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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was unhappy with Everton defender Yerry Mina for what he implied were underhand and unsporting tactics during their 3-0 win at Goodison Park. The Colombia international was involved in one visible incident with Aymeric Laporte at a corner in the first half in which the City centre-back slapped his opponent in the stomach following an altercation and Mina fell to the floor. But at the final whistle Guardiola confronted the Everton defender and remonstrated with him as he followed him off the pitch. All City’s players also refused to shake Mina’s hand. While Guardiola refused to say what Mina had actually done, his unhappiness appeared to centre on the Colombian’s handling of opponents. “Mina? It’s not necessary what he does. Away from the football, it is not necessary to do what he does every single game,” said Guardiola. “And I told him, ‘You are a good enough player to avoid these kind of things’.” Asked to elaborate on his complaints, the City boss added: “He knows. Ask him. This is not physical, this is not mental. “There are things that are not necessary to do that he does. This time with Aymeric, Jack (Grealish), everybody. Ask him. Invite him to the press conference.” The row detracted from the ease with which City dealt with Everton, with Ilkay Gundogan scoring twice for the second game running either side of the obligatory goal – his 52nd of the season – from Erling Haaland. Gundogan is out of contract in the summer and has been linked with a move to Barcelona, but Guardiola is more than happy for him to captain the side, as he did at Goodison where he led from the front with two superbly-taken goals. “He can show again and again and again the quality and importance and his commitment, to all of us, to the club, not just scoring goals, now he has his momentum,” said Guardiola, who wants the Germany international to extend his stay. “He doesn’t talk much, but when he talks everyone listens and this is the power of the leader. He show his leadership in every training session – arriving on time, living 24 hours your job and play like he is playing. “He is a player that when he gets close to the box he has an incredible sense of goal. He can play as a holding midfielder no problem, he proved it years ago when Fernandinho was injured, he played in games like Burnley, long balls, you think you need a physical player, but he is so clever and he is a guy who handles the pressure well.” Everton manager Sean Dyche said he was unaware of any allegations against Mina and the player had not mentioned anything to him. “If he did it all the time, I wouldn’t know where he had seen it because he (Mina) hasn’t been on the pitch for weeks,” he said. City’s 11th successive league victory leaves them requiring a maximum of six points for a fifth title in six seasons. They inflicted a record 10th home league defeat of the season on Everton, who remain 17th and a point above Leeds, but of equal concern was the withdrawal of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin at half-time. While the England international has scored only one goal in five games since returning from two-and-half months out with a hamstring injury, he has provided a much-needed focal point and performances have improved as a result. Dyche, who realistically has to find one win from their two remaining matches against Wolves and Bournemouth, said he took the injury-prone striker off as a precaution. “I had to make a call because he felt his groin and tight groins can lead to damaged groins,” he said. “It would have been harder at 0-0 than 2-0. He wanted to carry on, but I said, ‘Dom, you are coming off’.” On his side’s display, in which they did not trouble City, he added: “A lot of the performance was right against a top side, but you get punished if you make the slightest mistake. “We arguably had the best chance with Mason Holgate (who missed a difficult close-range opportunity at 0-0). “There were some outstanding performances, Dwight (McNeil) was outstanding, Doucs (Abdoulaye Doucoure), Conor (Coady) came on and affected it in a change of shape (to a 5-4-1).” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live West Ham boss David Moyes questions ‘strange’ VAR decision to rule out goal Sale reach first Premiership final in 17 years after edging out Leicester Everton’s Jordan Pickford is not a top goalkeeper – Roy Keane

The Carolina Hurricanes were comfortable with using a rotation of two reliable veterans in net through the regular season

The Chicago White Sox are in free fall, while the Atlanta Braves need pitching help. A Lucas Giolito trade makes a lot of sense.As much as fans on Chicago's south side would prefer otherwise, the White Sox are clear sellers this season. The young Sox core of just a few years ago is set to h...

A Dutch league match between Groningen and Ajax was abandoned after just nine minutes on Sunday after fireworks and smoke bombs...

Manchester City and Real Madrid fought out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Bernabeu Stadium on Tuesday. They now head to the Etihad next week with all to play for. Here, the PA news agency looks at what lies in store in the return clash. Does home advantage now give City the edge? City will certainly feel confident heading back to the Etihad with the tie level. They have won all their Champions League games there this season, including beating RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich 7-0 and 3-0 respectively in the knockout stages, and have lost just once in the Premier League. Manager Pep Guardiola said on Tuesday that City “feel comfortable with our people” and midfielder Jack Grealish went as far as to say the team feel “unstoppable” at home. Yet the tie could still go either way couldn’t it? Of course it could. City played very well at the Bernabeu and the draw was the least they deserved, but they still gave up chances. Both goalkeepers made excellent saves at various points and the scoreline could easily have been different. City will be well aware Real, with the likes of Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo in the side, are more than good enough to take chances next time. How much will Real’s big-game experience matter? As 14-time champions and holders, Real showed last year, when they were not favourites in any of their knockout ties prior to the final, the weight of their reputation can be a huge factor, as City discovered first hand. After coming away from the intimidating Bernabeu – the scene of last year’s capitulation – with a share of the spoils this time, however, City will hope to have negated this. They can now look back on 12 months ago positively, when they beat Real in the first leg of their semi-final at home. They also saw off Real in 2020 and will believe they can do so again. What possible changes to the line-ups could there be? As both sides have had a good look at each other now, either manager could try to alter things to make a difference. City had some good options on the bench at the Bernabeu that could give them some variety next time, notably in the attacking threat of Julian Alvarez and Riyad Mahrez and playmaker Phil Foden, all of whom have impressed at different stages this season. Real’s tactics bordered on the rough at times and they could toughen up further and really try to disrupt City’s flow with Eder Militao available again after suspension. Aurelien Tchouameni is another defensive option. Could games this weekend affect the picture? In City’s case, possibly so. They have to travel to Everton on Sunday for what is likely to be a tense occasion. That game carries huge significance at both ends of the table. City need to press home their advantage in the title race, while Everton are scrapping for survival. Easing off could cost City as they look to maintain their challenge on three fronts. Real, by contrast, are out of contention for the LaLiga title and could rest a number of players for their clash with Getafe on Saturday. They will also have an extra day’s recovery before the game. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Vincent Kompany planning ‘smart’ recruitment and ‘healthy decisions’ for Burnley Look back at Gothenburg Greats as Aberdeen mark 40th anniversary of European win Arsenal to play five Women’s Super League games at Emirates Stadium next season

Hilariously, the certainty came amid the confusion. “What age am I?” Erin Cuthbert asks, turning to Chelsea’s baffled media officer. “Get it on Wikipedia. I actually don’t know.” After a quick check, the answer turned out to be 24. “Aye,” Cuthbert accepted. “I turn 25 this year, in a couple of months.” So, as the question before put, are you coming into your prime? The reply was quick and decisive. “No. I haven’t yet,” Cuthbert says. “I know there’s more to give.” Yet open up Chelsea’s trophy-winning machine under Emma Hayes and at its heart you will likely find the Scotland international, whirring away along with the cogs and gears and various parts. After last season’s FA Cup final win against Manchester City, Hayes declared her wish to have a squad of twenty Erin Cuthberts. The versatile midfielder had been awarded player of the match at Wembley, as much for her relentless drive to push Chelsea on in extra time than her strike to light up the final. “What a moment that was,” Cuthbert grins, and what a goal it was too, “especially when it comes down off the crossbar.” Chelsea return to Wembley on Sunday to face a new opponent in Manchester United - as well as what is expected to be a record crowd of almost 90,000, the highest ever for a women’s club match in England. Often with Cuthbert, the biggest contributions are saved for the biggest moments. “I would love to be the difference-maker,” she says, too humble to add “again”. Chelsea too hope to find themselves in a familiar position. Last year, Hayes’s side won their final 12 games of the season to win the Women’s Super League and FA Cup double. They were perfect over the run-in, and needed to be in order to beat Arsenal to the title and edge City at Wembley. Now Chelsea face the same opponent on both fronts, Manchester United, as well as the same task. With the finish line in sight, the objective is clear: beat United on Sunday and they’ll claim a third FA Cup in a row. Carry that on and win their remaining league games (starting tonight against Leicester) and they will add a fourth consecutive WSL crown. The challenge is both a physical and mental one. With games every three to four days and a squad hit by injuries, including to key players like Fran Kirby and Millie Bright, the demands have been heightened, the stakes too. Yet Chelsea have been here before. “Last year I didn’t sleep a wink in the final weeks of the season,” Cuthbert recalls. “I’m sleeping like a baby this time.” That isn’t to say the pressure is less, though. A requirement of playing under Hayes is fuelling the fire to go again, even as the competition for trophies gets tougher. “It feels like the first time,” Cuthbert adds. ”I’m driven as ever, motivated as ever. If I didn’t have the same drive and determination I wouldn’t be at this football club any more.” Cuthbert helps to set the standard. If Hayes was to create a team in a laboratory you would likely find Cuthbert’s DNA running through the side, but the Scotland international needed to be patient to get her chance - first with a regular run in the team, and now with a regular run in the same position. “I put my head down, worked hard and waited for the opportunities,” Cuthbert says. After spells as a forward and at wing-back, where Cuthbert was praised for her versatility as well as her application, she has nailed down her preferred role in the centre of midfield. It was still relatively new at the end of last season, when Cuthbert produced her standout performance in the FA Cup final, but there is no doubt that it is the area of the pitch where she can excel and exert the greatest influence. It is there where Cuthbert typifies Chelsea. Or perhaps it’s vice versa. After all, they share a number of dogged qualities, which can be traced back to Curthbert’s journey from Crosshouse Boys Club. Cuthbert’s fierce introduction to 11-a-side made it clear that football is as much about having the right attitude than ability. “There are certain players you want in battle and being from Scotland, a young girl from Ayrshire who has had to work for everything, I understand and I get it,” she says. “I want to be on that battlefield fighting for everyone else. We are all good football players, but it’s who wants to win the battle, who has the mentality, who has the mettle to give everything when you can’t give anything more.” Last year’s FA Cup final epitomised Chelsea’s grit - “I think just resilience, we never gave up” - but then came something that was arguably even greater. When Chelsea salvaged a miracle escape to stun Lyon and defeat the Champions League holders on penalties at Stamford Bridge, Cuthbert burst into tears, taking big, sobbing gulps at the drama her team had produced. “Nothing comes close to that feeling,” Cuthbert says. “This dressing room, we always seem to find a way. Even if we don’t have the answers, we go out and find them.” The Lyon victory gave Chelsea a lift. Their season needed one, following defeats to Arsenal in March’s Continental Cup final and then Manchester City in the WSL, but knocking out Lyon in the manner in which they did gave Chelsea a reminder of who they are. Even after their exit to Barcelona, Chelsea’s performance in the Nou Camp offered belief and injected energy ahead of the run-in. “It was a turning point,” Cuthbert said. “We haven’t let the Champions League exit derail our league season, or the Conti Cup. Everyone thought, ‘That’s it, Chelsea are falling apart, here we go’. Everyone wants to see us fail but the greatest thing about this team is we bounce back and show ourselves in big moments.” Cuthbert is increasingly decisive in those situations. The 24-year-old does not score often, but her goal contributions tend to frequently arrive at crucial times. Chelsea’s approach to big games plays into it. Hayes will often ask her side to sit deep and absorb pressure before striking on the counter-attack, where Cuthbert - as a ferocious presser - can help to make the difference. Her stunning assist for Guro Reiten to break the deadlock in Lyon came from such a position, as did last season’s screamer against City at Wembley. Now Chelsea must go again, and against a United team under Mark Skinner who are hungry to lift the club’s first major title. For Chelsea, having the right attitude to match United’s on their historic occasion will be as important as their tactical plans. The holders have a target on their backs. “It’s our job to prove we are still at the top,” Cuthbert says. “Trying to remain there is probably the hardest thing. It requires you to adapt and change the way you play a little bit - because everyone starts to figure you out. It’s hard and requires a lot of training and mental toughness.” And in the middle of the Wembley battlefield on Sunday, it will be Cuthbert who reinforces that message. Read More Chelsea keep pressure on leaders Manchester United with huge win over Everton Emma Hayes feels Chelsea must be perfect in WSL run-in to win the title Manchester City v Real Madrid – The key questions after first leg of semi-final Vincent Kompany planning ‘smart’ recruitment and ‘healthy decisions’ for Burnley Look back at Gothenburg Greats as Aberdeen mark 40th anniversary of European win

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Manchester United captain Katie Zelem is keenly aware both club and family bragging rights will be on the line when she leads out her side at Wembley for Sunday’s Women’s FA Cup final. The midfielder’s Women’s Super League-leading Red Devils will look to unseat FA Cup holders Chelsea and claim a first major domestic trophy when they meet at the home of English football, which has sold out for the first time in the competition’s history. It was at the old Wembley where, 34 years ago, Zelem’s dad Alan likes to remind his daughter he was between the posts for Macclesfield when they lost 1-0 to Telford in the FA Trophy final – a milestone the 27-year-old hopes to overtake with a win this weekend. “He tells me this all the time. That was my dad’s career highlight for sure,” said Zelem. “If you ever get the chance to meet him I’m sure he’ll tell you he played at Wembley in a cup final and unfortunately they got beat. So hopefully it will be a different outcome for us. “But as soon as we made it to Wembley he texts me saying, ‘you’re always copying me’. Hopefully I’ll be able to dig out a photo of him there and me there.” Football runs in Zelem’s blood. Alan’s twin brother Peter was also a professional footballer with spells at clubs including Burnley and Wolves, but it was his niece who would, in November 2021, become the Zelem who could boast she played for England. Manchester native Katie started playing on boys’ teams with Failsworth Dynamos before she was scouted by Manchester United aged eight, and she remained in their youth system before joining Liverpool in 2013 – five years before United would form their current women’s side. A spell at Juventus followed before Zelem returned to her girlhood club, where her 11 goals from 23 appearances helped earn United promotion to the WSL in their debut season. Four years later her side remain on course for double silverware, with Chelsea – four points back in the WSL but with two games in hand – their main challengers in both competitions. A maiden Women’s Champions League berth is also tantalisingly close after three consecutive fourth-placed finishes. Zelem, who at eight was a men’s Champions League flagbearer at Old Trafford, said: “Whenever anybody asks me, Manchester United always lives firmly in my heart and captaining Manchester United, making my United debut and certainly this moment will be up there with my highlights. “It’s a club that I’ve been at for a really long time now and supported my whole life and I think that’s what childhood dreams are made of. “It’s crazy, really. I think even just from joining the women’s team, it’s been five years and it feels like it’s been forever, it literally feels like the only club I’ve been at. “And although it feels like forever it’s flown by. I think if you look back to where we were then to where we are now it’s a crazy journey. It’s been a real roller coaster with ups and downs. “We’ve certainly come on leaps and bounds to be honest, from being with some girls that have never played full-time or never had professional contracts to now being at this stage of the season, competing for the double, I think it’s almost immeasurable. “If in another five years we’re that far advanced then Manchester United will certainly be one of the biggest teams in Europe. I’m so proud to have been a part of the whole journey.”

Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger was scathing in his assessment of Manchester City's performance in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.

Both clubs come from the same Italian city, both share the same iconic stadium but only one will qualify for the final of the Champions League.

Previous comments from Johan Cruyff and Juan Roman Riquelme on Sergio Busquets, who will leave Barcelona this summer after over a decade of service.

Oliver Kahn reveals how close Bayern Munich came to signing Erling Haaland, prior to the Norwegian joining Manchester City in a deal worth £55m.