Guardiola hails ‘extraordinary’ Man City reaction to make FA Cup history Pep Guardiola hailed Manchester City’s feat of becoming the first side to ever reach four consecutive FA Cup finals after a late fightback denied Southampton a shock victory at Wembley.Saints were heading towards their first final in 23 years when Finn Azaz’s brilliant finish put the Championship side in front 11 minutes from time.City, though, hit back immediately through Jeremy Doku before Nico Gonzalez’s sensational strike edged the semifinal 2-1.Guardiola’s men have lost their last two FA Cup finals to Crystal Palace and Manchester United. They beat the Red Devils in 2023.City, which will face Chelsea or Leeds in the final, is now well in contention for a domestic treble.MATCH REPORT | Man City fights back to beat Southampton and reach fourth straight FA Cup finalGuardiola’s men lifted the League Cup last month and are locked in a tight battle for the Premier League title with Arsenal.“No team has made four finals in a row. It’s extraordinary and hopefully we can arrive with a good momentum,” said Guardiola.The City manager’s decision to make eight changes from the side that beat Burnley 1-0 on Wednesday looked misguided as Southampton enjoyed the better of the first half.But Guardiola’s side improved markedly after the break and were aided by the introduction of Doku, Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva off the bench.“It was difficult but the wingers (Doku and Savinho) when they came in changed the pace,” added Guardiola.“The first time they crossed the halfway line they made a fantastic goal. Football is always unpredictable but the way we played in the second half was extraordinary.”Published on Apr 26, 2026 #Guardiola #hails #extraordinary #Man #City #reaction #Cup #history

Arsenal is back on top of the Premier League, but Mikel Arteta claimed its title challenge could be ruined by two rejected red card decisions in its games against Manchester City and Newcastle.

Arteta’s side is three points clear of second-placed Manchester City after Eberechi Eze’s early strike clinched a vital 1-0 win against Newcastle on Saturday.

But the Gunners boss was frustrated with the decision not to send off Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope for a foul on Viktor Gyokeres in the 74th minute at the Emirates Stadium.

Pope raced out of his penalty area to clatter Gyokeres, escaping with a yellow card because the Sweden striker was wide on the right wing without a clear sight of goal.

ALSO READ | Nervy Arsenal goes back to top as Eze seals vital win over Newcastle

With the prospect of goal difference potentially deciding a gripping title race, Arteta knew Arsenal would have had a chance to rack up a bigger win if Newcastle were reduced to 10 men.

Instead, it had to settle for a result that left the side only one goal better off than City in the goal difference column.

Arteta was also still harbouring a grievance from last weekend’s crucial 2-1 defeat at City, when Abdukodir Khusanov wasn’t sent off after hauling down Kai Havertz.

What three points means to @Arsenal 🔴 pic.twitter.com/6RsQe702Fn
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 25, 2026

The Spaniard believes those two decisions could prove decisive in settling the title race.

“I don’t know why the Newcastle keeper wasn’t sent off. I have seen it 10 times. If you have ever watched football, you know it was a red card. These are the margins,” Arteta said.

“I am saying the reality of the last two games, in crucial moments with everything at stake, we need things to go our way. I’m not making excuses.

“It was a red card today and a red card in Manchester. If they go our way we are in a different world today.”

Arteta’s rant underlined the mounting tension at the Emirates as Arsenal chases a first English title since 2004.

City’s 1-0 win at Burnley in midweek had knocked Arsenal off top spot for the first time since October, raising the spectre of another title race collapse after its blown leads in 2023 and 2024 gifted the trophy to Pep Guardiola’s men.

‘Path of roses’

Arsenal had lost its previous two league games and four of its last six in all competitions.

Once again, the side struggled to impose itself for long periods against Newcastle, but Eze’s superb strike from a well-worked short corner was enough to settle its nerves.

“We talk about game one and how important that was. We certainly did the job. When it’s 1-0 it’s always tough, especially with the quality of players they brought on,” Arteta said.

“We tried to get a second goal but when you can’t do that you have to win it in other areas.”

City has a game in hand on Arsenal and retains control of the title race.

But Arsenal can move six points clear if it beats Fulham next weekend, before City is next in league action against Everton on May 4.

Arteta knows there will be plenty more twists and turns before Arsenal can finally end its long wait for the title.

“We are where we are. I don’t expect after 22 years, it is going to be a path of roses and beautiful music around it,” he said.

“It is so hard to win the Premier League, it is so competitive.

“We have to do what is in our hands. Game one was in our hands. We had to win it and we have done it. We wanted a bigger margin but we were not able to.”

Arteta faces a nervous wait to discover if Eze and Havertz will be fit for Wednesday’s Champions League semifinal first leg at Atletico Madrid.

“They are muscular niggles. We dont think it is too much. We have to see if they are available for Wednesday,” he said.

Published on Apr 26, 2026

#Mikel #Arteta #Arsenal #regains #lead #Premier #League #title #race #making #excuses">

Mikel Arteta as Arsenal regains lead in Premier League title race: I am not making excuses, we need things to go our way Arsenal is back on top of the Premier League, but Mikel Arteta claimed its title challenge could be ruined by two rejected red card decisions in its games against Manchester City and Newcastle.Arteta’s side is three points clear of second-placed Manchester City after Eberechi Eze’s early strike clinched a vital 1-0 win against Newcastle on Saturday.But the Gunners boss was frustrated with the decision not to send off Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope for a foul on Viktor Gyokeres in the 74th minute at the Emirates Stadium.Pope raced out of his penalty area to clatter Gyokeres, escaping with a yellow card because the Sweden striker was wide on the right wing without a clear sight of goal.ALSO READ | Nervy Arsenal goes back to top as Eze seals vital win over NewcastleWith the prospect of goal difference potentially deciding a gripping title race, Arteta knew Arsenal would have had a chance to rack up a bigger win if Newcastle were reduced to 10 men.Instead, it had to settle for a result that left the side only one goal better off than City in the goal difference column.Arteta was also still harbouring a grievance from last weekend’s crucial 2-1 defeat at City, when Abdukodir Khusanov wasn’t sent off after hauling down Kai Havertz.What three points means to @Arsenal 🔴 pic.twitter.com/6RsQe702Fn— Premier League (@premierleague) April 25, 2026The Spaniard believes those two decisions could prove decisive in settling the title race.“I don’t know why the Newcastle keeper wasn’t sent off. I have seen it 10 times. If you have ever watched football, you know it was a red card. These are the margins,” Arteta said.“I am saying the reality of the last two games, in crucial moments with everything at stake, we need things to go our way. I’m not making excuses.“It was a red card today and a red card in Manchester. If they go our way we are in a different world today.”Arteta’s rant underlined the mounting tension at the Emirates as Arsenal chases a first English title since 2004.City’s 1-0 win at Burnley in midweek had knocked Arsenal off top spot for the first time since October, raising the spectre of another title race collapse after its blown leads in 2023 and 2024 gifted the trophy to Pep Guardiola’s men.‘Path of roses’Arsenal had lost its previous two league games and four of its last six in all competitions.Once again, the side struggled to impose itself for long periods against Newcastle, but Eze’s superb strike from a well-worked short corner was enough to settle its nerves.“We talk about game one and how important that was. We certainly did the job. When it’s 1-0 it’s always tough, especially with the quality of players they brought on,” Arteta said.“We tried to get a second goal but when you can’t do that you have to win it in other areas.”City has a game in hand on Arsenal and retains control of the title race.But Arsenal can move six points clear if it beats Fulham next weekend, before City is next in league action against Everton on May 4.Arteta knows there will be plenty more twists and turns before Arsenal can finally end its long wait for the title.“We are where we are. I don’t expect after 22 years, it is going to be a path of roses and beautiful music around it,” he said.“It is so hard to win the Premier League, it is so competitive.“We have to do what is in our hands. Game one was in our hands. We had to win it and we have done it. We wanted a bigger margin but we were not able to.”Arteta faces a nervous wait to discover if Eze and Havertz will be fit for Wednesday’s Champions League semifinal first leg at Atletico Madrid.“They are muscular niggles. We dont think it is too much. We have to see if they are available for Wednesday,” he said.Published on Apr 26, 2026 #Mikel #Arteta #Arsenal #regains #lead #Premier #League #title #race #making #excuses

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Arsenal is back on top of the Premier League, but Mikel Arteta claimed its title challenge could be ruined by two rejected red card decisions in its games against Manchester City and Newcastle.
Arteta’s side is three points clear of second-placed Manchester City after Eberechi Eze’s early strike clinched a vital 1-0 win against Newcastle on Saturday.
But the Gunners boss was frustrated with the decision not to send off Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope for a foul on Viktor Gyokeres in the 74th minute at the Emirates Stadium.
Pope raced out of his penalty area to clatter Gyokeres, escaping with a yellow card because the Sweden striker was wide on the right wing without a clear sight of goal.
ALSO READ | Nervy Arsenal goes back to top as Eze seals vital win over Newcastle
With the prospect of goal difference potentially deciding a gripping title race, Arteta knew Arsenal would have had a chance to rack up a bigger win if Newcastle were reduced to 10 men.
Instead, it had to settle for a result that left the side only one goal better off than City in the goal difference column.
Arteta was also still harbouring a grievance from last weekend’s crucial 2-1 defeat at City, when Abdukodir Khusanov wasn’t sent off after hauling down Kai Havertz.
What three points means to @Arsenal 🔴 pic.twitter.com/6RsQe702Fn
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 25, 2026
The Spaniard believes those two decisions could prove decisive in settling the title race.
“I don’t know why the Newcastle keeper wasn’t sent off. I have seen it 10 times. If you have ever watched football, you know it was a red card. These are the margins,” Arteta said.
“I am saying the reality of the last two games, in crucial moments with everything at stake, we need things to go our way. I’m not making excuses.
“It was a red card today and a red card in Manchester. If they go our way we are in a different world today.”
Arteta’s rant underlined the mounting tension at the Emirates as Arsenal chases a first English title since 2004.
City’s 1-0 win at Burnley in midweek had knocked Arsenal off top spot for the first time since October, raising the spectre of another title race collapse after its blown leads in 2023 and 2024 gifted the trophy to Pep Guardiola’s men.