Manchester City

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  1. 'A bit crazy, but that's what makes him so special' - Reijnders on Cherkipublished at 09:47 BST 16 April

    Tijani Reijnders  playing for Man CItyImage source, Getty Images

    Man City midfielder Tijani Reijnders speaks to BBC Radio Manchester ahead of facing Arsenal this weekend: "We are in a really good flow.

    "These are the kind of weeks that you relish as a Manchester City player, which is big game after big game.

    "It's amazing to play games like this and to be on the stage like this, and it makes you even more eager to play. That's why I also made a move to this club to fight for trophies.

    "I feel very positive, very happy. A great group as well. They helped me a lot in the beginning, and of course, we had some difficult times, but we always stick together. And yes, that's why we are here now.

    "The win against Arsenal gave us a boost. We showed them that we are there and that the season is not finished yet."

    On the creative influence of Rayan Cherki, Reijnders said: "He is a great player. And yes, sometimes he's a bit crazy, but that's what makes him so special, and what helps us as a team as well. I hope he can keep going with it."

    Listen to the full interview here

  2. 'Cherki has bought true freedom and creative magic'published at 10:47 BST 14 April

    Freddie Pye
    Fan writer

    Manchester City fan's voice banner
    Rayan Cherki celebratesImage source, Getty Images

    Manchester City are finding their stride at the perfect time and it's the most daunting of warnings being issued simultaneously to those of an Arsenal persuasion.

    Mikel Arteta's side stumbled and Pep Guardiola's players pounced and at the heart of that deadly punch was Rayan Cherki, who grabbed the Chelsea game by the scruff of its neck to take all three points.

    Chelsea frustrated and on numerous occasions threatened to do their London rivals a favour in the first half on Sunday, but it was City who stood firm, albeit whilst not creating too much themselves.

    By the start of the second half, there was a new-found urgency in the way City were operating. It was relentless, free-flowing and a clear desperation to find goals in abundance. Much of that masterplan saw the ball fed to Cherki at every opportunity, with the French magician viewed as the key to breaking down a stubborn Chelsea rearguard.

    All too often over a 10-year period, we would speak of Kevin De Bruyne's ability to find a pass and a space to unlock a defence that many others simply could not do. And in the 22-year-old "maverick", Hugo Viana and City may have found a similar architect.

    One inch-perfect, sweeping ball into the penalty area found Nico O'Reilly for the first, before a mesmerising dribble across the face of the Chelsea 18-yard box and the narrowest of openings to find Marc Guehi gave City a crucial two-goal advantage.

    It's certainly too early to say we've found the perfect De Bruyne replacement and if we're being entirely honest, nobody can come close to directly replicating the Belgian's achievements.

    But Cherki is his own man, a refreshing entry into the Premier League bringing true freedom and creative magic just as the English top flight finds itself in danger of falling back into the trap of being known for brute force, physicality and in some ways overstepping the mark from set-pieces to win football matches.

    The Premier League need Cherki, as much as City need Cherki if they are to win the title.

    Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra, external

  3. 'Anything can happen' in title race, says Pikepublished at 16:12 BST 13 April

    Manchester City celebrate.Image source, Getty Images

    Broadcaster and Manchester City fan Natalie Pike says she believes "anything can happen" between now and the end of the season as the fight for the Premier League title comes to a head this weekend.

    League leaders Arsenal travel to the Etihad Stadium off the back of a disappointing defeat to Bournemouth, which leaves them six points ahead of second-placed City, who also have a game in hand.

    On the idea that this could be a title-deciding game, Pike, speaking on BBC 5 Live Breakfast, said: "I don't think anything is that simple in football. Anything can happen - the old cliche. I think realistically that's likely what will happen but City still have some tough games.

    "I'm not getting too far ahead. We've got to go away to Bournemouth and we saw what Bournemouth did to Arsenal. We've got to go away to [Crystal] Palace, which we don't even know when the date is yet. That's going to get squeezed in.

    "If we get to the FA Cup final, then that's going to be a midweek with another game as well. I don't think it's quite as simple as that [whoever wins will win the league], but I think it's likely."

  4. Man City have psychological edge over Arsenal in title race - Rooneypublished at 15:14 BST 13 April

    Rayan Cherki of Manchester City celebrates with Matheus Nunes and Bernardo Silva.Image source, Getty Images

    Former England captain Wayne Rooney says Manchester City "will have the edge" psychologically in the Premier League title race.

    Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, he said City "know how to win the title" and "have a manager who knows how to do it".

    "I think City will have the edge on that, just purely the manager and players they've got. They will be able to stay a little calmer than the Arsenal players," said Rooney.

    "They will be worried because when you go on a run and lose a few games, you start thinking 'where's the next goal, the next win going to come from?' That negative mindset really has an impact on your performance."

    Manchester City beat Chelsea 3-0 on Sunday to take advantage of Arsenal slipping up with a 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth on Saturday.

    Rooney said that whoever wins Sunday's "title decider" in Manchester will be favourites to win the league.

    He added that he thinks a draw will be a "good point" for Arsenal, who may need to "play dirty".

    Rooney added Mikel Arteta's side must "be tough to break down, make sure there's no gaps between the lines and try to hit them on the break".

    He added: "Whether the fans like that type of football or not, they have to do anything to stop City winning. They need to be resilient enough to stop City from scoring."

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  5. Chelsea 0-3 Manchester City - the fans' verdictpublished at 12:22 BST 13 April

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    We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Chelsea and Manchester City.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Chelsea fans

    Paul: Sorry, but Chelsea are simply not good enough under Rosey! I am sick of being bored rigid by his style of play - we should remove the lion from our badge and put a crab on it as we always seem to be going sideways with pathetic, pointless possession play!

    Stan: Clubs buy players to improve the team, whereas Chelsea have done the opposite and made the team worse. It's difficult being a Chelsea supporter this season.

    David: Same old problems - many chances missed - leaking defence. The manager promises improvements. When? You cannot put an inexperienced Premier League manager in a supposedly first-class team.

    James: Based on this, Chelsea don't deserve to play Champions League football next season. Qualifying is going to be a tall order now given the points gap down to 11th and other teams are coming into form just as Chelsea continue to falter.

    Manchester City fans

    Eamonn: A re-run of the League Cup Final really, with the bonus of an extra goal. Great to see Kovacic on the pitch again and let's hope O'Reilly's substitution was only precautionary. One game at a time, City.

    David: Outstanding patience and a killer instinct from City. They'll win the Premier League from here. Arsenal will be shaking in their shoes before next weekend's showdown at the Etihad.

    John: I don't think Pep will have needed to rant at half-time, the players will have known how sloppy and careless they were with the ball in the first half. Second half, they moved up a couple of gears with Chelsea visibly shrinking in confidence and ideas. A good performance by all the players, which will only add to their current level of confidence. Let's hope that Nico O'Reilly is not badly injured.

    Mark: This was a vital win for City after Arsenal's defeat on Saturday. Next Sunday will be interesting!

  6. 'Cherki is super-talented and a joy to watch' - Morrisonpublished at 12:21 BST 13 April

    Rayan Cherki of Manchester City runningImage source, Getty Images

    Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison believes Manchester City attacker Rayan Cherki is "one of the signings of the season", adding that the 22-year-old "talks the talk but also walks the walk".

    Cherki created Manchester City's first two goals in their 3-0 win over Chelsea, taking his tally to 10 assists this season - the second-most behind Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes.

    "Rayan Cherki is a player," Morrison said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily. "I've said many times that he is a maverick.

    "He is one of those players you would pay good money to watch. He talks the talk but he also walks the walk. He is a fantastic player.

    "Pep Guardiola bigged him up saying, 'some players play at 100mph but he knows when to slow it down and when to play at his pace'.

    "He also likes to do kick-ups and juggle the ball. We saw that in the second half against Chelsea and in the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal.

    "If I was playing against him, I would kick him and put him in Row Z! I don't know if I would even be able to catch him, but I would try.

    "He is a super, super-talented individual. He is a joy to watch. For me, he is one of the signings of the season.

    "I'm saying all this when he is just going through the gears at the moment, he is that fantastic."

    Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

    Plus listen to more on Man City as Jeremy Doku reacts to Sunday's win

  7. Chelsea 0-3 Man City: What Guardiola and Guehi saidpublished at 08:25 BST 13 April

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    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaking to BBC Match of the Day after his side's win at Chelsea: "First half was not bad, especially on the right side we had no movement and don't attack space. Second half we made a fantastic three goals."

    On Nico O'Reilly: "The Carabao Cup final, two goals, today, he is always there. He has incredible physicality, stays with Estevao and other top wingers."

    On next weekend's game against Arsenal: "It's important because we are six points behind them, if they beat us it's over, if we draw also.

    "Now we prepare, relax, don't listen much. Before the Carabao Cup final we were underdogs. We have to be calm, prepare, because Arsenal is an extraordinary team. We have that game, but it's game-by-game.

    "We have long weeks to recover. Its a pity we could not be better in Champions League. The Premier League is about how you grow the team. The team feel fresh, everyone is there. We have six games left and FA Cup semi-final. It doesn't look much, but it is a lot. Many things are going to happen."

    Manchester City defender Marc Guehi, speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the win: "I was a tough game. There are no easy games in the Premier League. First half, we did well in spells. You could see how good Chelsea were in their shape and they were making things difficult for us.

    "But a lot of players stepped up in the second half and really grateful for the win."

    On Nico O'Reilly: "It's amazing seeing his development and how fantastic he's been doing for the team and himself. But it's been a fantastic team performance today. Nico did well but Rayan [Cherki] and Erling [Haaland] worked their socks off too - every single player did well today."

    On his goal: "Fortunately, I am playing with a lot of top players. So you never know when the ball is going to come, so you have to be ready always. I think I did OK with the finish."

    On scoring against his former club Chelsea: "I wouldn't be here without this football club. I am eternally grateful to every single member of the staff who helped me in the academy and the club for picking me up at such a young age, to Frank Lampard and Jody Morris for giving me my debut when I was here. It's nice to be back."

    On facing Arsenal: "It's going to be a big game. But the most important thing for us is to recover and focus on training this week."

    Did you know?

    • Manchester City completed 344 passes in the first half of this match, the most by a visiting team at Stamford Bridge in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League game on record (since 2003-04).

    • With two more today, Manchester City's Rayan Cherki became the first player to register 10+ assists in their debut Premier League season since Dimitri Payet in 2015-16 (12).

    • Manchester City's Marc Guéhi is the first player to play twice away to Chelsea in the same Premier League season and keep a clean sheet in both games, also playing in Crystal Palace's 0-0 draw on matchday one.

  8. Analysis: 'Are you watching Arsenal?'published at 19:40 BST 12 April

    Shamoon Hafez
    Football reporter

    Rayan CherkiImage source, Getty Images

    Pep Guardiola loves April and this showing demonstrated exactly why - his side have now won 29 of their past 32 matches in this particular month and last lost five years ago.

    While City were not at their best in the opening 45 minutes, the second-half display will turn up the heat on a faltering Arsenal side who are under increasing pressure and know their rivals come on strong during the latter part of the campaign.

    "Are you watching Arsenal?" was the chant from City's travelling supporters, who have seen their side claw back deficits in the past to lift the trophy in May - and now look ominously poised to do so this time around.

    They possess the magical Rayan Cherki in their ranks, who can fashion a chance out of nothing, and the 22-year-old created the first two goals to take his tally to 10 assists for the season, the second-most behind Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes.

    City had drawn their previous two league matches after taking the lead but there was no repeat on this occasion, punishing hapless Chelsea for a fifth win at Stamford Bridge in their past six league visits.

    While City now have a week off, Arsenal play the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Sporting on Wednesday, before turning attentions to next Sunday's massive match at Etihad Stadium.

    The result in that contest could have a significant bearing on the destiny of this season's title.

  9. Chelsea v Man City: Team newspublished at 15:36 BST 12 April

    Graphic showing Chelsea line upImage source, BBC Sport

    Chelsea have made two changes from the 7-0 FA Cup win over Port Vale last weekend.

    Moises Caicedo returns having been rested against lower league opposition but Romeo Lavia drops out instead of Andrey Santos.

    Estevao Willian continues to keep his starting berth as Cucurella returns having also been rested.

    Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Hato, Cucurella, Santos, Caicedo, Estevao, Palmer, Neto, Joao Pedro

    Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Acheampong, Tosin, Sarr, Essugo, Lavia, Garnacho, Guiu, Delap

    Manchester City make just one change from the 4-0 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup.

    They bring back Gianluigi Donarumma for James Trafford in goal.

    However, Pep Guardiola keeps the same outfield players, including an exciting front four of Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, Jeremie Doku and Erling Haaland.

    • Man City XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O'Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo, Semenyo, Cherki, Doku, Haaland

    Subs: Trafford, Ake, Ait-Nouri, Kovacic, Reijnders, Nico, Savinho, Foden, Marmoush

    Graphic showing Manchester City line upImage source, BBC Sport
  10. Man City 'still have it all to do' in title racepublished at 15:00 BST 12 April

    Chris Collinson
    BBC Sport statistician

    Pep Guardiola reacts on the sidelinesImage source, Getty Images

    Manchester City have just 61 points from 30 games heading into an important game against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.

    No side in the last 22 seasons have had so few points with eight games left and gone on to win the Premier League title.

    The last Premier League champion to have as few points with eight games left to play was Manchester United on 61 points in 2002-03.

    The fewest points Manchester City have ever had after 30 games and still won the top-flight title was 67 points, under both Manuel Pellegrini in 2013-14 and Pep Guardiola in 2023-24.

    The average points tally of an eventual champion after 30 games played, in a 38-game season, is 69 points.

    Therefore, the Citizens are currently eight points off the pace and history suggests they will have to win at Stamford Bridge.

    The fewest points a team has had after 31 games played of a 38-game season and gone on to win the title is 63 points - done by Manchester United in 1996-97 and Arsenal in 1997-98.

    If Manchester City fail to win this weekend, they will be sat on 61 or 62 points and they will have to make Premier League history to win the league this season.

    Even if they win against Chelsea, they have still got a tough task ahead of them because no team has won the title having had as few as 64 points with seven games left in the past 22 seasons.

    The average points tally of an eventual champion after 31 games played, in a 38-game season, is 72 points.

    Therefore, Guardiola's side would still be eight points off pace even with a win.