Manchester City

Freddie Pye
Fan writer

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Rewind to the summer transfer window, and Manchester City were battling to keep hold of Savinho amid talk of an eye-watering £70m valuation potentially being matched by Tottenham.

That was off the back of a debut season for the Brazilian at Etihad Stadium that failed to set the world alight in terms of goal contributions, but one that certainly showed plenty of promise and a staggering wealth of natural ability likened to the legendary Riyad Mahrez.

City's faith in Savinho, in addition to their successful fight to hold off interest from north London, was further cemented by the decision to reward the winger with a new contract running until the summer of 2031.

Now, some fans can't stand the sight of him, whether that is coming on from the bench or named in the starting line-up. But how has it gone so wrong? And how has that happened so fast for arguably one of the most highly rated wingers in the game, and one that Manchester City quite clearly believe has a huge part to play in their future?

Savinho seems entirely lacking in confidence at the moment. There is a hesitancy about his game in some situations, and simultaneously an over-greed and urgency to try to make something happen when too often the simple pass or link-up with team-mates would be the more logical choice.

Then you look at elements of his own body language when he is granted opportunity to change a game by Pep Guardiola, which was the case at St James' Park. There is a lack of fight or hunger to win the ball back at times and he can at times be seen blaming team-mates for his own flaws or misplaced passes.

Are we looking at a case of a player who simply doesn't have the quality to perform at the very highest level of the game? Is this a talent who doesn't have the attitude when things are going wrong? Or are we missing something entirely that Manchester City quite clearly see?

Something needs to change. Goal contributions and star performances need to be delivered - and fast - or we could be demanding a brutal reassessment of Savinho's place in this Manchester City side come next summer.

Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra, external

Midfielder Bernardo Silva is likely to leave Manchester City when his contract expires at the end of the season. (Fabrizio Romano), external

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Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol says he "couldn't sleep" last season as he was trying to think of "solutions for the team" during their slump in form.

City finished third in 2024-25, a season Gvardiol says was "the worst season so far in my career".

"It was painful," he added.

"I remember I couldn't sleep because I was trying to find solutions for the team to help get the club out of its position.

"Things were not going the way we wanted so I am glad that is behind us and we recovered well.

"We want to perform and be the best as we can. From now on I think things will be much easier."

Gvardiol, who made the switch from RB Leipzig in August 2023, won the Premier League in his debut season and now has his eye on the Champions League trophy.

"Every season I am full of ambitions," he added. "I am still young and I would like to win the Champions League.

"It is quite difficult to win it because it is a competition where all of the best are included.

"For the last three or four seasons of my career, I have realised how difficult it is but hopefully one day I will get that trophy."

Hear more from Gvardiol on BBC Sounds

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen at Etihad Stadium (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Rodri and Mateo Kovacic remain unavailable but everyone else is in contention to play.

• He said "not long" when asked how far Rodri is away from returning. Guardiola added: "We will wait a little bit more to make sure he is fine."

• On Gianluigi Donnarumma's discipline and what the plan would be if his goalkeeper gets suspended: "He has to defend his position. If he's booked, he's booked. James [Trafford] will play."

• He said the defeat by Newcastle is "immediately forgotten" and City have to move on because the Champions League game is "massively important to finish in the first eight" and qualify for the next round.

• Guardiola apologised for his behaviour after the Newcastle defeat when he spoke with Magpies midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and appeared to argue with a camera operator: "I feel embarrassed and ashamed when I see it. I don't like it. I apologised to the cameraman. I am who I am. Even with 1,000 games, I am not a perfect person and I make mistakes but always I will defend my team and my club."

• He joked that reaching 100 Champions League games in charge for City is a realisation he is "getting old because it's all milestones" now. He added: "Huge competition. So nice and special. The players love it. It is part of who we are and what we have built as a team and club."

Listen to Guardiola on BBC Radio Manchester

Follow all of Monday's Champions League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to full commentary of Manchester City v Bayer Leverkusen from 20:00 GMT on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

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Pep Guardiola said last week that the season starts now following the conclusion of the final international break of the year.

But this period of fixtures started in disappointing manner with a Premier League loss at Newcastle on Saturday when Manchester City were on the wrong end of three refereeing calls.

They can return to winning ways in the Champions League on Tuesday when they host Bayer Leverkusen, knowing victory will strengthen their position in the all-important top eight.

The contest will be Guardiola's 100th as boss of City in Europe's elite club competition, with the crowning moment being that triumph in the final over Inter Milan two years ago.

The Spaniard faces the cameras this lunchtime, with defender Josko Gvardiol also scheduled to be in attendance.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Newcastle United and Manchester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Newcastle fans

Chris: Probably the best performance of the season, with the big difference being the return of Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento. They add so much at both ends of the pitch, and both should go to the World Cup. Notable mentions as well for Harvey Barnes, Sandro Tonali, Malick Thiaw and Bruno Guimares, who was immense. Keep going.

Phil: Great to see Newcastle back to their best on both defensive and attacking fronts. The difference was having Hall and Livramento back in the side. Amazing what a difference having two England international full-backs playing can do!

Gary: It's no coincidence that having our two starting full-backs back in the side that we looked a different team. You can tell how well Tino did with the fact that Jeremy Doku was taken off early. But what a performance from all the players. We now have to get results on the road.

Mac: True grit shown. Credit due to Eddie Howe and the boys. Silenced the doubters!

Man City fans

Stella: City's naivety was on show here - lots of possession without finishing things off during the game. Perhaps a more physical midfield as starters could have led to a different outcome. Rayan Cherki, who will become a star, was full of flicks and tricks which were risky for the volatile atmosphere at St James's Park. He, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva looked lightweight. That said, some of the refereeing decisions were absurd: the foul on Foden should have seen a red card for Fabian Schar, with at least another penalty for obvious handball. Plus, there was a clear offside in the build up to their winning goal. I felt that we deserved a point from the game but we hopefully move on and learn from this experience

Usama: Extremely frustrating as to how we didn't win that. Big chances missed from Erling Haaland and Foden, and we were made to pay the price. The subs from Pep Guardiola were not good at all. Savinho wasted a good chance, and Bobb offered nothing. Omnar Marmoush needed to come on earlier to make an impact. We have a long way to go in terms of reaching that consistency, as displayed in our title-winning seasons.

Harry: Credit to Newcastle for keeping us out. We missed some clearcut chances, and no one was really at the races. I hate to be a parrot because every team has been wronged in some way, but the officiating almost directly handed this game to Newcastle.

Kevin: City were mugged defensively, cheated by VAR and the referee in not being awarded a penalty. But Newcastle played well and a draw would have been a fair result.

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Rob Green join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Newcastle 2-1 Manchester City

• Liverpool 0-3 Nottingham Forest

• Fulham 1-0 Sunderland

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Newcastle is a top side, top players, top manager so unfortunately tonight we could not make the momentum that we had. It was entertaining game, we both had chances and then there was a momentum shift and ultimately we couldn't win.

On the first half being goalless: "Both keepers were good and after we missed chances. It was an entertaining game with many chances. We were closer in the beginning."

On the second Newcastle goal: "It happened in the Bournemouth game and it happened today again. It is what it is after VAR decided. They know perfectly."

On the frustration of dropping points: "Always but it is a football game and the opponent is playing and they played good too."

On speaking to the referee at full time: "No questions, everything is fine."

Defender Ruben Dias speaking to Sky Sports: "It was difficult in all ways for both teams. It was a very intense game and chances both sides. We had loads of chances and didn't score more and we have to do better there. They scored theirs and we have to do better.

"Everyone knows how strong they are at home. First game after internationals is a tricky one and we fought as well as we could.

"It's always a period of adaptation. We simply have to do better."

On the VAR calls: "I feel like the one in the first half with Phil [Foden] they said it was pretty clear but I don't even go there. Of all the decisions, only the second goal we need to make it make sense. Where's the sense in their player pushing our keeper out of the goal. What are we allowing and for how long? It's more like sometimes you allow it and sometimes you don't so what can you do? In the second goal Gigi (Donnarumma) is being pushed outside his area and there is no consequence.

"I have had a chance to see, I didn't even see it out of the pitch. I had the chance to see the review and I think it is [Harvey] Barnes is pushing him away from the goal. We are so picky with certain contacts but then ones like this with the keeper, then they allow it. If this is the rule then fine.

"But then let us do the same. Back in the day it was a foul and now apparently it is allowed. It is one of them that when you lose people say you are trying to find excuses but today Newcastle were better. They deserved the win because of that. They were able to finish more chances than us. There needs to be a rule."

On the end of the game: "We felt like we could finally push again.They are a strong side and then immediately after we scored, they went ahead again. By the end it was difficult to find spaces. We were fighting until the end but we keep on pushing."

Did you know?

• Manchester City have suffered as many as four defeats in their opening 12 games of a Premier League season for the first time since 2013-14 (also 4). Indeed, it's the most defeats a Pep Guardiola side has ever suffered in their opening 12 league matches of a season in the Spaniard's managerial career.

• City have lost three of their last five away games in the Premier League (W1 D1), as many as their previous 13 beforehand (W6 D4 L3). The Citizens have suffered back-to-back away league defeats for the first time since December 2024 (3 in a row).

Listen to Guardiola on BBC Sounds

Shamoon Hafez
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

This was a missed opportunity for Manchester City and a disappointing day for the usually prolific Erling Haaland.

The loss means City are now third in the table. They failed to close the gap on leaders Arsenal, who have a north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Haaland came into the game after helping Norway reach next year's World Cup during the international break, when he took his tally to 32 goals in only 20 games for club and country this season.

The 25-year-old remains stuck on 99 Premier League goals after some uncharacteristic misses, especially in the first half when Pope came rushing out of his goal and Haaland decided to take a shot instead of going round the keeper.

Another first-time effort from close range was straight at Nick Pope, who plucked out a weak header in the second half as Haaland drew a blank for only the third time this season after failing to score against Tottenham and Aston Villa.

For Harvey Barnes' winner, the VAR Craig Pawson took almost five minutes to rubber-stamp the goal.

Replays of the incident did not initially display lines drawn for a possible offside, although a screenshot later appeared to show Bruno Guimaraes was onside.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

• Have your say on Newcastle's performance

• What did you make of Man City's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Tino Livramento returns from injury as Newcastle United make three changes for the visit of Manchester City.

Livramento replaces Kieran Trippier in the side after recovering from a knee lay-off, while Lewis Hall comes in for the suspended Dan Burn.

Centre-back Fabian Schar has also been handed his first league start since September in place of Sven Botman.

Newcastle starting line-up: Pope, Livramento, Schar, Thiaw, Hall, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Murphy, Woltemade, Barnes

Subs: Ramsdale, Ruddy, Botman, A Murphy, Ramsey, Willock, Miley, Elanga, Neave

Manchester City have named an unchanged side following their 3-0 win against Liverpool before the international break.

Manchester City starting line-up: Donnarumma, O'Reilly, Dias, Gvardiol, Nunes, Silva, Gonzalez, Foden, Cherki, Haaland, Doku

Subs: Trafford, Reijnders, Stones, Ake, Marmoush, Ait-Nouri, Savio, Khusanov, Bobb

There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Burnley v Chelsea (12:30)

• Bournemouth v West Ham

• Brighton v Brentford

• Fulham v Sunderland - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Liverpool v Nottingham Forest - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Wolves v Crystal Palace

• Newcastle v Manchester City (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Nottingham Forest" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Man City", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Based on both teams' form, I should really go for a Manchester City win here, but sometimes gut instinct takes over and this is one of those occasions.

Newcastle have struggled on the road and been flat and dismal in the away matches when they have dropped points, but things are different at home and they are capable of anything at St James' Park.

City beat a very average Liverpool side at Etihad Stadium before the international break and how they get on here will probably be a better gauge of where they are really at.

I know City fans have seen their team put together long winning runs to deliver so many league titles in recent seasons and maybe they think this is the start of something similar, but I don't see it that way.

Pep Guardiola's side still have a lot to work on, and I think they will be held to a draw here. Newcastle have lacked a bit of a spark so far this season but they will be well up for this one.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester City continue their title challenge against a Newcastle United side aiming to bounce back from consecutive defeats.

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes ahead of their meeting at St James' Park.

Haaland approaches record-breaking century

Manchester City resume Premier League proceedings following the international break second in the table and on a run of four successive wins in all competitions – their longest such sequence of the current campaign to date.

Central to City's success so far this season has been the superlative form of striker Erling Haaland, who has scored 30 goals in his past 18 games for club and country.

The Norway international continues to close on yet another Premier League milestone in record time.

He needs just one goal to reach his century in the Premier League and should he do so against Newcastle this weekend, the feat will have been achieved in 15 fewer appearances than any other player in the competition's history.

Haaland has scored 14 Premier League goals in 11 matches in 2025-26 and his ruthless finishing has been in full effect, with eight coming via a first-time finish.

While Haaland's rich vein of form has been familiar throughout his City career, Pep Guardiola's side are currently bucking the widespread trend of scoring an increased amount of goals from set-pieces.

Nico Gonzalez's goal from a corner in the 3-0 Premier League win against Liverpool ahead of the international break was City's first from a set-piece this season, the joint lowest tally of any side, with the Blues instead scoring an unrivalled 22 times from open play.

Whether it comes from a set-piece or not, any kind of City goal has often felt inevitable in this fixture.

They have scored in each of their past 33 Premier League games against Newcastle – a competition record by one side against the same opponent.

Should Guardiola's men score – and win – at St James' Park on Saturday, they can move to within one point of leaders Arsenal, who face Tottenham on Sunday.

Newcastle's bogey team

Newcastle come into this contest attempting to recover from back-to-back defeats for the first time this season in a fixture that has proved particularly problematic for Eddie Howe.

Newcastle's head coach has failed to win any of his 18 career Premier League meetings with City (drawn two, lost 16) – the longest such sequence of any Premier League manager against the same opponent without ever winning.

If the Magpies are to help end Howe's personal purgatory against his bogey team, they must manage matches better once ahead.

Newcastle have now lost three league games this season after scoring first, including their two most recent defeats.

They had previously lost three games after opening the scoring across the entirety of the past two seasons.

Newcastle's home form

However, the Magpies are on a strong run of home form, winning their past five matches at St James' Park in all competitions, scoring 11 goals and keeping four clean sheets.

Summer signing Nick Woltemade has scored in three of his four home league appearances so far and continues to grow into Premier League football, with all three of his open-play goals coming from first-time shots.

The 23-year-old also scored three goals for Germany during the international window in wins against Luxembourg and Slovakia.

Tasnim Chowdhury
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Why Manchester City players like Phil Foden have their hands and wrists bandaged has been the subject of questions sent in via our 'Ask about Man City' form, so BBC Sport found out more about the trend...

The answer is simple. Footballers mainly tape their wrists to protect them from injury.

Sports tape, which is wrapped around the wrist and sometimes fingers, provides support and stability to the wrist joints during a match - meaning that if a player has been tackled, faced a collision or a fall, the tape will form protection to their wrist.

Ben Warburton, a physiotherapist who has worked with Cardiff City, Wales' national rugby union team and Scarlets rugby union team, says players like Phil Foden wear the tape for different injury-related reasons.

He said the first is for "prophylactic measures", such as when footballers fall to the floor helping to "reduce the risk of a wrist injury".

It can also reduce extension at the wrist joint.

"Taping can give reassurance after an injury," explains Warburton. "This restriction in movement can give massive confidence to a player, making them feel they can play aggressively - and should they fall, their wrist is slightly protected."

Warburton also says that wearing wrist tape can just be for show, or for tactical reasons - especially goalkeepers who may have notes on their tape, such as penalty shootout instructions.

Wearing tape could also be part of a footballer's superstitious beliefs, believing they will have a better performance or it will bring them luck if they apply it.

It can also become part of a footballer's identity on the pitch if they become known for their wrist tape.

There are numerous videos on TikTok of people showing how to tape your wrists like Foden, Jamie Vardy and Vinicius Jr.

Foden did not wear the tape until fracturing his hand in January 2024, but the Manchester City playmaker has continued to wear the bandage ever since.

Ultimately, wearing wrist tape is down to each individual player and their preferences.

Read more about it here

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The Premier League will from next season move to a new system of Financial Fair Play (FFP) based on squad costs.

The clubs met in London on Friday to vote on three possible methods of replacing Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) got 14 votes in favour and six against, which is the minimum number that is required to exact a rule change.

Overall squad costs from next season will have to be limited to 85% of a club's revenue, although teams competing in Europe will have to adhere to Uefa's maximum of 70%.

Squad costs comprise player and manager wages, transfer fees and agents' fees.

Rules around sustainability, which set out a club's financial spending plans over the medium and long term, were passed unanimously.

Read more about the news and what it means here

Tasnim Chowdhury
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League has announced the start and end dates for the 2026-27 season.

The first round of fixtures will take place across the weekend of 22 August 2026 - a week later than previous seasons.

The later start allows rest time for players - 89 clear days from the end of this season, and 33 days from the 2026 World Cup final.

The Premier League said the delay was a "priority" for player welfare in an "increasingly congested global football calendar".

The final matches of the season will be played on Sunday, 30 May 2027, with all fixtures kicking off simultaneously as usual.

The season will end a week before the 2027 Champions League final, which will be on Saturday, 5 June.

There will be 33 weekend and five midweek fixtures - the same as the current season.

For the festive period, the Premier League have said no two match rounds will take place within 60 hours.

It has not been confirmed if there will be any fixtures on 24 December 2026.

However, as Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, the Premier League has said there will be more matches scheduled than this season, when there is only one.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Newcastle at St James' Park (kick-off 17.30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Guardiola confirmed "everybody is fit except [Mateo] Kovacic and Rodri", adding: "Rodri is making good steps. It's almost three weeks since he made the last little step back. He knows that we have to take real time to recover fine, recover well, mentally and especially physically from the problems he had."

• The City boss feels a "strong" team like Arsenal "will not drop many points" and if they "get a lot of distance it will be difficult" to catch them in the title race.

• He continued: "We are in November, and in November in this league nothing is final. What happens in February or March - be careful. Now international break is done we will see each other every few days till March. Now the real season starts now. We have to be there in March."

• On striker Erling Haaland, after he helped Norway to World Cup Qualification and could break another Premier League record this weekend: "It's amazing. he's breaking all the records, personal and Premier League and for Norway. Many of the squad for Norway weren't even born the last time they were in the World Cup. As a football player, world class player, he deserves to play a World Cup and live the experience. I'm so happy for him."

• Guardiola insisted opponents Newcastle are a "top, top team" and they "are ready" to face them. He also praised the Magpies' in-form captain Bruno Guimaraes as a "special player" that he has "always been a big fan of".

• On Nico O'Reilly, who made his senior England debut during the international break: "I'm happy for him. Hopefully can continue and stay humble. When you reach the highest level with your country and national team, hopefully he can be stable. All the people who work with him since a little kid and his development here to help him get there, it is a big, big compliment."

• He also praised Bernardo Silva for being "one of the best" players he has coached in his career, stating: "He can do everything. He is not the most prolific with goals or assists but he gives us and gives himself something that is not in the stats. He gives you a lot of things that is incredibly valuable for the team to win games."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Hear more from Guardiola on BBC Sounds