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After the Premier League title challengers blew a two-goal lead in a dramatic 3-2 victory over lowly Leeds on Saturday, Phil Foden saved Manchester City’s blushes with the final-gasp winner.

Following a second-half collapse at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola’s side was in danger of losing more ground in the title race.

Before the break, Foden and Josko Gvardiol gave City a lead, but third-bottom Leeds rallied with Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Four points clear of Arsenal, who travel to third-placed Chelsea on Sunday, thanks to Foden’s nerve-wracking victory, which put City in second place.

Following recent home defeats against Newcastle last weekend and Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, this was a much-needed victory.

Guardiola’s ten changes to Leverkusen against Leverkusen were ineffective, leading to the furious Spaniard who claimed his team “didn’t try” in the 2-0 defeat.

Read more about Chelsea’s “Deserve” To Be Considered Title Rivals – Arteta.

Foden, Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva, and Gianluigi Donnarumma were just a few players who started for City against Leeds.

Under Guardiola, City had a second-worst campaign in five years and their worst.

However, they were only 59 seconds in before Foden fired a close-range strike past the bar after Matheus Nunes’ burst caused the Leeds defense to collapse.

City’s quick start left Leeds without a response, and Gvardiol’s tap-in from Nico O’Reilly’s header in the 25th minute appeared to have given them complete control.

After a VAR check, Leeds’ protests that Silva was offside and blocking keeper Lucas Perri’s view were ignored. The goal was allowed to stand.

After pouncing on Nunes’ woeful pass inside the City area in the 49th minute, Calvert-Lewin made an immediate impact by coming off the bench and reducing the deficit with a clinical finish.

In the 68th minute, Gvardiol fouled Calvert-Lewin, giving Leeds the shock equalizer.

Donnarumma saved Nmecha’s penalty, but the forward recovered and won.

Haaland was unusually quiet as he attempted his 100th top-flight goal, but Foden took advantage of the opportunity in stoppage-time by cleverly making room for an ice-cool finish as Guardiola sighed relief.

Daniel Farke’s job became more underwhelmed by Leeds’ sixth defeat in their previous seven games.

Igor Thiago’s double earned Brentford’s 3-1 win over Burnley in west London, contributing to their 11 league goals this season.

Axel Tuanzebe cut down Dango Ouattara in the 81st minute, and Thiago scored with the spot kick for his eighth goal in his last eight games.

Four minutes later, second-bottom Burnley won a penalty thanks to Michael Kayode’s foul on Jaidon Anthony and Zian Flemming’s equalizer.

In stoppage-time, Thiago scored with a fierce finish from Jordan Henderson’s cross and Ouattara’s rocket to put the result beyond doubt.

After coming back from two goals down to defeat Bournemouth 3-2 at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland moved up to fourth place.

After seven minutes, Amine Adli slotted home from the rebound after Evanilson’s shot hit the post.

Eight minutes later, Tyler Adams magically lofted a superb chip over Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs from inside the center circle to double Bournemouth’s lead.

Sunderland, who had been promoted from the Championship last year, refused to surrender, and Enzo Le Fee converted a penalty after Alex Scott fouled Reinildo Mandava.

With a composed finish from Granit Xhaka’s pass, Bertrand Traore equalized for Sunderland in the 46th minute.

In the 69th minute, Brian Brobbey headed in Le Fee’s cross to finish Sunderland’s stirring revival.

Tottenham host Fulham on Saturday, while Newcastle travel to Everton on Saturday.

Before Declan Rice faces Chelsea’s formidable midfield duo of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is adamant that there is more to come from the England international.

The trio, who cost more than $ 300 million ($397 million), have been among the best Premier League players this season, are all set to feature when leaders Arsenal, six points clear of second-placed Chelsea, travel to London for Sunday’s game at Stamford Bridge.

Rice revealed this week that Caicedo would make his 2024/25 team of the year debut, but Arteta backed his team to keep improving.

The Gunners boss said on Friday, “We are going to get more” from Rice because we are with him every day, understanding, and connecting with him the way I have done.

“The team knows him better, and his role is expanding within the team because he wants more,” he said. He has a significant effect on the team.

Read more about Chelsea’s “Deserve” To Be Considered Title Rivals – Arteta.

Rice gained notoriety at West Ham by playing a deeper midfield position in front of the defense, but Arteta has improved with his game by putting him in a more advanced midfield position.

Before signing him, I had a long-term understanding of him and how he could change the team, according to Arteta.

He “has certainly accomplished it and probably met those expectations.”

As the Gunners attempt to end their long search for a Premier League title since being declared the nation’s champions of England in 2003/2004, Arteta values Rice’s leadership qualities.

He was, after all, West Ham’s captain, Arteta said. He arrived in a new club, a new environment, and things were already planned, but he now has the authority to fill that position.

He is in the leadership group, which is very important, to be more significant and to be very present in everything we do.

He has a real presence, he claims. He can feel extremely connected, powerful, and significant in the team without the armband.

Xabi Alonso, the coach for Real Madrid, stated on Saturday that he believes Trent Alexander-Arnold is only beginning to demonstrate his potential as a player following his summer move from Liverpool.

The England international recovered from injury for several weeks in Madrid’s final two games.

Prior to his hamstring injury, Alexander-Arnold, 27, was switched to veteran Dani Carvajal.

Before Madrid’s La Liga clash with Girona on Sunday, Alonso stated, “I believe we will see a better Trent.”

“Without a doubt, it’s possible that he could play 90 minutes against Elche and 90 against Olympiacos.”

We require him, he says. It’s his first year, and this adaption (period) is common.

After playing for the Premier League giants more than 300 times, the defender left his youth team Liverpool.

Alexander-Arnold struggled at times during the team’s 2-2 draw against Elche, but his higher-up performance saw Madrid defeat Olympiacos 4-3 in Athens.

Alonso continued, “He’s starting to feel (like) himself.

He also plays at a top, top level, and is demanding. We must support him in this difficult transition, which is good news.

Alonso also praised Jude Bellingham, an additional England international, for his recent impressive form.

READ ALSO: Guardiola Charges With Playing Safe in Leverkusen Defeat?

Alonso said, “I have very good communication with Jude, and we have a very good relationship.”

He is a famous star, but he has this desire to learn, improve, and use his enormous potential to be more effective.

With this curiosity and concern for what can be done better, I like these players.

Madrid will look to regain momentum against Girona after drawing their previous two league games.

Alonso confirmed that Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger, and Eder Militao will be in the squad while Franco Mastantuono, Antonio Rudiger, and Eder Militao were undoubtedly injured.

Safety Babes, the reigning champions, lost 24-21 to aspirited Omo Ogiefo Academy side on Friday at the Rowe Park Sports Centre in Yaba, Lagos, to end their title defense on Day 4.

The league giants’ remarkable three-year unbeaten streak is ended by the shock defeat, which is historic.

Safety Babes had already sealed the championship by falling to Defender Babes in a dead-rubber encounter on the final day of the 2022 season.

In a game against Adorable Angels in 2020, they last lost in a competitive league.

The champions were second-best for extended periods of time as they won an unprecedented fifth straight league title. In the final stages of the women’s title race, Omo Ogiefo won a famous victory that transformed the field of women’s racing, winning 12 to 10 at halftime.

Other Women’s Games

Ekiti Queens 34-29

In order to clinch the championship, Rima Queens rallied from a 17-16 halftime deficit to maintain pressure on the teams leaders.

Waldrum Also Wonders About NFF’s Use of $ 960,000 FIFA World Cup Grant

MEN’S CATEGORY RESULTS

De Defenders 37-30 Lagos Seasiders

De Defenders won the first half 16-15 before falling behind in the second period with a free-scoring performance.

Adamawa Warriors (Walkover) vs. Rima Strikers 10 vs.

Adamawa Warriors omitted to appear, so Rima Strikers were given a walkover.

Benue Buffaloes 37-28 COAS Shooters

COAS Shooters defeated Benue Buffaloes in one of their standout performances of the day. They held on to their title-winning 19–10 halftime lead all the way through.

Osun United 34-23 Niger United

Niger United, the defending champion, held on unwavering integrity as they defeated Osun United, remaining composed despite a 15-to-12 first-half lead.

Tojemarine Academy Safety Shooters 31-22

Randy Waldrum, the former Super Falcons head coach, has written to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to explain how the $960, 000 it claims FIFA gave to all participating nations in October 2022 as preparations for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Waldrum claimed in a viral video that Waldrum claimed the NFF failed to organize a proper pre-tournament training camp for the nine-time African champions despite receiving the grant.

“I have a very close relationship with some of the FIFA board here in the US.” Every nation was given $ 960,000 from FIFA to prepare for the World Cup in October, according to this person. What happened to that money?” he inquired.

Concerns With Logistics, Travel, and Staffing

Waldrum criticized how the team handled their Japan friendly in October 2022, calling the trip improperly organized and physically exhausting.

“We flew in, played the game, and then returned to Japan.” Some of our players didn’t arrive until the morning of the game. After spending 16 hours driving, five players who were going to start for me arrived the night before. The final five days of that window were wasted, he claimed.

The American also criticised the team’s size, claiming that only about 11 technical members could travel with Nigeria. FIFA only permits up to 22 technical personnel.

“I scout and don’t have an analyst.” In Europe, there is a scout in the US who monitors teams. No scouts accompany us on our trip to Australia. He lamented that everything I need to do is available online and on video.

There was no justification for poor travel arrangements or training camps, according to Waldrum, adding that FIFA supports business-class travel costs that are later discounted from federations’ prize money.

READ ALSO: Guardiola Charges With Playing Safe in Leverkusen Defeat?

Detailed Plans Before the World Cup

However, records revealed that the Super Falcons did participate in a number of tournament-related preparation activities. The team faced off against Mexico in February 2023 against the USA in August 2022, Japan in October 2022, and Mexico in international friendship.

The Falcons won victories over Haiti (2–1) and New Zealand (3–1) in a campfire in Turkey in April 2023.

From July 4 through July 11, they also traveled to Gold Coast, Australia, to play a friendly against Lions FC before moving to Brisbane to join the official FIFA camp.

Resilient World Cup Run by the Falcons

Despite Waldrum’s raised organizational problems, the Super Falcons put on one of their best World Cup appearances in recent memory.

They advanced to the Round of 16 after losing 4-2 on penalties to eventual finalists England after drawing 0-0 with Canada and Ireland, defeated co-hosts Australia 3-2 in a dramatic group game, and held Canada and Ireland to goalless draws.

In their surprise Champions League defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in midweek, Pep Guardiola accused his much-changed Manchester City team of “playing safe.”

The German side won 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday after the City manager made ten changes to his starting lineup.

Following last week’s Premier League defeat at Newcastle, Guardiola felt his players were too cautious.

He said, “We didn’t try,” in reference to the Leverkusen defeat. We didn’t try in football because you have to try things when you play on the green.

He continued, “I believe they played not to make mistakes, not to play to accomplish something because it’s so challenging. They played in a safe environment, so you have to play offensive and try.

Guardiola’s team faces struggling Leeds on Saturday, suggesting that the Leverkusen debutants had lost their self-assurance.

He said, “I have a lot of confidence in them, but I still have a lot right now.” “I value what they do as football players a lot more than what they do themselves,” he said.

Rodri is still out for the Leeds game, but Guardiola has confirmed that the Spanish international will be back soon.

In the Premier League, Guardiola’s men are currently third, seven points clear of Arsenal.