Pep Guardiola said Manchester City would have preferred a full seven days to prepare for the FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley, but the tight run-up is the “price of success” after winning the League Cup. City’s schedule has been compressed by Premier League and FA Cup matches as they chase a domestic treble, leaving Guardiola disappointed with the lack of ideal preparation. He added that the team trained “absolutely nothing” since beating Crystal Palace and will make a late fitness call on Rodri.
Liverpool were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Anfield, doing little more than edging toward Champions League qualification. The hosts faced boos as the visitors snapped a six-game Premier League losing streak. Enzo Fernandez’s bouncing free kick levelled the match in the 36th minute, turning the momentum after a tense first half.
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Liverpool playmaker Florian Wirtz missed Saturday’s Premier League match against Chelsea after coach Arne Slot said the German was dealing with a stomach bug. Slot revealed Wirtz fell sick this week, skipped parts of training, and was left out of the squad for the trip to Anfield. The absence raises questions over his availability next.
Chelsea’s American ownership is facing a growing crisis as results slide and optimism evaporates ahead of the FA Cup semi. A Champions League exit, a five-game losing streak, and heavy spending on unproven players have fueled fan anger and player disillusionment. With mounting debt, financial losses, and managerial instability, the club’s next direction—and ability to attract stars—looks uncertain.
Chelsea have sacked Liam Rosenior after a disastrous Premier League spell that produced five straight losses without scoring. The club confirmed the decision on Wednesday, with Rosenior out less than four months after taking charge and only four days before Chelsea’s FA Cup semifinal at Wembley. The move raises pressure on the club’s crowded ownership and finances.
Chelsea’s season slipped further into crisis after a 3-0 defeat to Brighton left their Champions League qualification hopes hanging by a thread. The loss keeps Chelsea seventh in the Premier League, seven points behind fifth-placed Liverpool, with Liverpool also having played one more match. The gap now feels increasingly difficult to close.
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