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Meet 2026 NBA Celebrity All-Star Game roster, with Shams Charania, Jeremy Lin, and more

Meet 2026 NBA Celebrity All-Star Game roster, with Shams Charania, Jeremy Lin, and more

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The NBA Celebrity Game has become a staple of All-Star Weekend to kick off the festivities on Friday night. This year’s 22-person roster includes an NBA owner, one famous reporter, several NFL stars, and then a bunch of people I need to Google as a childless 38-year-old man who is mostly out of touch with popular culture.

The 2026 NBA Celebrity Game features an obvious hook: Shams Charania will be playing for a team coached by Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brothers Alex and Thanasis Antetokounmpo. Charania has been pushing Giannis trade rumors hard since the summer, and especially so at the trade deadline, but Antetokounmpo remains with the Bucks. Will Giannis give Shams a hard time for his reporting? Tune in to find out.

The NBA Celebrity Game will go down on Friday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. ET from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Here’s a look at the full roster, with introductions to every celebrity below.

Giannis, Alex, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo will coach this team along with Dodgers star Mookie Betts.

Keegan-Michael Key: Hey, I know this guy! A 54-year-old actor and comedian, he’s probably best known for Key & Peele. This gives me another excuse to link one of the best sports skits ever.

Rome Flynn: The 34-year-old actor is best known for his work in How To Get Away With Murder and The Bold and the Beautiful.

Dylan Wang: A 27-year-old Chinese actor and singer best known for his role in Meteor Garden. He has 6.2 million Instagram followers, and his Wikipedia page says he’s a huge fan of LeBron James!

Shams Charania: If you follow the NBA, you know Shams. He has replaced Woj as the guy who gets all the scoops. Charania is 31 years old, and a native of suburban Chicago.

Jenna Bandy: Bandy is a popular sports content creator. Look at this throw!

Rick Schnall: Schnall is the 57-year-old minority owner of the Atlanta Hawks

Tacko Fall: Wow, Tacko Fall! I used to write about him often. Fall is a 7’6 big man who went undrafted in 2019 but played for the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers before going on to have a career playing in China.

Jeremy Lin: Linsanity is back! Jeremy Lin is a former NBA player who rose to stardom with the Knicks. He’s 37 years old, and most recently played in Taiwan.

GloRilla: A 26-year-old rap star from Memphis. You may have heard “TGIF.”

Cafu: A former Brazilian soccer star, and one of the greatest fullbacks of all-time. He’s 55 years old.

Amon-Ra St. Brown: Detroit Lions superstar wide receiver.

Actor Anthony Anderson, social media influencer Lethal Shooter, and NBA trainer Chris Brickley will coach this team.

Simu Liu: A 36-year-old Canadian actor and stuntman. He’s best known for the Marvel movie Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Cody Jones: The co-founder of Dude Perfect.

Badshah: A 40-year-old Indian rapper and singer. He’s best known for “Saturday, Saturday.”

Andre De Grasse: A 31-year-old Canadian sprinter and 7-time Olympic medalist.

Taylor Frankie Paul: The 31-year-old star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. She will be the next Bachlorette this year.

Mat Ishbia: The owner of the Phoenix Suns.

Jason Williams: White Chocolate! One of my favorite players growing up. Will he bust out the elbow pass?

Nicolas Vansteenberghe: He was on Love Island.

Mustard: MUSTARRRRRRRD. The 35-year-old music producer is one of the bigger names in this Celebrity Game, at least to me.

Adrien Nunez: I remember writing about this guy when he was playing for Michigan! Now he’s a country singer.

Keenan Allen: Long-time NFL wide receiver, and likely a future Hall of Famer.



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Hello and welcome to live coverage of the second ODI between Bangladesh and New Zealand, being held at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, on April 20.

PLAYING XI

Bangladesh: Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Soumya Sarkar, Rishad Hossain, Nahid Rana, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam.

New Zealand: Will Young, Tom Latham (wk) (c), Henry Nicholls, Nick Kelly, Muhammad Abbas, Dean Foxcroft, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Jayden Lennox, William O’Rourke.

TOSS

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat.

WHEN AND WHERE TO WATCH

The second ODI between Bangladesh and New Zealand will be live streamed on the FanCode app and website in India from 10:30 AM IST. However, there will be no live telecast of the match in India.

THE SQUADS

Bangladesh: Soumya Sarkar, Litton Das (wk), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Saif Hassan, Taskin Ahmed, Tanvir Islam, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Rishad Hossain, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Nahid Rana.

New Zealand: Will Young, Tom Latham (wk) (c), Henry Nicholls, Dane Cleaver, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Ben Sears, Adithya Ashok, Blair Tickner, Ben Lister, William O’Rourke, Muhammad Abbas, Jayden Lennox, Dean Foxcroft, Nick Kelly.

Published on Apr 20, 2026

#BAN #2nd #ODI #LIVE #SCORE #Zealand #wins #toss #opts #bat #Bangladesh">BAN vs NZ, 2nd ODI LIVE SCORE: New Zealand wins toss, opts to bat v Bangladesh Hello and welcome to live coverage of the second ODI between Bangladesh and New Zealand, being held at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, on April 20.PLAYING XIBangladesh: Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Soumya Sarkar, Rishad Hossain, Nahid Rana, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam.New Zealand: Will Young, Tom Latham (wk) (c), Henry Nicholls, Nick Kelly, Muhammad Abbas, Dean Foxcroft, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Jayden Lennox, William O’Rourke.TOSSNew Zealand won the toss and elected to bat.WHEN AND WHERE TO WATCHThe second ODI between Bangladesh and New Zealand will be live streamed on the FanCode app and website in India from 10:30 AM IST. However, there will be no live telecast of the match in India.THE SQUADSBangladesh: Soumya Sarkar, Litton Das (wk), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Saif Hassan, Taskin Ahmed, Tanvir Islam, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Rishad Hossain, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Nahid Rana.New Zealand: Will Young, Tom Latham (wk) (c), Henry Nicholls, Dane Cleaver, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Ben Sears, Adithya Ashok, Blair Tickner, Ben Lister, William O’Rourke, Muhammad Abbas, Jayden Lennox, Dean Foxcroft, Nick Kelly.Published on Apr 20, 2026 #BAN #2nd #ODI #LIVE #SCORE #Zealand #wins #toss #opts #bat #Bangladesh

Deadspin | Victor Wembanyama makes history as Spurs outlast Blazers in Game 1 Apr 19, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives to the basket between Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) and center Donovan Clingan (23) during the first half of game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images Victor Wembanyama hit for 35 points in his postseason debut as the host San Antonio Spurs used a third-quarter run to create separation in a 111-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series. The Spurs took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series with Game 2 on Tuesday in the Alamo City before switching to Portland for games 3 and 4. San Antonio, the second seed in the West, led by 10 points at halftime and by 15 after three quarters before all but cementing the win by scoring the first six points of the fourth quarter to go up 93-72. The seventh-seeded Trail Blazers clawed their way back to within 11 points via a 13-3 run capped by Deni Avdija’s dunk with 4:27 to play but San Antonio held strong down the stretch, Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox added 17 points apiece for the Spurs, with Devin Vassell scoring 15 and Luke Kornet hitting for 10 Avdija racked up 30 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Trail Blazers. Scoot Henderson scored 18, Robert Williams III had 11, Shaedon Sharpe hit for 10 and Jrue Holiday distributed 11 assists along with nine points. The Spurs jumped to the front in the game’s early moments, building a nine-point lead on Fox’s stepback 3-pointer at the 2:35 mark of the first quarter and jumping out to a 30-21 advantage after 12 minutes of play. San Antonio stoked the margin to 50-34 when Kornet threw down an alley-oop dunk from Castle with 5:24 to play in the second quarter. Avdija’s three-point play with 2:28 left culled the deficit to seven points before Wembanyama poured in a layup and then a 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions to push the lead back to a dozen points. The Spurs led 59-49 at the break. Wembanyama, who broke Tim Duncan’s franchise record for points in a playoff debut, led all first-half scorers with 21 points. Avdija paced the Trail Blazers with 19 points over the opening two periods. The Trail Blazers reeled off the first eight points of the third quarter and had four chances to tie the game or go in front but committed three turnovers and missed a shot over that stretch. San Antonio regained its stride and built the lead to a game-high 17 points on Julian Champagnie’s 3-pointer with 53.1 seconds to play in the period before settling for an 87-72 lead heading into the final 12 minutes. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Victor #Wembanyama #history #Spurs #outlast #Blazers #GameApr 19, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives to the basket between Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) and center Donovan Clingan (23) during the first half of game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Victor Wembanyama hit for 35 points in his postseason debut as the host San Antonio Spurs used a third-quarter run to create separation in a 111-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series.

The Spurs took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series with Game 2 on Tuesday in the Alamo City before switching to Portland for games 3 and 4.

San Antonio, the second seed in the West, led by 10 points at halftime and by 15 after three quarters before all but cementing the win by scoring the first six points of the fourth quarter to go up 93-72.

The seventh-seeded Trail Blazers clawed their way back to within 11 points via a 13-3 run capped by Deni Avdija’s dunk with 4:27 to play but San Antonio held strong down the stretch,

Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox added 17 points apiece for the Spurs, with Devin Vassell scoring 15 and Luke Kornet hitting for 10


Avdija racked up 30 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Trail Blazers. Scoot Henderson scored 18, Robert Williams III had 11, Shaedon Sharpe hit for 10 and Jrue Holiday distributed 11 assists along with nine points.

The Spurs jumped to the front in the game’s early moments, building a nine-point lead on Fox’s stepback 3-pointer at the 2:35 mark of the first quarter and jumping out to a 30-21 advantage after 12 minutes of play.

San Antonio stoked the margin to 50-34 when Kornet threw down an alley-oop dunk from Castle with 5:24 to play in the second quarter. Avdija’s three-point play with 2:28 left culled the deficit to seven points before Wembanyama poured in a layup and then a 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions to push the lead back to a dozen points. The Spurs led 59-49 at the break.

Wembanyama, who broke Tim Duncan’s franchise record for points in a playoff debut, led all first-half scorers with 21 points. Avdija paced the Trail Blazers with 19 points over the opening two periods.

The Trail Blazers reeled off the first eight points of the third quarter and had four chances to tie the game or go in front but committed three turnovers and missed a shot over that stretch. San Antonio regained its stride and built the lead to a game-high 17 points on Julian Champagnie’s 3-pointer with 53.1 seconds to play in the period before settling for an 87-72 lead heading into the final 12 minutes.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Victor #Wembanyama #history #Spurs #outlast #Blazers #Game">Deadspin | Victor Wembanyama makes history as Spurs outlast Blazers in Game 1 Apr 19, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives to the basket between Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) and center Donovan Clingan (23) during the first half of game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images Victor Wembanyama hit for 35 points in his postseason debut as the host San Antonio Spurs used a third-quarter run to create separation in a 111-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series. The Spurs took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series with Game 2 on Tuesday in the Alamo City before switching to Portland for games 3 and 4. San Antonio, the second seed in the West, led by 10 points at halftime and by 15 after three quarters before all but cementing the win by scoring the first six points of the fourth quarter to go up 93-72. The seventh-seeded Trail Blazers clawed their way back to within 11 points via a 13-3 run capped by Deni Avdija’s dunk with 4:27 to play but San Antonio held strong down the stretch, Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox added 17 points apiece for the Spurs, with Devin Vassell scoring 15 and Luke Kornet hitting for 10 Avdija racked up 30 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Trail Blazers. Scoot Henderson scored 18, Robert Williams III had 11, Shaedon Sharpe hit for 10 and Jrue Holiday distributed 11 assists along with nine points. The Spurs jumped to the front in the game’s early moments, building a nine-point lead on Fox’s stepback 3-pointer at the 2:35 mark of the first quarter and jumping out to a 30-21 advantage after 12 minutes of play. San Antonio stoked the margin to 50-34 when Kornet threw down an alley-oop dunk from Castle with 5:24 to play in the second quarter. Avdija’s three-point play with 2:28 left culled the deficit to seven points before Wembanyama poured in a layup and then a 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions to push the lead back to a dozen points. The Spurs led 59-49 at the break. Wembanyama, who broke Tim Duncan’s franchise record for points in a playoff debut, led all first-half scorers with 21 points. Avdija paced the Trail Blazers with 19 points over the opening two periods. The Trail Blazers reeled off the first eight points of the third quarter and had four chances to tie the game or go in front but committed three turnovers and missed a shot over that stretch. San Antonio regained its stride and built the lead to a game-high 17 points on Julian Champagnie’s 3-pointer with 53.1 seconds to play in the period before settling for an 87-72 lead heading into the final 12 minutes. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Victor #Wembanyama #history #Spurs #outlast #Blazers #Game

Pep Guardiola patrolled the touchline in Sunday’s pivotal 2-1 Premier League win over Arsenal virtually heading, shooting and throwing his body at ​seemingly every ball, but when it was over, the City manager reduced the night to a single ‌word: hope.

Guardiola’s prized poacher Erling Haaland struck the second-half winner in a ​victory that slashed the gap at the top of the table to ⁠three points, with City having a game in hand.

Guardiola, who was wildly animated all night, scoffed when asked if he enjoyed the game.

“Enjoying I don’t think is the right word,” the Spaniard said. “It’s ‌fine. Hope, that game gave us hope. That’s all.

“I said to the guys after the game, enjoy the moment, but don’t lose the focus right ‌now. We are there, but the reality is who is the top of the ‌league? ⁠We are not,” Guardiola added.

“Goal difference (if the two teams finish even on ⁠points), who is better? They are. But of course, we’ve got hope, to still extend the chance to fight and to live.”

Guardiola has made a habit of breaking Arsenal’s hearts, his Manchester City sides stalking them ​through spring before unleashing relentless late-season surges ‌that turn belief into dread and title races into familiar blue victories.

ALSO READ | Premier League title race starts now, says defiant Arteta

He described Sunday’s bruising contest as worthy of the title race, praising Arsenal’s resilience and physical edge.

“People say they don’t have momentum,” he said. “When you see them play and compete in ‌duels, long balls, second balls and set pieces, they are an extraordinary team. ​Otherwise you cannot be top of the league all season.”

The City manager called the clash “the best advert worldwide and for England.”

In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel.

A tussle with ‌Gabriel left Haaland’s shirt badly torn and he tossed it into the crowd.

“I would not like to be Erling Haaland and battle with William Saliba and Gabriel,” Guardiola said with a smile. “To be honest, I prefer to read a book.”

Haaland embraced the chaos

“I think it’s always like this, a lot of fighting,” the 25-year-old Norwegian said. “It’s up to others to decide if I won that battle or not. I scored the goal, so I ‌won the battle in that moment. It was decisive, and we win.”

Guardiola says Arsenal still in control, but victory gives Manchester City hope Pep Guardiola patrolled the touchline in Sunday’s pivotal 2-1 Premier League win over Arsenal virtually heading, shooting and throwing his body at ​seemingly every ball, but when it was over, the City manager reduced the night to a single ‌word: hope.Guardiola’s prized poacher Erling Haaland struck the second-half winner in a ​victory that slashed the gap at the top of the table to ⁠three points, with City having a game in hand.Guardiola, who was wildly animated all night, scoffed when asked if he enjoyed the game.“Enjoying I don’t think is the right word,” the Spaniard said. “It’s ‌fine. Hope, that game gave us hope. That’s all.“I said to the guys after the game, enjoy the moment, but don’t lose the focus right ‌now. We are there, but the reality is who is the top of the ‌league? ⁠We are not,” Guardiola added.“Goal difference (if the two teams finish even on ⁠points), who is better? They are. But of course, we’ve got hope, to still extend the chance to fight and to live.”Guardiola has made a habit of breaking Arsenal’s hearts, his Manchester City sides stalking them ​through spring before unleashing relentless late-season surges ‌that turn belief into dread and title races into familiar blue victories.ALSO READ | Premier League title race starts now, says defiant ArtetaHe described Sunday’s bruising contest as worthy of the title race, praising Arsenal’s resilience and physical edge.“People say they don’t have momentum,” he said. “When you see them play and compete in ‌duels, long balls, second balls and set pieces, they are an extraordinary team. ​Otherwise you cannot be top of the league all season.”The City manager called the clash “the best advert worldwide and for England.”In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel.A tussle with ‌Gabriel left Haaland’s shirt badly torn and he tossed it into the crowd.“I would not like to be Erling Haaland and battle with William Saliba and Gabriel,” Guardiola said with a smile. “To be honest, I prefer to read a book.”Haaland embraced the chaos“I think it’s always like this, a lot of fighting,” the 25-year-old Norwegian said. “It’s up to others to decide if I won that battle or not. I scored the goal, so I ‌won the battle in that moment. It was decisive, and we win.” In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel. | Photo Credit: AP In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel. | Photo Credit: AP Guardiola said the striker’s mid-season scoring ​drought reflected the toll of a relentless campaign.“A guy so big, playing every three days during November, December, January, February, to sustain that with his ⁠body, it’s not easy,” he said.Guardiola ended the night by saluting captain Bernardo Silva, who will ⁠leave at season’s end after nine years at City.“If I talk a lot one day I cry,” Guardiola said. “So I just say thank you from the ‌deep of my heart. When we write ‘the legend,’ it has to be in capital letters. He’s a special, special player.”City will draw level on points with Arsenal, and ​dislodge them from the top of the table, with a victory at 19th-placed Burnley on Wednesday.Published on Apr 20, 2026 #Guardiola #Arsenal #control #victory #Manchester #City #hope

In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel. | Photo Credit: AP

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In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel. | Photo Credit: AP

Guardiola said the striker’s mid-season scoring ​drought reflected the toll of a relentless campaign.

“A guy so big, playing every three days during November, December, January, February, to sustain that with his ⁠body, it’s not easy,” he said.

Guardiola ended the night by saluting captain Bernardo Silva, who will ⁠leave at season’s end after nine years at City.

“If I talk a lot one day I cry,” Guardiola said. “So I just say thank you from the ‌deep of my heart. When we write ‘the legend,’ it has to be in capital letters. He’s a special, special player.”

City will draw level on points with Arsenal, and ​dislodge them from the top of the table, with a victory at 19th-placed Burnley on Wednesday.

Published on Apr 20, 2026

#Guardiola #Arsenal #control #victory #Manchester #City #hope">Guardiola says Arsenal still in control, but victory gives Manchester City hope Pep Guardiola patrolled the touchline in Sunday’s pivotal 2-1 Premier League win over Arsenal virtually heading, shooting and throwing his body at ​seemingly every ball, but when it was over, the City manager reduced the night to a single ‌word: hope.Guardiola’s prized poacher Erling Haaland struck the second-half winner in a ​victory that slashed the gap at the top of the table to ⁠three points, with City having a game in hand.Guardiola, who was wildly animated all night, scoffed when asked if he enjoyed the game.“Enjoying I don’t think is the right word,” the Spaniard said. “It’s ‌fine. Hope, that game gave us hope. That’s all.“I said to the guys after the game, enjoy the moment, but don’t lose the focus right ‌now. We are there, but the reality is who is the top of the ‌league? ⁠We are not,” Guardiola added.“Goal difference (if the two teams finish even on ⁠points), who is better? They are. But of course, we’ve got hope, to still extend the chance to fight and to live.”Guardiola has made a habit of breaking Arsenal’s hearts, his Manchester City sides stalking them ​through spring before unleashing relentless late-season surges ‌that turn belief into dread and title races into familiar blue victories.ALSO READ | Premier League title race starts now, says defiant ArtetaHe described Sunday’s bruising contest as worthy of the title race, praising Arsenal’s resilience and physical edge.“People say they don’t have momentum,” he said. “When you see them play and compete in ‌duels, long balls, second balls and set pieces, they are an extraordinary team. ​Otherwise you cannot be top of the league all season.”The City manager called the clash “the best advert worldwide and for England.”In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel.A tussle with ‌Gabriel left Haaland’s shirt badly torn and he tossed it into the crowd.“I would not like to be Erling Haaland and battle with William Saliba and Gabriel,” Guardiola said with a smile. “To be honest, I prefer to read a book.”Haaland embraced the chaos“I think it’s always like this, a lot of fighting,” the 25-year-old Norwegian said. “It’s up to others to decide if I won that battle or not. I scored the goal, so I ‌won the battle in that moment. It was decisive, and we win.” In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel. | Photo Credit: AP In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel. | Photo Credit: AP Guardiola said the striker’s mid-season scoring ​drought reflected the toll of a relentless campaign.“A guy so big, playing every three days during November, December, January, February, to sustain that with his ⁠body, it’s not easy,” he said.Guardiola ended the night by saluting captain Bernardo Silva, who will ⁠leave at season’s end after nine years at City.“If I talk a lot one day I cry,” Guardiola said. “So I just say thank you from the ‌deep of my heart. When we write ‘the legend,’ it has to be in capital letters. He’s a special, special player.”City will draw level on points with Arsenal, and ​dislodge them from the top of the table, with a victory at 19th-placed Burnley on Wednesday.Published on Apr 20, 2026 #Guardiola #Arsenal #control #victory #Manchester #City #hope

Premier League title race starts now, says defiant Arteta

He described Sunday’s bruising contest as worthy of the title race, praising Arsenal’s resilience and physical edge.

“People say they don’t have momentum,” he said. “When you see them play and compete in ‌duels, long balls, second balls and set pieces, they are an extraordinary team. ​Otherwise you cannot be top of the league all season.”

The City manager called the clash “the best advert worldwide and for England.”

In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel.

A tussle with ‌Gabriel left Haaland’s shirt badly torn and he tossed it into the crowd.

“I would not like to be Erling Haaland and battle with William Saliba and Gabriel,” Guardiola said with a smile. “To be honest, I prefer to read a book.”

Haaland embraced the chaos

“I think it’s always like this, a lot of fighting,” the 25-year-old Norwegian said. “It’s up to others to decide if I won that battle or not. I scored the goal, so I ‌won the battle in that moment. It was decisive, and we win.”

Guardiola says Arsenal still in control, but victory gives Manchester City hope Pep Guardiola patrolled the touchline in Sunday’s pivotal 2-1 Premier League win over Arsenal virtually heading, shooting and throwing his body at ​seemingly every ball, but when it was over, the City manager reduced the night to a single ‌word: hope.Guardiola’s prized poacher Erling Haaland struck the second-half winner in a ​victory that slashed the gap at the top of the table to ⁠three points, with City having a game in hand.Guardiola, who was wildly animated all night, scoffed when asked if he enjoyed the game.“Enjoying I don’t think is the right word,” the Spaniard said. “It’s ‌fine. Hope, that game gave us hope. That’s all.“I said to the guys after the game, enjoy the moment, but don’t lose the focus right ‌now. We are there, but the reality is who is the top of the ‌league? ⁠We are not,” Guardiola added.“Goal difference (if the two teams finish even on ⁠points), who is better? They are. But of course, we’ve got hope, to still extend the chance to fight and to live.”Guardiola has made a habit of breaking Arsenal’s hearts, his Manchester City sides stalking them ​through spring before unleashing relentless late-season surges ‌that turn belief into dread and title races into familiar blue victories.ALSO READ | Premier League title race starts now, says defiant ArtetaHe described Sunday’s bruising contest as worthy of the title race, praising Arsenal’s resilience and physical edge.“People say they don’t have momentum,” he said. “When you see them play and compete in ‌duels, long balls, second balls and set pieces, they are an extraordinary team. ​Otherwise you cannot be top of the league all season.”The City manager called the clash “the best advert worldwide and for England.”In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel.A tussle with ‌Gabriel left Haaland’s shirt badly torn and he tossed it into the crowd.“I would not like to be Erling Haaland and battle with William Saliba and Gabriel,” Guardiola said with a smile. “To be honest, I prefer to read a book.”Haaland embraced the chaos“I think it’s always like this, a lot of fighting,” the 25-year-old Norwegian said. “It’s up to others to decide if I won that battle or not. I scored the goal, so I ‌won the battle in that moment. It was decisive, and we win.” In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel. | Photo Credit: AP In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel. | Photo Credit: AP Guardiola said the striker’s mid-season scoring ​drought reflected the toll of a relentless campaign.“A guy so big, playing every three days during November, December, January, February, to sustain that with his ⁠body, it’s not easy,” he said.Guardiola ended the night by saluting captain Bernardo Silva, who will ⁠leave at season’s end after nine years at City.“If I talk a lot one day I cry,” Guardiola said. “So I just say thank you from the ‌deep of my heart. When we write ‘the legend,’ it has to be in capital letters. He’s a special, special player.”City will draw level on points with Arsenal, and ​dislodge them from the top of the table, with a victory at 19th-placed Burnley on Wednesday.Published on Apr 20, 2026 #Guardiola #Arsenal #control #victory #Manchester #City #hope

In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel. | Photo Credit: AP

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In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel. | Photo Credit: AP

Guardiola said the striker’s mid-season scoring ​drought reflected the toll of a relentless campaign.

“A guy so big, playing every three days during November, December, January, February, to sustain that with his ⁠body, it’s not easy,” he said.

Guardiola ended the night by saluting captain Bernardo Silva, who will ⁠leave at season’s end after nine years at City.

“If I talk a lot one day I cry,” Guardiola said. “So I just say thank you from the ‌deep of my heart. When we write ‘the legend,’ it has to be in capital letters. He’s a special, special player.”

City will draw level on points with Arsenal, and ​dislodge them from the top of the table, with a victory at 19th-placed Burnley on Wednesday.

Published on Apr 20, 2026

#Guardiola #Arsenal #control #victory #Manchester #City #hope">Guardiola says Arsenal still in control, but victory gives Manchester City hope

Pep Guardiola patrolled the touchline in Sunday’s pivotal 2-1 Premier League win over Arsenal virtually heading, shooting and throwing his body at ​seemingly every ball, but when it was over, the City manager reduced the night to a single ‌word: hope.

Guardiola’s prized poacher Erling Haaland struck the second-half winner in a ​victory that slashed the gap at the top of the table to ⁠three points, with City having a game in hand.

Guardiola, who was wildly animated all night, scoffed when asked if he enjoyed the game.

“Enjoying I don’t think is the right word,” the Spaniard said. “It’s ‌fine. Hope, that game gave us hope. That’s all.

“I said to the guys after the game, enjoy the moment, but don’t lose the focus right ‌now. We are there, but the reality is who is the top of the ‌league? ⁠We are not,” Guardiola added.

“Goal difference (if the two teams finish even on ⁠points), who is better? They are. But of course, we’ve got hope, to still extend the chance to fight and to live.”

Guardiola has made a habit of breaking Arsenal’s hearts, his Manchester City sides stalking them ​through spring before unleashing relentless late-season surges ‌that turn belief into dread and title races into familiar blue victories.

ALSO READ | Premier League title race starts now, says defiant Arteta

He described Sunday’s bruising contest as worthy of the title race, praising Arsenal’s resilience and physical edge.

“People say they don’t have momentum,” he said. “When you see them play and compete in ‌duels, long balls, second balls and set pieces, they are an extraordinary team. ​Otherwise you cannot be top of the league all season.”

The City manager called the clash “the best advert worldwide and for England.”

In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel.

A tussle with ‌Gabriel left Haaland’s shirt badly torn and he tossed it into the crowd.

“I would not like to be Erling Haaland and battle with William Saliba and Gabriel,” Guardiola said with a smile. “To be honest, I prefer to read a book.”

Haaland embraced the chaos

“I think it’s always like this, a lot of fighting,” the 25-year-old Norwegian said. “It’s up to others to decide if I won that battle or not. I scored the goal, so I ‌won the battle in that moment. It was decisive, and we win.”

Guardiola says Arsenal still in control, but victory gives Manchester City hope Pep Guardiola patrolled the touchline in Sunday’s pivotal 2-1 Premier League win over Arsenal virtually heading, shooting and throwing his body at ​seemingly every ball, but when it was over, the City manager reduced the night to a single ‌word: hope.Guardiola’s prized poacher Erling Haaland struck the second-half winner in a ​victory that slashed the gap at the top of the table to ⁠three points, with City having a game in hand.Guardiola, who was wildly animated all night, scoffed when asked if he enjoyed the game.“Enjoying I don’t think is the right word,” the Spaniard said. “It’s ‌fine. Hope, that game gave us hope. That’s all.“I said to the guys after the game, enjoy the moment, but don’t lose the focus right ‌now. We are there, but the reality is who is the top of the ‌league? ⁠We are not,” Guardiola added.“Goal difference (if the two teams finish even on ⁠points), who is better? They are. But of course, we’ve got hope, to still extend the chance to fight and to live.”Guardiola has made a habit of breaking Arsenal’s hearts, his Manchester City sides stalking them ​through spring before unleashing relentless late-season surges ‌that turn belief into dread and title races into familiar blue victories.ALSO READ | Premier League title race starts now, says defiant ArtetaHe described Sunday’s bruising contest as worthy of the title race, praising Arsenal’s resilience and physical edge.“People say they don’t have momentum,” he said. “When you see them play and compete in ‌duels, long balls, second balls and set pieces, they are an extraordinary team. ​Otherwise you cannot be top of the league all season.”The City manager called the clash “the best advert worldwide and for England.”In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel.A tussle with ‌Gabriel left Haaland’s shirt badly torn and he tossed it into the crowd.“I would not like to be Erling Haaland and battle with William Saliba and Gabriel,” Guardiola said with a smile. “To be honest, I prefer to read a book.”Haaland embraced the chaos“I think it’s always like this, a lot of fighting,” the 25-year-old Norwegian said. “It’s up to others to decide if I won that battle or not. I scored the goal, so I ‌won the battle in that moment. It was decisive, and we win.” In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel. | Photo Credit: AP In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel. | Photo Credit: AP Guardiola said the striker’s mid-season scoring ​drought reflected the toll of a relentless campaign.“A guy so big, playing every three days during November, December, January, February, to sustain that with his ⁠body, it’s not easy,” he said.Guardiola ended the night by saluting captain Bernardo Silva, who will ⁠leave at season’s end after nine years at City.“If I talk a lot one day I cry,” Guardiola said. “So I just say thank you from the ‌deep of my heart. When we write ‘the legend,’ it has to be in capital letters. He’s a special, special player.”City will draw level on points with Arsenal, and ​dislodge them from the top of the table, with a victory at 19th-placed Burnley on Wednesday.Published on Apr 20, 2026 #Guardiola #Arsenal #control #victory #Manchester #City #hope

In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel. | Photo Credit: AP

lightbox-info

In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel. | Photo Credit: AP

Guardiola said the striker’s mid-season scoring ​drought reflected the toll of a relentless campaign.

“A guy so big, playing every three days during November, December, January, February, to sustain that with his ⁠body, it’s not easy,” he said.

Guardiola ended the night by saluting captain Bernardo Silva, who will ⁠leave at season’s end after nine years at City.

“If I talk a lot one day I cry,” Guardiola said. “So I just say thank you from the ‌deep of my heart. When we write ‘the legend,’ it has to be in capital letters. He’s a special, special player.”

City will draw level on points with Arsenal, and ​dislodge them from the top of the table, with a victory at 19th-placed Burnley on Wednesday.

Published on Apr 20, 2026

#Guardiola #Arsenal #control #victory #Manchester #City #hope

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