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FRIDAY | JAN 9, 2026

Malaysian Paper

City, Villa falter falter in title race

Man City’s Erling Haaland (bottom) clashes with Brighton’s Jan van Hecke during yesterday’s Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium. – REUTERSPIC

Guardiola downbeat about club’s wasted chance to put pressure on Arsenal b t l b’ t d

Ollie Watkins reacts during the PL match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. – REUTERSPIC

M ANCHESTER CITY and Aston Villa missed the chance to make significant inroads into Arsenal’s Premier League lead yesterday as man agerless Manchester United were held at lowly Burnley. Erling Haaland scored his 150th City goal from the penalty spot to put Pep Guardiola’s team ahead at the Etihad but Kaoru Mitoma made it 1-1 in the second half. Norway forward Haaland has reached 150 goals in all competi tions in his 173rd appearance – 28 games faster than any other Premier League player. But he and his teammates squandered a succession of chances as they drew a third game in a row. City are now on 43 points, five behind Arsenal, who can go eight clear with a home win against Liverpool on Thursday. Villa are level on points with City following a costly goalless draw at Crystal Palace. Hampered by injuries to several defenders, City cracked in the second half as Kaoru Mitoma’s first goal since September dealt a huge blow

“For me the fact we have drawn is a massive disappointment,” Fletcher told the BBC . “If you look at the context of the game, the chances we created, goalline clearances, a disallowed goal, 30 shots, lots of attacking play. “We created more than enough to win the game so obviously it is disap pointing when you only come away with a point.” Harvey Barnes scored a dramatic winner in the 102nd minute as Newcastle, who had been trailing head ing into stoppage time, beat Leeds 4-3 at St James’ Park. The home fans chanted for former manager Kevin Keegan as the club posted the words “We’re all with you King Kev” on the big screen. The club earlier shared a statement from Keegan’s family announcing the ex-England boss had been diagnosed with cancer. Brazilian forward Igor Thiago scored his 15th and 16th Premier League goals of the season as Brentford beat Sunderland 3-0 to climb to fifth in the table. Everton, reduced to nine men late in the match, held on to draw 1-1 with bottom club Wolves. – AFP

the game for his angry reaction when the penalty decision initially went against City. The spotkick, for a foul on Jeremy Doku by Diego Gomez, was only awarded following a VAR review. Guardiola, who argued with Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler on the touchline during the penalty contro versy, said: “I was complaining, why it was no penalty. And I was right.” Hurzeler played down the incident, saying: “I think when it’s a tight game it’s always emotional and everyone shares their opinion. That’s football. “I have huge respect for everyone from City and everyone from the staff. Emotions are part of the football game so everything is fine.” Manchester United travelled to rele gation-threatened Burnley under the temporary leadership of former mid fielder Darren Fletcher, two days after the sacking of Ruben Amorim. Benjamin Sesko doubled his Premier League tally for the season, scoring twice as United came back from a goal down at Turf Moor. But Jaidon Anthony finished smartly past the diving Senne Lammens as United drew 2-2 – they have won just once in their past six games.

to their title hopes. “Of course if you don’t win games we cannot think about these things,” Guardiola said when asked if City were still in the title hunt. Guardiola bemoaned City’s wasted chances as Brighton joined Chelsea and Sunderland in successfully frus trating the Spaniard over the last three matches. “The result is the result. I’m not a person who believes what we have done isn’t fair. One point for them, one point for us. That is what it is,” he said.

“I love a lot the way we played, we did many good things, but we don’t score goals. There are too many clear chances.

“It is not just one or two players, it

is all the players up front who create a lot. Unfortunately we couldn’t score and scoring goals is part of the job. That is the reason why we could not win the games.” Guardiola was booked during

Villa’s Unai Emery (top) and City’s Pep Guardiola react during their respective matches yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

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