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A bomb, gang turf wars and the rise of club culture - poet, author and broadcaster David Scott looks at Manchester in the 1990s

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  1. Sutton's predictions: Brighton v Man Citypublished at 09:27 9 November

    Chris Sutton and Mylee & Tate from Jamie Johnson FC

    Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

    For week 11 he takes on Mylee and Tate from CBBC football drama Jamie Johnson FC (JJFC), which is set in the world of an elite academy at fictional Premier League club Hawx United.

    Sutton's prediction: 1-2

    Brighton ended up losing last week, but they absolutely played Liverpool off the park at Anfield for 45 minutes.

    I'd not seen much of Seagulls midfielder Yasin Ayari beforehand but I was at the game for BBC Radio 5 Live, and what a great young player he looks. The same goes for Jack Hinshelwood too.

    The way they played out from the back, with such bravery and confidence, was impressive and Liverpool had to dig very deep to recover from 1-0 down and beat them.

    Manchester City are going to have to do the same to get back to winning ways. After they lost to Sporting on Tuesday, City midfielder Bernardo Silva said they are "in a dark place" at the moment, but they are champions for a reason and I am expecting a response.

    They have got a point to prove, and that might help them find the energy they will need.

    Mylee's prediction: I am hoping for a City defeat here! It is going to be close, but I actually think they will win. 2-3

    Tate's prediction: There are going to be a lot of goals... and Brighton are going to win. City slipped up last week, and it might happen again. 4-3

    Read the rest of their predictions and have your own say here

  2. 'They can select who they want' - Guardiola on Grealish call-uppublished at 08:13 9 November

    Jack Grealish applauds after an England matchImage source, PA Media

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has insisted that Jack Grealish is not fit to play against Brighton on Saturday, despite the winger being called up by England.

    On Thursday, Grealish - who has not played for City since 20 October - was included in Lee Carsley's 26-man squad for England's upcoming Nations League matches against Greece and Republic of Ireland.

    Carsley said after the announcement that he "expected Grealish to be fit" and he would be assessed when he links up with the national team.

    Guardiola said at a news conference on Friday: "It is [Carsley's] decision. In 17 days he didn't train once. [Friday] is the first training and he trained for 20 minutes. This is the reality.

    "He was in the gym for a few minutes, yes, the last two days. It's a question for the manager from [England] - I'm not involved. All I'd say is the day after Wolves, he was injured, 17 days out and [Friday] was the first training with the team."

    City captain Kyle Walker returned from England duty last month with an injury and, in the aftermath, Guardiola said he had never been as angry as when John Stones was hurt playing in an England friendly during a crucial part of last season.

    "They can select who they want," Guardiola added on Friday. "Jack trained today and believes he can help us. I'm not the guy to say you cannot go. But for my team [on Saturday] he's not fit. He cannot play.

    "The people from England believe he can help. So go."

  3. Should Man City be coping better with injuries?published at 18:01 8 November

    Manchester City are on their worst losing run since 2018, with three straight defeats, but is their downturn in form down solely to injuries or should they be performing better?

    Ex-City midfielder Michael Brown tells The Football News Show why the absence of Rodri and Kevin de Bruyne has been felt harder than their injury problems in defence.

    Media caption,

    Watch the full episode of The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

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  4. The answerpublished at 16:58 8 November

    Louis SahaImage source, Getty Images

    Earlier, we asked you to identify the former Manchester United player from their Premier League statistics playing for the club.

    The correct answer was Louis Saha.

  5. 'Today, he was just grumpy'published at 16:03 8 November

    Simon Stone
    Chief football news reporter

    Media caption,

    Sometimes Manchester City boss can be quite chatty at his news conferences.

    On other occasions, he can be a bit grumpy to start with but then get more expressive as the conference carries on.

    Today he was just grumpy.

    At short notice, Pep Guardiola delayed his press conference by half an hour, with no subsequent explanation or apology for why.

    He started with a one-word answer to my first question about whether he was going to Abu Dhabi during the November international break - his last two contract extensions were agreed when he was there.

    He was little better in confirming Jack Grealish was not fit for the trip to Brighton, despite being picked by England yesterday, and he continued in that vein.

    Guardiola has never suffered four straight defeats in his entire managerial career. His mood will not be any better if that scenario becomes reality at Amex Stadium tomorrow.

  6. Fletcher given three-match ban and fine for misconductpublished at 15:39 8 November

    Darren FletcherImage source, Getty Images

    Manchester United coach Darren Fletcher has received an extended three-match touchline ban and been fined £7,500 for misconduct against Brentford on Saturday 19 October.

    Fletcher is alleged to have acted in an "improper and/or confrontational manner" and used "abusive and/or insulting words" towards the match officials during the Premier League victory at Old Trafford.

    United were furious following Brentford's opener from Ethan Pinnock, which came after home defender Matthijs de Ligt was forced to leave the field for a third time to deal with a cut on his head.

    Former midfielder Fletcher admitted to this misconduct but has denied that he was abusive with BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone saying United plan to appeal.

  7. Guardiola on Grealish, recent struggles and Brightonpublished at 15:00 8 November

    Katie Stafford
    BBC Sport journalist

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brighton (kick-off 17:30 GMT).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • Jack Grealish is not available for Saturday's game despite being called up to the England squad by interim boss Lee Carsley.

    • On why he has been picked for international duty if not fit: "That is the question for the manager of England."

    • Guardiola said he will not travel to Abu Dhabi during the break for contract talks with the owners.

    • Giving an update on team news: "No good news. The same, I think, as Lisbon."

    • On losing three games in a row: "20 minutes against Fulham were not good and against Bournemouth we were not good, but the rest of the games we were good. We are good. We will see what happens."

    • He disagreed that Bernardo Silva appeared to look down following the defeat at Sporting and added: "Of course, we are not used to losing three games in three different competitions -but it is football and it has happened."

    • More from Guardiola on their recent games: "We know the reason why we struggle but we are looking forward to this game and, after the international break, a few players will be back and recovered. All the little problems we have with players will be solved. I hope."

    • On opponents Brighton and boss Fabian Hurzeler: "I’m really impressed with the way they play. They had to make a lot of signings and he is doing an incredible job. They were outstanding against Liverpool but didn't get the result. They played really good. They always have been tough away or at home, since Graham Potter, and this will be no exception."

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