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Pep Guardiola has explained how being a “handsome man” helps him to get his message across during short training sessions at Manchester City.

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Catalan coach one of the best in the businessDoes not push players hard before gamesIs still able to deliver positive resutlsWHAT HAPPENED?

With so many games being packed into a hectic schedule, the Catalan coach is wary of pushing his players too hard behind the scenes. That means he can spend as little as 25 minutes working on upcoming fixtures, but he is still able to impart wisdom and ensure that his star-studded squad are ready for whatever challenge awaits them.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

Quizzed on how he is able to achieve that, former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Guardiola has jokingly said: “Because I'm really good. I'm a handsome man and I seduce them and we did it. So, I'm really good. Today we have the TV, the images, and we talk individually, and moving that way. I spoke with Ruben (Dias) with what happened at Chelsea, I spoke with Kyle (Walker) with what happened at Chelsea. I talked about it in this specific was after they made mistakes, they just understand.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Revealing that he has never been one for long practice sessions, Guardiola said of the limited time that he spent with his players prior to a 1-1 Premier League draw with Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium: “In seven years, I don’t train. Maximum 35 minutes. We don’t train. They started pre-season 15 days before. Do you know what 15 days is? We played the FA Cup final and then the Champions League final. They had 15 days more with the new players. We didn’t do one day of tactical. It's the same for Jurgen [Klopp], I’m pretty sure. The day before this game, we did 10-15 minutes with the ball and 10 minutes defensively. Before Tuesday it will be 10 minutes on the pitch, moving in that way. We cannot train. If we train, we don’t have players for the next game. We don’t have them. That’s why we have to learn from the past: just understand what you have to do. The press, who jumps. This is what we absolutely rely on.”

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR GUARDIOLA?

City, who claimed a historic treble triumph last season, will be back in Champions League action on Tuesday when playing host to RB Leipzig. The Premier League title holders are nursing a number of injuries at present, which is further preventing Guardiola from pushing aching limbs towards breaking point.

Matt Turner produced a sprawling save to deny Gio Reyna during Nottingham Forest training, with the USMNT stars enjoying friendly competition.

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Keeper has lost his place at the City GroundOn-loan playmaker also seeing bench dutyBoth looking to catch the eye of Reds boss NunoWHAT HAPPENED?

Both men are eager to catch the eye of Reds boss Nuno Espirito Santo, with neither seeing as much game time as they would like of late. Turner has been dropped to the bench following a number of costly errors and the January arrival of Matz Sels at the City Ground.

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Reyna, meanwhile, is taking in a Premier League loan spell from Borussia Dortmund. He has only seen 29 minutes of action across two substitute appearances so far, but the 21-year-old boasts the kind of creativity that Forest may find useful in their ongoing bid to steer clear of relegation danger.

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Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?

For now, Reyna and Turner are having to showcase their talents on the training field. They have come into direct competition during those drills, with Turner producing one impressive stop (3:38 in the video above) to keep out his United States international colleague – despite Reyna having two small goals to aim at!

Mauricio Pochettino has written an open letter to Chelsea fans ahead of the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.

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Pochettino thanks fans for patienceInsists he is desperate to win trophyBlues have endured disappointing seasonWHAT HAPPENED?

Chelsea are gearing up for their Carabao Cup final against Liverpool and Pochettino insists that he and his players will "continue the traditions" of the club by attempting to win his first trophy in English football. Of course, in the Premier League, the Blues are 10th and have won just one of their last four games; they played Liverpool earlier this season and lost 4-1 at Anfield.

AdvertisementWHAT POCHETTINO SAID

In the letter, published on Chelsea's website, Pochettino said: "Chelsea supporters,Today at Wembley we can create something special. A memory that lives with us all. A moment that endures. Finals have this power. They unite us. Families will come together and be connected in their emotion. Friends will share this experience and be bonded.

"Then there are the children who will live a final for the first time. It is something that always stays with you. For me, it was the 1978 World Cup final in Argentina. I watched with my father. I was just six years old but I remember it so well. Of course, the feelings are different now. As a coach you must be relaxed ahead of a final to be clear in your thinking. It’s the same for my staff.

"We all believe in our players and the way we work. This season has not always been easy, that is the reality. But the trust between us as a team has remained really strong. That has helped us reach Wembley and it will help us in this final. Now we must do what Chelsea do. Win.

"You, the supporters, will help us. We know this. You have been patient and defended us in our hard moments. You have celebrated and enjoyed our steps forward. We are proud this relationship is blooming and the feelings we had in this competition after the wins against Newcastle and Middlesbrough – and recently after Aston Villa and Crystal Palace – are something we want again."

TELL ME MORE

Pochettino added: "Liverpool will not make it easy. They are capable of bringing a storm on the pitch and when it arrives, we must be ready to give our best to achieve what we all want. We will remind the players that when the heart beats a little faster, that is when you must be ready to fight.

"We all know the history of Chelsea. It is massive and everyone understands the expectations of this club. That is the owners, the players, the staff at Cobham, the staff at Stamford Bridge, the Academy, and the women’s team.

"Many people from the club will be at Wembley today to help us as a team, but also to help translate the atmosphere of the final to the supporters that can’t be in the stadium. Only if we are together can we live these special moments and create these memories.

"We want the same as you. We want to continue the traditions of Chelsea. We want this trophy. See you at Wembley, Mauricio."

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GettyDID YOU KNOW?

Pochettino has spent a total of 11 years managing in England, with Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea, but he has never lifted a trophy. He has been runner-up on multiple occasions with Spurs but will aim to finally end his hoodoo on Sunday.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reacted angrily to a joke about his team's forthcoming match against Crystal Palace.

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Presenter jokes lunchtime is Klopp's "favourite kick-off"Liverpool boss not impressedHits back in angry rant WHAT HAPPENED?

Klopp spoke to Amazon Prime presenter Marcus Buckland after Liverpool's 2-0 win over Sheffield United on Wednesday in the Premier League. Buckland noted how Liverpool's next match was a lunchtime game against Crystal Palace on Saturday in Klopp's "favourite kick-off time." However, the joke did not go down at all well with the Liverpool manager who has regularly made it clear he is not a fan of playing early on Saturday after a Wednesday fixture.

AdvertisementWHAT KLOPP SAID

Klopp said: "That’s really brave to make a joke about that. We go home, I don’t know exactly what time we will get home, we will arrive, maybe 1am-2am tonight, and then play again. We have two sessions. It is fine to recover and then we go again. Crystal Palace play tonight as well so it is really fine. I realise you don’t understand it as well and you work in football so why should I explain it again. If you make a joke out of that you are ignorant.”

Buckland then insisted he was not trying to be disrespectful but Klopp brushed his comment off.

“You were already," he added. "All good, you can say what you want, I cannot say what I want because that would be really different.”

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Liverpool's win over Sheffield United means the Reds are once again two points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League table. Victory over Palace next time out would see Liverpool move to the top and pile pressure on the Gunners ahead of their trip to an in-form Aston Villa. Unai Emery's side are currently third after beating Manchester City 1-0 on Wednesday.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

The fixtures are certainly coming thick and fast for Liverpool, with some crucial games to be played before Christmas. Klopp's side face Palace, Manchester United and Arsenal in the Premier League, West Ham in the EFL quarter-finals and Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League.

Goal looks at the kits of the teams participating in Euro 2020 this summer, from Germany's classic, updated strip to Spain's unconventional home kit

Euro 2020  (now taking place in 2021) will feature the top international sides from across Europe and they will all be wearing unique attire at the tournament.

Football kits are generally updated every season and, when it comes to international football, almost inevitably before each major competition.

Goal takes a look at what the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kevin De Bruyne, Harry Kane and more will be wearing at this summer's European Championship.

GettyAustria – Home kit

Puma is the manufacturer of Austria's kit for Euro 2020 and it has received a number of outings already. Red on the torso with white sleeves and a round collar, the jersey is imbued with a classic Alpine design graphic, which is inspired by the Vienna Secession art nouveau style.

AdvertisementAustriaAustria – Away kit

The Austria away kit was unveiled by Puma in November 2019, featuring a sleek black and teal design with a feather pattern. The OFB crest appears on the left side, with the graphic and colours inspired, like the home kit, by Austria's art nouveau style from the 19th and 20th century.

Adidas/Goal compositeBelgium – Home kit

Belgium's home kit, made by Adidas, features a bold brushstroke graphic that forms the letter "B" on the front. The Belgian flag makes up the red, yellow and black colourway, with yellow hints also across the cuffs and collar.

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AdidasBelgium – Away kit

Belgium's away kit is a grey-white number but with red and black embellishments. Adidas' trademark three stripes (in red) adorn the shoulders.

The French defender headed in the only goal of the game while the debutant goalkeeper made a series of saves to shut out an impressive Wolves side

This was far from the performance Manchester United would have expected after a summer of lavish spending but they somehow got away with it and beat an excellent Wolves side 1-0 to start the season with three points.

Mason Mount had a really disappointing competitive debut but his fellow new arrival Andre Onana made four big saves to keep out Gary O'Neil's rampant visitors, who also hit the woodwork and defied expectations just a week after parting ways with coach Julen Lopetegui.

United went ahead against the run of play when Raphael Varane headed home Aaron Wan-Bissaka's cross in the 76th minute. Wolves will be wondering how they did not take more from the game, especially after having a strong penalty shout in added time when Onana collided with two players. GOAL rates Manchester United's players from Old Trafford…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Andre Onana (7/10):

The Cameroonian played with courage on his competitive debut and, unlike in the friendly against Lens, his tendency to roam did not get him into trouble. Made smart saves from Matheus Cunha, Pedro Neto and Fabio Silva (twice) although was fortunate to not be penalised for clashing with two Wolves players in added time.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (8/10):

Attentive to the danger down his side and set up the only goal with a smart cross to Varane. Stayed focused until the end.

Raphael Varane (8/10):

Gave United leadership when they were struggling to hold Wolves off and, most crucially, found the breakthrough goal.

Lisandro Martinez (5/10):

Looked rusty on what was his first competitive game in more than four months. Got an early booking for a sliding tackle on Neto and that conditioned his performance until half-time, when Ten Hag took him off for Victor Lindelof.

Luke Shaw (6/10):

Some of Wolves best chances came down his left side and he was not very effective going forward. Made an excellent block late in the game.

AdvertisementGettyMidfield

Bruno Fernandes (6/10):

Was far from his dominant self but helped United find the breakthrough with a lovely through ball to Wan-Bissaka.

Casemiro (6/10):

Not as solid as usual defensively but was lively in attack.

Mason Mount (5/10):

An uninspiring full debut. Struggled to create much and his passing was imprecise.

GettyAttack

Antony (7/10):

United's liveliest attacker and a big improvement on many matches from last season.

Marcus Rashford (6/10):

Struggled to get much space as a centre-forward and had more joy when he returned to his favorite position on the left of the attack in the second half. Still created little to shout about.

Alejandro Garnacho (6/10):

Lively but frustrating. Got forward a lot but routinely made the wrong decision. Removed in the 68th minute.

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GettySubs & Manager

Victor Lindelof (6/10):

Played the entire second half and could do little to prevent Wolves' dominance.

Jadon Sancho (6/10):

Gave United a bit more fluidity when he came on.

Christian Eriksen (6/10):

His experience helped United get a win they did not deserve.

Scott McTominay (N/A):

Only introduced for the last 13 minutes.

Facundo Pellistri (N/A):

Only introduced for the final two minutes.

Erik ten Hag (6/10):

No complaints with his team selection and his substitutes helped improve the team and ultimately get the result.

U.S. Soccer has announced format changes to the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the sake of stakeholders and congestion with MLS teams.

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U.S. Soccer announces Open Cup changesOnly eight MLS teams to appearSweeping changes arrivingWHAT HAPPENED?

For the first time since 2008 – after 16 years of progress an advancement in the tournament – U.S. Soccer has opted to revert to a format where the First Round of 32 matches will consist exclusively of amateur and professional teams.

In addition, sweeping changes arrived in the form of Major League Soccer's participation. Only eight MLS sides will compete in the 2024 edition of the tournament, with 11 developmental MLS NEXT Pro sides as well.

Sides competing in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup – and their MLS NEXT Pro sides – were excluded from participation, based on results from the 2023 MLS season. D.C. United is the lone MLS side without CCC or USOC participation.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

32 amateur teams will meet 32 division-three teams in Round One, with the winners facing off against each other in the second round of the tournament. Round three will see 16 USL Championship sides enter the tournament and they will be paired with the 16 victorious sides from Round two.

Then, the eight MLS teams – Houston Dynamo, Atlanta United FC, FC Dallas, Sporting Kansas City, LAFC, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders – will enter the fray. For an amateur side to be paired up against an MLS club, they will have to qualify for the quarterfinals of the tournament.

The changes arrive much to the dismay of players and managers around the league. New York Red Bulls defender John Tolkin blasted MLS over the rule changes prior to the announcement, while D.C. United is the lone club across MLS with ZERO representation in the tournament. Their developmental side does not play in MLS NEXT Pro, therefore they will have no participation at any level.

Houston won the 2023 final against Inter Miami.

WHAT U.S. SOCCER SAID

"First and foremost, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to all our members for their invaluable input over the past couple of months— sharing with us of the reasons the U.S. Open Cup is so great, and what we can do to make it even better,” said U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson. “After extensive discussions, we have put together a competitive format specific to the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, promising exciting matchups from the First Round and through the entire tournament. U.S. Soccer values the tradition and importance of the U.S. Open Cup, and we will continue to have conversations with all our members to explore avenues for enhancing future editions of the tournament and how we all work together to grow soccer in every community in the country”.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR THE U.S. OPEN CUP

Round One will begin on Tuesday, March 19 with the final of the 2024 tournament wrapping up on Wednesday, September 25. MLS sides will not enter the tournament until Tuesday, July 9.

The Premier League champions were far from their best at Stamford Bridge but nicked a 1-0 win thanks to a 'brain-fart' from Kepa Arrizabalaga.

In the end, we got the result we expected: a Manchester City victory.

However, this was far from a comfortable night for the Premier League champions – even with nearly everything going in their favour.

Chelsea lost two players to injury before the midway point in the first half, saw Carney Chukwuemeka hit the post shortly after, and their clean sheet was only sullied when Kepa Arrizabalaga made a toe-curling error early in the second half.

Jack Grealish inspired the breakthrough, sliding a ball to the back post for fellow substitute Riyad Mahrez to slide home after the hosts' goalkeeper bizarrely opted against claiming it.

Even with their numbers dwindled by injury, a disjointed Chelsea kept plugging away to the last and 18-year-old Lewis Hall was provided with a good chance to level things at the death, only to see his effort fly over the bar.

A substandard City thus held on, closing the gap on leaders Arsenal in the process. For Chelsea, it was a familiar story.

They've now lost four of their last eight Premier League games and with the injuries piling up, it could get worse before it gets better for Graham Potter's side.

Below, GOAL runs through the winners and losers from Thursday night's showdown at Stamford Bridge…

LOSER: Chelsea's medical team

Chelsea might have to put in planning permission for an extension to their treatment room, such is the ludicrous amount of injuries they are dealing with right now.

Going into the City game, they already had the likes of N'Golo Kante, Wesley Fofana and Ben Chilwell out of action.

Mason Mount – a player who doesn't get injured that often – then had to pull out of the contest after "receiving a kick in training" and the midfielder's withdrawal would foreshadow a nightmare 22 minutes where Chelsea were forced into substituting both Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic.

This brings their total absentees up to an eye-watering 10 and these selection woes could not have come at a worse time either.

With the Premier League table starting to take shape and their European qualification rivals hitting form, the under-fire Potter needs to have his best players available if his team is to have any hope of closing the gap.

AdvertisementGettyLOSER: Arsenal

This result was a double whammy for Mikel Arteta's men. Obviously, City have capitalised on their draw against Newcastle and closed the gap on the leaders to five points. But that's not the only reason for Arsenal to be concerned.

With Sterling and Pulisic both injured, Chelsea could be forced into stepping up their interest in the Gunners' primary January transfer target Mykhailo Mudryk.

Arsenal were recently issued an ultimatum by Mudryk's current employers, Shakhtar Donetsk. The Ukrainians want £88 million ($105m) for the winger – a price Edu & Co. are reluctant to pay.

Chelsea are obviously not shy about splashing the cash and with their need for a productive forward having now increased, this transfer saga could be about to get very interesting.

GettyWINNER: City's bench

It may not feel like it due to the World Cup, but we are not even at the halfway point in the Premier League season. And, in this injury-filled congest-a-thon, whoever has the deepest squad is going to take some stopping.

That's good news for City, who named an embarrassment of riches on their bench on Thursday.

The most expensive British footballer of all time, Jack Grealish, World Cup winner Julian Alvarez and 2016 PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez were among those taking a pew, with Kalvin Phillips, Manuel Akanji and young guns Rico Lewis and Cole Palmer also available to reinforce Guardiola's starting line-up.

Compare that with the rabble sat a few yards to their left. With all due respect, Bashir Humphreys, Omari Hutchinson and Lewis Hall don't quite carry the same fear factor, do they?

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GettyLOSER: Kyle Walker & Joao Cancelo

MIdway through the first half, Walker and Cancelo were involved in an abortive piece of link-up play down the right-hand side. As a result of the turnover, Chelsea maneuvered their way into the box, with the excellent John Stones having to explode into action to deny Pulisic a free sight at goal.

Guardiola found the imperfect interchange too much to bear, sinking to the turf melodramatically at the sight of two of his most reliable cogs malfunctioning. He seemed to stew on the incident for the rest of the first half, subbing both Walker and Cancelo at half-time. It was little more than the pair's first-half displays deserved.

Cancelo has been conspicuous in his absence since the World Cup, and this was Walker's first Premier League game since October due to injury.

Guardiola has previously explained that they had been omitted for fitness reasons and, before the game, he even seemed to suggest that their inclusion was the result of fan pressure.

That is probably a lie, but City's improvement after Lewis and Akanji replaced Walker and Cancelo at half-time does not bode well for the latter pair's short-term prospects.

Paul Mullin is “second to none” when it comes to goalscoring, with Wrexham team-mate Steven Fletcher claiming the prolific striker has no weaknesses.

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Forward helped to secure promotion last seasonUp and running in the current campaignOne of the best finishers in the businessWHAT HAPPENED?

The Dragons frontman has become a talismanic presence at StoK Racecourse – with club co-owner Ryan Reynolds among his biggest fans – and has now found the target on 81 occasions through 101 appearances for the Welsh outfit.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Mullin fired Wrexham to promotion back into the Football League last season and is up and running in 2023-24 after recovering from a punctured lung. Summer signing Fletcher is among those to have been left mightily impressed by the 28-year-old’s skill set, with the veteran Scotland international telling of his fellow forward: "I have played with a lot of good strikers and Paul's finishing is second to none. Left foot, right foot, it doesn't matter where it lands for him, he will hit the target and I am delighted for him to get off the mark this season."

WHAT THEY SAID

Fletcher has also been among the goals for Wrexham since joining them as a free agent, with his account opened when netting a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser in a 3-3 draw with Crewe. The 36-year-old said of his experiences with the Dragons: "What a feeling. Brilliant. You want to get off the mark as a striker and score as many goals as you can. To get one in the 95th minute was great. I got eye contact with Jacob [Mendy] straight away, he knew I would make that run and it was a great, pinpoint cross. I didn't have to do much."

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Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Wrexham are still looking for consistency this season, with Phil Parkinson yet to settle on a winning formula that works every week, and they will be back in action on Tuesday when taking in a trip to fellow promotion hopefuls Mansfield.

Mohamed Salah has joined Manchester United legend David Beckham and Manchester City sensation Erling Haaland in an exclusive goal club.

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Egyptian superstar on target againGoal contribution in six straight gamesEmulates Utd, City & Arsenal iconsWHAT HAPPENED?

The Liverpool forward was back on target for the Reds in their Premier League meeting with West Ham – with the Egyptian superstar opening the scoring in that contest. Said effort came on the back of having already found the target in meetings with Bournemouth and Aston Villa.

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Salah also registered assists in clashes with Chelsea, Newcastle and Wolves – with his value to the collective cause at Anfield being further highlighted. He is now one of just six men in the Premier League era to have delivered a goal contribution in each of his team’s first six games of the season.

DID YOU KNOW?

Former England captain Beckham – who is now working with Lionel Messi as a co-owner at Inter Miami – was the first to achieve that feat for United in 2000-01. World Cup-winning Arsenal hero Thierry Henry replicated those efforts in 2004-05, while Sergio Aguero managed it for Manchester City in 2019-20 and Haaland for the Blues last season – as he helped them to Treble glory.

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Salah has been a talismanic presence for Liverpool throughout his time on Merseyside, breaking countless records, and Jurgen Klopp will be hoping to see him stick around for the foreseeable future after generating unwelcome talk of transfer interest from Saudi Arabia.