Manchester City

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"Hopefully they'll win something while I'm alive but I wouldn't put money on it."

This take on Manchester City from back in 1995 is one of the few things Noel Gallagher will be happy to have been wrong about.

In a bid to one-up Britpop rival band Blur, Oasis were about to play their first headline outdoor concerts - at then City ground Maine Road.

Noel and brother Liam are lifelong fans of the club which was at the time languishing towards the bottom of the Premier League. City finished 17th in the 1994-95 season and - by April 1996 when the two concerts took place - were on their way to relegation to the second division.

Noel even commented that another relegation could open the door to a possible takeover from himself.

Some 30 years, a revolutionary takeover, 10 Premier League titles and a Treble later, things have dramatically changed.

Noel's disparaging take on the state of City is just a small part in The Rise And Fall Of Oasis - a BBC Sounds podcast series giving the story behind the iconic Manchester band.

"I'm hoping they'll get relegated to the third division so I can buy the club for about a million quid or something like that," Noel told a reporter asking him about playing Maine Road.

When pushed on whether he would be interested in buying shares in the club, he added: "I'm not sure. It is the easiest way to waste a lot of money to put it into a football club, especially Manchester City."

Listen to the full series on BBC Sounds

Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal have Manchester City full-backs Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo on their transfer shortlist. (Guardian), external

Meanwhile, City are interested in a move to re-sign 33-year-old Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan from Barcelona. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy was full of praise for Mateo Kovacic after he starred in place of key man Rodri in Manchester City's 2-0 opening day win at Chelsea on Sunday.

Kovacic dominated midfield against his former team and sealed the win with a fine individual goal late on.

"Rodri is the best holding midfield player in the world," Murphy told Match of the Day 2. "There's no doubt about that.

"Against Chelsea they decided to play Kovacic in there which was a big ask because he doesn't usually play there. They were huge shoes to fill.

"The numbers prove what a wonderful job he did. He probably exceeded the expectations of many City fans.

"One of Rodri's strengths is dictating play, we know his technical ability, which we saw Kovavic do in terms of his movement, getting on the ball, creating tempo, making things happen.

"Rodri's biggest strength is his defensive attributes and Kovavic isn't sometimes known for that part of his game but against Chelsea he worked really hard at it and tried to stay disciplined.

"On occasion when he got a little bit caught out he got back in. Not only did he win the ball, he kept using it really well. I don't just mean safe passes, I'm talking about progressive passes.

"He was spotting danger, filling in gaps, anticipating, intercepting. He made it look so easy and effortless at times.

"The icing on the cake he flies past [Moises] Caicedo and [Enzo] Fernandez - two players who were bought in to replace him - and scores. Maybe the keeper could do better but he deserved that with his endeavour and his quality.

"With his experience I don't think he feels the pressure to come in and replace Rodri. He's spent a long time playing in the top leagues in Europe and a lot of time alongside players like Modric for his country so he is probably the only player in the Man City squad where Pep looked around and thought 'he can fill his shoes'.

"He did a great job."

Watch Match of the Day 2 on BBC iPlayer

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Chelsea and Manchester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Chelsea fans

Glenn: We played nowhere near the standard needed to beat an average performance from City. Too slow and pedestrian with Fernadez showing he should not play as a 10. Maresca takes off the best player in Lavia and it was the same problem up front. Going to be a struggle again this season.

Richard: I thought there was much that was good, other than the midfield. Gallagher needs to be kept and Fernandez sold. He has not impressed me in all the time he has been at the club - likewise Jackson. I really didn't understand why Jackson was not taken off and Nkunku played through the middle. Our keeper made good saves but his distribution was poor.

Nicholas: About what I expected, I'm sad to say. We played quite well in patches and again missed some good chances. We have a lot a players but too many are average at best. The owners have a lot to answer for. City just buy the players they need and if it becomes silly money they don't pay. We have spent a billion for what?

Man City fans

Chris: Really solid start to the season with many first-team players yet to feature, and finally another win without Rodri! Kovacic was excellent and Savinho looked exciting on the right during the first half. Looks good for a chance of five on a row.

Scott: I wasn't expecting too much from the game given the injuries, late returns, and Chelsea's unpredictable starting line-up. Doku struggled in his starting position before switching flanks and coming alive in the game. Haaland used his strength taking his goal magnificently. Lewis and Silva once again showed just how important they are for City.

Alan: Phew. Relieved. Unusually sloppy but got away with it. A great result in the circumstances. Roll on Ipswich!

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Another game, another milestone for Erling Haaland, who keeps getting better and better.

The Norway striker marked his 100th Manchester City appearance with his 91st goal to help earn the Premier League champions an opening-game win at Chelsea.

With such an incredible record it is little wonder his manager Pep Guardiola paid him the ultimate compliment.

"These are the numbers of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo," he said. "They controlled the last decade and 15 years absolutely everything. In terms of numbers, it is that level.

"I don’t know how he does it but to score 91 goals in 100 games in this Premier League in this country is unbelievable."

Best of the stats

Haaland's numbers since joining Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022 make for stunning reading:

• Haaland has scored 64 goals in 67 Premier League appearances. No player has scored more since his Premier League debut. Mohamed Salah has the next-most goals in that time with 38 in 71 games.

• Haaland has the best minutes-per-goal ratio in Premier League history (minimum 20 goals). He has scored a goal every 85 minutes. Sergio Aguero has the next best record with a goal every 108 minutes.

• In his first season at City, Haaland scored 52 goals in 53 games in all competitions, a record for a Manchester City player.

• Haaland's 36 league goals in his first season took him past the longstanding joint records of Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole, who scored 34 each in the first three seasons of the Premier League - when teams played 42 games.

• Haaland took just 48 games to score 50 Premier League goals, 17 games fewer than previous recordholder Cole.

• This season Haaland could win his third consecutive Premier League Golden Boot. Thierry Henry was the last player to win three in a row in 2004.

Read more on Haaland's remarkable record here

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's two Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Arsenal 2-0 Wolves

• West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa

• Brentford 2-1 Crystal Palace

• Chelsea 0-2 Man City

Manchester City want manager Pep Guardiola, 53, to decide on whether he will sign a new contract with the club by Christmas. The Spaniard's current deal runs until 2025. (Sky Sports, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Manchester City goalscorer Erling Haaland spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Manchester City's victory over Chelsea, his 100th appearance for the club: "It's gone so quick. It's ridiculous how quick it actually goes, it's my third season now. I'm happy, especially now after the win.

"It's the first game back and we're not in perfect shape, but we did a really solid performance. We just stayed calm and played, it's amazing to see."

On his battles with Enzo Fernandez: "All the time he stamps on me, he pushes me and everything, not only him. I don't know what they want but that's what they do I guess.

"We just won the Premier League so let's take it game by game. It's 37 games left, let's not forget we won the Premier League and now we have won the first game of this season.

"It's amazing to have everyone back. We go from there."

Tom Mallows
BBC Sport journalist

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Manchester City do not have many weaknesses, but their apparent struggles in the absence of key midfielder Rodri is one.

City lost three out of four Premier League games when Rodri did not play last season, and had not won an away league game without him since February 2022.

So there was perhaps understandable concern among City fans when the Spain international was absent for Sunday's game against Chelsea following his late return to pre-season training.

But they need no have worried.

Mateo Kovacic put in a composed performance in Rodri's absence, providing a solid defensive screen in front of the back four and even popping up with a fine goal to seal the win late on.

It capped a solid if unspectacular display from the champions, who held Chelsea at arm's length and could have moved up several gears if required.

If Kovacic continues to be an able Rodri understudy then they will be an even more formidable force as they seek a fifth successive title.

Image source, Getty Images

Pep Guardiola spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Manchester City's victory over Chelsea: "I really didn't expect it, I know what these guys can do, but the first day and lack of training. Last season we could not win at Stamford Bridge so this is good news. The bad news is we still have 65, 70 games left. But it is good to start with a win for the confidence.

"We try to prepare the game, we had two or three days to prepare, but we solved this lack of many things with our commitment. Everyone was at their maximum and this was enough.

"You cannot imagine how privileged and fortunate I am to live these experiences with this incredible group of players. They are all friends, their families are all with them most of the time. It's unbelievable for me."

On winning without Rodri: "Be careful with statistics with us because we break it. Rodri is massively important for us so it's important to have Mateo [Kovacic] here because he is an experienced player and a great person. He made a good performance."

Image source, Getty Images

Man City boss Pep Guardiola has now beaten 72 of the 75 managers he has faced in the Premier League, with Enzo Maresca managing his first game today. The only three he has faced and not beaten are Aitor Karanka (D1), Steve Agnew (D1) and Ronald Koeman (D2 L1).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Chelsea's performance, external

What did you make of Manchester City's display?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Follow reaction and read the match report

There are two games on the opening Sunday of the 2024-25 Premier League season and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction.

*All times are BST

Follow live here

A new season, and a new challenge for BBC Sport's prediction expert Chris Sutton.

Sutton faced off against a guest for each of the 38 game weeks in 2023-24 and triumphed 21-10 (with seven draws) to secure his second predictions title in a row.

In the first week of the new season, his opponent is The Courteeners frontman Liam Fray.

The pair have both given their prediction for Chelsea v Manchester City on Sunday.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Several of Manchester City's stars won't play at all, because they only returned to training this week, but the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva will be able to play more minutes after featuring as late substitutes in the Community Shield.

I have no idea what to expect from Chelsea, and I don't even know what the club is trying to do any more.

Is their priority to build a team to win trophies, or is there some other business strategy going on?

Chelsea have got some talented players and Cole Palmer will have a say again against his former club, but I still think City will find a way to win it.

Liam's prediction: 0-2

It pains me to say it, but I can't see anything other than another City victory. They are just so strong.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says his team's place in the Premier League top four is not a certainty this season.

The Blues are looking for a record-extending fifth title in a row, but there will be plenty of competition on the way, according to the Spaniard.

"If you don’t have the enthusiasm, passion and desire, don’t be here. That is the key for everything," said Guardiola.

"If you think nothing will happen if we lose, you are not going to win and do your job. If you believe we have done it, we won't be in the top four. That is always the first task - the top four.

"Newcastle play one game a week - they will be like they were two seasons ago. It is not necessary to talk about Arsenal and Liverpool.

"Manchester United will be there. Tottenham have invested and the manager knows the young players more. Chelsea [as well], with the amount of players they have and the quality of the coach.

"Seven teams will be there. If you drop a little bit you will be away. This is the reality I felt from the first time I arrived."

Manchester City are favourites for the Premier League, but traditionally slow starters, with injury concerns and players only recently returning after the European Championship.

Are they lagging behind fellow title contenders Arsenal before a ball has even been kicked?

Former City midfielder Michael Brown tells The Football News Show why Arsenal's continuity will stand them in good stead for another title push and why he believes "at this moment" they are in a better position.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag made headlines on Thursday when he spoke about his team not being ready for Friday's Premier League opener against Fulham.

But Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola has underlined exactly the difficulties top-flight managers face in confirming influential midfielder Rodri will not be involved at Chelsea on Sunday.

Having played a key role in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph, Rodri did not return to training until Wednesday and Guardiola is not prepared to risk one of his key men even in a match as important as Chelsea away.

Guardiola is looking ahead to April, May and June, when City hope to be competing for all the major prizes and he knows that is the time when he will really need Rodri.

It is why he has a major decision to make over whether to sign anyone else before the transfer window closes.

With Oscar Bobb ruled out for up to four months with a leg fracture and Julian Alvarez sold to Atletico Madrid, City are still a player down, even accounting for the arrival of Savinho.

"At the moment, I can't answer," said Guardiola, when I asked him if there would be any more additions. "Maybe yes, but maybe no."