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First Istanbul, then Athens. Manchester City have bookended their summer by going from east Manchester to eastern Europe and returning with continental trophies. They added the Super Cup to the Champions League, their fourth piece of silverware of 2023, when Sevilla’s Nemanja Gudelj became the only player to miss in a penalty shootout. Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, Mateo Kovacic, Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker – the captain, a particularly rare penalty taker, breathed a sigh of relief when his effort squeezed under Bono – found the net in an increasingly tense shootout. There was outstanding goalkeeping in the preceding 90 minutes but neither Ederson nor Bono made a save thereafter and when Gudelj’s spot kick was a fraction high, the City celebrations began. If Ederson was one who starred for a depleted City side, so did Cole Palmer, the youngster developing a taste for the big occasion. In two August finals, Palmer has scored two excellent goals, a Community Shield strike and a Super Cup equaliser; only Michael Owen had previously done the double of scoring in each in the same season. Each goal may have been a blow to the clubs hoping to take Palmer on loan: he is staking a case to be involved at the Etihad Stadium more often. Scorer of the Champions League final winner, Rodri, added a Super Cup assist with a deep cross. Palmer stole in at the far post to head back across goal and, buoyed by his goal, he sought a winner with a shot Bono parried, one which followed an audacious drag-back. It was a display to suggest he can take over seamlessly from Riyad Mahrez as the goalscoring left-footed, right winger. The Algerian tweeted approvingly about the young pretender’s performance. It was nevertheless notable that City’s contingent of high-class passers was depleted since the Champions League final, with the Barcelona-bound Ilkay Gundogan, ill Bernardo Silva and injured Kevin De Bruyne all absent. It may have been reflected in a lack of creativity which, in turn, may prompt another bid for West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta. And yet City still had the opportunity to score rather more. But they encountered wonderful resistance by the defiant Bono, who made a series of excellent saves, bookended by early and late stops from Nathan Ake, who perhaps ought to have scored with each header. City ended up with 22 shots though, from their perspective, too few from Haaland, who is still yet to score for them in a final. They had to come from behind against underdogs. Sevilla had ensured the Super Cup would not be an all-Mancunian affair, eliminating Manchester United from the Europa League. Sevilla have lost their influential director of football, Monchi, in the summer and some players could follow but they retain a spirit that has rendered them fearsome competitors on the European stage. The energetic Lucas Ocampos was excellent, in the age when the classic No. 9 has started to look an endangered species, Sevilla got a trademark goal for a true centre-forward. It was a bullet header from Youssef En-Nesyri, rising above Ake to meet Marcos Acuna’s cross. Yet he and Sevilla could rue an inability to score a second when they broke at speed and with menace. En-Nesyri ought to have had a second brace against a Manchester side in 2023, spurning two chances. First, Lucas Ocampos released him on a counter-attack but Ederson saved his shot, then the Brazilian made another stop. It amounted to a difficult full debut for Josko Gvardiol. The £77 million defender’s previous appearance in European club competition was a 7-0 defeat for Leipzig, against City. If this was less painful, City missed Ruben Dias and John Stones, who were both only on the bench after missing the win at Burnley. For much of the match, though, City were attacking. Jose Luis Mendilibar has been billed as the Spanish Tony Pulis, a veteran relegation firefighter who is unafraid to adopt direct tactics. Sevilla were content not to have the ball; Mendilibar does not burden his side with a passing philosophy. As City had around three-quarters of possession, Sevilla were increasingly penned in. Pressure eventually told and history was made. Guardiola had won this trophy with both Barcelona and Bayern Munich, the latter courtesy of Jupp Heynckes’ treble-winning feats. He became the first manager to win the Super Cup with three different clubs. His determination was apparent: whereas in the Community Shield, he removed Haaland, in Athens, he kept 10 of the starters on for the full 90 minutes, substituting only Palmer, and three days before a clash with Newcastle. Yet winning the Champions League brought other prizes, the chance for more silverware, and City already have their first trophy of the season. Read More Kevin De Bruyne facing up to four months out and may require surgery Man City fears grow after Kevin De Bruyne hamstrung by the same old problem Man Utd confirm Mason Greenwood investigation is over - but no decision on future made

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A Manchester City fans group has accused the Football Association of “doing the bare minimum” in amending the Community Shield kick-off time and called for a further change. The 1894 group urged supporters to boycott the treble winners’ season-opener against Arsenal at Wembley on August 6 after it was originally scheduled for 5.30pm on Sunday, August 6. After this and other complaints, the FA, in conjunction with broadcaster ITV, moved the game to 4pm. This has not gone far enough for some fans and, while they are no longer expecting a “full boycott”, 1894 still feels the kick-off should be brought forward again by another hour. A statement from the group, issued via the Football Supporters’ Association, read: “We repeat our request to the FA and to ITV to help more fans attend the game by bringing the kick-off time to 3pm. “In the eyes of many fans, the very quick decision to move the game from 5.30pm to 4pm and hastily-arranged PR releases from the FA came across as them doing the bare minimum and expecting a round of applause for the decision. “The subsequent statement from the FA said 4pm was agreed after consultation with the police, the local council and the broadcaster (ITV). However, the most important stakeholder was not consulted… the fans!” Travel arrangements for Wembley fixtures have been a recurring source of frustration for north west teams in recent seasons. Late kick-offs leave supporters travelling by rail limited time to get back to stations before the final trains north and there are general concerns about arriving home late at night and the high costs involved. These issues have been exacerbated for some high-profile fixtures by rail strikes and engineering works. The 1894 statement added: “We feel 3pm is a fair request to the authorities to allow more people to travel back at a sensible time. “To expect 30,000 fans to travel back north late on a Sunday evening is unfair. Wembley is a great, iconic venue but there are challenges getting to and from there, so we call on ITV and the FA to help our fans in particular by offering an earlier kick-off which allows families to attend.” The group is still encouraging fans not to attend the game and support local foodbanks instead. It has organised a screening of the match at the Band on the Wall venue in Manchester city centre and proceeds will be donated to such causes. “Fans can make a difference – even if a full boycott is not expected at this stage,” the statement added. “It’s hard to sacrifice watching your own team play. However, some fans are seeing it is an opportunity to make a statement. “It’s not the FA Cup final, it’s not the Champions League final. It is a game in the scheme of things where fans, if they are not valued, can choose to walk away from attending.” The FA has been approached for comment. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Joe Root: England can leave a legacy by taking different approach to Australia Roger Federer welcomed back to Centre Court for first time since his retirement Spurs in talks to sign Wolfsburg centre-back Micky van de Ven

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It must have been one of the lowest moments of Jordan Henderson’s career, to be booed by his own fans at Wembley on Friday night, wearing an England shirt, something he has always described as the ultimate honour. Worse still, the reaction was not because of the football he played but because of the choices he’d made, and by extension part of the person he was. It must have stung. Henderson, who joined Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq in July, captained his country in the 1-0 friendly win over Australia, and afterwards he put on a brave face. Asked if he was disappointed by the crowd’s reaction, he replied: “Not really. I’m not sure what the reaction was to be honest.” When it was pointed out that thousands loudly booed as he was being substituted, Henderson said: “It’s not nice, your own fans, if they were booing. But people have got their own opinions. Whenever I bump into anyone on the street it’s always been positive stuff and nice things said. It won’t change who I am and what I do for this team and for my country. I give absolutely everything every time.” He is not the only Englishman to join the Saudi Pro League – Demarai Gray and Andre Gray have both moved, while Steven Gerrard is Henderson’s manager at Al Ettifaq. But he is the most high profile player, and he has used that status in the past to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. That advocacy now looks like professional obligation rather than authentic sentiment after moving to a country which criminalises homosexuality. Henderson was asked if he understood the fans’ reaction. “Erm, not really. I don’t know… do you?” he challenged. It was suggested that it might relate to his move. “If people want to boo if I’m playing in a different country, that’s fine. Like I said, everyone is going to have an opinion when I’m playing over in Saudi. I’ve spoken in the past about the reasons for that. Whether people believe me or not is up to them.” Perhaps it might have been easier for Henderson had he said a long time ago that he was lured by a lucrative contract that would secure the financial future of his family’s families for generations. But he has always insisted he didn’t discuss his financial package until after agreeing to the transfer. Henderson suggested in a previous interview that he might be able to influence Saudi Arabian attitudes from the inside, and he seemed to repeat that line. “I’m playing football in a different country in Saudi where I want to try to improve the game on the pitch, but also things off the pitch as well.” But what does improving things off the pitch mean, in practice? “The whole league. The football. I’m not a politician. I’m not going to get into politics. All I’ve ever done is concentrate on my football and try to help people that have asked for my help. When I’m going out there, I’m just playing football trying to improve the league, trying to improve my own team and trying to win football games.” He softened slightly when it was put to him that some in the LGBTQ+ community considered his decision a betrayal. “I haven’t been surprised by that because I can understand the reasons in what they’re saying. I look at it from a different point of view, obviously. But I can understand it and I’ve got to take that on the chin.” How this affects Henderson’s England career is unclear. He was part of a disjointed performance against Australia by a largely second-string side, and is increasingly the understudy to first-choice starters Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice. There are few midfield alternatives, however, and the 33-year-old has every chance of making it to Euro 2024. “I feel as fit as I ever have, probably because over there the conditions are quite hard at times with the weather and the humidity and the warm,” he said. “I’m an experienced player, I know how to play football, you don't forget that when you just go out and play in a different league. So when I've been back here, when I've trained, when I've played games, I felt as good as ever.” Gareth Southgate staunchly defended his midfielder, which was no surprise from a manager who has always been fiercely loyal to his players, sometimes to a fault. “He is a role model in the squad, I don't understand it, ” Southgate said. But then Southgate has always taken firm stances on moral issues and, just as with Henderson, you were left wondering what he really thinks. Read More Jordan Henderson plays the tool on road to Saudi Arabia’s inevitable World Cup Gareth Southgate questions why England fans booed Jordan Henderson Ollie Watkins and Lewis Dunk emerge with credit on England’s audition night against Australia Harvey Elliott believes Jordan Henderson deserves better from England fans Wembley revenge to seal place at Euro 2024? – England v Italy talking points Kieran Trippier hails Jordan Henderson as ‘unbelievable character’ and ‘leader’

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