ROUND-UP
Two days after the event, the clash at Anfield on Sunday continues to dominate the City-centric headlines.
However, given that was re-hashed quite enough yesterday for my taste, if you search hard enough there are a few snippets that look ahead, rather than back, to focus on.
We’ll begin with the Independent, who have made a case for why each of the three teams left in the title race will be lifting the trophy in May… and then analysed why all three might not do it.
Still with me?
For City, it’s home form, and history (oh alright, this particular snippet does look back as well as forward, but I’m not sure anyone minds revisiting this particular piece of history, so on we go!).
Tim Rich writes: “In horse racing terms, you can make a case for Manchester City by stating they have done the course and distance. In football commentary terms you can just scream “Aguerroooooo” very loudly into a microphone. It is that May day in 2012 which provides the core of Manchester City’s belief that they can still win the title.
“The revival that won them the title began with six games remaining. They have six games to go now. In 2012, they were five points behind Manchester United. They are currently seven adrift of Liverpool with two games in hand. Pellegrini’s side is actually in a better position than Roberto Mancini’s was.
“If Liverpool and Chelsea draw when they meet at Anfield on Sunday week and cut each other’s throats – to quote one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s favourite phrases – the way is open once more for the Premier League’s slickest machine. That they have six games rather than four gives Manchester City less of a margin of error but can you seriously see them not beating Sunderland, West Bromwich, Aston Villa and West Ham at the Etihad Stadium? Twelve points are already guaranteed.”
Whoa there. If history has taught us anything, nothing is guaranteed!
On the negative side, Rich continues: “If Pellegrini’s side do not take the title, it will be because of their form away from Manchester. Their two remaining away games look awkward and dangerous. They have managed one win in three Premier League games at Selhurst Park and two in 16 at Goodison. Everton have lost once at home all season, and that to Sunderland when they were reduced to 10 men.”
Moving on, and James Milner has been defending Vincent Kompany for his mistake at Anfield. However, he refuses to dwell on what might have been, and argues that City now have to concentrate on their own games.
Milner told the MuEN: “You can’t blame Vinny, everybody makes mistakes. Vinny has been outstanding for us. I’ve been at the club for four years and he’s been absolutely outstanding.
“You can’t say anything like that because of the amount of times he’s saved us as well - it’s one of those things.
“We had the chance down at the other end to put it away and grab a draw but it wasn’t to be and now it’s not in our hands.
“We have to rely on a mistake and make sure we win our remaining games.”
"We have Everton to go to and Crystal Palace, who are in a great run of form. They have beaten Chelsea, one of many, and we know how hard it is to get over the line.
“We left it to the last seconds the year we won it so it is difficult to get over the line.”
Indeed.
Speaking of Milner, The Bleacher Report’s Rob Pollard argues that the England midfielder can be called upon to shine in Yaya Toure’s absence.
The Ivorian left the Anfield pitch with an injury early in Sunday’s game, but the article argues that Milner is the ideal replacement.
Writes Pollard: “Toure's loss will hurt them, but they have an outstanding option on the bench in James Milner who is capable of stepping in and has been underused this season, given his contribution when called upon.
“He gave another superb cameo on the right at the weekend and had a hand in both City goals after a lacklustre first period in which City were outplayed and outfought. His introduction gave them fresh impetus and changed the pattern of the game dramatically.
“His work rate and versatility are well-documented; his technique and quality are less so. Milner mixes a remarkable appetite for running and tackling with genuine ability on the ball, be it passing, crossing or beating players.”
Manchester City to be made to pay a high price for spending spree under Uefa Financial Fair Play rules
Title challengers may face heavy fine or transfer embargo for breaking Uefa's Financial Fair Play rules
Manchester City were facing a huge Financial Fair Play sanction on Monday night as Uefa prepared to rule that the spending spree that transformed them into a superpower of the game breached its much-vaunted cost-control regulations.
Telegraph Sport has learnt that City, whose billionaire owner, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan, has bankrolled the most successful period in the club’s history, will this week be found guilty of failing to comply with FFP rules – barring an improbable 11th-hour reprieve.
Paris St-Germain are also poised to be punished by Uefa’s Club Financial Control Body, which was created to police “greed, reckless spending and financial insanity” in European football and will meet on Tuesday and Wednesday to make its first decisions on which clubs will be prosecuted.
City and PSG are understood to be among fewer than 20 teams under threat of a sanction and, unless dramatic new evidence emerges in the next 48 hours to support their claims they have played by the rules, they are on course to be hit hardest of all.
The nature and degree of any punishment will be determined in the coming days but it is understood neither team will be faced with expulsion from the Champions League.
The sanction is far more likely to be either a heavy fine or transfer embargo to prevent their mega-rich owners adding to two of the most expensive squads in history.
Such a punishment could hardly come at a worse time for City, who remain at the centre of one of the most thrilling three-horse title races English football has seen and will be desperate to avoid any distractions in their final six games of the season.
They declined to comment on Monday night on the status of the CFCB’s probe into their finances, PSG did not respond to requests for comment, while Uefa refused to comment on the identities of any team in danger of being punished.
Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea all confirmed they were not under investigation from European football’s governing body, having complied with its rule forbidding clubs making losses in excess of €45 million (£37.2 million) during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons after certain exceptions are taken into account.
Having posted losses of £149 million over that period after buying the likes of Sergio Agüero, Samir Nasri, Gaël Clichy, Javi Garcia and Matija Nastasic, City were always likely to be under heavy scrutiny.
It is their attempts to balance their books which have been most closely examined, particularly their 10-year, £350 million sponsorship deal with Etihad, the official airline of Abu Dhabi.
FFP rules prohibit transactions with companies which have ties to a club or its owners being used in this way unless they can be shown to represent fair market value. Designed to prevent wealthy owners artificially inflating the value of such deals, their validity is judged on three criteria.
If it is shown to be a related-party transaction, Uefa’s auditors calculate how much equivalent media exposure would have cost through the company advertising in other ways, how the tie-up compares with those struck by similar clubs, and what independent marketing experts think of the agreement.
City have always insisted the deal is no more unfair when measured on a like-for-like basis against those struck by its closest rivals, including United.
PSG have also argued that their much larger €200 million-a-year (£167 million) commercial arrangement with the Qatar Tourism Authority is above board but it emerged last month that Uefa had serious doubts over its validity and the French champions’ attitude to scrutiny of it.
Tuesday and Wednesday’s meeting of the eight-strong CFCB investigatory chamber, which includes former Celtic chairman Brian Quinn, could consider new data before making a final decision on each club’s innocence or guilt.
Those prosecuted will then either be offered the opportunity to settle the case by accepting a predetermined sanction, or the matter could be referred straight to the CFCB’s five-strong adjudicatory chamber.
Uefa introduced the ‘settlement’ option into its FFP regulations in an effort to avoid lengthy disciplinary hearings and the clubs involved will have 10 days to respond to the investigatory chamber’s approach.
If they reject settlement, the adjudicatory chamber will determine their case, which could result in a more severe, as well as more lenient, sanction.
Clubs guilty of FFP breaches will not be named and shamed until around May 5, after which there is a further right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
PSG are understood to have threatened already that they will fight any attempt to punish them.
Also woven into FFP rules is the opportunity for rival clubs directly affected by any sanction to contest it on the basis it is too lenient.
Were City found guilty and still allowed to enter next season’s Champions League, Everton or Arsenal could challenge their punishment.
Uefa revealed six weeks ago that it was investigating 76 teams involved in its club competitions this season for possible FFP breaches, with more than 50 subsequently cleared.
It said in a statement on Monday: “Uefa will only communicate once decisions have been taken by the CFCB investigatory chamber, which we anticipate will happen at the beginning of May.”
Yaya Toure: Injured Manchester City midfielder out for two weeks
Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure will be out for up to two weeks with a muscle injury picked up in Sunday's defeat by Liverpool.
Boss Manuel Pellegrini said: "Maybe it's not as bad as we thought at the beginning but he needs at least 10 days or two weeks to recover."
The Ivorian will miss Wednesday's match against Sunderland and potential games against West Brom and Crystal Palace.
But captain Vincent Kompany is fit to face the Black Cats.
Pellegrini also said that striker Sergio Aguero, who came on as a substitute in the 3-2 loss at Anfield, would be fit to make the squad on Wednesday.
Centre-back Kompany was a pre-match injury doubt for that game, the result of which left City seven points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool with two games in hand.
The Chilean boss added: "Vincent is fit - he on the squad list for tomorrow and so is Sergio. We'll see tomorrow which 11 will starts."
Toure, who has scored 22 goals this season, pulled up with what appeared to be a groin problem on Sunday and was replaced after 19 minutes by Javi Garcia.
City must still travel to Everton on 3 May, while Liverpool have to host second-placed Chelsea on 27 April.
"We still have six games more and we will fight for the title," Pellegrini said.
"The important thing is that we win our games, we can do nothing about the other teams."
Title race memories give City's Dzeko hope
Manchester City's Edin Dzeko celebrates his second goal against Manchester United during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England March 25, 2014.
Edin Dzeko remembers clearly how Manchester City's title hopes were written off prematurely two years ago and the striker is hoping the pundits are similarly wide of the mark after the weekend's defeat at Liverpool.
After a 1-0 defeat at Arsenal in early April 2012, City trailed Manchester United by eight points but they won their last six games to claim the league title for the first time in 44 years.
The 3-2 reverse at Anfield on Sunday left City trailing Liverpool by seven points and Chelsea by five but, because of their games in hand, they are in a better position than they were two years ago.
"It's too early to say if Sunday's result will decide where the title ends up because we still have six games to play and Liverpool and Chelsea both have four left," the Bosnian striker told the club's website.
"People talk about pressure and suchlike but that doesn't really matter - just who wins the most games between now and the end of the season.
"I firmly believe, like the last time we won the title, that it will go right to the wire despite our defeat at Anfield."
City have an early chance to get back to winning ways with one of their games in hand against bottom club Sunderland at home on Wednesday before hosting another struggling side, West Bromwich Albion, the following Monday.
Dzeko, who also won the German title with Wolfsburg in 2009, said the desire to win the Premier League had by no means been diminished by the 2012 success.
"We have a lot of new players and we want to win it again for our fans, the team and the club and we have to get back on track by beating Sunderland and West Brom in the next week," added the 28-year-old.
"I enjoyed winning the league with Wolfsburg and it was amazing to win it with City and I hope to win it many more times as a City player."
Dzeko, who has scored 11 league goals this campaign, said the return of Sergio Aguero, who has scored 15, could be a big factor as the season goes down to the wire.
The Argentine returned on Sunday as a substitute after five games out with a hamstring injury and his cross came within a whisker of allowing David Silva to give City a 3-2 lead after they had battled back from 2-0 down.
"We are playing aggressive, attacking football and scoring a lot of goals," Dzeko said.
"Sergio's return is great for the team because he is such an important player for us.
"We hope we can see the very best of him in the games that remain."
Dzeko and Aguero scored stoppage time goals as City rallied to secure a famous 3-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the 2011-12 season to spark scenes of wild celebrations at the Etihad Stadium.
Kompany trains as Manchester City await Yaya Toure scan results
The Belgian defender was back on the training pitch on Tuesday with his knee heavily strapped, while the club are set to discover if the Ivorian midfielder's season is over
Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany returned to training on Tuesday, allaying fears that he could be absent for the entirety of their title run-in, Goal can reveal.
The defender, whose knee was heavily strapped for the session at the club's Carrington training base, underwent scans following Sunday's 3-2 defeat to Liverpool but the results have revealed no lasting damage.
The Belgium international suffered the injury in training on Saturday after clashing with Micah Richards although he was passed fit for the crucial meeting at Anfield despite initial fears that he would not recover in time.
Kompany endured a difficult afternoon on Merseyside, with the centre-back making a couple of uncharacteristic mistakes as City fell to defeat and drifted seven points behind Brendan Rodgers's side at the top of the table.
The scan results will come as a positive for Manuel Pellegrini after losing ground in the title race, with City facing up to the prospect of needing to win all six of their remaining Premier League games to be in with a shot of being crowned champions.
The club are, however, still awaiting news on Yaya Toure's injury after fears that his season could be over.
The Ivory Coast international was substituted after just 19 minutes of the defeat to Liverpool and, having undergone scans to assess his knee and groin on Monday, the results are set to be released later on Tuesday.
Doncaster Belles: Reserves downed by four-star Manchester City
A scoreline of Doncaster Rovers Belles 0 Manchester City 4 in the FA WSL Development League looks like a comfortable victory, but that was far from the case, writes Julian Barker.
City had first half backing of a strong wind at Balby Carr and the better of opening chances - their best effort coming in the first minute when Georgia Brougham’s 30-yard free kick crashed against the bar.
The first half ended with both teams close to going ahead as an acrobatic effort by Holly Housley (pictured) almost gave Belles the lead before Alice Hey had the ball in the net for City - but was offside.
Belles’ Molly Johnson later went close with a long range effort.
City opened their account on the hour and then went 2-0 up shortly before injury reduced Belles to ten when Lucy Sowerby was helped off with suspected ankle ligament damage.
With play barely resumed, City stretched their lead to 3-0 and their fourth goal was effectively the last kick of the game.
Pellegrini told that keeper will cost £20m
Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has been told the signing of Inter Milan keeper Samir Handanovic will cost £20m.
The Slovenian keeper has been in superb form this season for Inter Milan and is largely the reason why Walter Mazzarri's side have maintained a European challenge.
And, his performances have gained plaudits from a number of big-spending clubs with the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City all showing interest.
The latter have been extremely interested with boss Pellegrini keen to make a summer move after inconsistency and poor form affected current number one Joe Hart.
However, the Chilean boss has been told by the Serie A club that Handanovic will cost no less than £20m.
Italian media Gazzetta dello Sport report that Inter would seemingly be interested in allowing the 29-year-old to leave but only if it was for the right price.
Demichelis: City won't give up
Manchester City defender Martin Demichelis insists his side will fight to the bitter end in the race for the Premier League title.
The Citizen's 3-2 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday means that the Manchester outfit no longer have their destiny in their own hands, with the Reds set to hoist the league trophy if they win the remainder of their matches.
Demichelis believes that City were unlucky to leave Anfield without at least a point after fighting back to draw level after going down 2-0 early on. However, the 33-year-old feels that this disappointment will only fuel them further.
"We will fight until the end. No-one left the stadium thinking they were champions," said the Argentina international.
"Obviously we are not happy about the result but we know we have still got matches ahead. We have seen in football that we can still win and they can make mistakes.
"Hopefully we will win the rest and there will be some mistakes from Liverpool.
"I can only complain about how unlucky we were. We should have got a draw at least - their only clear chance in the second half came from our mistake.
"Unfortunately we couldn't bring a more positive result to our fans, but we can still bring something positive from now until the end."
Wabara cancels City contract
Manchester City defender Reece Wabara has left the club after cancelling his contract by mutual consent.
The 22-year-old's deal was due to expire in the summer, but he has agreed an early release from his contract and is now a free agent.
The former England Under 20 international has struggled to break into City's star-studded line-up and has been farmed out to the likes of Ipswich, Oldham, Blackpool and Doncaster over the last three years.
News of Wabara's availability on a free transfer is sure to alert a number of clubs with the defender impressing during his loan spells away from City.
Wabara joined City from Walsall's youth set-up in 2007 and he made one senior appearance in the first-team.
Milner defends Kompany
James Milner has jumped to the defence of Vincent Kompany in the wake of Manchester City’s 3-2 defeat at Anfield on Sunday.
Kompany had been a doubt for the match but after being passed fit, he made a number of errors that led to all three of Liverpool’s goals.
Raheem Sterling’s sidestep caught him unawares before he was brushed off by Martin Skrtel as the Reds went 2-0 up and just as City were gaining the upper hand a poor clearance resulted in Philippe Coutinho netted the winner for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Kompany has come in for some sharp criticism in the wake of the match but Milner believes he should not be blamed for the defeat.
“Obviously he is disappointed. You can’t blame Vinny, everybody makes mistakes. Vinny has been outstanding for us,” Milner told the Manchester Evening News.
“I’ve been at the club for four years and he’s been absolutely outstanding. You can’t say anything like that because of the amount of times he’s saved us as well. It’s one of those things.
“We had the chance down at the other end to put it away and grab a draw but it wasn’t to be and now it’s not in our hands.”
The defeat leaves City seven points behind Liverpool, but they will be looking to close the gap when they host Sunderland on Wednesday evening.
Although they have two games in hand, Milner believes City must rely on Liverpool dropping points if they are to have any hope of winning the Premier League title.
“We have to rely on a mistake and make sure we win our remaining games,” he said.
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[/spoiler]Liverpool are preparing a £38m bid for 20-year-old Everton midfielder Ross Barkley, a move that would spark interest among several other Premier League sides. Daily Star
Inter Milan general director Marco Fassone has hinted the Italian club may make a bid for Chelsea striker Fernando Torres, 30. Inter Milan website
Chelsea have joined Arsenal in the race to sign Everton's 19-year-old defender John Stones. DSSC
Arsenal have made enquiries about Real Madrid's 22-year-old Brazilian midfielder Casemiro and are also interested in the Spanish club's 21-year-old striker Alvaro Morata. Daily Mirror
Arsenal have been warned off making a summer move for 27-year-old Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic by Bayern Munich's sporting director Matthias Sammer. Metro
West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame, 26, says he is on Liverpool's list of transfer targets. Sun
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand's contract is up at the end of the season and the 35-year-old says he wants to continue playing, ideally at the Old Trafford club.
Full story: Daily Star
Southampton and Sevilla have joined Everton in the competition to sign 30-year-old Espanyol striker Sergio Garcia. Talkshit
Chelsea keeper Petr Cech has questioned whether Liverpool have the nerve to win the Premier League title. Daily Express
Swansea's players were involved in heated training ground clashes ahead of the relegation-battling club's defeat by Chelsea last Sunday. Daily Telegraph
Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp is Manchester United's number one choice to replace David Moyes if they decide to end the Scot's time at the club. Daily Mirror
But Klopp is top of Tottenham list to replace Tim Sherwood as the White Hart Lane club's manager. Sun
Manchester United trio Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley and Ashley Young have been fined and warned about their future conduct after a night out in the wake of the club's Champions League quarter-final exit to Bayern Munich. DSSC
Liverpool full-back Jon Flanagan, 21, says winning the Premier League title for inspirational captain Steven Gerrard is a big motivation for the squad. Daily Express
Barcelona have denied making any contact with Jurgen Klopp after Spanish media reported that the Catalan giants were preparing a summer move for the Borussia Dortmund manager to replace Tata Martino. Tuttosport
Chelsea are ready with a £13m bid for 20-year-old Hamburg midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, who is a target for Atletico Madrid target. As.com
Paris St-Germain have joined Manchester United and Barcelona in the pursuit of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marco Reus, 24. Besides Reus, Schalke's Julian Draxler, 20, is also on the wish list of French side PSG. Bild
Borussia Dortmund have bought back 25-year-old Germany-born Turkey midfielder Nuri Sahin from Real Madrid for £5m. L'Equipe
Germany and Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira, 27, has resumed training with the team for the first time since being sidelined with a knee injury for six months. Marca
Manchester United have already made contact with Dutchman Louis van Gaal to replace manager David Moyes during the summer. Bild
Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo, 34, says former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson ruined his "purity" when he got Park Ji Sung to man-mark him during a game between his former club AC Milan and the Old Trafford outfit. Times
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