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Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu in the Champions League semi-final first leg with Real Madrid took their unbeaten run to 21 games. Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten since early February, with 17 wins and four draws, as they peak in familiar fashion for the end of the season and a potential trophy treble. Here, we look at their seemingly unstoppable form. Treble chase City are chasing glory on three fronts, looking to emulate the feat of winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the same season achieved by local rivals Manchester United in 1998-99. Thirty-seven points from the last 39 available have helped them haul in long-time league leaders Arsenal, leading by a point and with four games remaining to the Gunners’ three. They have beaten their title rivals twice in that time, 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium and 4-1 back home a fortnight ago. Improbably, relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest are the only side to take a point off them in that time after Chris Wood’s late equaliser. Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Newcastle, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Southampton, Leicester, Fulham, West Ham and Leeds are their other victims, with 36 goals scored in those 13 games and 10 conceded. Their other draws have come in the away legs of their three Champions League ties, all 1-1 against RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich and Real. The home legs against the two Bundesliga sides saw Leipzig beaten 7-0 and Bayern 3-0, while in the FA Cup they beat former City captain Vincent Kompany’s Burnley 6-0 and two other Championship sides, Bristol City and Sheffield United, 3-0 to set up a Manchester derby in the final. Such form in the run-in is nothing new to City, who won last season’s league title by a point after finishing with a 12-game unbeaten run including nine wins and also won their last 14 in succession to pip Liverpool to the 2018-19 title – as part of a domestic treble. Hot-shot Haaland leads the way Erling Haaland is unsurprisingly City’s top scorer in the current run with 20 of City’s 61 goals. That includes back-to-back hat-tricks against Leipzig – with an astonishing five goals – and Burnley, helping him past a half century for the season while he has a record 35 for a Premier League campaign. Kevin De Bruyne’s stunner against Real was his seventh goal of the run while Haaland’s sometime deputy Julian Alvarez has six. There have been five apiece for Riyad Mahrez, who scored a hat-trick in the FA Cup semi-final against the Blades, Phil Foden and Ilkay Gundogan. Twelve City players in all have scored, in addition to an own goal from Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham. “We feel unstoppable” Winger Jack Grealish spoke after the draw at the Bernabeu of his confidence of reaching the Champions League final, based on City’s formidable home record. “Within ourselves at the Etihad, we feel unstoppable there,” the England international told BT Sport after playing his part in a feisty first-leg encounter. His view is borne out by the statistics, City winning all 11 home games in their current run with 40 goals scored and just five conceded. That sequence at the Etihad extends to 15 straight wins since their New Year’s Eve draw with Everton and 17 unbeaten since losing to Brentford in November. Away from home, since the Tottenham defeat, City have won six games and drawn four, scoring 21 goals and conceding eight. Read More ‘We feel unstoppable’: Jack Grealish bullish ahead of Champions League ‘final’ The best player in the world right now? Vinicius brilliance has elevated the debate Kevin De Bruyne is Man City’s man for the big occasion but has he met his match? Player ratings from Man City’s Champions League first-leg comeback at Real Madrid Perfect moments help Man City and Real Madrid set up thrilling encore Jay Rodriguez revels in ‘surreal’ promotion as Burnley celebrate title

Why Manchester City's equaliser at Real Madrid in their 1-1 draw during the first leg of their Champions League semi-final should have been ruled out.

While Erling Haaland experienced a quiet night on the Bernabeu pitch, the Manchester City striker’s father Alfie Haaland was escorted out of a Real Madrid hospitality box after a confrontation with the home fans. A viral video displayed Alfie Haaland having a discussion with a Real Madrid fan before goading others by cupping his ears and waving towards them while leaving the VIP area. The reaction came in the aftermath of Kevin de Bruyne’s equaliser in the 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. A number of security officers and police quickly escorted Alfie Haaland and another man away from the corporate box, with the Norwegian later clarifying the situation. “OK. Real Madrid was not happy we were celebrating Kevin de Bruyne’s goal,” Alfie Haaland confirmed on Twitter. “Other than that we had to move because Real Madrid fans not happy with 1-1.” Alfie Haaland, a former Manchester City player, now serves as his son’s agent and regularly attends City matches to offer his support. The result puts City in a strong position heading back to the Etihad for the second leg next Tuesday. And Jack Grealish insists Pep Guardiola’s side have learned from last year’s heartache. “We have a new team this year, different players,” the England midfielder told BT Sport: “We’ve learned so much since last year. Now we have the perfect balance of experience and a few youngsters who are just world-class. “I think we just have quality and I’ve never felt so confident going on to the pitch and having these players around me. “Within ourselves at the Etihad, we feel unstoppable there. We came here to try and win, but it shows our character to go a goal down – it’s always difficult to play at a place like this. “In the end I think it was a fair result. They had their chances, we had a few as well.” Read More Player ratings from Man City’s first-leg comeback against Real Madrid Manchester City’s treble bid coming of age with unbeaten run Is Vinicius the best player in the world right now? Real Madrid star’s brilliance has elevated the debate Analysing Man City ‘unstoppable’ form as they go for treble attempt The best player in the world right now? Vinicius brilliance has elevated the debate I know Pep Guardiola - and this is why Man City will win the Champions League

Liverpool remain interested in Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and would like to sign him even if it were only on an initial loan.

Brighton will consider summer bids for Arsenal and Chelsea target Moises Caicedo.

Nikola Jokić made history with a triple-double on Tuesday night to lead the Denver Nuggets to a comfortable 118-102 Game 5 win in their Western Conference playoff series against the Phoenix Suns.

Barcelona have confirmed that club captain Sergio Busquets will leave on a free transfer this summer, with clubs in Saudi Arabia and the USA interested in his signature.

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 10, 2023--

Midfielder Sergio Busquets will leave Barcelona this summer, ending an 18-year association with the club. The 34-year-old, who joined the Catalans’ youth team in 2005, made his first-team debut in 2008 but has decided to move on after turning down the offer of a new contract on reduced terms. “The time has come to announce that this will be my last season with Barca,” he said in a farewell video released by Barcelona. “It has been a unforgettable journey. I always dreamed of playing with this shirt and at this stadium and reality has exceeded all my dreams. “I wouldn’t have believed it you if you had told me when I arrived as a youth player that I would play 15 seasons at the best club in the world and surpass 700 matches. “It has been an honour, a dream, a source of pride and meant everything to defend and represent this badge for so many years. “Although it has not been an easy decision I think the time has come.” Busquet, whose 718 matches for Barcelona put him third on the club’s all-time list of appearances, has won eight league titles – soon to become nine – three Champions Leagues, seven Copas del Rey, seven Spanish Super Cups, three European Super Cups and three Club World Cups. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Jack Grealish feels like Kevin De Bruyne was made for the Champions League after the Belgian’s vital semi-final strike for Manchester City at Real Madrid. De Bruyne netted a stunning equaliser as the Premier League leaders claimed a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their last-four tie against the holders at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night. Despite dominating a lot of the early play, City were trailing to an equally brilliant Vinicius Junior goal when De Bruyne rifled home from distance after 67 minutes. His screamer left the tie delicately poised ahead of next Wednesday’s return leg at the Etihad Stadium. Grealish said: “We all know what a guy Kevin is and what a brilliant player he has been for this football club. Nights like this are just made for him and sum him up really. “City fans can’t count how many times he’s scored important goals, got important assists. “It must have meant a lot to him and obviously I’m buzzing for him.” City outplayed Real, who are bidding to win the European Cup for a record-extending 15th time, as they dominated possession in the opening half-hour but they were caught out by Vinicius’ wonder strike after 36 minutes. The Brazilian let fly from from 25 yards after good work by Eduardo Camavinga and City needed to retain their composure in a difficult atmosphere to get back into the game. They were rewarded when De Bruyne replicated Vinicius’ heroics but Real also had their moments of dominance in a hard-fought second half. With both goalkeepers making good saves, the outcome remains very much in the balance. “Everyone knows what the Champions League is like,” Grealish said. “It’s a brilliant competition – brilliant players, brilliant stadiums and brilliant teams. “That was their first attempt, when they scored the goal. It was a great strike, there probably wasn’t much we could do about it, but we hung in there. “It was great mental strength from everyone to carry on playing, carry on trying and in the end Kev came up with an absolute worldie. “We came here to win the game, that’s what we wanted to do, but in the end I think the draw was probably was a fair result.” Treble-chasing City can ill-afford to ease up ahead of the return encounter, with a testing trip to relegation-threatened Everton at the weekend. With the Toffees fighting for survival, it is likely to be a different type of encounter and the Premier League leaders will be determined to pick up points to hold off Arsenal in the title race. It is a challenge Grealish is relishing. “I feel unstoppable at the moment,” the 27-year-old said: “You’re looking around, playing with these guys that are unbelievable. “And the fans are brilliant, every home and away game. I’m sure we’ll need them at Goodison Park at the weekend and, of course, the Etihad next Wednesday, which we’re all buzzing for already.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Sergio Busquets calls time on ‘unforgettable’ Barcelona career Manchester United ‘eye double swoop’ for Goncalo Ramos and Declan Rice ‘We feel unstoppable’: Jack Grealish bullish ahead of Champions League ‘final’

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Arsenal will play five Women’s Super League games at the Emirates Stadium next season and are committed to hosting all Champions League fixtures there should they qualify for the group stage. Jonas Eidevall’s side have played three WSL fixtures at the stadium this season, setting a new league attendance record when they beat neighbours Tottenham 4-0 before selling over 86,000 tickets across matches against Manchester United and Chelsea. Five of their Women’s Champions League games were also staged at the Emirates, including the semi-final second-leg sell-out against Wolfsburg, which saw the German side win in extra-time. Arsenal are in a tussle to qualify for next season’s Champions League but, if they do progress, every fixture from the group stage onwards will be hosted in N5 rather than at Meadow Park. The successes of this season have built on a groundswell of support for women’s football following on from England’s Women’s Euro victory last summer. Now, Arsenal are keen to continue the trend of hosting more games at the Emirates, with Eidevall saying recently he believes it would be possible to host all women’s fixtures there at some point in the future. This latest announcement ensures that as many supporters as possible can enjoy the matchday experience with us Vinai Venkatesham “We’re delighted to confirm that our women’s first team will play five WSL games at Emirates Stadium next season,” Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham said when the announcement was made on Wednesday morning. “We’ve received fantastic support at Emirates Stadium this year, setting a new record attendance in the WSL and achieving a memorable sell-out for our recent UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final against Wolfsburg earlier this month. “This latest announcement ensures that as many supporters as possible can enjoy the matchday experience with us, as we continue to support the sustainable growth of women’s football.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live