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      Fans say Pep Guardiola is ‘apologising for letting him leave’ as Man City boss chats to Chelsea’s Cole Palmer after win

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      FANS are convinced Pep Guardiola has apologised to Cole Palmer for letting him leave Manchester City.The forward joined Chelsea last summer in a £42.5million transfer to get more game time.Pep Guardiola chatted to Cole Palmer after Man City beat ChelseaCredit: GettyPalmer, 22, has gone on to become one of the most exciting talents in the Premier League since arriving at Stamford Bridge.Last season, he scored 22 goals and assisted 11 more in 33 league appearances.His performances saw him earn a call from Gareth Southgate to go to the Euros with England.Palmer’s exit did not weaken Man City too much as they went on to win the Premier League for the fourth consecutive season.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAfter Chelsea’s first game of the new season, Palmer had a catch-up with his former manager Pep Guardiola.The Spaniard was the happier of the two, having seen his side come out 2-0 victors at Stamford Bridge.The pair were caught on camera having a conversation as they made their way off the pitch.The video has made its way to social media and fans are convinced they know what Guardiola was saying to Palmer.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSOne posted: “Pep explaining to him why moving to Chelsea wasn’t a good move.”A second wrote: “Pep is apologising for letting him leave.” Fans say ‘Roy Keane would be proud’ as ‘fashion police’ Micah Richards trolls Redknapp and Sturridge live on Sky SportsDave Kidd: Why I’ve voted for Cole Palmer to be Footballer of the Year despite Chelsea woesBy Dave KiddTHE voting for the Footballer of the Year award closes on Tuesday and, unlike many, I’ve gone for Cole Palmer.Most Football Writers’ Association members vote by starting with the likely Prem champs and work backwards. So the winner will be Phil Foden, Rodri, Declan Rice or Martin Odegaard.There is dissent if a player from a less successful team wins, like David Ginola from mid-table Spurs in Manchester United’s ’99 Treble- winning year.But enjoying a superb individual season in a poor team is a greater achievement.And for Palmer — just 21 and in his first season as a regular starter — to have chalked up 23 goals and 13 assists in such a basket-case team as Chelsea, makes him this season’s outstanding player.Read Dave Kidd’s full column hereOr click here to check out all of Dave Kidd’s articles.A third commented: “Guardiola is really asking him if he was sure about signing that new long contract.”A fourth said: “Pep’s saying if I kept you, then I would win the league with ten games to spare.”Another added: “Pep is asking Cole if he wants to come back to City, obviously.”Palmer has been rewarded for his fine form at Stamford Bridge with a bumper new contract.He has signed a new contract that will run until 2033 and will receive a pay rise from his previous £60,000-per-week salary.He has also been nominated for both the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award and the PFA Young Player of the Year award.Harry Redknapp’s 2024/25 season predictions TOP FOURARSENAL, MANCHESTER CITY, LIVERPOOL and TOTTENHAM  — and  I’ve got a really strong feeling for Arsenal this season. A few of Man City’s star players are getting a bit older. There’s been nothing between the two teams over the past two years.RELEGATIONEVERTON (18th), SOUTHAMPTON (19th), LEICESTER (20th) — I like Sean Dyche and Everton are a great club with brilliant, knowledgeable fans. They’re just badly run. They need to go down to rebuild to come back again. But the key is new owners.TOP SCORERERLING HAALAND — I can’t see anyone taking his crown off him. He’s a goal machine, isn’t he? If I can get him at evens, I might lump on!MOST ASSISTSMARTIN ODEGAARD — He’ll be the catalyst for Arsenal’s surge to the title. I can see it now. He’s a superb player and he makes it look so easy.CARABAO CUPTOTTENHAM — Ange Postecoglou will break Spurs’ trophy curse. Most big teams will mess about with this trophy, but Tottenham will go full steam.FA CUPLIVERPOOL — I fancy Arne Slot to stamp his mark on English football quickly and there’s few better ways to do it than lifting this famous old trophy.CHAMPIONS LEAGUEREAL MADRID — Carlo Ancelotti is bullish about their chances. He has said that with Kylian Mbappe, it’s the best team they’ve had for a long time.EUROPA LEAGUEMANCHESTER UNITED — Clubs seem to have stopped sneering at this competition. And Spurs and United should be going both barrels for it.CONFERENCE LEAGUECHELSEA — The Luxembourg champions could be dangerous! Joking aside, the Blues must win it. More

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      Chelsea fans slam ‘weak wrists’ Robert Sanchez as ‘Kepa regen’ after keeper’s howler against Man City

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      CHELSEA fans are worried they have another goalkeeping flop on their hands.The Blues were chasing an equaliser against Manchester City when former midfielder Mateo Kovacic let loose from range.Robert Sanchez was close to keeping out Mateo Kovacic’s effortCredit: AFPThe Spaniard was beaten twice as Man City wonCredit: GettyMateo Kovacic stung his former clubCredit: ReutersHis effort gave City a 2-0 lead but Robert Sanchez got a hand on it and probably should have kept it out.Chelsea fans on social media saw shades of Kepa Arrizabalaga in the ex-Brighton keeper, 26.One wrote: “Sanchez has weaker wrists than Kepa. Wasn’t even a hard shot!”A second added: “no WAY we have a kepa regen.”READ MORE CHELSEA NEWAA third said: “How many times did this club need to see Robert Sanchez be absolutely diabolical to realise he was absolutely diabolical. It actually boils my blood. He’s terrible, he’s a calamity. GET HIM OUT.”A fourth fumed: “No manager who starts Robert Sanchez in 2024 gets sympathy from me.”Chelsea were second best for long periods at Stamford Bridge and it was no surprise to see Erling Haaland give City the lead.Nicolas Jackson thought he had netted an equaliser but saw his effort chalked off for offside.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd after a decent second-half spell for the Blues, City took control again and Kovacic settled the contest.Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca told BBC Match of the Day: “The performance was good and we competed against the best team in the world. Robert Sanchez shows off his unbelievable reflexes in Spain training “We played well and created chances. The biggest difference was inside the box and how they managed the ball at the end, they are a master. “We don’t like to lose games but the performance was good.”We can for sure improve many things, we’ve been together for just six weeks. “At the same moment, we liked to analyse the game and we tried to play football and create chances. It’s not easy but we did well.”It’s always tough because many of them deserve to play from the start. “We have another game soon so they have chances to play for sure.” More

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      Rival Premier League fans say ‘I feel sick’ as Man City’s £21m new-boy Savinho turns out to be ‘Riyad Mahrez regen’

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      PREMIER LEAGUE fans are fuming that Manchester City got their hands on Savinho.The seven-cap Brazil ace made his debut on Sunday after arriving from sister club Troyes in a £21million deal last month.Savinho looked superb on his Man City debutCredit: ReutersHe was unfortunately forced off injuredCredit: ReutersRiyad Mahrez is a Man City legendCredit: GettyThat fee, which could rise to £33.6m, is already looking like a bargain.Savinho started on the left flank but switched wings with Jeremy Doku after 15 minutes,He looked comfortable on the opposite side until injury forced him off at half-time, showing a few flashes of the ability.And that was all rival supporters needed to see – comparing the winger to Riyad Mahrez.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOne posted: “Savinho man. They got themselves a Mahrez regen. I feel sick.”Another added: “I see mahrez everytime I watch savinho.”A third wrote: “Savinho is giving Mahrez regen vibes.”A fourth posted: “Savinho is good. He reminds me of mahrez, direct, take your man on and create chaos. Bargain.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSErling Haaland opened the scoring as City began their campaign with a 2-0 win at Chelsea.The Blues put up a fight but former midfielder Mateo Kovacic settled the tie with a late long-range effort.Manchester City challenging the Premier League and its entire rulebook in a court case with millions of pounds of damages on the lineHe told Sky Sports: “We are missing some big players.“I had a longer break so I could recover better, I wanted to be ready for the beginning of the season.“[Regarding Rodri’s absence] I played some kind of his role today, but we are always missing Rodri.“He is, if not, one of the best in the world.“I don’t score many goals, and when you score you want to celebrate.What will happen to Man City?MAN CITY are favourites to win the Premier League title yet again – but there is one elephant in the room that threatens to put the skids under the Etihad giants.Sunsport’s MARTIN LIPTON discusses what the next few months could hold with Head of Sport SHAUN CUSTIS….Custis: So the big question – will there be a resolution this season?Lipton: Yes…. probably! We know the case will start to be dealt with in October or November.It will take at least a month to go through the evidence. So I suspect around March, April time, we will get a result. But that’s where it starts to get tricky.Custis: Why is that?Lipton: If the result is in City’s favour, that’s the end of the matter. They will be cleared. They will have no punishment to face.But if City are found guilty, these will be the heaviest penalties ever imposed by the Premier League.I suspect if they are found guilty, they will be expelled from the league or given a massive points deduction and a huge fine so that they’re not in the Premier League next season.Check out the full discussion on Man City’s future.“But I have huge respect for Chelsea. I spent five years here.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I scored but that is not always the most important thing for me, the most important is winning.“This team is so hungry and it’s a pleasure to be a part of it and win titles.” More

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      Chelsea ratings: Cucurella continues resurgence but Jackson still well off boil

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      ENZO MARESCA’S first game in the Premier League didn’t go exactly to plan as his former boss Pep Guardiola got one over on him.Erling Haaland gave Manchester City the lead with a neat chip over Robert Sanchez after shrugging off Levi Colwill inside the box on the stroke of the 18th minute.Nicolas Jackson struggled against Man CityCredit: GettyMarc Cucurella was one bright spark for the BluesCredit: PANicolas Jackson thought he had levelled things up for the Blues just before half-time, only for the goal to be ruled out by the linesman’s flag. It was former Chelsea star Mateo Kovacic who put the nail in the coffin of the home side, as he lashed home an effort late on in the second half. It was a similar story to last season for the Blues, who struggled to break down a Manchester City side that didn’t really look challenged.As for the Citizens, they will be pleased by their start to the season, picking up three points and the Community Shield in their past two games. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLKevin De Bruyne impressed on his full return to the side, and Phil Foden got minutes in the tank too – Pep Guardiola will only be concerned by an injury to Savinho who was playing like something reminiscent of a certain Riyad Mahrez reincarnated.Find out how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the Chelsea players…Robert Sanchez – 4/10Distribution-wise, it’s not good enough; that said, he made an absolutely fantastic save to deny a deflected effort from Jeremy Doku in the first half. Similarly in the second half, made a routine save to deny Erling Haaland before getting a hand to Mateo Kovacic’s shot, but failed to stop it rattling the back of the net.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMalo Gusto – 5It’s more of the impressive attitude we saw last season from the flying Frenchman, but today, he couldn’t stamp his mark on the game at all going forward. We certainly see more of his best qualities in the game where Chelsea have more of the ball, he should grow into the season nicely over the next few games.  Fans say ‘Roy Keane would be proud’ as ‘fashion police’ Micah Richards trolls Redknapp and Sturridge live on Sky SportsWesley Fofana – 5He didn’t look out of his depth in his first Premier League game for Chelsea for over a year, and despite conceding, it was a decent performance to build on in the coming games. Did well physically against Haaland in fairness, and made it through the 90 minutes unscathed which will please Chelsea fans in some capacity.Levi Colwill – 5Levi Colwill could improveCredit: PATough day at the office against physicality personified in Erling Haaland.Did play the ball well out from the back for Chelsea with a few good blocks and tackles. But much the same as with Wesley Fofana, there is room for growth into the season with easier fixtures upcoming, particularly where Chelsea will dominate on the ball.  Marc Cucurella  – 6Forced Jeremy Doku into a change of wing in the first half after winning a tough battle against the Belgian winger, and stepped into challenges well for the most part.Was solid again in the second half before going off with an injury. Romeo Lavia – 6He looked like a calming presence in the Chelsea midfield when he did get the ball and he broke up play pretty well for a player who has been out through injury for so long. Continued his good pre-season form and is deserving of a run  in the side. Moises Caicedo – 5A similar performance really to the aforementioned Lavia, but was one of Chelsea’s better progressors of the ball when they did get forwards and showed some nice touches in the middle of the park.Fans will be left wondering whether he, Lavia and Enzo Fernandez fit into the same midfield.Enzo Fernandez – 5Enzo Fernandez captained the side against CityCredit: GettyA mixed performance from the Argentine midfielder who showed promise in spells, but it really wasn’t the level you would expect of a player with his price tag.This could have been a huge game for the Chelsea captain for the day, but he failed to really stamp his mark on it in comparison to the player whom he replaced, Mateo Kovacic.Christopher Nkunku – 4Enzo Maresca seemed to want him playing as a touchline winger, but the forward looks far more comfortable in the middle of the pitch.He was the first player to be hooked in the second half and was replaced by Pedro Neto, who looked more at home wide on the left-hand side.Cole Palmer – 5Cole Palmer had a quiet matchCredit: ReutersIt was far from the electric performance which saw him scoop heaps of praise last season. He still did show glimpses going forward, but he just failed to impact the game in the ways he did last time around.  Nicolas Jackson – 4New season, same old Nicolas Jackson.A great run in the first half was let down by a pea-roller of a shot into a Man City defender, before he hit the back of the net only to see the official’s flag raised on the far side. I’m sorry Nic Jackson, but it’s a four for you this time round…SUBS:PEDRO NETO (CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU, 58) – 5Not the kind of debut that got fans out of their seats, but with The Blues failing to really get him on the ball there was little to take note of.MARC GUIU  (NICOLAS JACKSON, 66) – 5Less impactful than Nicolas Jackson, but in considerably less time.For a player who can dominate physically, he looked a little intimidated by the Manchester City defence and wasn’t really presented with any chances. READ MORE SUN STORIESKIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL (ROMEO LAVIA, 67) – 5Many Chelsea fans were disappointed to see Romeo Lavia come off after a good performance, and Dewsbury-Hall failed to add any of the attacking prowess we saw in the Championship last season.RENATO VEIGA  (MARC CUCURELLA, 80) – 5He didn’t have enough time to impact the game after replacing Marc Cucurella, who had more time to establish himself as one of Chelsea’s better performers.  More

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      Gary Neville moans as linesman ‘takes 14 days’ to raise flag for offside in hilarious live moment in Chelsea vs Man City

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      GARY NEVILLE has already had enough of the new offside rules after watching Chelsea’s season opener at Stamford Bridge.Blues striker Nicolas Jackson looked to have strayed past the last defender as he raced through on the Manchester City goal.Nicolas Jackson went too earlyCredit: Sky SportsGary Neville says we have to draw the line somewhereCredit: PAPep Guardiola raged at fourth official Darren EnglandCredit: AlamyNicolas Jackson was battling the offside flag all afternoonCredit: GettyBut the linesman was forced to wait until the Blues had finished attacking before he could raise his flag.As Chelsea lay siege to the City goal, Neville grew increasingly frustrated.And after a wayward cross finally allowed the official to raise his arm, he moaned that it had “taken 14 days.”Replays then showed that Jackson was a yard offside and Pep Guardiola was picked up ranting at the fourth official.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe matchday team followed their instructions to the letter, so the City boss would be better off taking it up with the FA.For once, football fans were in agreement on social media.One wrote: “Ridiculous rule.”Another added: “Stupid waste of time. Let it go on for a 100 years when Jackson was blatantly offside. Meanwhile in other matches referees blow way earlier than expected. PL officials really the worst ever.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSA third posted: “Jackson was about 2 yards offside and the game has gone on for 30 seconds. Absolutely pathetic.”Jackson’s battle with the offside line continued as he thought he had cancelled out Erling Haaland’s opener before the break. Fans say ‘you love to see it after that terrible song’ as Haaland shrugs off Cucurella to score ‘most obvious’ goal everCole Palmer’s effort was uncharacteristically spilled by Ederson and the striker pounced to finish.The flag went up again – immediately this time – and City went into the break 1-0 up at Stamford Bridge.Chelsea fans were not impressed with Jackson’s failure to keep himself onside.One wrote: “Nicolas Jackson was born offside.”A second quipped: “Jackson actually scored while being offside this time, that’s progress.”A third moaned: “Chelsea coaches need to train Nicholas Jackson on the offside rule. This is annoying.” More

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      Disgruntled Chelsea fans chant Conor Gallagher’s name in front of owner Todd Boehly with midfielder being forced out

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      CHELSEA fans were chanting absent hero Conor Gallagher’s name during the Blues’ clash with Manchester City today.Disgruntled fans are upset with the way the academy product-turned-England midfielder has been treated over the summer.Gallagher has been frozen out by ChelseaCredit: GettyTodd Boehly was at the season openerCredit: PAThe chants took place within earshot of Todd Boehly, who is in attendance for the season opener.Gallagher’s move looked to Atletico Madrid looked to be imminent but he has now been left in limbo.Chelsea initially believed his £34million move to Atletico was independent of moves for Samu Omorodion and Joao Felix.But Atletico threatened to pull the move for Gallagher, 24, if his deal was not counted as part of a swap transfer.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLGallagher was in Madrid for a number of days and met directors of the club as well as manager Diego Simeone, who personally assured him that the move would go through.But as of now, the transfer has not happened, and Gallagher has returned to training with his boyhood club.He had previously been banned from using the club’s first-team facilities as Chelsea looked to force him into a move.He is the latest victim of the club’s policy to sell academy graduates.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThat’s because the players can be listed as pure profit under Chelsea’s profit and sustainability rulings.Trevoh Chalobah is in the same position, having been left out of the club’s pre-season squad and told to find a new club. Fans say ‘you love to see it after that terrible song’ as Haaland shrugs off Cucurella to score ‘most obvious’ goal everGallagher, Romelu Lukaku and Armando Broja were all left out of the club’s squad list on the back of Chelsea’s matchday programme today.Chalobah was included in the squad, however.Every Chelsea signing under Todd BoehlyHere is a list of all Chelsea’s signings under Todd Boehly…Raheem Sterling – £50mKalidou Koulibaly £33mGabriel Slonina – £8mCarney Chukweumeka – £20mMarc Cucurella – £57.5mCesare Casadei – £13.3mWesley Fofana – £70mPierre-Emerick Aubameyang – £10.3mDenis Zakaria – £2.7m (Loan fee)David Datro Fofana – £10.6mBenoit Badiashile – £33.7mAndrey Santos – £11.1mJoao Felix – £9.7m (Loan fee)Mykhailo Mudryk – £62m Noni Madueke – £30mMalo Gusto – £26.75mEnzo Fernandez – £107.8mChristopher Nkunku – £52mDiego Moreira – FREENicolas Jackson – £31.5mAngelo Gabriel – £13mLesley Ugochukwu – £23.3mAxel Disasi – £38.9mRobert Sanchez – £20mMoises Caicedo – £100mRomeo Lavia – £53.2mDeivid Washington – £13.7mCole Palmer – £40.1mDjordje Petrovic – £13.6mTosin Adarabioyo – FREEMarc Guiu – £5.1mCaleb Wiley – £8.63mRenato Veiga – £12mAarón Anselmino – £14mOmari Kellyman – £19.2mFilip Jorgensen – £21mKiernan Dewsbury-Hall – £30.2mPedro Neto – £54m More

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      Chelsea vs Man City LIVE SCORE: Erling Haaland puts Champions ahead with brilliant finish as Blues punished – updates

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      CHELSEA are up against champions Manchester City but they’re losing thanks to an Erling Haaland goal. The Blues started the game reasonably well but were punished after an incisive pass found its way to the Norwegian in the box before he wriggled his way through to chip home. Kick-off time: 4.30pm BSTLive stream: Sky Sports/ NOW TVTV channel: Sky Sports Main Event / Premier LeagueChelsea team: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella, Lavia, Caicedo, Enzo, Palmer, Jackson, NkunkuMan City team: Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Kovacic, De Bruyne (C), Bernardo, Doku, Savinho, HaalandBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSChelsea 0-1 Man City39. City go short with the corner and it comes to nothing.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-1 Man City37. Doku has a go from range which takes a wicked deflection off Fofana and loops up in the air and towards goal.Sanchez has to be alert and dives at full stretch to push it over. It was just above him but he does well.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-1 Man City35. Savinho skips away from Cucurella and only has Haaland to hit inside the box.He pulls it back for Kovacic on the edge who sees his shot well blocked.Chelsea counter and Jackson is a yard or two offside but play is allowed to go on for about 16 seconds before the flag does go up.Jackson’s attempt at goal was pretty pathetic in any sense.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-1 Man City33. Nothing from VAR either and rightly so. There was contact but it was just a poor touch.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-1 Man City32. A chance for Chelsea and also a huge penalty shout.Enzo Fernandez receives a square pass on the edge of the box and takes a poor touch before Savinho comes into the back of him and bundles him to the ground.Huge appeals from the home fans but nothing given by the referee who was right there.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-1 Man City30. Not much in the game then as we reach the half-hour mark.Not much in it in terms of possession but City a bit more clinical with theirs so far. As shown by the score-line.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-1 Man City27. It nearly opens up for Palmer there, who receives a clever pass from Lavia on the edge of the box.As he sets himself, three sky blue shirts throw themselves in front of the anticipated shot, with one just nicking it away from the Chelsea forward.The Blues recycle it and Palmer’s cross is hit straight to Ederson.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-1 Man City25. Ohhhhh. Akanji delays and delays on the ball five yards outside his box and Nkunku shuts down his pass.They battle for the ball and the City defender goes to ground inside his own box as Nkunku is in on goal but the referee blows for a foul.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-1 Man City22. Frightening that this Chelsea midfield cost a quarter of a billion pound to put together.As they’re all over the place.Savinho drives inside and almost overruns it, instead toeing it to De Bruyne 25 yards from goal who is allowed two touches to set himself before trying to bend over into the corner. It flies a yard past Sanchez’s left post.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-1 Man City18. City look dangerous coming down that left side, where De Bruyne has found himself a lot.It’s Doku who fires a pass across the box with Silva getting a touch onto it to force it into Haaland’s path just inside the box.He looks to have taken one touch too many as both centre halves try to push him off the ball.He swats them aside before finishing beyond Sanchez from close range.Copy linkCopiedIT STANDS!On his 100th Manchester City appearance, Erling Haaland puts City ahead with his 91st goal for the club!Copy linkCopiedHold on…VAR is checking it for offside against Bernardo Silva in the build-up….Copy linkCopiedIT’S ONLY TAKEN HIM 18 MINUTES!Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-0 Man City15. De Bruyne skips by Lavia in the middle of the park before he’s tugged back.Free kick to Man City and that same foul will be a booking later on in this game.It’s taken to Doku wide on the left – as he and Savinho swap wings – but it comes to nothing.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-0 Man City14. It’s Anthony Taylor that’s the man in the middle, by the way.He’s booed as Nicolas Jackson is running 1v2 against Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias.He tries to get in the box before the Portuguese defender steps across him to win the ball – and a foul off the striker.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-0 Man City12. Doku is found on the corner of the area via a Rico Lewis pass.He cuts inside and tries an effort at goal with his left foot which is skewed well wide. It was somehow WORSE than his terrible attempt at a cross a few minutes ago.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-0 Man City10. It’s taken quickly and short to Palmer.His cross finds Fofana who volleys towards goal from the edge of the box but well, well over.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-0 Man City9. Excellent chance for Chelsea as Gusto again gets forward down the right.He’s over halfway and in behind the high-line of City.With two to pick out in the middle, his cross is cut out for a corner and he immediately puts his head in his hands. That was a major chance.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-0 Man City9. The referee blows with the ball on its way in and gives Chelsea a free kick.A bit of a coming together between Enzo and Haaland, with the former having a little kick at the back of Haaland’s head as they went to ground.Not sure he needed to do that and that appears to be Haaland’s point.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-0 Man City8. Great football from City through the middle of the park as they rip right through Chelsea.Savinho slides through Bernardo Silva who has his cross-shot cut out for a corner.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-0 Man City5. Malo Gusto gets forward for the first time and has his cross blocked behind by Savinho.It looked that way anyway but the officials point for a goal kick.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-0 Man City3. Terrible play from Enzo Fernandez, who hits a blind pass backwards on halfway into Haaland’s path.He finds Doku wide on the right and charges into the box, only for the Belgian to cross it deep and clear the crossbar. Woeful attempt really.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-0 Man City2. De Bruyne gets Savinho involved a couple of times early on.The winger’s latest touch sees him square Gusto up before trying to cross into the box. It deflects off the defender and loops kindly into the arms of Sanchez.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-0 Man City1. City go backwards with the goal kick, all the way to Ederson.He opts to put his foot through it and clear it well into the Chelsea half. Maybe it’s a new Man City!Copy linkCopiedKICK-OFF!We’re underway at Stamford Bridge as the visitors get us up and running!Copy linkCopied More

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      Mikel Arteta reveals Arsenal players plotted this season’s title battle with Man City HOURS after final day heartbreak

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      IN the hours following their Prem title heartbreak, the Arsenal squad – as well as their families, coaching staff and owner Josh Kroenke – attended a gathering at a venue in central London.But instead of licking their wounds, boss Mikel Arteta has revealed that his players used it to plot this season’s title battle with Manchester City, telling him: “We’re going to do it”.Owner Josh Kroenke joined the players hours after missing out on the titleCredit: GettyMikel Arteta believes his Arsenal squad are hungrier than ever to topple Man CityCredit: GettyThe Gunners came agonisingly close to winning a first league trophy since 2004 last term, finishing two points off winners City with top spot still up for grabs on the final day back in May.A 2-1 victory over Everton at the Emirates was not enough as Pep Guardiola’s City saw off West Ham 3-1 at the Etihad to earn a fourth crown on the bounce.Yet after back-to-back second-place finishes, Arteta is confident his players have what it takes this campaign to finally dethrone the most dominate side in English football history.Asked how hungry his squad is ahead of today’s opener against Wolves, Arteta explained: “Since the last day. It was the same evening as the Everton game. We had a gathering together with all the club.read more arsenal“Everybody was talking about the same thing. They were saying to me: ‘We’re going to be better. We’re going to do it. We want more.’ They are the ones driving that ambition.“We are not going to stop here and that we want much more. We know the things that we can still do better and how the players can still evolve.“How we have evolved as a club is huge as well. How we feel playing at Emirates Stadium is another one.“When you’re looking ahead and see everything that we are doing, everybody is so enthusiastic about it, that willingness to do better, to keep demanding of each other.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“To look for higher ceilings, this is what everybody needs. It’s motivating. It’s inspiring. Every day is something new to look at. We are creating that culture and want to keep going.“It’s like you’re trying to climb the highest mountain, the most difficult leap in the world and you’re surrounded by people trying to achieve the same ambition.Fans can’t stop laughing at Roy Keane’s blunt response to bizarre Mikel Arteta Arsenal ‘pickpocket’ story“The main focus that we have as a coaching staff is to improve our players and give them the best possibility to find a level that probably they haven’t even dreamed about.”Arsenal broke numerous records last season, including most wins in the Prem era [28], their second ever highest points tally [89], most set-piece goals [22] and a league-best defence [29].However, Arteta has told his men to set new standards by using the pain of seasons gone by.He said: “We need to break more of those records again, earn more points for sure. [Last year’s tally] won’t be enough.“With the level we are competing with and every season is getting harder. We are going to have to improve again.“Whether it is pain, whether there are experiences, whether there are moments where you have to accept that somebody else has been better you want to get to where you aren’t.”He continued: “I don’t know what perfect is but it has to be very close to the numbers that we’ve seen in recent years. For me, we’re still very far from perfection.“I want a team that has no roof, can play in any context, dominate the opponent in any circumstance. Can play every three days.“This team still has levels to reach and give me reasons to believe that because I see the way they train and the way they play every day. I believe there are still big rooms to improve.”Having improved their points tally for four seasons on the spin, Arsenal will likely need to do what no Prem team has ever done and see progress for a fifth successive year.But, can it really be progress without lifting the title in 2025? Arteta said: “I would love that feeling bit I cannot think about that right now.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Everything I do, I try to win. I try to do it at my best. I am happier afterwards, I feel fulfilled. If I am not able to do it, I try to learn from it. That is the way I am.”Full-back Jurrien Timber [foot] and midfielder Fabio Vieira [hip] are set to make the squad but Takehiro Tomiyasu [knee] and Kieran Tierney [hamstring] remain out injured.Arsenal have a tough start to the new season More