30pm BST while Arsenal travel to West Ham on Sunday. Guardiola was asked if he would watch the latter game and cheer on Nuno Espírito Santo’s team. “Let me play against Brentford and do our job,” he replied. “Let’s win our game against Brentford. And after you can come and ask.
“Always with these things it is a big mistake to look [ahead]. It’s a tough opponent. We’re making a top season. So, let’s do our job as best as possible.”
After Arsenal’s loss to City, Declan Rice said of the title race: “It’s not done”. Erling Haaland made a similar on-pitch declaration after the draw with Everton: “We’re still there.” Guardiola was asked if the striker’s attitude is key to City maintaining the challenge. “We proved it in the Everton game,” he said. “At 1-3 it was not done and we ended as 3-3.”
Rodri, who has not played since sustaining a groin injury in the win over Arsenal, has returned to light training. “We’ll see if he is available for Brentford,” said Guardiola, who expressed the hope the player would at least play again this season.
This week it was announced that Phil Foden has reached an agreement in principle with City over fresh terms until 2031 despite losing his starting place this season. Guardiola backed him to return to his best. “He just needs to recover that spirit, the pleasure of being a football player,” he said.
“Not because I have a contract. Not because I have duties to do. Not because I have to win that game. Forget about all of that. It’s just a joy to play football like you were a little boy and we’re in the streets or in the school or in the academy in Man City. And when that happens he’ll explode again. He’s not 35 years old like your legs don’t run any more or you’re with the wheelchair.” Jamie Jackson
2. Slot ‘not hurt by Salah’s parting shot’
Arne Slot has angrily rejected the notion that standards may drop at Liverpool once Mohamed Salah leaves and insisted a winning culture is not created only inside the gym.
Salah raised the topic of standards at Liverpool during a TV interview last week when revealing he had told Dominik Szoboszlai and others to set an example after he departs this summer. The forward said: “I told them: ‘You need people to come early and go to the gym.’ If this doesn’t happen it will be tricky for the club, because it’s very necessary you put the standards high.”
Slot bristled at the suggestion that Salah’s comments, coupled with Virgil van Dijk’s claim that a lot of work is needed behind the scenes at Liverpool, implied there were problems with the dressing-room culture.
“Does Virgil mean the same as what Mo is saying?” he said. “Mo is saying that standards are really important for a football club. I cannot agree with him more. I did not hear him say that the standards are not OK now, did you? I’m not worried that the standards will be lower next season than they were this season, last season or the season before. No. I’m not worried. At all.”
The head coach became angry as he continued his defence of the squad. “I wish I was able to say what I feel at this moment, but I can’t. I think [standards] are in a good place right now. I am completely convinced that we have enough players next season – and the ones we will sign to add to that – to put the standards exactly into the place they are needed. The standards are not only important in the gym. It’s everywhere, it’s the entire culture, it’s also on the pitch. You understand me? Without me saying anything.”
Slot believes it is not only on older players to set the benchmark at Liverpool and denied there was a lack of leadership among the players signed last summer. “If I look at Paris Saint-Germain, Désiré Doué is 20, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is 25. Can they set standards for another generation or for a team? I don’t know what time they are in the gym, by the way. And this is what Mo did when he was 26,” he said.
“They all have lived experiences and know what it takes to play at this level. Come on, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitiké, Alexander Isak and all these players we signed: they are not children, they are serious professionals that know what it takes to play at this level. They now know what it takes to play in the Premier League and Champions League at this level. It can only get better but it is not only down to 34-year-olds. Standards can also be set by a 20-year-old, like Doué, or Salah who started like that for Liverpool when he was 26. It is not age-related.” Andy Hunter
3. McFarlane insists Chelsea built on solid foundations
Chelsea’s interim coach, Calum McFarlane, insists the foundations for success are in place at Stamford Bridge. The Blues are on a six-match losing streak, with the under-21s coach back in charge after Liam Rosenior was sacked last month.
Their worst run since 1993 means Chelsea cannot finish in the top five and qualify automatically for the Champions League. Chelsea have three Premier League games left – starting with Saturday’s trip to Liverpool – as well as the FA Cup final, to secure any form of European football next season.
“We’re not in the best form at the moment, we’re not performing the way we should be, but I do think there are foundations there for this team to be successful,” McFarlane said. “We’ve got four games left, we need to attack every game and show our level like we have done at times this year – not recently – and put ourselves in the best position to achieve that.”
McFarlane, who also took temporary charge after Enzo Maresca left in January, insists he is relishing the role. “It’s a challenge, it’s tough, you don’t like losing games, no one likes losing games of football, but I’m enjoying the challenge, I’m embracing the challenge and I’ve got a job to do,” he added.
“I try and support the players and give them the best platform to win football games, it’s my job. If we win I’ll enjoy it, if not, just like everyone else, I’ll be frustrated and angry.” PA Media
4. Nuno only focused on West Ham’s survival
Nuno Espírito Santo says he has given no thought to his future at West Ham whether they are relegated or not. The club’s board are understood to want Nuno, who signed a three-year deal when he was appointed in September, to stay on as head coach even if they do go down to the Championship.
His side face an uphill battle to stay up, with survival out of their hands in 18th spot and with a visit from the leaders, Arsenal, next up on Sunday.
“I’m going to be honest with you, I don’t have one second to think about next season,” the Portuguese coach said. “It’s so demanding what we have, the challenge, especially the game on Sunday, that’s what we have to focus on.
“I don’t have enough energy to think about what’s ahead. It’s tomorrow, then tomorrow, day-by-day. All the club, all the staff, the board, the players, the fans, we have our mission. It’s about Sunday and we just focus on Sunday.”
Nuno added: “[Arsenal] are a tough opponent, but we are at London Stadium and that always gives us a plus of energy and especially for us, we have to give our all. There is no hiding. Being at home is good for us. Especially recently, our fans are giving us extra, so they’ve been really helpful.
“It’s always nervy in these final games of the season. There’s always anxiety in the games so it is up to us to control our nerves and deliver what we want.” PA Media
5. Howe has no doubts about Gordon’s desire
Eddie Howe has reiterated Anthony Gordon’s commitment to Newcastle after speculation over the England forward’s future amid reports suggesting they have opened talks with Bayern Munich over a possible move.
When asked if he could shed any light on Bayern links, the Newcastle manager said: “No, none. That’s not something I’m involved in.”
Gordon joined Newcastle from Everton in January 2023 and has scored 17 goals in all competitions this season. Asked if he feels Gordon is 100% committed to the club, Howe replied: “Yes, he wouldn’t be in the squad if that was the case. And I judge that, as I said many times, not on communications elsewhere, I do that with my relationship with the player and how I see them train.”
Newcastle are 13th in the table and have three games remaining this season, starting with a trip to Nottingham Forest on Sunday. With the campaign approaching its end, Howe admitted the summer transfer window was “difficult to predict”, but said he was focused on a strong league finish.
“It’s difficult for me to comment too much on individual players and timescales and all that stuff because that’s going into an area that isn’t really my forte, so I’ll leave that to other people. All I’m looking to do is try and finish the season with the squad in a really strong way and the players be committed to what they’re doing right here, right now.
“There’s no point looking too far ahead into the future. The summer transfer window is difficult to predict, it’s difficult to see what’s going to happen on any level at this moment in time so we’ve got three big games to play and we need to focus on them.” PA Media
