The FC crew question Pep Guardiola’s decision to pick Riyad Mahrez to take a penalty against Liverpool following his less-than-impressive track record.

After a scoreless draw between Liverpool and Man City, Craig Burley says we’re in for an exciting title race with three teams tied at the top.

After a scoreless draw between Liverpool and Man City, Craig Burley says we’re in for an exciting title race with three teams tied at the top.

In a match that didn’t generate much attack from either side, Riyad Mahrez’s penalty miss was the difference between a draw and a potential City win.
With the game at 0-0 and just a handful of minutes remaining, Riyad Mahrez had a glorious chance to end Manchester City’s abysmal record at Anfield, where the champions haven’t won for 15 years.
Virgil van Dijk had been penalised for bringing down Leroy Sane in the box and City’s support, massed at that end of the ground, could barely hide their excitement — finally an opportunity to bury some of those memories, the decades of embarrassment and pain at this unyielding place. The party would be…

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In a match that didn’t generate much attack from either side, Riyad Mahrez’s penalty miss was the difference between a draw and a potential City win.

English Premier League: Riyad Mahrez (86′) Liverpool 0-0 Manchester City

English Premier League: Riyad Mahrez (61′) Liverpool 0-0 Manchester City

The FC crew question Pep Guardiola’s decision to pick Riyad Mahrez to take a penalty against Liverpool following his less-than-impressive track record.

The guys respond to your tweets about the surprising results of Europe’s giants, Mahrez’s penalty miss, managers on the hot seat and Dejan Lovren.
LIVERPOOL, England — Gabriel Jesus has said he was unhappy when Pep Guardiola stopped him taking a crucial penalty in Manchester City’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool.
The City boss has since apologised to the Brazilian striker after telling winger Riyad Mahrez to take the 86th minute spot-kick, which he then fired over the bar.
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– Newcomers to pick and avoid
– Champions League names to know
– La Liga names to know
– Breaking down ESPN’s scoring system

Jesus 21, has been struggling for form since a disappointing World Cup, but he insisted he felt confident to take the penalty.
“Obviously I’m not that happy,” he told reporters….

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In a match that didn’t generate much attack from either side, Riyad Mahrez’s penalty miss was the difference between a draw and a potential City win.
LIVERPOOL, England — Pep Guardiola apologised to Gabriel Jesus after taking the penalty off him in Manchester City’s 0-0 draw at Liverpool.
With Sergio Aguero substituted, the Brazil international striker was ready to take the 86th-minute spot kick, but the City boss instructed Benjamin Mendy to tell Riyad Mahrez to take it instead.
The Algerian winger then blasted his shot high over the bar — his fifth missed penalty in eight attempts in the Premier League — as City had to settle for a point.
Fantasy

Play ESPN Fantasy Soccer
Pick your eight-man team and compete in the Champions League, Premier League, La Liga or Liga MX, then go head-to-head in leagues against your friends or people around the world. Sign up for free!

How to play ESPN Fantasy Soccer
Your team will be made up of eight players, at four different positions: two forwards, three midfielders, two defenders, and a goalkeeper. Find out more here.

– Newcomers to pick and avoid
– Champions League names to know
– La Liga names to know
– Breaking down ESPN’s scoring system

“Yeah…

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Five goal thriller at the Cardiff City stadium as Aguero scores on his 300th appearance for Manchester City.

Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola insists he is hopeful Kevin De Bruyne will play again this season and rubbished comments that his side looked physically tired against Lyon.

Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero admitted he was very happy to extend his current contract at the club until 2021.
Ilkay Gundgoan is already looking ahead to Manchester City’s trip to Liverpool in two weeks as a “real test” of their title defence.
City moved to second in the Premier League with a 5-0 victory over Cardiff City on Saturday as they put their shock Champions League loss to Lyon in midweek behind them.
Fantasy

Play ESPN Fantasy Soccer
Pick your eight-man team and compete in the Champions League, Premier League, La Liga or Liga MX, then go head-to-head in leagues against your friends or people around the world. Sign up for free!

How to play ESPN Fantasy Soccer
Your team will be made up of eight players, at four different positions: two forwards, three midfielders, two defenders, and a goalkeeper. Find out more here.

– Newcomers to pick and avoid
– Champions League names to know
– La Liga names to know
– Breaking down ESPN’s scoring system

Pep Guardiola’s side have games against Oxford United, Brighton and Hoffenheim before the trip to Anfield, where City have won just once in 35 years, but Gundogan already has one eye on…

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Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak tells ESPN about the club’s highs and lows of the last 10 years under Sheikh Mansour’s ownership.

ESPN talk exclusively to chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Sergio Aguero and many more about the rise of Manchester City under Sheikh Mansour’s ownership.

Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola defended Jose Mourinho after Manchester United’s disappointing start to the Premier League.

Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola insists his side aren’t thinking about a Champions League final this season and that they remain focused on the Premier League. MANCHESTER — Pep Guardiola admits it’s difficult for new arrivals to adapt to playing for Manchester City after record-signing Riyad Mahrez started the last two games on the bench.
The Algerian winger joined City from Leicester City in the summer for a club-record £60 million and started the Community Shield victory over Chelsea and the Premier League opener at Arsenal.
But he has played just 31 minutes as a substitute in the last two matches although Guardiola insists the 27-year-old has settled…

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Alexis Nunes and ESPN FC’s Man City correspondent Jonathan Smith break down the lessons learned from City’s comeback win over Bayern Munich.

Bernardo Silva came off the bench to inspire Manchester City to a comeback win over Bayern Munich after the Germans took a 2-0 lead in Miami.

ICC: Bernardo Silva (70′) Bayern Munich 2-3 Manchester City Manchester City have allayed fears over Riyad Mahrez’s ankle injury, by confirming the club’s new signing has been given the all-clear to return to training.
Mahrez was substituted during City’s 3-2 preseason friendly victory over Bayern Munich after picking up the injury. Following the clash, Pep Guardiola had expressed his concern and raised doubts over whether the winger would be fit in time for the Community Shield.
He was later seen wearing a protective boot on his left foot. 
However,…

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Bernardo Silva came off the bench to inspire Manchester City to a comeback win over Bayern Munich after the Germans took a 2-0 lead in Miami.

Alexis Nunes and ESPN FC’s Man City correspondent Jonathan Smith break down the lessons learned from City’s comeback win over Bayern Munich.

ICC: Bernardo Silva (70′) Bayern Munich 2-3 Manchester City
MIAMI — Pep Guardiola is unsure whether Manchester City record signing Riyad Mahrez will be fit for the Community Shield after limping out of the International Champions Cup victory over Bayern Munich.
The Algerian winger, a £60 million summer signing from Leicester City, hurt his ankle in an early challenge from United States defender Chris Richards and left the pitch in the 26th minute.
His injury is a blow with 14 of City’s World Cup players still to return to training, although Guardiola…

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Riyad Mahrez sits down with ESPN FC’s Manchester City correspondent Jonathan Smith to explain why he joined the reigning Premier League champions.

After finally sealing a move to Manchester City, Riyad Mahrez says he has to perform and show that can play at the top level.

Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez believes Harry Maguire his England performances at the World Cup have shown he is capable of playing for a Champions League side.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Riyad Mahrez’s arrival at Manchester City after becoming the club’s record signing.
NEW YORK — Riyad Mahrez has revealed he rejected interest from other clubs when Manchester City renewed their interest in him this summer.
City’s move for the Algeria winger broke down in January when his former club Leicester City refused to budge over their £95 million valuation.
But Pep Guardiola maintained an interest in Mahrez, 27, and City secured a £60m club-record deal in July to become their only signing of the summer so far.
“It’s good to have interest from clubs, and my choice…

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Mario Gotze discusses Borussia Dortmund’s win over Manchester City in the ICC and describes how the German side is feeling early in preseason.

Pep Guardiola says nothing is decided on Joe Hart’s future after the English goalkeeper played 45 minutes in Man City’s ICC loss to Dortmund.

Mario Gotze converted after Christian Pulisic won a penalty kick to lead Borussia Dortmund past Manchester City in an ICC showdown in Chicago. CHICAGO, Illinois — Pep Guardiola admitted he was worried about some of the strong tackles in Manchester City’s first game of preseason, a 1-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the International Champions Cup.
The City manager is without much of his first team after 16 of last season’s title-winning squad were called up to the World Cup and given extended time off for the new season.
Guardiola may have to use some of his fringe players for the Community Shield game against Chelsea on Aug….

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