LONDON • Pep Guardiola has once again sought to play down Manchester City's chances of winning the quadruple after their narrow 1-0 FA Cup semi-final victory over Brighton on Saturday.
Describing the unprecedented feat as highly unlikely, Gabriel Jesus' goal in the fourth minute was enough for City to set up a return visit to Wembley for the final on May 18.
They will be firm favourites to triumph and claim another piece of silverware, having won the League Cup in February.
Guardiola's men also remain in contention to retain the Premier League title and win the Champions League for the first time - with a quarter-final first leg against Tottenham to come tomorrow.
Should they prevail in the three competitions, they would become the first English club to achieve such a clean sweep.
But, after an unexpectedly subdued showing in what was City's 11th victory in 14 FA Cup semi-finals, and one in which they were somewhat fortunate not to lose Kyle Walker to a first-half red card for an apparent headbutt, Guardiola maintained his stance of not getting carried away with regard to what his team can achieve.
The Spaniard said post-game: "It is almost impossible to win the quadruple. Put it in the headline: almost impossible. Surviving in that stage of the competitions is already a miracle. And still we are there."
The 48-year-old was in somewhat tetchy mood after what was a 22nd victory in 23 games for his side, which could in part have been down to how City performed at Wembley.
Jesus' goal appeared the cue for a rout. Yet as was the case in the recent wins against Fulham and Cardiff, City retreated within themselves after taking an early lead.
They created only four shots on target in the entire game and found themselves under pressure from a spirited Brighton side in the second half.
It could also have been a different game had Walker been sent off in the first half following a scuffle with Brighton winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh. Both players were booked by referee Anthony Taylor before the defender's yellow card was looked at by the Video Assistant Referee with the possibility of it being upgraded.
After a short delay, the original decision was upheld despite replays showing Walker had thrust his head into that of the Iranian.
While Guardiola claimed to have not seen the incident, Chris Hughton was in no doubt the England right-back was lucky to remain on the field.
"In my opinion, it was a red card. There was sufficient force," said the Brighton manager. "We're at a stage where everybody is pushing for it (VAR). I've been converted, but I'm not sure how far it will take us."
THE GUARDIAN
Sport's News. We do it our way, says Klopp after another late Liverpool win
Guardiola to make late decision on Silva for Palace trip (Reuters) - Manchester City linchpin Bernardo Silva faces a late fitness test before Sunday's Premier League trip to Crystal Palace, his
Rescuers ended their search on Thursday for the plane carrying Premier League football player Emiliano Sala, which disappeared over the English Channel three days ago, after saying there was little chance anyone aboard had survived.
Football news - Rescuers end search for missing plane
Revived Dutch ready for 'big things', Football News & Top
Football: Lionel Messi backs coach Ernesto Valverde but admits Barcelona are still hurting MADRID (AFP) - Lionel Messi wants Ernesto Valverde to continue as Barcelona coach but admits the team have not recovered from their Champions League loss to Liverpool as they face Valencia in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday (May 25).
Messi backs Valverde but admits Barca are still hurting
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud wants to move back to France when his contract expires at the end of the season after growing frustrated by a lack of playing time under manager Maurizio Sarri.
Chelsea's Giroud seeks France return to boost game time
Pochettino's side would have moved within two points of leaders Manchester City with a win at Turf Moor. But they squandered the chance to enhance their title prospects with a sloppy display that
"This is the ideal storm for Mars science," said Jim Watzin, director of NASA's Mars Exploration Program at the agency's headquarters in Washington. "We have a historic number of spacecraft operating at the Red Planet.
NewsNow: Video Assistant Referees news | Breaking News 24/7
Youngest local SPL Coach, 33, unfazed, Football News & Top
"Kepa should never play for Chelsea again. that should be his last performance in a Chelsea shirt. He's a disgrace. I've never seen anything like it. "If I was Sarri I would walk. You cannot be undermined. Why weren't the players dragging Kepa off anyway? "Kepa should be sacked, not Sarri." Related articles
Why Kepa should be sacked and not Sarri - vision90sports.co.uk
Former Football Association of Singapore (FAS) General Secretary, Winston Lee informed the FAS of his decision to withdraw his candidacy for the AFC Executive Committee (Asean Zone) in the 29th Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress and had submitted the withdrawal letter to the AFC to this
Football: Singapore beat Solomon Islands 4-3 in Tatsuma
sports-life-news.com/soccer/football-singapore-beat-solomon-islands-4-3-in-tatsuma-yoshidas-first-game-in-charge/
Singapore equalised in the 67th minute when Shahdan's free-kick eluded everyone and beat Mango. But the Lions continued to display poor technique in the second half as Zulfahmi Arifin's casual pass in the 75th minute resulted in a fast break for the visitors, and Benjamin Totori beat Safuwan Baharudin and Izwan at the near post to restore the Solomon Islands' lead.
Former FAS General Secretary, Winston Lee withdraws candidacy
Former Manchester United boss Ron Atkinson feels the club do not need to make a decision over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer now. X Former Man Utd Boss On Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Permanent Manager Calls.
Arsenal legend calls for Solskjaer to drop De Gea - futaa.com
Former Arsenal and Real Madrid star Jose Antonio Reyes has died in a car crash at the age of 35.. The footballer was killed along with his 23-year-old cousin while another man suffered serious
0 comments:
Post a Comment