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      Chloe Kelly criticises Manchester City after sealing transfer deadline day switch to Arsenal

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      CHLOE KELLY hit out at Manchester City after completing her transfer to Arsenal, claiming the club attempted to “assassinate her character”. The Lioness star shared her thoughts in a social media post on Thursday night after sealing a loan move to the Gunners. Chloe Kelly will spend the rest of this season at Arsenal after sealing a loan move from Manchester CityCredit: AlamyThe England forward’s contract with Man City is due to expire in JuneCredit: GettyYesterday evening Arsenal announced the Euros-winning England forward had joined the club on a temporary deal running until the end of this season.Kelly, whose contract with Man City expires in June, will wear the Gunners’ number 18 jersey.Her transfer to the London giants followed a dramatic day which included Man United attempting to sign her, with the Cityzens reluctant to see her join their local rivals. It is also thought the forward had declined a chance to sign for Brighton with Sky Sports claiming her initial preference was to remain in Manchester.Read More Football Stories However Kelly would later seal a move, before yesterday’s 11pm transfer deadline, that saw her return to the team where she began her senior playing career at the age of 17. And the England international claimed Man City were “briefing journalists” against her. SunSport have approached Man City for a response. Via an Instagram story shared after her Arsenal loan move, Kelly wrote: “So disappointed to find out that people at the club  are briefing journalists against me if I am to sign at a club before the window shuts.Most read in Football”They’ve called reporters to assassinate my character and tried to plant negative stories about me in the football media, of which are false accusations.”Following her Arsenal move Kelly thanked Man City’s fans for “welcoming her with open arms” and her team-mates at the club for their support. Her transfer comes almost five years after she joined the Cityzens for whom she has scored 30 times in 109 appearances. The forward helped the team to a Women’s FA Cup triumph in 2020 and a League Cup win in 2022. And last season she made 18 top-flight appearances registering five goals and five assists with the club beaten on goal difference to the WSL title by Chelsea. This term she struggled for top-flight game time making one start in the six top tier matches. And two days ago she issued a written statement which explained that she “accepted” her future would not be at Man City beyond June. In July 2022 Kelly made history playing an instrumental role in the Lionesses’ history-making European Championship triumph.Her extra-time goal sealed England’s tournament win after a 2-1 defeat at Germany at Wembley earning the 48-capped Lioness widespread praise. Two years ago she also helped England reach the Women’s World Cup final with the team falling to a slim 1-0 loss to tournament victors Spain. And Kelly hopes to earn a place in Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses squad ahead of this year’s Euros taking place in Switzerland in July. Head Coach Renée Slegers said: “Chloe is an exciting attacking player and will be a great addition to our squad as we approach the second half of the season. “She’s direct and explosive, with huge natural talent and ability. We’re all looking forward to working with Chloe as an Arsenal player in the coming months.”The completion of Kelly’s transfer comes ahead of Arsenal’s WSL trip to Man City on Sunday. Chloe Kelly will provide with more attacking options with the club battling for more trophy winsCredit: GettyThe Gunners are currently fourth in the table and one point behind the Cityzens. Both teams will also go toe-to-toe on February 6 in the semi-finals of this year’s Women’s League Cup. READ MORE SUN STORIESArsenal, who are the contest’s record winners, hope to win the trophy for a seventh time. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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      Chloe Kelly states her future ‘is not at Manchester City’ in exit plea post shared before January transfer deadline

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      CHLOE KELLY admits she does not see herself being a Manchester City player beyond this June.The England ace opened up on “dreams” being “crushed” and concerns for her “mental wellbeing” in a message shared via Instagram. Chloe Kelly’s most recent start for Manchester City was on January 12 in their FA Cup fourth round defeat of IpswichCredit: PAThe England forward has made six WSL appearances this term and believes she will not be at Man City beyond June this yearKelly’s past and present England team-mates Rachel Daly, Millie Bright, Keira Walsh and Gabby George posted sympathetic messages in response to her statementKelly, 27, who is one of the WSL’s most high profile players, has been the subject of speculation concerning her Man City future.This followed England’s tournament-winning goalscorer at the 2022 Euros, falling down the pecking order at the Cityzens. Last term Kelly made 21 top-flight appearances starting in 18 of those games registering five goals and five assists with the team finishing second on goal difference. The forward, who began her senior club career at Arsenal in 2015 before a 2016 Everton switch and a City move in 2020, helped the Cityzens to league and FA Cup wins. Read More Football Stories However this season she has started in just one of the 12 WSL games played by Gareth Taylor’s side.Her most recent start for the team this month was in their FA Cup fourth-round 3-0 defeat of Ipswich on January 12.And Kelly’s current contract with the club she joined in July 2020 expires in June. With this year’s Euros less than six months away, the forward hopes to be in a position to fight for England squad selection.Most read in FootballVia a post published on her social media accounts on Wednesday night, Kelly wrote: “From day one, I’ve felt so much love from my team-mates and the fans. “With my contract expiring in June I’ve accepted that my future is not at this club beyond then. “With the Euros fast approaching, this summer is a huge one and I want to be in a position to give it my best shot to represent my country. “Something which has always filled me with such pride and it is a true honour to do so.”Kelly, who last February was linked with French giants Paris Saint-Germain, is thought to be a January transfer target for Man United.The WSL’s window for January moves closes at 11:00pm on January 30. Earlier this month the Telegraph reported the Red Devils as being interested in a loan move for the forward. City’s neighbours and rivals, who visit Tottenham on Sunday, are currently second in the top tier and seven points off leaders Chelsea. With the Cityzens sat fourth outside the Champions League qualification spots, they may be reluctant to sanction a move to a top three WSL rival this month. Having not started in any of Man City’s WSL games since a 2-0 home win against West Ham in October, Kelly has expressed frustration.  In her Instagram post, she added: “To be dictated (as to) whom I can and can’t join with only four months left of the football season is having a huge impact on not only my career but my mental well being. “The situation has dragged on for far too long, it’s disappointing and not right.”I’m at a pivotal point in my life and my career is so important to me.”It’s very disappointing that the sport that we love can make you feel this way especially after there’s been so much growth in our sport. “This is why I’m posting this because I want to make you all aware that we as players dedicate our lives to our sport and our clubs but our dreams can be crushed whilst we live in silence.”Kelly is keen to cement a place in Sarina Wiegman’s England squad for this year’s Euros in Switzerland after helping the Lionesses win the contest in 2022Credit: PA”Ultimately I just want to be happy again. READ MORE SUN STORIESWhile City have signed Brazil forward Kerolin, they currently have star forward Lauren Hemp sidelined by a knee injury. The team return to WSL action on Sunday when they host third-place Arsenal.  More

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      Man City 3 Club Brugge 1: Hosts scrape through in Champions League but set up horror clash against giants

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      THEY were putting out fires inside and outside the Etihad last night. First, a merchandise stall on the stadium’s perimeter burst into flames. Man City scraped through to the qualification roundsCredit: AlamyThen, Pep Guardiola’s men appeared to be torching their European hopes before rescuing themselves from the humiliation of a group-stage Champions League exit.Guardiola had been fretting manically on the touchline as City trailed to a first-half strike from Raphael Onyedika.The City boss was scratching his head, slipping in his technical area and being booked for screaming blue murder at the ref.Yet he got his half-time substitution bang on. Savinho arrived in place of Ilkay Gundogan and the Brazilian winger scored the killer third after helping to set up the second, an own goal.READ MORE IN football City will now face either Jude Bellingham and Real Madrid, or Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich, in a glamorous two-legged play-off tie to be decided tomorrow.They will be played next month with the winners heading through to the last 16.Heaven knows how City ended up in this situation — needing a comeback win over Club Brugge in order to finish in the top 24 and scrape into the play-off round.The new Champions League format makes it nigh-on impossible for Europe’s grandest clubs to fall at the first hurdle. But the 2023 champions flirted with the unthinkable after a run of just one point from their previous four matches in the competition.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd at half-time it looked even worse, only for Mateo Kovacic to conjure a solo equaliser which launched City’s jailbreak.This has been a torturous group stage for Guardiola and it showed on the Catalan’s face on a night of high anxiety.Shock moment Aston Villa & Celtic fans clash before Champions League showdown as FLARE launched towards home supportersWhile City’s domestic form had turned a corner, last week’s extraordinary capitulation at Paris Saint-Germain left them in this tight corner.City have reached the knockout round in every season under their Spanish gaffer but here they were facing a win-or-bust scenario.Still, they remain unbeaten at home in Europe for seven years and, despite their first-half travails, they live to fight another day.The fire brigade had been called out two hours before kick-off when a club-shop kiosk caught ablaze just as City were about to parade their January signings on a nearby stage. Those new boys weren’t eligible for this match, leaving an inexperienced City bench.John Stones and Kevin De Bruyne returned to the starting line-up after missing out for the 3-1 Premier League win over Chelsea.For Stones it was a first start of 2025 and he was Beckenbauering about, frequently popping up in advanced midfield positions.Still, Brugge threatened first when Matheus Nunes allowed a long ball to sail over his head, leaving Christos Tzolis bearing down on goal, yet the Greek forward took a bad touch and danger was averted.City were bossing possession, naturally, but it was edgy stuff, hot-potato passing.Phil Foden — playing on the left despite having moaned about playing on that flank — flashed a shot wide.Gundogan steered a shot home, only to have been spotted offside.Who faces who in the Champions League?Here’s a look at the ties across the competition…Teams who finished from ninth to 24th in the Champions League league phase will play off to decide who reaches the last-16. PLAYOFF ROUNDAtalanta vs Sporting Lisbon or Club BruggeBorussia Dortmund vs Sporting Lisbon or Club BruggeReal Madrid vs Celtic or Man CityBayern Munich vs Celtic or Man CityAC Milan vs Feyenoord or JuventusPSV vs Feyenoord or JuventusPSG vs AS Monaco or BrestBenfica vs AS Monaco or BrestWinners of playoff ties will then face the teams who finished in the top eight of the league phase in the last-16…LAST 16Liverpool vs PSG/Benfica/AS Monaco/BrestBarcelona vs PSG/Benfica/AS Monaco/BrestArsenal vs AC Milan/PSV Eindhoven/Feyenoord/JuventusInter Milan vs AC Milan/PSV Eindhoven/Feyenoord/JuventusAtletico Madrid vs Real Madrid/Bayern Munich/Celtic/Man CityBayer Leverkusen vs Real Madrid/Bayern Munich/Celtic/Man CityLille vs Atalanta/Borussia Dortmund/Sporting Lisbon/Club BruggeAston Villa vs Atalanta/Borussia Dortmund/Sporting Lisbon/Club BruggeErling Haaland tried to nod across the area when he ought to have gone for goal, then the Norwegian released De Bruyne who blazed over when the De Bruyne of old would have slotted home.When Guardiola slipped and fell while trying to retrieve a ball from the technical area, it summed up City’s collective lack of cool.The Belgian side had been well organised in defence, threatening occasionally on the break without picking the correct final pass.That was until the 44th minute, when Ferran Jutgla kippered the struggling Nunes down the left and squared for Onyedika to thump past Ederson.Raphael Nwadike gave Brugge a shock leadCredit: PACity faced an embarrassing exitCredit: APThe Etihad was stunned into silence, save for the band of Brugge fans who descended into rapture and enquired of City, in perfect English, ‘Who the f***ing hell are you?’Guardiola responded with positivity by sending on Savinho and City were straight at it — Stones heading narrowly wide before the equaliser arrived. This was all about Kovacic. The Croat picked up possession on the halfway line and motored to the edge of the box before he steered his shot through the legs of a defender and past Simon Mignolet, who ought to have done better.There were hairy moments before City took the lead.Guardiola was booked for charging down the touchline to remonstrate after the referee played an advantage and City squandered it.Then Tzolis saw one shot saved by Ederson and fired another just past the post.But after De Bruyne dragged a close-range effort horribly wide, City seized the lead.Mateo Kovacic got City back in the gameCredit: RexKovacic kickstarted the fightbackCredit: RexSavinho played a sweet pass to release Josko Gvardiol, whose low centre was turned into his own net by Joel Ordonez.Ederson made a smart stop to deny Chemsdine Talbi but the lively Savinho was instrumental as City settled it.First the Brazilian had a shot cleared brilliantly off the line by the masked defender Brandon Mechele.Then came the killer third courtesy of a cute diagonal pass from Stones.READ MORE SUN STORIESSavinho chested down and drilled past Mignolet, who provided a weak hand and was beaten at his near post.They could scarcely get any tougher play-off opponents than Real or Bayern but anything is better than going down in flames at the group stage.Brugge’s goalkeeper Joel Ordonez failed to keep City outCredit: APJosko Gvardiol celebrated as City got back into the gameCredit: RexSavinho wrapped up the winCredit: PAThe Etihad stadium breathed a sigh of reliefCredit: Rex More

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      Fire breaks out outside Etihad as fans evacuated and emergency services called before Man City’s Champions League clash

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      A FIRE broke out just outside the Etihad as thousands of fans were evacuated under two hours before Manchester City’s Champions League clash.The Premier League champions host Club Brugge needing a win to guarantee qualification into the knockout stages after a nightmare season so far.A fire broke out outside the Etihad stadiumCredit: RexA merchandise van caught fireCredit: PAAn ambulance rushes to the sceneCredit: RexEmergency services put out the fireCredit: RexEmergency services were quick on the sceneCredit: RexAnd things got off the a dramatic start when a large fire broke out just outside the stadium as supporters gathered before the game.Footage emerged showing a City club merchandise van up in flames.Fire trucks and ambulances were seen also rushing to the scene as thousands of fans looked on in shock.Smoke billowed from the blaze towards the stadium with reports some had entered the fan concourses.The surrounding area was evacuated as emergency services put out the fire – as the club released a statement. It read: “Manchester City FC can confirm that there has been a fire in one of the outside merchandise kiosks, located near the entrance to the Colin Bell West Stand.”Emergency services are present at the scene and the fire has now been extinguished. “The safety of all attending the match tonight is our top priority, and as such all events planned for West Stand reception have been cancelled, including the welcome event for new players, and the first team arrival.”Most read in FootballA spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Just before 6pm this evening (Wednesday 29th January), two fire engines from Blackley and Philips Park fire station were called to reports of a building fire involving an outbuilding on the car park of the football ground on Rowsley Street, Manchester.“Crews arrived quickly at the scene. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels to extinguish the fire, they are currently dampening down any hotspots and making the area safe. Kyle Walker opens up on ‘uncomfortable’ conversation with Guardiola as he admits ‘things weren’t going well’ at Man City“Firefighters have been in attendance for around thirty minutes and are still at the scene.”New signings Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Vitor Reis were all due to be unveiled in the area before kick-off.That event was ultimately cancelled.City’s team bus usually arrives in between a huge crowd of fans – but this was also scrapped.Supporters had been preparing to get themselves inside the stadium in a bid to cheer on hosts. City sit 25th in the new-look League Phase table – just outside the top 16 play-off spots. To progress, Pep Guardiola’s side must win due to goal difference of the teams around them.The top eight automatically qualify for the last 16 and are joined by the winners of a play-off round between those that finished ninth to 24th.Those that finish 25th to 36th are eliminated from all European competition – teams no longer drop into the Europa League.Guardiola said: “The situation that we have is that we have to win the game and if not we will not continue in this competition.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We want to have another chance to play another two games, to have the chance of the next stages. “It’s not a problem, it’s an opportunity.” More

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      Phil Foden swipes at Gareth Southgate for playing him out of position at Euros as England star says ‘we never got going’

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      PHIL FODEN has finally got his spark back and is now aiming to light up the rest of Manchester City’s season.The Premier League’s Player of the Year in 2023-24 felt burnt out when he returned to the club following last summer’s European Championship.Phil Foden opened up on his Euro 2024 heartacheCredit: GettyAlthough England reached the final in Germany, it was a difficult tournament for Foden.The hangover from that disappointment lasted several months and it is only since the start of 2025 we have begun to see the old Foden again.It cannot be a coincidence that six goals in the last four Prem games have coincided with a mini-revival for Pep Guardiola’s team.And they need their homegrown star to continue to shine to help save their Champions League skins tonight.READ MORE IN football Only a win over Club Brugge will be enough for the 2022-23 winners to avoid an embarrassing early exit.Yet with Foden back in form, most expect them to get the job done.The hopes of a fifth straight Prem title may be all but gone but the midfielder insists City have plenty to play for — and he intends to be at the centre of it.Foden, 24, said: “Even though it’s been a challenging season, we’ve still got things to look forward to.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“Because we’re having a bit of a blip, we can’t lose belief in that.“I still believe we can do good things and come back from this. I want to try to show I’m a leader by turning up in big moments and help the team when I can. Kyle Walker opens up on ‘uncomfortable’ conversation with Guardiola as he admits ‘things weren’t going well’ at Man City“We need to look at finishing at least top four in the Premier League — aiming to win the Champions League and the FA Cup as well.”Foden has been pivotal to City’s recent success which has seen them win six of the last seven Prem titles.It is only 19 months ago they did the Treble but Foden feels all the exertions of recent years finally caught up with him in August.He could not find the energy which has been such a key feature of his game — leaving fans wondering what was wrong.Foden said: “For me, football is played with the brain and when the brain is mentally fatigued you’re not going to see a player for who he is.“I’m normally itching to get back but when I came back my body and my mental state was low.“I’ve been playing since the age of five pushing myself every day to be the best I can.“When you add up all the games and all the travelling it is a lot for the body. “I wasn’t feeling 100 per cent when I was training, and there were a few niggles. There were times when I was getting frustrated.“My body didn’t feel how I was used to and it’s something I’ve had to deal with.“I feel that’s the reason why I had a slow start to the season. I had a bit of rest, just to give my body time to recover.“I took the start of the season very slowly, I didn’t play much. I was resting and trying to get back to myself.“When you start the season good, I feel you have the rest of the season good. I feel frustrated I didn’t get out what I wanted to. The position I was put in on the left was very difficult to influence the game.Phil Foden “But I missed periods at the start of the season so I think that’s why it’s taken me so long to get going.”Foden is looking much more like his old self now — as City have started to go through the gears since Christmas.But the regrets over his time at the Euros with the Three Lions — when so much was expected of him — still linger.The England faithful even came up with a song — an adaptation of Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing in Dark.But Foden was stuck out on the left by former boss Gareth Southgate and never really got going — even though he played every game as the Three Lions reached the final.He said: “I feel frustrated I didn’t get out what I wanted to. The position I was put in on the left was very difficult to influence the game.“Coming off last season — being the best player in the Premier League and playing centre midfield — I do feel the position was quite difficult to get used to.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I’m one who can play multiple positions and I had to try to deal with it the best I could. “I don’t feel like England ever got going or performed to our potential.”Gareth Southgate played Foden on the leftCredit: Alamy More

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      Pep Guardiola ditches tiki-taka for LONG BALLS as new signing Omar Marmoush sees Man City boss make THREE huge changes

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      OMAR MARMOUSH’S dazzling debut got Manchester City fans off their seats again.The £59million buy from Frankfurt ran Chelsea ragged for 74 minutes in their 3-1 win on Saturday — and was unlucky not to score.Pep Guardiola changed his tactics to accommodate new signing Omar MarmoushCredit: GettyMarmoush looked sharp on his Man City debutCredit: The SunAnd in SunSport’s Tactics Exposed show, DEAN SCOGGINS looks at how Marmoush is central to Pep Guardiola’s new ‘direct’ tactical plan as he tries to reignite their push for trophies this season.Here are three tactical nuggets from City’s Etihad triumph…1)  NOT TIKI-TAKA, BUT QUICK ATTACKERMarmoush was electric, playing off the left as more of an ‘inside forward’ rather than a winger or No 10.It was noticeable how direct City were — it was not the short, quick passes between the lines we are so used to from Guardiola teams.Read more football newsBut, instead, there were balls over the top and around Chelsea to the likes of Marmoush, Josko Gvardiol and Matheus Nunes bursting through the defence.Marmoush set the tone — pointing to where he wanted the ball played, coming short, off striker Erling Haaland, before spinning and darting into spaces behind Chelsea’s high line.Norwegian striker Haaland had cut a lonely and isolated figure during City’s horror run in November and December but he was back smiling again on Saturday.Marmoush was a constant threat, telling his new team-mates where he wanted the ball and running in behindCredit: Sun SportMan City played 53 long passes in the game as Guardiola evolved his tiki taka styleCredit: Sun SportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe scored a wonderful goal and had some mates to play with. Marmoush complemented Phil Foden on the other side in playing off and around the frontman.Most read in FootballCity keeper Ederson was direct and played it straight up to Haaland when he was left one-v-one against a defender.Pep Guardiola ‘SPLITS from wife after 30 years and three children together’ according to reports in SpainMarmoush and Phil Foden gave Chelsea’s defenders nightmares by running beyond Erling HaalandCredit: Sun SportBut it wasn’t just ‘hoof it’, this was a tactical plan with Marmoush and Foden completing a triangle of attackers that gave Chelsea’s backline nightmares.As Haaland pinned the defenders, Foden and Marmoush supported him. And when Haaland came short, his partners in attack burst into the space behind.It gave City a new dimension and, as Pep admitted last week, was more akin to the ‘modern’ style of Liverpool, Newcastle, Bournemouth and Brighton.2) NEW SHAPE, NEW CITYSpaniard Guardiola’s switch-up was not just in their direct style, it was also the shape he got his players to take up.Lots of Premier League teams move into a 3-2-5 attacking shape from whatever their ‘on-paper’ line up is.City would usually do this from a 4-3-3 set-up by inverting a full-back into midfield, leaving three defenders, a holding midfielder alongside that full-back in midfield and five attackers to roam ahead.Guardiola traditionally inverts a full-back into midfield while in possession allowing two attacking midfielders to join the attack in a 3-2-5 formationCredit: Sun SportHowever against Chelsea that all changed as his full-backs bombed on to leave just two defenders backCredit: Sun SportBut against Chelsea, Pep’s new shape saw it become a 2-3-5 in attack with Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan playing as the three in front of the centre-backs and full-backs Gvardiol and Nunes pushing right up into the attacking line.It was bold — Chelsea almost punished City losing possession early on but Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer wasted chances — though City grew into the game and were a constant threat to Chelsea.Enzo Maresca’s side pack midfield, so City went around and over it.3) FULL-BACKS A THROWBACKGvardiol is now the top-scoring defender in the Prem, so it’s no surprise to see him bursting forward into the box.It was more of a shock to see Nunes play at right-back in previous games — but in this shape, he wasn’t really a defender for most of the match.Matheus Nunes was a right-back only in name in this formationCredit: Sun SportPep got his full-backs to play like Nineties and Noughties attacking full-backsCredit: Sun SportPep got his full-backs to play like Nineties and Noughties attacking full-backs, overlapping, hugging the line and pushing their opposition wingers back.READ MORE SUN STORIESTheir heat maps show they barely ventured infield and Gvardiol’s goal came from Nunes’ shot and run being parried by Robert Sanchez as BOTH made runs beyond Haaland and in behind Chelsea.Gvardiol pinning back Noni Madueke also saw the Blues winger play Nunes onside for City’s opening goal. More

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      Fans spot classy gesture from Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson to Man City newbie Abdukodir Khusanov after horror debut

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      NICOLAS JACKSON was seen making a classy gesture to rookie Abdukodir Khusanov following a horror start to his debut.The Chelsea forward was lining up against the newly-signed Manchester City defender.Man City newbie Abdukodir Khusanov had a horror start to life in EnglandBut fans saw Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson comforting the 20-year-oldAnd the Blues star helped his side get off to the perfect start during Sunday’s Etihad clash as he pounced on an error by Khusanov.The 20-year-old, signed from Lens for a fee in the region of £34million, miscued his jump to clear an aerial ball after grappling with Jackson.As the ball bounced behind him he then ran back towards his goal and inexplicably tried to head it back to his goalkeeper, only for the header to be underhit.This then allowed Jackson to nab the ball back before squaring it for Noni Madueke to put Chelsea ahead after just three minutes.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMere moments later Khusanov was involved in another flashpoint as he gave the ball away before clattering Cole Palmer outside the area and being given a yellow card as a result.The Uzbek defender appeared to be quite emotional following his baptism of fire at the Etihad.During the free-kick, Jackson – who had his own struggles when initially arriving in England – was pictured attempting to comfort the defender. Fans picked up on the kind gesture on social media.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSOne fan said: “Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson tried to comfort Khusanov last night, this is such a lovely gesture.”A second said: “Well played to Jackson, understands this is a hard league and this lads got it stacked against him. He’ll do well I’m a fan of him already.”Chelsea player ratings vs Man CityA third added: “Respect button checked.”Another said: “Good man.”However, some fans could not help but reminisce of times past when such emotion would have been exploited.One fan said: “I miss Diego Costa in situations like this.”A second said: “This is why he will never be elite. He’s not a killer. The mentality is not right. You do this after the game.”A third added: “Utter woke nonsense, should’ve whispered ‘Barclays heritage’ in his ear.”Khusanov recovered to have a solid debut aside from his horror introduction to Premier League life as he was replaced by John Stones in the 54th minute. Pep Guardiola insisted the error was “the best lesson you can take”, when talking to reporters after the game.Fortunately for him as well, City managed to recover to win the game as Chelsea’s own Robert Sanchez was involved in a huge howler of his own between the sticks to gift Erling Haaland a goal.Fellow debutant Omar Marmoush – signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for around £59m – impressed and had the ball in the back of the net, only for it to be ruled offside.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe result moved City back into the top four, while Chelsea dropped to sixth place.City need to win against Club Brugge on Wednesday or face going out of the Champions League in the league phase. More

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      Former Chelsea flop forced to explain himself after he is spotted sitting with Man City fans for defeat at Etihad

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      CHELSEA flop Danny Drinkwater has sparked a row after sitting with Manchester City fans and appearing to brand his old club a circus.The ex-England midfielder saw City dent the Blues’ top-four hopes with a 3-1 comeback win at the Etihad.Danny Drinkwater was with Man City fans, not in the Chelsea endDrinkwater offered this reason for his sittingCredit: InstagramDrinkwater is far from a favourite with Chelsea supporters following a dismal spell at Stamford Bridge from 2017-2022 after his £35million switch from Leicester.And fans who reckoned he was a waste of money were seething again after spotting him with home supporters in Saturday’s crucial Premier League clash.Drinkwater justified his actions on social media afterwards  – but his explanation stirred up more discontent.The now-retired star, 34, posted on Instagram: “For the @Chelsea fans asking why I’m in the City end… I asked the club for tickets!?! I didn’t receive any.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDrinkwater then spelt out his feelings by adding two emojis – a circus and an eye roll.That didn’t go down well with fans who recalled his anonymous, injury-hit six years at Stamford Bridge.But other supporters slammed Drinkwater’s treatment by Chelsea at the weekend as proof of the “disrespectful” way former players are treated under the club’s majority owners Clearlake.The fortunes of the three-cap ace hurtled downwards on and off the pitch once he immediately swapped 2015-16 Prem title glory with Leicester for Stamford Bridge.Most read in FootballThe ex-midfielder had five injury-hit years with ChelseaCredit: 2021 VisionhausJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAnd one fan said of his ‘snub’ at the Etihad: “Why would they give him tickets lol.”Another posted: “He took enough from the club. They gave him a nice retirement package.” Rapper Central Cee is lost for words when Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella serenades him A third wrote: “I wouldn’t give him any tickets either. He can f*****g buy them with the wage he received.”A fourth added: “If he really wanted to support the club then I don’t see any harm in him buying a ticket btw.” A fifth chuckled: “Did him dirty.. Didn’t do anything notable for the club.”But despite Drinkwater being such a costly misfit at Chelsea, the Etihad episode left some supporters pointing their finger at the current Stamford Bridge reign of Todd Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake.One fan said: “Clearlake disrespecting former Chelsea players, get them out.”Another demanded the same: “Get the owners out of here” – followed by two clown emojis.Drinkwater has described his humbling descent while at Chelsea as “the darkest I’d felt. It was like I was drowning and forgotten how to swim”. And his life away from the pitch has also been beset by an array of difficulties in recent years.He was banned from the wheel for 20 months in 2019 after admitting drink-driving following a crash in his Range Rover that injured his two passengers.And in September that year, Drinkwater was attacked outside a Manchester nightclub, suffering head injuries and ankle ligament damage.READ MORE SUN STORIESThen in November 2023, just a week after quitting playing, the Sun revealed how he lost £782,000 from a failed restaurant business.Drinkwater has since been working as a property developer. More