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Man City vs Arsenal — Premier League title race starts now, says defiant Arteta  Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta shrugged off a 1-2 defeat by title rival Manchester City on Sunday and said ​the Premier League starts again with five games left to play.Victory would ‌have sent Arteta’s side nine points clear as it ​seeks a first English title since 2004.Instead, a second-half ⁠winner by Erling Haaland means City will dislodge Arsenal at the top for the first time since October if it wins its game in hand at ‌Burnley on Wednesday.“The Premier League starts again almost. They have a game in hand, we are three points ahead, ‌five games to play so game on,” the Spaniard said ‌after ⁠Arsenal’s fourth successive defeat in domestic competitions.“Obviously, the players ⁠were very disappointed not to get a result from the game in the manner that it happened.“That’s the feeling. They said ‘okay, we lost an opportunity today, but we ​have the biggest one now ‌in the next five games, so let’s do it.’”While City has reeled Arsenal in, the remaining fixtures of the two clubs seem to favour Arteta’s side. It has home games against Newcastle ‌United, Fulham and Burnley and away trips to West Ham ​United and Crystal Palace.After it goes to Burnley, Pep Guardiola’s City faces European-chasing Everton and Bournemouth away and ⁠Brentford, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace at home.Arsenal also has the ‘distraction’ of a Champions League semifinal against Atletico Madrid, though, and the strain ‌is beginning to show on Arteta’s side.Having suffered three defeats in its opening 49 matches of this season in all competitions, Arsenal has now lost four of its last six while its last top-flight victory came more than a month ago.Arsenal remains top with 70 points from 33 games and Arteta believes there will be more ‌twists.“Let’s see what happens. It’s the Premier League. First of all, to win a ​game in this league is extremely tough,” he said. “I mean look at the fixtures that we both have. It’s ⁠going to be tough for both of us.“If not we would have ⁠already 80 points or 85 points like happened in other seasons, it is not the case. So we will ‌prepare game by game and learn from what happened today and do better. Everything is still to play for.“We’re not going ​to stop and we’re going to go again, that’s for sure.”Published on Apr 20, 2026  #Man #City #Arsenal #Premier #League #title #race #starts #defiant #Arteta

Man City vs Arsenal — Premier League title race starts now, says defiant Arteta

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta shrugged off a 1-2 defeat by title rival Manchester City on Sunday and said ​the Premier League starts again with five games left to play.

Victory would ‌have sent Arteta’s side nine points clear as it ​seeks a first English title since 2004.

Instead, a second-half ⁠winner by Erling Haaland means City will dislodge Arsenal at the top for the first time since October if it wins its game in hand at ‌Burnley on Wednesday.

“The Premier League starts again almost. They have a game in hand, we are three points ahead, ‌five games to play so game on,” the Spaniard said ‌after ⁠Arsenal’s fourth successive defeat in domestic competitions.

“Obviously, the players ⁠were very disappointed not to get a result from the game in the manner that it happened.

“That’s the feeling. They said ‘okay, we lost an opportunity today, but we ​have the biggest one now ‌in the next five games, so let’s do it.’”

While City has reeled Arsenal in, the remaining fixtures of the two clubs seem to favour Arteta’s side. It has home games against Newcastle ‌United, Fulham and Burnley and away trips to West Ham ​United and Crystal Palace.

After it goes to Burnley, Pep Guardiola’s City faces European-chasing Everton and Bournemouth away and ⁠Brentford, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace at home.

Arsenal also has the ‘distraction’ of a Champions League semifinal against Atletico Madrid, though, and the strain ‌is beginning to show on Arteta’s side.

Having suffered three defeats in its opening 49 matches of this season in all competitions, Arsenal has now lost four of its last six while its last top-flight victory came more than a month ago.

Arsenal remains top with 70 points from 33 games and Arteta believes there will be more ‌twists.

“Let’s see what happens. It’s the Premier League. First of all, to win a ​game in this league is extremely tough,” he said. “I mean look at the fixtures that we both have. It’s ⁠going to be tough for both of us.

“If not we would have ⁠already 80 points or 85 points like happened in other seasons, it is not the case. So we will ‌prepare game by game and learn from what happened today and do better. Everything is still to play for.

“We’re not going ​to stop and we’re going to go again, that’s for sure.”

Published on Apr 20, 2026

#Man #City #Arsenal #Premier #League #title #race #starts #defiant #Arteta

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta shrugged off a 1-2 defeat by title rival Manchester City on Sunday and said ​the Premier League starts again with five games left to play.

Victory would ‌have sent Arteta’s side nine points clear as it ​seeks a first English title since 2004.

Instead, a second-half ⁠winner by Erling Haaland means City will dislodge Arsenal at the top for the first time since October if it wins its game in hand at ‌Burnley on Wednesday.

“The Premier League starts again almost. They have a game in hand, we are three points ahead, ‌five games to play so game on,” the Spaniard said ‌after ⁠Arsenal’s fourth successive defeat in domestic competitions.

“Obviously, the players ⁠were very disappointed not to get a result from the game in the manner that it happened.

“That’s the feeling. They said ‘okay, we lost an opportunity today, but we ​have the biggest one now ‌in the next five games, so let’s do it.’”

While City has reeled Arsenal in, the remaining fixtures of the two clubs seem to favour Arteta’s side. It has home games against Newcastle ‌United, Fulham and Burnley and away trips to West Ham ​United and Crystal Palace.

After it goes to Burnley, Pep Guardiola’s City faces European-chasing Everton and Bournemouth away and ⁠Brentford, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace at home.

Arsenal also has the ‘distraction’ of a Champions League semifinal against Atletico Madrid, though, and the strain ‌is beginning to show on Arteta’s side.

Having suffered three defeats in its opening 49 matches of this season in all competitions, Arsenal has now lost four of its last six while its last top-flight victory came more than a month ago.

Arsenal remains top with 70 points from 33 games and Arteta believes there will be more ‌twists.

“Let’s see what happens. It’s the Premier League. First of all, to win a ​game in this league is extremely tough,” he said. “I mean look at the fixtures that we both have. It’s ⁠going to be tough for both of us.

“If not we would have ⁠already 80 points or 85 points like happened in other seasons, it is not the case. So we will ‌prepare game by game and learn from what happened today and do better. Everything is still to play for.

“We’re not going ​to stop and we’re going to go again, that’s for sure.”

Published on Apr 20, 2026

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Deadspin | Chris Sale dominant as Braves keep Phillies in a funk <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28762196.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28762196.jpg" alt="MLB: Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 18, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale (51) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Chris Sale worked seven strong innings and Mauricio Dubon provided a two-run single to lift the visiting Atlanta Braves to a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Sale (4-1) struck out seven and walked only one, giving up just one run and five hits. Austin Riley, Jonah Heim and Ozzie Albies each had two hits as Atlanta won for the eighth time in 10 games.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>The Braves will look to complete a three-game sweep Sunday in the finale with the scuffling Phillies, who have dropped eight of 10. Philadelphia ace Cristopher Sanchez (2-2) gave up three unearned runs in six innings, yielding eight hits and a walk with eight strikeouts.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>The game began in exciting fashion, as Ronald Acuna Jr. sent a blast to deep center, only to watch Brandon Marsh leap at the wall to rob a home run.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>In the second, Philadelphia’s Felix Reyes launched Sale’s 2-0 fastball over the wall in right field for a home run in his first major league at-bat. However, that was the only offensive highlight for the hosts.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Atlanta promptly bounced back with two runs in the third. Sanchez struck out the first two batters of the frame before the next three hitters reached, including Albies on an error by second baseman Edmundo Sosa.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-12"> </section> <section id="section-13"> <p>Riley’s infield hit tied the game, then Dubon’s bloop increased the lead to 3-1.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Sale sat down the Phillies with minimal stress in the third, fourth and fifth innings. He then went through the heart of the Philadelphia order in the sixth, getting Kyle Schwarber on a comebacker to the mound, striking out Bryce Harper and inducing a popup by Adolis Garcia.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>Sale struck out two more in the seventh before exiting after 101 pitches.</p> </section><section id="section-18"> </section><section id="section-19"> <p>Dylan Lee took care of the eighth for Atlanta before Robert Suarez logged a 1-2-3 ninth for his first save.</p> </section><section id="section-20"> </section><section id="section-21"> <p>Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto exited due to lower back tightness. Rafael Marchan replaced Realmuto in the top of the seventh.</p> </section><section id="section-22"> </section><section id="section-23"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Chris #Sale #dominant #Braves #Phillies #funk

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Deadspin | Charlotte FC score late, edge New York City FC <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28763074.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28763074.jpg" alt="MLS: Charlotte FC at New York City FC" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 18, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC midfielder Maximiliano Moralez (10) fights for the ball against Charlotte FC midfielder Ashley Westwood (8) during the first half at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Idan Toklomati and Kerwin Vargas scored second-half goals as Charlotte FC slipped past New York City FC 2-1 on Saturday night for their first road win in three tries this season.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Kristijan Kahlina had seven saves for Charlotte (4-2-2, 14 points), which avenged a three-match series loss to NYCFC in the opening round of the MLS playoffs last fall.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Charlotte FC, which has lost just once in their last six league matches, is tied for third place in the Eastern Conference.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Nicolas Fernandez scored in the third minute of stoppage time in the second half for slumping New York City (3-3-2, 11 points) which has not won in its last four games against MLS competition.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Matthew Freese had two saves for NYCFC, which has surrendered eight goals during their four-game skid.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>After a scoreless first half, Charlotte struck in the 54th minute as Wilfried Zaha maneuvered through traffic in the middle of the field and created a window to send a pass downfield.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>Harry Toffolo passed forward to an open Toklomati, who tapped a right-footed shot past the onrushing Freese.</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>It was the third goal this season for Toklomati and the third assist for Toffolo as Charlotte scored for just the second time this season in a road match after playing six straight games at home in all competitions.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Zaha was the missing piece for Charlotte on April 11 in a 2-1 loss to first-place Nashville SC as he was serving a red-card suspension.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>The second goal for Charlotte came in the 90th minute as Pep Biel crossed to Vargas, who fired a left-footed shot inside the left post for his second goal this season.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>New York City answered in stoppage time as Fernandez took a feed across the box from Hannes Wolf and scored with a left-footed blast from just outside the box to the top right corner.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>NYCFC dominated the scoreless first half with its pressing defense and the creative, well-timed attacks of Maxi Moralez and Agustin Ojeada. While New York City fired 10 shots in the period, Charlotte took just one.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>For the match, NYCFC outshot Charlotte 23-8, which gave 19-year-old forward Rodolfo Akolo his first MLS start.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-14"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Charlotte #score #late #edge #York #City

AC Milan and Juventus both took a big step towards qualification for next season’s Champions League with respective victories over Verona and Bologna on Sunday.

Adrien Rabiot swept home the only goal in Milan’s 1-0 win at Verona, giving his team an eight-point cushion on Como and Roma in fifth and sixth, while Juve is three points behind the seven-time European champion in fourth after beating Bologna 2-0.

France midfielder Rabiot calmly netted his sixth league goal of the season after snatching possession in midfield and exchanging passes with Rafael Leao, for the only real highlight of a largely drab encounter.

“The important thing is winning and getting the points we need to achieve our objectives, but we made a lot of mistakes today. We could have played a lot better,” said Rabiot.

“We need to stay focussed on qualifying for the Champions League.”

Juve and Milan took advantage of Como falling to a surprise defeat at Sassuolo on Friday and Roma drawing with Atalanta on Saturday night, and, with five matches remaining in the season, both teams are in a great position to clinch a top-four finish.

Milan, in second, has had no continental football this season after a disastrous previous campaign which led to Massimiliano Allegri retaking the reins as coach last summer.

Allegri said on Friday that he has already started planning for next season with Milan’s management, and after Saturday’s win the 58-year-old again ruled himself out of the vacant Italy job.

“No-one has contacted me (from the Italian Football Federation), and all my thoughts are on Milan: we’ve started something together and we’ll continue it together,” said Allegri.

Verona’s fifth straight defeat means almost certain relegation, as Paolo Sammarco’s team is bottom of the division and 10 points behind Cremonese, which sits just outside the drop zone and drew 0-0 at Torino in the day’s early fixture.

Headers in each half from Jonathan David and Khephren Thuram were enough for for Juve to see off Bologna and inch closer towards the objective Luciano Spalletti was given when he was hired in October to replace the sacked Igor Tudor.

David’s glanced finish from Pierre Kalulu’s cross was his first club goal since the start of February and came moments after a pre-match tribute to former Juve goalkeeper Alexander Manninger who died on Thursday aged 48 after his car was hit by a train.

Manninger, who made 40 appearances for Juve between 2008 and 2012, was applauded by fans who then loudly chanted his name after Gianluigi Buffon, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini brought flowers onto the pitch in their former teammate’s honour.

Thuram doubled the host’s lead with his fourth goal of the season in the 57th minute from another perfectly delivered cross, this time from Weston McKennie.

Bologna is now 10 points away from the European positions in eighth and did little to trouble Juve, although Jonathan Rowe should have halved the deficit shortly after Thuram;s goal when he smashed Nadir Zortea’s low cross onto the post from point-blank range.

Published on Apr 20, 2026

#Serie #Milan #Juventus #close #Champions #League #qualification">Serie A: AC Milan, Juventus close in on Champions League qualification  AC Milan and Juventus both took a big step towards qualification for next season’s Champions League with respective victories over Verona and Bologna on Sunday.Adrien Rabiot swept home the only goal in Milan’s 1-0 win at Verona, giving his team an eight-point cushion on Como and Roma in fifth and sixth, while Juve is three points behind the seven-time European champion in fourth after beating Bologna 2-0.France midfielder Rabiot calmly netted his sixth league goal of the season after snatching possession in midfield and exchanging passes with Rafael Leao, for the only real highlight of a largely drab encounter.“The important thing is winning and getting the points we need to achieve our objectives, but we made a lot of mistakes today. We could have played a lot better,” said Rabiot.“We need to stay focussed on qualifying for the Champions League.”Juve and Milan took advantage of Como falling to a surprise defeat at Sassuolo on Friday and Roma drawing with Atalanta on Saturday night, and, with five matches remaining in the season, both teams are in a great position to clinch a top-four finish.Milan, in second, has had no continental football this season after a disastrous previous campaign which led to Massimiliano Allegri retaking the reins as coach last summer.Allegri said on Friday that he has already started planning for next season with Milan’s management, and after Saturday’s win the 58-year-old again ruled himself out of the vacant Italy job.“No-one has contacted me (from the Italian Football Federation), and all my thoughts are on Milan: we’ve started something together and we’ll continue it together,” said Allegri.Verona’s fifth straight defeat means almost certain relegation, as Paolo Sammarco’s team is bottom of the division and 10 points behind Cremonese, which sits just outside the drop zone and drew 0-0 at Torino in the day’s early fixture.Headers in each half from Jonathan David and Khephren Thuram were enough for for Juve to see off Bologna and inch closer towards the objective Luciano Spalletti was given when he was hired in October to replace the sacked Igor Tudor.David’s glanced finish from Pierre Kalulu’s cross was his first club goal since the start of February and came moments after a pre-match tribute to former Juve goalkeeper Alexander Manninger who died on Thursday aged 48 after his car was hit by a train.Manninger, who made 40 appearances for Juve between 2008 and 2012, was applauded by fans who then loudly chanted his name after Gianluigi Buffon, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini brought flowers onto the pitch in their former teammate’s honour.Thuram doubled the host’s lead with his fourth goal of the season in the 57th minute from another perfectly delivered cross, this time from Weston McKennie.Bologna is now 10 points away from the European positions in eighth and did little to trouble Juve, although Jonathan Rowe should have halved the deficit shortly after Thuram;s goal when he smashed Nadir Zortea’s low cross onto the post from point-blank range.Published on Apr 20, 2026  #Serie #Milan #Juventus #close #Champions #League #qualification

Deadspin | Sean Johnson sharp as D.C. United draw with Union  Apr 18, 2026; Chester, Pennsylvania, USA; DC United forward Tai Baribo (9) and Philadelphia Union defender Olwethu Makhanya (29) jump for a header in the first half at Subaru Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images   Sean Johnson made four saves to keep his third clean sheet and D.C. United held on for a 0-0 draw at the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night.  Rookie defender Nikola Markovic blocked three shots and was a consistent disruptor of Union attacks in his first start for D.C. (2-4-2, 8 points), which snapped a two-match league losing run but is now winless in its last four in MLS and last five overall.  The Black-and-Red, the last-place finishers in MLS in 2025, remain above a Philadelphia (1-6-1, 4 points) side that won the 2025 Supporters’ Shield in the 2026 Eastern Conference standings.  Andre Blake kept his first clean sheet without having to make a single save for the Union, who outshot D.C. 17-6 overall.  Philadelphia also led D.C. 13-1 in corner kicks, and failed to score for a second consecutive match against D.C. following a 1-0 away loss to open the season.  Former Philadelphia Union striker Tai Baribo started for D.C. in his first return to his former club after he was questionable with a thigh injury coming into the match.  But he had scant opportunities as the home side dominated the task of creating chances, particularly before halftime.   Jesus Bueno’s long-range effort from outside the box struck the near left post in the 12th minute.  In the 40th, Bueno connected well on a tricky volley inside the box, but Markovic sprawled to block it before it could test Johnson.  Then in the 42nd, Johnson reacted excellently to deny Bruno Damiani’s low, first-time effort off Milan Iloski’s feed from the right.  The hosts still enjoyed most of the ball after the break but were less threatening with it.   Iloski’s 76th-minute effort from long range nearly found the net, but only because Johnson mis-timed his dive and played it into a more difficult save.  Jovan Lukic and Damiani each missed the target in the 82nd minute. But otherwise, Johnson was comfortable during the dying stages.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Sean #Johnson #sharp #D.C #United #draw #UnionApr 18, 2026; Chester, Pennsylvania, USA; DC United forward Tai Baribo (9) and Philadelphia Union defender Olwethu Makhanya (29) jump for a header in the first half at Subaru Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Sean Johnson made four saves to keep his third clean sheet and D.C. United held on for a 0-0 draw at the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night.

Rookie defender Nikola Markovic blocked three shots and was a consistent disruptor of Union attacks in his first start for D.C. (2-4-2, 8 points), which snapped a two-match league losing run but is now winless in its last four in MLS and last five overall.

The Black-and-Red, the last-place finishers in MLS in 2025, remain above a Philadelphia (1-6-1, 4 points) side that won the 2025 Supporters’ Shield in the 2026 Eastern Conference standings.

Andre Blake kept his first clean sheet without having to make a single save for the Union, who outshot D.C. 17-6 overall.

Philadelphia also led D.C. 13-1 in corner kicks, and failed to score for a second consecutive match against D.C. following a 1-0 away loss to open the season.

Former Philadelphia Union striker Tai Baribo started for D.C. in his first return to his former club after he was questionable with a thigh injury coming into the match.


But he had scant opportunities as the home side dominated the task of creating chances, particularly before halftime.

Jesus Bueno’s long-range effort from outside the box struck the near left post in the 12th minute.

In the 40th, Bueno connected well on a tricky volley inside the box, but Markovic sprawled to block it before it could test Johnson.

Then in the 42nd, Johnson reacted excellently to deny Bruno Damiani’s low, first-time effort off Milan Iloski’s feed from the right.

The hosts still enjoyed most of the ball after the break but were less threatening with it.

Iloski’s 76th-minute effort from long range nearly found the net, but only because Johnson mis-timed his dive and played it into a more difficult save.

Jovan Lukic and Damiani each missed the target in the 82nd minute. But otherwise, Johnson was comfortable during the dying stages.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Sean #Johnson #sharp #D.C #United #draw #Union">Deadspin | Sean Johnson sharp as D.C. United draw with Union  Apr 18, 2026; Chester, Pennsylvania, USA; DC United forward Tai Baribo (9) and Philadelphia Union defender Olwethu Makhanya (29) jump for a header in the first half at Subaru Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images   Sean Johnson made four saves to keep his third clean sheet and D.C. United held on for a 0-0 draw at the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night.  Rookie defender Nikola Markovic blocked three shots and was a consistent disruptor of Union attacks in his first start for D.C. (2-4-2, 8 points), which snapped a two-match league losing run but is now winless in its last four in MLS and last five overall.  The Black-and-Red, the last-place finishers in MLS in 2025, remain above a Philadelphia (1-6-1, 4 points) side that won the 2025 Supporters’ Shield in the 2026 Eastern Conference standings.  Andre Blake kept his first clean sheet without having to make a single save for the Union, who outshot D.C. 17-6 overall.  Philadelphia also led D.C. 13-1 in corner kicks, and failed to score for a second consecutive match against D.C. following a 1-0 away loss to open the season.  Former Philadelphia Union striker Tai Baribo started for D.C. in his first return to his former club after he was questionable with a thigh injury coming into the match.  But he had scant opportunities as the home side dominated the task of creating chances, particularly before halftime.   Jesus Bueno’s long-range effort from outside the box struck the near left post in the 12th minute.  In the 40th, Bueno connected well on a tricky volley inside the box, but Markovic sprawled to block it before it could test Johnson.  Then in the 42nd, Johnson reacted excellently to deny Bruno Damiani’s low, first-time effort off Milan Iloski’s feed from the right.  The hosts still enjoyed most of the ball after the break but were less threatening with it.   Iloski’s 76th-minute effort from long range nearly found the net, but only because Johnson mis-timed his dive and played it into a more difficult save.  Jovan Lukic and Damiani each missed the target in the 82nd minute. But otherwise, Johnson was comfortable during the dying stages.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Sean #Johnson #sharp #D.C #United #draw #Union

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