- Israel pounds Beirut, levels residential complex: state media
- Liverpool driven on by 'destroyed' season
- Barca thrash Bayern in Champions League, Liverpool stay perfect
- 'Freak' Haaland leaves Man City team-mates 'speechless'
- COP16 'green zone' celebrates nature's bounty
- Perplexity seeks news allies as it challenges Google
- Ten Hag argues Man Utd on the 'right path' to success
- Pay or 'blood flows': Peru battles extortion epidemic
- Raphinha hat-trick helps Barca thrash Bayern in Champions League
- Liverpool sink Leipzig to continue strong start under Slot
- Haaland acrobatics light up Man City rout of Sparta Prague
- Global business web behind Malaysia's 'houses of horror' youth homes
- Chair of global plastics talks pledges deal next month
- French mass rape victim tells court she is 'broken' but determined
- Lebanon media says Israel strikes Beirut suburbs, office of pro-Iran broadcaster
- Embiid, George out for 76ers' NBA season opener
- G7 to make $50 bn Ukraine loan available by year-end: Yellen
- US fines Apple and Goldman Sachs over Apple Card
- Over 350 green activists killed since 2018 in nature summit host Colombia: report
- Harris berates 'unhinged' Trump over Hitler remarks
- Turkey says PKK 'likely' behind deadly defence firm attack
- Proportion of women killed in conflict doubled in 2023: UN
- Five dead, 22 hurt in attack on Turkey defence firm
- US businesses 'hesitant' before 2024 elections: Federal Reserve
- Leverkusen held to stalemate in Champions League by battling Brest
- Frustrated Atalanta held to goalless draw by Celtic in Champions League
- Djokovic won't play Paris Masters, leaving doubt over season
- Bolivian transport workers strike over fuel shortages
- Fury expects to knock out Usyk in heavyweight title rematch
- Georgia ruling party stages mass rally ahead of key vote
- Attack kills 4, injures 14 at Turkey defence firm
- Another French top pick: Zaccharie Risacher starts life in the NBA
- EU chief starts Balkans tour, says enlargement 'top priority'
- Destitute Gazans cold 'every night' as winter approaches
- Asalanka stars as Sri Lanka defeat West Indies in second ODI, clinch series
- 'The whole city shook': Israel pounds Lebanon's ancient Tyre
- Belarus to hold presidential vote on January 26
- BHP denies responsibility for 2015 Brazil mine disaster at London trial
- Lagarde says ECB should be careful with rise in emerging currencies
- Shiffrin to skip downhill, no stress over landmark World Cup victories
- US says N.Korea sent 'thousands' of troops to Russia
- Emery already one of 'Villa's greats', says McGinn
- 4 dead, 14 hurt in attack at Turkey defence firm
- Activists take German government to court over biodiversity
- US existing home sales slip in September to near 14-year low
- Bank of Canada cuts rates, says fight against inflation 'worked'
- Zimbabwe smash T20I record with 344-4 against Gambia
- Boeing reports $6.2 bn loss as it awaits vote on end to strike
- Mourinho says Man Utd 'will succeed sooner or later'
- China should use fiscal policy to boost growth: IMF
RBGPF | 1.59% | 63 | $ | |
CMSC | -0.39% | 24.64 | $ | |
RYCEF | -0.96% | 7.29 | $ | |
NGG | 0.23% | 66.44 | $ | |
RELX | -0.43% | 46.82 | $ | |
CMSD | -0.69% | 24.76 | $ | |
GSK | -0.05% | 37.98 | $ | |
RIO | -1.54% | 64.49 | $ | |
SCS | -2.73% | 12.47 | $ | |
VOD | -0.95% | 9.46 | $ | |
BCC | 0.19% | 133.91 | $ | |
AZN | -0.48% | 76.95 | $ | |
JRI | -0.15% | 13.05 | $ | |
BCE | -0.33% | 33.21 | $ | |
BTI | -0.52% | 34.71 | $ | |
BP | -0.86% | 31.31 | $ |
Guardiola takes the blame as Man City blow history bid in FA Cup final
Pep Guardiola took the blame for Manchester City's shock 2-1 defeat against Manchester United in the FA Cup final as the boss admitted his game-plan backfired on Saturday.
Guardiola's side failed to become the first team to win the Premier League and FA Cup in the same season for two successive years after a surprisingly tame performance at Wembley.
City were well below the standards they showed during their blistering march to an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title.
Rocked by first half goals from United teenagers Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, City could only get one back after the interval through Jeremy Doku's late strike.
City looked lethargic for long periods, but Guardiola said it was his tactical plan that was at fault rather than a post-title hangover.
"My game plan was not good. We were not in the right positions to attack them. It was my decision," he said.
"The players were focused. Tactically, it was not good. The players know it.
"It was a tight game, we gave away the first goal and the second we didn't close well enough.
"The second half was much better because we were more intense. We had the chances, unfortunately we scored a little bit late."
Guardiola conceded it was a frustrating way to end another memorable season for City, who have won the Premier League six times in the last seven years.
The Spaniard and his players will hold a title parade in Manchester on Sunday despite their Wembley woe and Guardiola wants them to enjoy the occasion.
"Congratulations to Manchester United. They are always a transition team. At the end they scored two goals and we couldn't score more," he said.
"It's disappointing, that's normal in a final but this season has been extraordinary, fighting for all the titles.
"Now we are sad but tomorrow we celebrate the incredible achievements we have done. Then we come back next season.
"We celebrated this week. When you get 91 points, it's because you win a lot of games. We have to be incredibly proud."
United's first FA Cup triumph in eight years could be the last time Erik ten Hag takes charge of City's neighbours amid reports he faces the sack regardless of the victory.
Guardiola paid tribute to Ten Hag, who has won two trophies in two years but oversaw United's lowest Premier League finish since 1990 this term.
"They had to take a decision, so I don't know. He's a lovely person, an extraordinary manager," Guardiola said.
"Of course winning the FA Cup is important to them."
M.Thompson--AMWN