Manchester City juggernaut maintains momentum as Raheem Sterling scores winner against Arsenal


Richard Jolly
  • English
  • Arabic

There was a time when Mikel Arteta savoured an 18-game sequence for Manchester City. He was Pep Guardiola’s sidekick in the autumn of 2017 when City reeled off a record 18 straight victories in the Premier League. Just over three years later, Arteta had less to enjoy in City’s 18th consecutive win in all competitions.

Arsenal were outclassed in a first 10 minutes when City played with blistering brilliance. The game was decided at the start, by a figure familiar to the Gunners’ manager.

Raheem Sterling became prolific during his time in Manchester, has scored home and away against Arsenal in each of the last two seasons and reprised his role as their scourge. Arteta won the summer’s FA Cup semi-final against his mentor, but Guardiola retains his 100 per cent record in their league meetings.

And yet Arsenal might deem this a missed opportunity. They could rue a sluggish and timid start and a lack of intensity and aggression while failing to take advantage of a second half where City’s standards slipped.

One chance, when Mohamed Elneny volleyed wide, stemmed from one of the season’s most bizarre back passes, with Joao Cancelo needlessly directing an up-and-under from the touchline to Ederson. At such moments, it felt as if City may come to regret failing to turn their initial superiority into a bigger lead.

Initially, this had the hallmarks of a thrashing. Arsenal have rather too much first-hand experience of City’s fast starts for their liking. Guardiola’s men tend to make a statement from the opening whistle at the Emirates Stadium and, for the third consecutive visit, they struck inside three minutes. It was an early exhibition of class.

They led in 77 seconds. Ruben Dias unleashed a pinpoint diagonal pass. Riyad Mahrez marked his 30th birthday by floating in a cross. Sterling jumped above the rather taller Rob Holding to head past Bernd Leno.

The England winger could have had a hat-trick inside six minutes, such were the gaps that City found in the Arsenal defence. Sterling erred by trying to dribble his way past everyone, Leno included, after Kevin de Bruyne found him with a defence-splitting pass. Sterling and Mahrez brought touchline-hugging width, opening up space inside for others. City looked capable of capitalising.

The fit-again De Bruyne started for the first time in a month and, with Guardiola benching his specialist strikers, the Belgian and Bernardo Silva took turns operating as false nines.

The ambition of De Bruyne’s play was apparent in an audacious chip, which dropped wide of the Arsenal goal, and a thunderous volley, which cleared the bar. He was eased back into action by being removed for the final half-hour.

Before then, Leno tipped away a curler from Ilkay Gundogan, who was able to return after missing Wednesday's win at Everton but City's German could not continue his scoring run in the major matches. Later, Joao Cancelo came close with a bold effort with the outside of his right foot, but the time between shots grew.

Perhaps Arsenal lulled City into a sense of complacency with the slow tempo in a match that had the feel of a training game. Both managers made five changes but it suggested City boast the greater strength in depth. Arsenal missed the injured Thomas Partey as City exerted control in a midfield where Fernandinho flourished.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had proved their nemesis in last season’s FA Cup but had a lesser impact in a rematch and accidentally blocked a shot from Bukayo Saka.

Predictably, Saka offered most encouragement for Arsenal, carrying the attack to City, showing a now trademark fearlessness. He was supported by Kieran Tierney, who tested Ederson with a stinging shot. But Arsenal lacked a similar threat on the right and they worked Ederson all too rarely.

Arguably Cancelo, with that wild backpass, caused him most concern but the solidity of John Stones and Dias secured City another clean sheet and, in the process, another win.

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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

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Starring: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake

Rating: 4 stars

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Company: Instabug

Founded: 2013

Based: Egypt, Cairo

Sector: IT

Employees: 100

Stage: Series A

Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors

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Athletic Bilbao 1 (Muniain 37')

Atletico Madrid 1 (Costa 39')

Man of the match  Iker Muniain (Athletic Bilbao)

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The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


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Defenders Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Chilwell (Chelsea), Coady (Wolves), Dier (Tottenham), Gomez (Liverpool), James (Chelsea), Keane (Everton), Maguire (Manchester United), Maitland-Niles (Arsenal), Mings (Aston Villa), Saka (Arsenal), Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Foden (Manchester City), Henderson (Liverpool), Grealish (Aston Villa), Mount (Chelsea), Rice (West Ham), Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Winks (Tottenham)

Forwards: Abraham (Chelsea), Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Kane (Tottenham), Rashford (Manchester United), Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Sterling (Manchester City)

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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Fight card

1. Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) v Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)

2. Featherweight: Hussein Salim (IRQ) v Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)

3. Catchweight 80kg: Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Khamza Yamadaev (RUS)

4. Lightweight: Ho Taek-oh (KOR) v Ronald Girones (CUB)

5. Lightweight: Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) v Damien Lapilus (FRA)

6. Bantamweight: Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) v Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)

7. Featherweight: Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)

8. Flyweight: Shannon Ross (TUR) v Donovon Freelow (USA)

9. Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Dan Collins (GBR)

10. Catchweight 73kg: Islam Mamedov (RUS) v Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM)

11. Bantamweight World title: Jaures Dea (CAM) v Xavier Alaoui (MAR)

12. Flyweight World title: Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)

RESULTS

Bantamweight

Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)

(Split decision)

Featherweight

Hussein Salim (IRQ) beat Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)

(Round 1 submission, armbar)

Catchweight 80kg

Rashed Dawood (UAE) beat Otabek Kadirov (UZB)

(Round-1 submission, rear naked choke)

Lightweight

Ho Taek-oh (KOR) beat Ronald Girones (CUB)

(Round 3 submission, triangle choke)

Lightweight

Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) beat Damien Lapilus (FRA)

(Unanimous points)

Bantamweight

Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)

(Round 1 TKO)

Featherweight

Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)

(Round 1 rear naked choke)

Flyweight

Shannon Ross (TUR) beat Donovon Freelow (USA)

(Unanimous decision)

Lightweight

Dan Collins (GBR) beat Mohammad Yahya (UAE)

(Round 2 submission D’arce choke)

Catchweight 73kg

Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM) beat Islam Mamedov (RUS)

(Round 3 submission, kneebar)

Bantamweight world title

Xavier Alaoui (MAR) beat Jaures Dea (CAM)

(Unanimous points 48-46, 49-45, 49-45)

Flyweight world title

Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)

(Round 1 RSC)

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2.30pm: Handicap Dh 76,000 (D) 1,400m. Winner: Almoreb, Dane O’Neill, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

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3.30pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh 100,000 (D) 1,000m. Winner: Raahy, Adrie de Vries, Jaber Ramadhan.

4pm: Maiden Dh 60,000 (D) 1,000m. Winner: Cross The Ocean, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

4.30pm: Handicap 64,000 (D) 1,950m. Winner: Sa’Ada, Fernando Jara, Ahmad bin Harmash.

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Winner: AF Mozhell, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)

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Winner: Majdi, Szczepan Mazur, Abdallah Al Hammadi.

3pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: AF Athabeh, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.

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Winner: AF Eshaar, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi

4pm: Gulf Cup presented by Longines Prestige (PA) Dh150,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Al Roba’a Al Khali, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Younis Al Kalbani

4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Apolo Kid, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muahiri

FIGHT CARD

Bantamweight Hamza Bougamza (MAR) v Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)

Catchweight 67kg Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR) v Fouad Mesdari (ALG)

Lighweight Abdullah Mohammed Ali (UAE) v Abdelhak Amhidra (MAR)

Catchweight 73kg Mostafa Ibrahim Radi (PAL) v Yazid Chouchane (ALG)

Middleweight Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) v Badreddine Diani (MAR)

Catchweight 78kg Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Adnan Bushashy (ALG)

Middleweight Sallaheddine Dekhissi (MAR) v Abdel Emam (EGY)

Catchweight 65kg Rachid Hazoume (MAR) v Yanis Ghemmouri (ALG)

Lighweight Mohammed Yahya (UAE) v Azouz Anwar (EGY)

Catchweight 79kg Omar Hussein (PAL) v Souhil Tahiri (ALG)

Middleweight Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Laid Zerhouni (ALG)

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying or online bullying could take many forms such as sending unkind or rude messages to someone, socially isolating people from groups, sharing embarrassing pictures of them, or spreading rumors about them.

Cyberbullying can take place on various platforms such as messages, on social media, on group chats, or games.

Parents should watch out for behavioural changes in their children.

When children are being bullied they they may be feel embarrassed and isolated, so parents should watch out for signs of signs of depression and anxiety

THURSDAY'S FIXTURES

4pm Maratha Arabians v Northern Warriors

6.15pm Deccan Gladiators v Pune Devils

8.30pm Delhi Bulls v Bangla Tigers

FIRST TEST SCORES

England 458
South Africa 361 & 119 (36.4 overs)

England won by 211 runs and lead series 1-0

Player of the match: Moeen Ali (England)

 

LIVING IN...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

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I Care A Lot

Directed by: J Blakeson

Starring: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage

3/5 stars