LONDON: Chelsea forced Manchester City to put their Premier League title party on hold on Saturday, winning 2-1 to strengthen their grip on a top-four place as Liverpool kept their Champions League qualification hopes alive.
Victory for City in a rehearsal for the Champions League final would have confirmed them as English champions for the third time in four years but they must wait for their inevitable coronation.
Hundreds of City fans had gathered outside the empty Etihad Stadium hoping to spur their team on to victory.
As supporters spilled into the road and blue flares were lit, the coaches carrying the players needed to slow down to get through the crowds as they made their way to the ground.
Pep Guardiola's men were on the right track when Raheem Sterling gave them the lead but Hakim Ziyech levelled in the second half and Marcos Alonso grabbed the winner in the dying seconds.
Sergio Aguero could have made his side's task much easier on the stroke of half-time but saw his casual Panenka spot-kick easily saved by Edouard Mendy, with Guardiola turning away in frustration.
The win lifts the Londoners into third spot above Leicester and six points clear of fifth-placed West Ham with just three games left for Thomas Tuchel's side.
Outgoing champions Liverpool beat Southampton 2-0 in the late kick-off to stay in the mix for the top four but a 3-1 defeat at Leeds was a hammer blow for managerless Tottenham.
Guardiola was frustrated at the manner of his side's defeat -- just their fifth loss of the season -- but they have a huge 13-point lead over second-placed Manchester United.
"We missed our chance in the last minute of the first half for the penalty, but we were in a good position," he told Sky Sports.
"We conceded a goal, suffered for 15 minutes, then reacted well, but in the end they scored."
On the missed spot-kick, Guardiola said: "I have always said to him (Aguero), take one decision and take it full convincing, so he decided to do it this way. I have nothing to add."
Tuchel's in-form team ended City's dreams of a historic quadruple by beating them in the FA Cup semi-final last month and they once again proved tricky opponents.
Guardiola made nine changes from the side that saw off Paris Saint-Germain in midweek while Chelsea made five changes following their triumph over Real Madrid.
Sterling broke the deadlock shortly before half-time, tucking home after a poor touch from Aguero following a pass from Gabriel Jesus.
City should have gone into the break two goals in front after Jesus won a spot-kick when he was bundled over by Billy Gilmour but Argentine striker Aguero squandered the chance.
As the second half wore on the visitors started to establish a foothold and they equalised just after the hour mark when Cesar Azpilicueta picked out Ziyech, who drilled home from the edge of the area.
The finish was frantic. Chelsea substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi had a goal ruled out for a marginal offside before Sterling had a penalty appeal turned down.
Alonso slotted home the winner in stoppage time after Timo Werner pulled the ball back to complete the turnaround but City could be crowned champions as early as Sunday, if Aston Villa beat United.
Tuchel admitted the match would have had a different complexion if Aguero had converted from the spot.
"If they score the penalty maybe it is over before it starts -- at 2-0 you have no chance to come back," the Chelsea boss said.
"I was impressed by the reaction and the performance in the second half. If you want to steal all three points here after being down, you need a bit of luck, decisions from the referee."
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was delighted to see his team back to winning ways following two costly draws, with Sadio Mane and Thiago Alcantara both finding the net at Anfield.
Speaking about his side being in the race for the top four, he told the BBC: "We are, kind of. It's not impossible but it's difficult. We will give it a try and see where we get to."
Earlier, Crystal Palace beat already relegated Sheffield United 2-0.
Chelsea beat Man City to delay Premier League title party
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Chelsea beat Man City to delay Premier League title party
- Tuchel’s in-form team score 2-1 victory as Alonso bundles in the winner in dying seconds
Emma Raducanu pulls out of Australian Open warm-up with back injury
- Former US Open champion will now fly to Melbourne to begin rehabilitation ahead of the year’s first major
- The 22-year-old has suffered a series of injuries since bursting onto the scene with her New York triumph in 2021
Britain’s Raducanu will now fly to Melbourne to begin rehabilitation ahead of the year’s first major starting on January 12.
The 22-year-old has suffered a series of injuries since bursting onto the scene with her New York triumph in 2021.
“I’ve tried my best to be ready. I love Auckland and the fans here,” the 56th-ranked Raducanu said.
“But unfortunately I’ve picked up a back niggle and I won’t be ready in time.”
Raducanu is traveling with renowned fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura in an attempt to better withstand the rigors of professional tennis.
Raducanu missed a chunk of 2023 following wrist and ankle surgery, and was recently sidelined for two months by a foot injury.
Former Australian Open semifinalist Elize Mertens also withdrew Tuesday hours before the second seed’s first-round match in Auckland.
Top seed Madison Keys defied blustery conditions to win her first-round match in straight sets over Lucia Bronzetti.
American world number 21 Keys was relieved to start her season with a solid 6-4, 6-4 outing against the Italian.
“I feel like we all come out, we’re a little bit nervous, but it’s obviously so much fun to be back out here,” she said.
“Lucia is one of those players who’s just going to make you keep on having to play shots. So it’s great for the confidence this early in the season.”
The 29-year-old will next play unseeded Romanian Jaqueline Cristian after her Ukrainian opponent Yuliia Starodubtseva retired during their second set.
Former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin beat China’s Wang Xiyu 7-6 (7/5), 6-1, the American setting up a second-round match against fifth-seeded Dane Clara Tauson.
LeBron James, at 40, says he could have 5-7 more ‘high-level’ NBA years
- The basketball superstar, speaking after a Lakers practice session, also said he plans to finish out his NBA career with the Lakers, and would not make a comeback after leaving the league
- James, in his record-tying 22nd NBA campaign, is averaging 23.5 points, 9.0 assists and 7.9 rebounds a game and shooting 49.6 percent from the floor
LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, celebrating his 40th birthday Monday, said he could play another five to seven years in the NBA at a high-caliber level — though he conceded he would probably retire before then.
The basketball superstar, speaking after a Lakers practice session, also said he plans to finish out his NBA career with the Lakers, and would not make a comeback after leaving the league — whenever that is.
Asked what might be the deciding factor about when to retire, James declared a lack of competitiveness would not be his reason.
“It won’t be because I can’t play this game at a high level,” James said. “To be honest, if I really wanted to, I could probably play this game at a high level for another five to seven years if I wanted to, but I’m not going to do that.”
James, in his record-tying 22nd NBA campaign, is averaging 23.5 points, 9.0 assists and 7.9 rebounds a game and shooting 49.6 percent from the floor.
He won a third Olympic gold medal with the US team of NBA stars in Paris this year and, after starting in the NBA as an 18-year-old rookie, now has a 20-year-old son as an NBA teammate.
James is a four-time NBA champion, four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, a 20-time NBA All-Star and owns the ever-expanding NBA records for most points and games played in a career.
James said he plans to play out his career with the Lakers.
“I think that’s the plan,” James said. “I would love for it to end here. That would be the plan. I came here to play the last stage of my career.
“I think my relationship with this organization speaks for itself. Hopefully I don’t have to go nowhere before my career is over.”
Once he is gone, James said, there will be no comeback attempts, as was the case with superstar Michael Jordan.
“No, no, no, no, no. But I will miss the hell out of it for sure,” James said. “But no, I won’t walk away and then come back.”
For his career, James is averaging 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.5 steals over 1,520 games.
Clinical Swiatek romps as Tsitsipas crashes at United Cup
- Five-time Grand Slam winner Swiatek was on court for the first time since news broke in late November that she served a one-month ban for a doping violation
- Kazakh world No. 6 and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina survived a late wobble before burying Greek hopes with a 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Maria Sakkari
PERTH: Iga Swiatek romped to an emphatic victory in her season-opening match at the United Cup Monday, but Stefanos Tsitsipas crashed as Kazakhstan upset Greece to make the knockout round of the mixed-team tournament.
Five-time Grand Slam winner Swiatek was on court for the first time since news broke in late November that she served a one-month ban for a doping violation.
But the Pole quickly shook off any nerves in Sydney with a 6-1, 6-0 thrashing of Norway’s Malene Helgo.
“Pleased with everything, honestly. I’m happy for sure with the performance,” said the world No. 2.
“It’s not always easy to play for your country, sometimes the pressure is a bit bigger.
“I feel good, I feel happy, happy I can play tennis overall,” she added. “I’m just going step by step and we’ll see what’s next.”
The 23-year-old tested positive for the heart medication trimetazidine (TMZ) in an out-of-competition sample in August when she was ranked No. 1.
However, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted that the violation was not intentional and she escaped with a one-month sanction.
While she was in electric form, Greek star Tsitsipas had a day to forget.
He is coming off a mediocre 2024 in which his ranking dropped to its current 11 from a career-high three and was hoping for a confidence-boosting fresh start in Perth.
But he was stunned 6-4, 7-6 (7/0) by 78th-ranked Alexander Shevchenko.
Kazakh world No. 6 and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina then survived a late wobble before burying Greek hopes with a 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Maria Sakkari.
“I’m really happy for the team,” said Rybakina, now working with Novak Djokovic’s former coach Goran Ivanizevic. “We all tried hard.
“It was a tough match for me today and I’m so happy to be in the quarter-finals.”
Rybakina took the first set and led 5-0 in the second, but the former world No. 3 Sakkari won three games in a row to threaten a comeback.
Rybakina came through on her third match point as Sakkari mis-hit an overhead.
“At 5-0 you have nothing to lose, she played more aggressively and hit some good shots,” said Rybakina.
Shevchenko called his defeat of a sluggish Tsitsipas “one of the best” of his career.
“He was not at his best today. But I played really well and found the moment to win that match,” he said.
“It will definitely go in my record as one of my best wins.”
Defending champions Germany, led by Alexander Zverev, defeated China 2-1 in the Perth evening session as both nations reached the quarterfinals.
The Germans finished top in their group and will line up on Wednesday against Kazakhstan. China advanced as the best of the three runners-up in Perth.
Second-ranked Zverev recovered from a bad start to beat Zhang Zhizhen 2-6, 6-0, 6-2 but unfancied Gao Xinyu stunned German Laura Siegemund 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 to even the tie.
The German pair combined in mixed doubles to defeat Zhang Shuai and Zhang Zhizhen 6-2, 7-6 (7/3).
Zverev had his problems in the opening rubber against an inconsistent Zhang, who swept the opening set but disappeared after that.
“I didn’t start off well. I was missing more shots from my backhand side, which is normally the most stable,” said Zverev.
“He was also playing extremely well, so aggressive. He was not letting me into the match or find my rhythm.
“Then I found my rhythm and I’m happy with my performance in the second and third sets.”
In Sydney, Katie Boulter led Britain to victory over Argentina with all three teams in the group, which also includes hosts Australia, still in contention for the knockout rounds.
World No. 24 Boulter downed 100th-ranked Nadia Podoroska 6-2, 6-3.
Underdog Billy Harris looked on track to seal the tie for Britain when he went a set up against Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
But the Argentine rallied for a gutsy 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win to send the tie to a deciding mixed doubles.
Etcheverry fronted up again with Maria Carle to take on Boulter and Charles Broom, with the British pair coming out on top 7-6 (7/4), 7-5.
Chelsea’s title hopes rocked by shock defeat at Ipswich
IPSWICH: Enzo Maresca admitted Chelsea should not think about challenging for the Premier League title after lowly Ipswich beat the Blues 2-0 at Portman Road on Monday.
Maresca’s side were rocked by Liam Delap’s early penalty and a second-half goal from former Chelsea winger Omari Hutchinson.
Chelsea’s second successive defeat after their Boxing Day loss against Fulham left them without a win in their last three matches.
The west Londoners had emerged as surprise title contenders after an eight-match winning run in all competitions.
But Maresca had insisted throughout that spell that Chelsea’s inexperienced squad do not have what it takes to win the title in his first season after arriving from Leicester.
And the Italian’s prediction looks spot on after a shock result in Suffolk that leaves Chelsea in fourth place, 10 points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
“We focus game by game. We are not focused on title race or those things,” Maresca said.
“It was a strange game. We had many chances but we could do many things better, defend better in some moments.
“Now we’ve finished the first part of the season, no one expected us to be where we are. It’s a long race.”
Third-bottom Ipswich climb within one point of safety after winning for the second time in their last four matches.
Kieran McKenna’s side have renewed belief they can avoid relegation back to the Championship thanks to their first top-flight home win in 22 years.
“Special night for the club. First home win in the Premier League at Portman Road for 22 years and to do it against Chelsea was fantastic,” McKenna said.
“Everyone involved with Ipswich can enjoy a glass of sparkly stuff tomorrow night and think about some of the moments we’ve had over the last couple of years.”
Ipswich took the fight to Chelsea right from the start as Delap bullied the visitors’ defense in pugnacious fashion.
Delap raced onto Leif Davis’ inch-perfect pass in the 12th minute and went to ground after the faintest of kicks by Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.
Referee John Brooks awarded the spot-kick and Delap drilled into the bottom corner for his seventh goal of the season.
Cole Palmer almost levelled immediately when his free-kick from 22 yards smacked against the post.
Palmer’s superb left-footed cross was converted by Joao Felix midway through the first half but the Portugal striker’s powerful finish was disallowed for offside after a lengthy VAR check.
Just before half-time, Palmer’s superb 20-yard curler looked destined for the top corner after Felix’s lay-off, only for Christian Walton to brilliantly parry onto the crossbar.
Felix’s header was cleared off the line by Wes Burns early in the second half before Walton thwarted Noni Madueke’s low effort.
Chelsea’s profligacy came back to haunt them as Ipswich doubled their lead in the 53rd minute.
Axel Disasi carelessly passed straight to Delap on the halfway line and he ran at Levi Colwill before passing back to Hutchinson.
Intelligently working a yard of space, Hutchinson drilled into the bottom corner.
It was a special goal for Hutchinson against a club that released him twice from their youth team.
Chelsea were unable to muster a response as Ipswich inflicted a painful defeat with repercussions at both ends of the table.
Newcastle extend Man United’s losing run with ease
- The Magpies cruised to a 2-0 win at Old Trafford
- Alexander Isak and Joelinton struck inside the first 19 minutes as a fifth consecutive win lifted Newcastle into fifth place
MANCHESTER: Manchester United ended a 2024 to forget with a fourth consecutive defeat as Newcastle cruised to a 2-0 win at Old Trafford to intensify the scrutiny on Red Devils’ boss Ruben Amorim.
Just two months into his tenure, Amorim conceded this week that his job is on the line unless results begin to improve.
The Portuguese has won just two of his first nine league games to leave United languishing down in 14th, just seven points above the relegation zone.
Alexander Isak and Joelinton struck inside the first 19 minutes as a fifth consecutive win lifted the Magpies into fifth.
Amorim stood aghast at what he was witnessing in the first half as Newcastle cut through the home side at will.
Just over three minutes were on the clock when Isak was afforded space inside the six-yard box to head in Lewis Hall’s cross and score for the sixth consecutive Premier League game.
United badly missed the presence of suspended captain Bruno Fernandes as the Newcastle midfield three of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton played around the aging duo of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen with ease.
Isak blew a huge chance to double the visitors’ lead when he fluffed an attempted dink over Andre Onana and the Swedish striker also had a goal ruled out for offside.
However, it was just a matter of time before Newcastle added a second and it arrived when Joelinton burst in to meet Anthony Gordon’s cross.
Amorim responded by replacing Joshua Zirkzee with Kobbie Mainoo after just 33 minutes — a move greeted with cheers by the frustrated Old Trafford crowd.
Tonali should have made it 3-0 when he hit the post at the end of a flowing Newcastle move through the heart of the United defense.
However, Eddie Howe’s men nearly gifted the Red Devils a route back into the game before half-time.
Rasmus Hojlund missed a glorious chance to pull a goal back when the Dane fired wide with just Martin Dubravka to beat.
Casemiro then wasted an even better opportunity after Fabian Schar presented possession to Mainoo.
Amorim’s half-time pep talk did at least muster some response as United began the second half far better.
Harry Maguire’s header came back off the post before Hall blocked De Ligt’s goalbound follow-up effort.
Marcus Rashford had been restored to the United squad for the first time in five games but remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes as Amorim turned to another outcast in Alejandro Garnacho to make a difference.
But the Argentine international was introduced just as Newcastle had ridden the storm and began to assert their control once more.
A third consecutive home league defeat for the first time since 1979 is the latest in the list of sorry statistics that have marked United’s decade of decline.
The fear for Amorim is that the losing run only looks set to continue into 2025.
A daunting trip to runaway league leaders Liverpool awaits on Sunday before United travel to Arsenal in the FA Cup third round.
