Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admitted that his team fell short of their best performance in their 2-1 Premier League defeat to Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

City initially took the lead through Joško Gvardiol’s first-half header, but United mounted a comeback in the second half with goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo to claim a dramatic victory.

Reflecting on the loss in his post-match press conference, Guardiola acknowledged his side’s struggles this season.

“This year, it has happened many times. We’ve given away too much, like against Feyenoord. We’re not as fluid as we were before, and now we struggle for different reasons,” he said. “We put everything into the game, and it was almost closed except for one chance from Bruno. Nothing special—we gave away the two goals.”

Guardiola also admitted City were not at their best in key areas. “It’s a tough season. We didn’t play our best because, in some positions, we are not at our best,” he added.

The defeat continues a difficult run for Guardiola’s team as they grapple with inconsistency this season.

Amad Diallo’s late brilliance led Manchester United to a thrilling 2-1 comeback win over Manchester City, deepening Pep Guardiola’s woes in what is now his worst run as a manager. Ruben Amorim’s side fell behind to Josko Gvardiol’s first-half header, exposing United’s struggles defending set-pieces. However, a dramatic turnaround began in the final minutes when Diallo won a penalty converted by Bruno Fernandes in the 88th minute. Just two minutes later, Diallo raced onto a Lisandro Martinez pass and scored a superb winner from a tight angle, sealing a vital victory and extending City’s miserable run to eight defeats in 11 matches.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his frustration after his side’s 0-0 draw with Everton in the Premier League on Saturday, insisting they “fully deserved” to win.

The Gunners controlled the match from start to finish, keeping Everton at bay and not allowing any significant chances. However, despite their dominance, Martin Ødegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka all failed to convert key opportunities.

“Very disappointing not to win the game. We fully deserved to win the game,” Arteta told Sky Sports. “We conceded no shots. We dominated play. When we created big chances, we just couldn’t score.”

When asked about Everton having a longer break between matches, Arteta dismissed it as a factor. “No, it doesn’t matter. Look at the intensity we showed in the second half.”

“It’s especially frustrating when we concede zero chances and dominate the game so much,” he added.

Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala will continue her journey with NWSL side Bay FC after being retained for the 2025 season.

Oshoala, one of 25 players retained by the club following their debut campaign in the NWSL, has proven to be a key asset for the team. The 30-year-old joined Bay FC in January 2024 after a successful stint with Barcelona Femeni.

During the 2024 season, Oshoala emerged as Bay FC’s top scorer, showcasing her prowess on the field. A six-time CAF African Player of the Year, her experience and talent remain invaluable to the squad.

Although Bay FC fell short of securing a spot in the NWSL playoffs, the retention of their star forward signals the club’s intent to build on their debut season and aim for greater success in 2025.