16/05/2026

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SCAN ME P EP GUARDIOLA hopes Manchester City can over come mounting fatigue in today’s (10pm Malaysian time) FA Cup final as Chelsea aim to salvage a turbulent season by ending their domestic trophy drought. Guardiola’s side are embroiled in a last-ditch bid to catch Premier League leaders Arsenal, but their slender title hopes will be on hold this weekend as they head to Wembley in search of a cup double. City, who beat Arsenal in the League Cup final in March, had to play Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Wednesday and they will be back in top-flight action just three days after facing Chelsea when they head to Bournemouth. Although Guardiola made six changes for a 3-0 win against Palace that left them two points behind Arsenal with two games left, the City boss is concerned his team’s gruelling fixture schedule could hand Chelsea an advantage in the final. “After the FA Cup, it is Bournemouth, we play every three days. Chelsea have a week at home training, preparing the final,” he said. “We have to travel to London. They will be at home with their wife and kids. So that is fatigue and fatigue and fatigue.” Guardiola tried to alleviate the physical toll by starting with Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku on the bench against Palace. “I have full confidence in all the squad, including the ones that didn’t play against Palace. They are so good,” Guardiola said “I thought we needed more energy. Savinho, Antoine (Semenyo) and Omar (Marmoush) were really good. Now we rest and focus on the final.” City are appearing in the FA Cup final for a record fourth successive season, but they lost the last two, against Crystal Palace in 2025 and Manchester United two years ago. Guardiola has won the FA Cup twice, in 2019 and 2023, and a third tri umph in the competition would seal his 20th trophy since arriving at City a decade ago. Uncertainty has swirled around Guardiola’s future all season and, with just one year left on his contract, he is yet to give an indication if he plans to stay or go at the end of this term. For now, the 55-year-old is looking forward to one more

SATURDAY | MAY 16, 2026

Malaysian Paper

Tale of two clubs Fatigued Cityzens battle troubled Blues for FA Cup glory

finds himself in the extraordinary position of leading the Blues in the FA Cup final with no realistic prospect of landing the job on a fulltime basis. It is the second time McFarlane has been in interim charge this season. After Enzo Maresca’s exit in January, he damaged City’s title challenge in a 1-1 draw at the Etihad. Chelsea are without a win in their last seven League games, a dismal streak that has left them with virtually no chance of qualifying for the Champions League. Winning the FA Cup for the first time since 2018 – in the process end ing eight years without a domestic tro phy – would only partially salve the wounds of such a traumatic cam paign. McFarlane believes ending that barren run would at least partially salve the wounds of a troubled cam paign. “Our recent form in the League has been way below the standard we’d expect and that we’d shown previ ously. It’s an FA Cup final, so we want to win it,” he told reporters yesterday. “It’s a massive competition. When you’re at a club of this magnitude and like you’ve mentioned, the history that this club has got in this competition and winning silverware, there’s always pressure. “There’s pressure to win every game. You have to accept that and embrace that.” Yet to work as a full-time manager, McFarlane expects to run the gamut of emotions when he walks out at Wembley today. “I have managed a few games at this level; not of this magnitude of course, but I will try and stay as level as possible and the process will stay the same,” he said. Beaten 3-0 at home by City in the Premier League in April, Chelsea haven’t got the better of Guardiola’s men in the last 13 meetings since their victory in the 2021 Champions League final. “They’ve got the belief they can beat anyone. We just know that we have to be the best version of our selves. They’re an exceptional side, with an exceptional coach and excep tional players,” McFarlane said. “They’re going to be a challenge, but we also have some really good players. These players have shown that if they’re at their best, they can beat anyone.” – AFP

CHELSEA versus MANCHESTER CITY May 16, Saturday 10pm Malaysian time

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Bernardo Silva, Reece James, Calum McFarlane & Pep Guardiola.

boss Calum McFarlane. McFarlane took over following Liam Rosenior’s sacking in April after just 106 days in charge. The former Chelsea U-21 coach

trip to Wembley.

result will be better than the last two times.” Guardiola’s glittering array of tro phies and vast experience are a stark contrast to Chelsea’s novice interim

“It is a pleasure to go to the cathedral of English foot ball to play the final,” he said. “Hopefully the

Moment of truth for Gunners

Unstoppable Sinner

Thumbs up for Red Giants

- Story on page 27

- Story on page 30

- Story on page 31

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