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Brenden Aaronson may be nearing the end of his spell at Leeds, with the Whites reportedly open to transfer offers for the USMNT star.

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• Graced top-flight in debut campaign
• Questions asked of physical attributes
• Sale will be sanctioned at the right price

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Having made their way to the top of the Championship table, Leeds are beginning to piece together plans for life back in the Premier League. They are not getting carried away just yet, with there still work to be done when it comes to crossing the promotion line, but every eventuality is being addressed.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  According to , the Elland Road outfit are "keen to sign players who have the skill and physicality to cope with Premier League football". Questions are being asked of whether Aaronson fits the bill when it comes to life in the English top-flight.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  He previously struggled through 36 appearances at that level in 2022-23, as Leeds were relegated in his debut campaign. The 24-year-old has hit a career-best eight goals this season, but is still yet to truly convince when it comes to playmaking creativity.

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  Leeds are reportedly concerned that Aaronson lacks "the physical strength needed to play at the highest level". They are now "considering selling him this summer to help fund moves for other targets", with additions vital if a return to the big time is secured.

Arsenal survived a scare to book their place in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup following a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace.

The win secures a semi-final tie against Newcastle United with the second leg at St James’s Park, a venue where Arsenal have already lost at this season.

The match was a memorable one for Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus, who fired a second-half hat-trick to take his tally to four goals this season, all incidentally in the EFL Cup. The performance has given Mikel Arteta a selection headache ahead of the Premier League trip to Selhurst Park. Does Jesus deserve to start over Kai Havertz, who has been struggling for goals of late?

However, there was one performance in Arsenal’s quarter-final victory that has led to many fans and pundits alike calling for the player to be dropped for the league trip to Palace after putting on a 5/10 show and making a mistake that allowed Jean-Philipe Mateta to open the scoring early on.

The Arsenal star who must now be dropped

Jakub Kiwior came under fire for his performance against Crystal Palace, with Phil Costa on X claiming the Polish international “isn’t good enough” for this Arsenal side.

Kiwior missed a header in the early stages of the game, which led to striker Mateta firing Palace ahead and Arsenal subsequently chasing the game.

Kiwior has made 14 appearances for the Gunners this season across all competitions but has yet to really establish himself as a key player since his arrival from Spezia in January 2023.

Kiwior has only won 52% of his defensive actions so far this campaign and with Arsenal competing for honours on all four fronts, Arteta can ill-afford to have any passengers on their prospective journey to glory.

The Poland defender did not make a single interception, block or tackle all game and made a glaring error that led to Crystal Palace opening the scoring. On the ball, Kiwior was also below par, having lost possession three times and won only 50% of ground duels during the match.

The performance will certainly have boss Arteta thinking about recalling a stalwart of Arsenal’s defence this season for the next crunch Premier League fixture.

The Arsenal star who should replace Kiwior in the starting lineup

Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes has been outstanding for Arsenal this season, scoring three goals in 14 appearances and forming a formidable partnership with fellow centre-back William Saliba.

Gabriel recently missed three games with a knee injury but it seems Arsenal are desperate for him to be back to full fitness and back in the starting eleven as he is a significant upgrade on Kiwior in a number of key defensive metrics.

Gabriel leads the way over Kiwior in the number of tackles of won, number of blocks made and number of interceptions completed. It is no surprise that Gabriel also has won significantly more aerial duels than his Polish colleague.

Furthermore, Gabriel has shown his threat from set-pieces this season, already powering three goals and has helped to build Arsenal attacks from the back with a higher pass completion and more progressive passes through the lines.

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It is clear to Arteta and Arsenal fans alike that the Gunners can afford no more slip-ups if they are to win their first title in over 20 years – Gabriel returning to the side against Crystal Palace could go a long way to ensuring that doesn’t happen.

Shades of Bergkamp: Arsenal target "magical" Odegaard upgrade in £40m star

The sensational talent would be an incredible addition to the Arsenal squad.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Dec 20, 2024

Pep Guardiola has paid tribute to Jack Grealish after seeing the Manchester City star dedicate a Premier League goal to his late brother.

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• England international handed rare start by City
• Registered first Premier League goal since December 2023
• Netted on 25th anniversary of brother's passing

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The England international lined up for City against Leicester as he was handed just a seventh top-flight start of the season. Grealish needed less than two minutes to get on the scoresheet.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Said effort was Grealish’s first in the Premier League since December 2023 and came on the 25th anniversary of his brother Keelan’s passing. Grealish was just four when losing his sibling in April 2000.

• WHAT JACK GREALISH & PEP GUARDIOLA SAID

  He pointed to the sky after finding the target against the Foxes, in an emotional celebration, and posted on social media afterwards: "With me always, especially this day. That was for you, Keelan."

  Guardiola said: "Jack is an incredible human being. I didn't know [about the anniversary]. I can't imagine how tough it can be for mum and dad, his sister and all the family. It's good that this day he remembers him. I'm pretty sure they remember every single day. He scored a goal and made a good game."

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Grealish was moved into a playmaking No.10 berth against Leicester, rather than being asked to line up on the flanks, and Guardiola added on the 29-year-old’s performance: "He likes to play in the middle. He's a guy who used to play free. He's comfortable playing on the side. Always between the lines he has ability. I'm happy for him. I know it's not easy when you don't play regularly. Last game in the FA Cup he played really good."

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has posted a Champions League goal record that even Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo cannot match.

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• Polish striker still going strong at 36
• Has reached double figures again in Europe
• Continues to rewrite the history books

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The evergreen Polish striker is maintaining remarkable individual standards at 36 years of age. Lewandowski remains a talismanic presence at the very highest level, as he chases down more major silverware in domestic and continental competition.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Lewandowski has hit the 40-goal mark this season – the eighth time he has achieved that feat in a stunning career – with the target being found on 11 occasions through as many appearances in European action.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  A brace was recorded for Barca in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash with Borussia Dortmund. Lewandowski helped to take that contest away from his former club as the Blaugrana claimed a crushing 4-0 win on home soil.

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  After reaching double figures once more, Lewandowski has become the first player in Champions League history to score 10+ goals in a single season for three different teams. He first hit that mark with Dortmund in 2012-13, before managing it in two campaigns for Bayern Munich.

At their best under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool were a force of nature. A wrecking ball. The Anfield squad tore through opponents with irresistible pace and power.

Arne Slot does things differently. The Dutch coach carries a semblance of his predecessor’s style, but his Liverpool provide more control, more composure, and are firing on all cylinders.

If only we could preserve this group of talented players and keep them together for many years to come. But football is subject to frequent change and Liverpool face losing some of their prized possessions as Slot’s side challenges for the biggest honours that Europe has to offer.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, of course, is the biggest issue that FSG need to deal with.

The latest on Trent Alexander-Arnold

The Spanish media have vehemently repeated their understanding that Alexander-Arnold, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is on the verge of signing for Real Madrid in 2025, be that this month or in the summer.

Anfield sources have attempted to allay fears by reiterating, over and over again, that nothing is decided and Alexander-Arnold has not spoken of his desire to leave for pastures new.

However, time is ticking and Fabrizio Romano, an unerring source of information, has confirmed that Real are expected to make contact with the 26-year-old shortly.

It’s become quite easy to forget that Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are in the same boat. While the experienced superstars are expected to pen new deals on Merseyside, there’s no question that both present attractive opportunities for the biggest clubs across the globe.

And that’s exactly why FSG need to up the gas, for Liverpool’s captain is of a vested interest in a Champions League superpower.

Inter Milan eyeing Liverpool superstar

Spanish sources revealed in late December that Champions League giants, Inter Milan are interested in signing Van Dijk when his £220k-per-week contract expires at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

The 33-year-old defender has been in stunning form this season, renewing Liverpool’s defensive authority and allowing flashier teammates like Salah to steal the headlines.

Van Dijk has been coy when quizzed on his future over the past few months but is inclined toward continuing his Liverpool journey, though Serie A champions Inter have been on it since the Autumn and will hope that their laid groundwork could hold sway, should Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes falter at the negotiating table.

Coupled with the obvious advantage that Van Dijk has a deep-rooted love for Liverpool, they also boast financial superiority that would make it extremely difficult for Inter to eclipse a wage offering and tempt Van Dijk into leaving.

Liverpool need to tread carefully all the same and get the deal done with haste. Losing the Netherlands captain would be the biggest disaster that could occur on the red half of Merseyside this year.

Losing Van Dijk would be the biggest disaster for Slot

Liverpool signed Southampton’s exciting centre-back for a world-record (for a defender) £75m fee in January 2018 and it was worth every single penny.

Honestly, Liverpool could have paid double that figure and looked back on the deal with nothing but satisfaction: Van Dijk transformed Klopp’s backline and became the pillar of strength that Liverpool needed to go on and lift almost every major honour available, including the Premier League and Champions League.

He’s 33 but still at the head of football’s elite defensive table. Reporter Lewis Steele encapsulated it several days ago, saying:

Van Dijk has truly been peerless this term, keeping eight clean sheets from 18 Premier League matches. When looking at his metrics against his defensive partners, his influence is only underscored further.

It’s perhaps an understated triumph that the 6 foot 5 Dutchman maintains such an imperious level despite the constant upheaval that has habitually plagued Liverpool’s defensive ranks over the years. Without Van Dijk, the Redmen wouldn’t have hit similar levels by half.

Is retaining Van Dijk’s signature so important? More important than that of Alexander-Arnold? These are the pertinent questions as we enter kitchen sink time on the contractual landscape. Liverpool need to get it done, lest a discernible decline cover Anfield like a dark blanket over the coming years.

Slot has been admirably cool in the face of unrelenting questions concerning his non-committal superstars. Look ahead, title-winning successes abound for this remarkable Liverpool side.

It’s clear that this current noise, changing from an annoying background buzz to a crashing din, cannot continue. Resolutions need to happen, whatever they may be.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Let’s hope that Liverpool can convince Alexander-Arnold to continue his journey with his boyhood club, but don’t forget, Van Dijk needs to be tied down too – achieving this would be the biggest triumph FSG could score.

Sky Sports: Slot wants to sign £50m Nunez & Isak hybrid at Liverpool

Slot might want to change one or two things up front at Liverpool this year.

1

By
Angus Sinclair

Jan 2, 2025

Newcastle United currently sit in fifth place in the Premier League table and are battling it out to secure a position in the Champions League for next season.

The Magpies have won their last six matches in all competitions and are fresh off the back of a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in North London on Saturday.

As you can see in the highlights below, all three of Eddie Howe’s starting attackers were involved in the two goals, with Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak scoring and Jacob Murphy assisting the second goal.

Murphy has now contributed with an eye-catching three goals and seven assists in 17 appearances in the Premier League this season, which shows that he has stepped up to provide regular quality on that right side of the attack.

The former Norwich star turns 30 next month, however, and is unlikely to be the long-term solution to Howe’s problems in that position moving forward.

Newcastle could dip into the market in the January transfer window to find a long-term option to grow into that role, by signing a player closer to Hatem Ben Arfa in style than Murphy.

Hatem Ben Arfa's time with Newcastle

The French magician was a left-footed star who could play as an attacking midfielder or on the right flank, cutting in onto his left foot from the right, during his time at St. James’ Park.

In three years on Tyneside, Ben Arfa contributed with 14 goals and 15 assists in 86 appearances in all competitions for the Magpies, which shows that he offered plenty of quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals.

Beyond his goals and assists, the Toon sensation was simply a joy to watch. The mercurial playmaker, who averaged 2.9 successful dribbles per game throughout his career, was not afraid to run at defenders to get the team up the pitch and fans off their seats.

As you can see in the clip above, Ben Arfa had the ability to weave in and out of multiple challenges to create moments of magic in the final third, which resulted in wondergoals when he could apply the finishing touch to go with it.

Of course, not every mazy dribble ended with a goal or an assist, otherwise he would not have been playing for Newcastle battling in midtable in the Premier League at the time, but he often provided a spark when the team needed one out of nowhere.

Ben Arfa was a player the fans could get excited to watch play football week-in-week-out and Howe could unearth the club’s new version of the French sensation by swooping to sign one of Newcastle’s reported transfer targets before the end of the January window.

Newcastle eyeing Premier League gem

Last month, Football Insider reported that the Magpies are one of the clubs interested in a deal to sign Southampton forward Tyler Dibling ahead of the second half of the season.

The outlet claimed that Newcastle and Manchester United are both eyeing up the 18-year-old starlet after his impressive start to life in the Premier League with the struggling Saints.

It was reported that Dibling would prefer a move to St. James’ Park over one to Old Trafford, however, due to concerns over the kind of game time he would get with Ruben Amorim’s side.

Football Insider added that it could take a fee of up to £30m to convince Southampton to part ways with their star academy product, despite their struggles on the pitch in the top-flight this season.

It was not revealed, however, whether or not Newcastle would be prepared to offer that kind of money to secure a deal for the England youth international in the January transfer window.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The report did state, though, that any deal for Dibling is more likely to happen in the summer transfer window and that relegation from the Premier League for Southampton, who have six points on the table, could make an exit for the teenage star ‘inevitable’.

Whether it happens this month or ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, Howe could unearth the club’s next version of Hatem Ben Arfa by striking a deal to bring Dibling to St. James’ Park to bolster his options at the top end of the pitch.

Why Tyler Dibling could be Hatem Ben Arfa 2.0

Firstly, the Saints star does not turn 19 until February and is not yet at the peak of his powers in senior football, so he is someone who could come in with the long-term picture in mind.

This means that Howe could work with him on the training pitch to help the teenage sensation to fulfill his potential and elevate himself to a Ben Arfa level, or even higher, talent.

Anthony Gordon produced seven goals and three assists in 65 Premier League matches for Everton, a hardly prolific return, yet has managed 17 goals and 14 assists in 70 top-flight games under Howe, which shows the kind of development the manager can oversee.

Dibling’s form at youth level, with 19 goals and 11 assists in 59 academy matches for Southampton, suggests that the potential is there for him to develop into a regular contributor in the final third at first-team level, like Gordon.

As you can see in the clips above, from a clash with Newcastle’s U21 side in 2022, he has the technical ability to produce Ben Arfa-esque moments driving forward with his left foot to score impressive goals.

Despite his age, inexperience, and the six-point team he is playing in, Dibling has showcased glimpses of his talent at Premier League level so far this season.

As you can see in the table above, the English whiz, who U23 scout Antonio Mango claimed is “balling out”, has contributed completed more than two dribbles per start on average, and scored twice.

Howe could bring the left-footed star, who has predominantly been deployed on the right flank but can also play centrally, to St. James’ Park with a view to helping him take the next step in his career, as he did with Gordon, to turn Dibling into Ben Arfa 2.0 for the Magpies.

Newcastle want to sign "outstanding" £58m star who's been better than Isak

Newcastle United will have a contingency plan in place in case Alexander Isak does leave.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jan 6, 2025

Mason Greenwood was slammed by the French media after his "nonchalant" display for Marseille in their 3-0 loss against AS Monaco on Saturday.

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• Greenwood receives criticism from French media
• Had a disappointing outing against Monaco
• Marseille went down 3-0 in Ligue 1 clash

• WHAT HAPPENED IN THE MATCH?

  Marseille dropped to third in the Ligue 1 table after they suffered their fourth loss in their last five league matches on Saturday. Former Liverpool star Takumi Minamino opened the scoring for Monaco in the 34th minute before Breel Embolo doubled their lead just minutes before the hour mark. Ex-Chelsea midfielder Denis Zakaria then scored the final goal of the match in the 82nd minute from the penalty spot to complete his team's 3-0 win in front of a happy Stade Louis II crowd.

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  HOW DID THE FRENCH MEDIA RATE GREENWOOD'S PERFORMANCE?

  Greenwood, who has impressed since joining Marseille from Manchester United last summer, had a night to forget as he lost the ball 18 times and looked rattled by Monaco's aggressive game plan.

  rated Greenwood's performance at just 3 out of 10 and wrote: "After a gem last week against Toulouse, the former Manchester United winger had a very (very) complicated match. Out of touch and caught out on his rare initiatives, he too often suffered from AS Monaco's intensity. Guilty of a major technical lapse, he was nevertheless very close to equalising but fell to the Monaco goalkeeper. Otherwise, he was too little involved, and he disappointed once again."

  was even more brutal in their assessment as they gave Greenwood a 2.5 and wrote: "A ghostly match for the former Mancunian, who contributed almost nothing offensively on the Louis-II pitch."

  also rated Greenwood at 3 out of 10 as they stated: "He hit the target with both shots, but a player of his talent must do much more. While he often hears this criticism, it doesn't seem to affect him, as his performances remain overshadowed by his nonchalance, which no flash of lightning has come to erase."

• WHAT ARE THE FANS SAYING ON SOCIAL?

  The fans, too, had their say on Greenwood and Marseille's dismal show as they reacted to the club's embarrassing loss on social media.

  A fan with the X handle @oinnessone1 wrote: "Greenwood he plays in a position where he is free to move wherever he wants, on the contrary he has the keys to the game and I still don't see how that prevents him from thinking. He always ends up doing the same thing."

  @Bendu974 added: "Get rid of [Roberto] De Zerbi and his 15-year-old lineups and Greenwood, who's been thinking elsewhere for a long time. We won't miss you!!!"

  @Pastaga13500 said: "Greenwood, aside from an individual feat, is a complete blank in the game."

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  WHAT COMES NEXT FOR GREENWOOD?

  The 23-year-old could leave the Ligue 1 side in the summer as he has reportedly attracted interest from Saudi Arabia, with a €90 million (£76.5m/$100m) offer now on the table for the winger ahead of the summer window. For now, though he will remain focused on his duties at Marseille, with De Zerbi's side set to return to action on April 19 when they face Montpellier in another crucial Ligue 1 clash.

Kyle Walker could make a shock return to Manchester City this summer, as AC Milan are increasingly unlikely to make his loan deal permanent.

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• Rossinieri have option to buy right back for €5m
• Injuries and mixed performances make permanent deal unlikely
• Walker has made 12 appearances for Milan

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  A report by Gazzetta dello Sport suggests Walker's tenure at the San Siro will be limited to just this season. The England international had been expected to make the switch to Italian side at the end of his six-month loan deal, as Milan have the option to buy the full-back for €5m.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  After a promising start to life with the Rossinieri, Walker has struggled for form and fitness. Walker suffered a right elbow fracture during a recent training session, and following surgery, is expected to face a month to six weeks on the sidelines.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The injury could well mean Walker has played his final game for Milan, who now have 'doubts' over extending his stay at San Siro. The right-back has made 12 appearances for the club since joining in the January transfer window.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR KYLE WALKER?

  Walker will be focussed on rehabilitating this latest ailment, but will also have one eye on the future. Walker struggled for game time at City in the first half of the season, and is unlikely to be a major part of Pep Guardiola's plans going forward. A summer of transfer speculation could well be on the cards for the 34-year-old.

As Tottenham Hotspur continue to consider reinforcements of their own in the January transfer window, they could be in danger of losing one of Ange Postecoglou’s defenders this month.

Tottenham transfer news

The Lilywhites have once again endured a campaign full of inconsistency and remain one of the toughest sides to predict in the Premier League, which arguably stretches to their work away from the action too. On the transfer front, it looked as though they were closing in on the arrival of Randal Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain only for Juventus to since reportedly swoop in.

Whether those in North London look to reinforce their attacking options through other candidates after missing out on the Frenchman remains to be seen. What’s more, before any incomings can arrive, they may need to worry about potential departures.

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By
Ross Kilvington

Jan 14, 2025

According to reports in Spain, PSG are now preparing an offer worth €50m (£42m) to sign Radu Dragusin from Tottenham and see the central defender as a priority target. The Lilywhites, however, do not want to sell their centre-back, who has become a regular starter due to their injury crisis in defence.

It comes as no surprise that Spurs are set to remain firm amid such interest either. At times this season, Dragusin has been the only recognised centre-back for Postecoglou to turn to following injuries to Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero.

To lose Dragusin at this stage would be an undeniable disaster for those in North London, even if PSG’s planned offer is tempting on the economic side of things during the January transfer window.

"Great" Dragusin is crucial for Tottenham

When Van de Ven and Romero return, Dragusin’s role may be that of a rotational centre-back. As things stand, however, he’s the most important member of Postecoglou’s backline. Meanwhile, even as a rotational player, the 22-year-old remains a solid option to add crucial depth to the Australian’s strongest squad in North London.

The former Celtic manager was full of praise for Dragusin when speaking to reporters last week, saying as relayed by Spurs Web: “I’ve said all along that some of our players are getting unfairly judged because of the situation we’re in.

“He’s only 22 and it would be fine if he was playing with older players around him but he’s playing with an 18-year-old who isn’t a centre-back and he’s had three different goalkeepers.

“He was great the other night, really focused and with his organisation. With Toni, that’s probably the most organised we’ve been in a while and the midfield did really well to protect them.”

With some fightback on their hands to qualify for European football in the second-half of the campaign, Dragusin should more than play his part for Tottenham as the fixtures come thick and fast on all fronts.

Pep Guardiola admitted that Manchester City avoided a second half scare against Nottingham Forest to secure a place in the FA Cup final.

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• Pep admitted City avoided a second-half scare
• Man City beat Forest 2-0 in semi-final
• Qualified for FA Cup for third season in a row

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rico Lewis opened the scoring for the former English champions in the second minute of the match from Mateo Kovacic's assist. Omar Marmoush then fed Josko Gvardiol with a perfect cross as the Croatian defender doubled the team's tally at the start of the second half to seal City's place in the final of the FA Cup for a third consecutive season.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Despite a two-goal win over Forest in the last-four stage, Guardiola admitted that the opponents were the more dominant side after the break. However, the manager expressed his delight that the club withstood the pressure and finally booked their place in the final of the competition.

• WHAT PEP GAURDIOLA SAID

  Speaking to after the match, the City boss said: "They pushed a little bit more in the second, we knew it. We lost some balls – the fatigue was there. The experience we have fell down. The ball, the way it bounces, for both sides is difficult to control it. It cannot be quicker. We managed and I am really pleased to again be in the FA Cup final."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MAN CITY?

  City will face Wolves and Southampton in their next two Premier League outings before they meet Crystal Palace at Wembley on May 17.