Kevin De Bruyne faces ‘few weeks out’ after suffering another hamstring injury
Pep Guardiola confirmed Kevin De Bruyne will be out for “a few weeks” after being forced out of Manchester City’s opening-day win at Burnley. City launched their defence of the Premier League title by cruising to a 3-0 win at newly-promoted Burnley as Erling Haaland struck twice in the first half before Rodri slammed home a third midway through the second. Victory over former City captain Vincent Kompany’s Burnley was tainted by De Bruyne’s 23rd-minute withdrawal, with Guardiola revealing his talisman had injured the same hamstring that had kept him out at the end of last season. Guardiola said: “Hamstring again. Same position. It depends on the magnitude of the injury, but will be a few weeks out.” De Bruyne returned from a similar problem in time to start in the Champions League final in June but lasted only 36 minutes. Asked if the Belgium midfielder had returned too soon to start against Burnley, Guardiola said: “Maybe. Maybe it was my mistake, but when he is injured after 15-20 minutes it is not something wrong, when it is 65 it is the fatigue of the muscle. “We have to talk with the doctors and him. He was one year a long time injured, he came back from that position. “He is down. He fought a lot. The final of the Champions League. He felt really good. I prefer to start and make 50-55 minutes. He is disappointed, but he is strong and will be back.” Guardiola appeared to be involved in a furious bust-up with Haaland as the players left the pitch at half-time and the Spaniard explained why both were so animated. He added: “We discuss a lot. Erling wanted the ball immediately and Bernardo (Silva) don’t give it, it was one minute left and 0-2. “A minute earlier (the ball went) to Mateo Kovacic and we lost it. We have to finish at 0-2 and go to the second. I understand Erling, he wanted the ball, but Bernardo took the right decision.” Kompany, who won four Premier League titles at City, steered Burnley to the Sky Bet Championship title in his first season in charge and handed five summer signings their debuts. The Belgian said his new-look side will only get better and there were positives to take from their performance. He said: “It is progress again. This team has to be the worst it is ever going to be this season, at this moment in time. “You want to get a result, that is a given, but there are other things which create a foundation for the season – tackling, pressing, running at defenders one-on-one.” Second-half substitute Anass Zaroury was sent off in the closing stages after his yellow card for a challenge on Kyle Walker was changed to a red after referee Craig Pawson watched a replay on the pitch-side moniter. Kompany added: “The crowd has always been behind us. I wish we could’ve turned the momentum again in the last 20 minutes and created some more danger, but with the red card the game kind of settled. “We had enough today to get something. I am not saying a result, but to get on the score sheet.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live ‘Not my decision’ whether I get time to transform Chelsea – Mauricio Pochettino Erling Haaland at the double as Manchester City kick off new campaign in style Anthony Joshua focused only on Robert Helenius amid Deontay Wilder speculation
2023-08-12 07:24
Messi double as Miami move past Dallas after shoot-out
Lionel Messi scored twice, including a brilliant late equaliser, as Inter Miami advanced past FC Dallas to the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup on penalties...
2023-08-07 12:23
Braves top prospect’s return before postseason seems unlikely
The Braves probably won't put top prospect AJ Smith-Shawver back on the mound before the end of the regular season, according to one Atlanta beat writer.
2023-09-02 07:46
Arteta wants Arsenal to make 'beautiful memories' on Champions League return
Mikel Arteta has told his Arsenal players to make "beautiful memories" on their return to the Champions League...
2023-09-20 01:19
Crawford unifies welterweight division with 9th-round TKO in dominant performance over Spence
Terence Crawford knocked down Errol Spence Jr. three times Saturday night before finally ending the fight at 2:32 of the ninth round on a technical knockout to cement himself as one of the greatest welterweights in history
2023-07-30 12:47
West Ham hero Jarrod Bowen says last-minute winner ‘best moment of my career’
Jarrod Bowen admitted scoring the winning goal in a European final was beyond his wildest dreams. Bowen’s last-minute strike secured a dramatic 2-1 victory for West Ham over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final and ended their 43-year wait for a trophy. The 26-year-old winger raced on to Lucas Paqueta’s through-ball and slotted home to spark wild celebrations on the pitch, the touchline and in the stands. “I can’t sum it up, it’s the best feeling I’ve had in my career,” said Bowen. “When I went through I had a lot of time and it was just about making sure you put it in. “The keeper came out and I think I fell over, I looked up and the ball was going in and I thought ‘no, this isn’t happening’. “I spoke to my family before and said ‘imagine scoring a goal in the last minute’. To bring a trophy to this club is the best moment of my career. “The fans as well, seeing them after the game I was a bit lost for words. It’s the best feeling of my life, never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d win a European trophy. “I’m so buzzing, all of us are just going to go mad I think. You have to celebrate. “When the final whistle went I just thought’ this party is going to be crazy. I’m just a little boy from Leominster who never thought I’d be talking like this. My family are crying and it just shows me how far I’ve come.” West Ham led through a Said Benrahma penalty on the hour but were immediately pegged back by Giacomo Bonaventura’s strike. But when Bowen raced through with a minute to go, boss David Moyes almost found himself going full Jose Mourinho. “The moment he went through I was edging down the touchline,” he said. “If it was going to be anyone, I thought ‘this is the moment’. “But I couldn’t do a full Mourinho knee slide as the grass was a bit dry and I’d have ended up on my belly.” The victorious team return home on Thursday for a parade through East London, starting at 7pm on Barking Road and ending in front of Stratford Town Hall. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Tony Cottee: West Ham face big decisions over Declan Rice and David Moyes future Football rumours: Newcastle join Manchester United in bid to sign Kim Min-jae On this day 2011: England’s Matt Prior reprimanded over smashed window at Lord’s
2023-06-08 16:29
Barcelona's projected stadium revenue upon Camp Nou return revealed
Barcelona are hoping to generate €346m (£297m) a season in stadium revenue once renovations to Camp Nou are complete. They will spend at least this season at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys while work on their spiritual home continues.
2023-09-12 20:25
Francis Ngannou corrects Dana White’s false claim over heavyweight’s UFC exit
Francis Ngannou has corrected Dana White’s false claim that the heavyweight was released by the UFC, after White criticised Ngannou for signing with the PFL. Ngannou left the UFC at the end of his contract in January, relinquishing the heavyweight title before announcing last week that he had signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). As part of Ngannou’s PFL deal, the Cameroonian will be able to box on the side, and his opponents will receive a guaranteed pay of $2million. Furthermore, Ngannou, 36, will serve as chairman of PFL Africa and have equity in the promotion. The “Predator” is expected to box this year and make his PFL debut in 2024. UFC president White said on Saturday that the deal “makes no sense to me” and that Ngannou “wants to take zero risks”. The American also referenced “the day that we released him”. Ngannou took exception to the 53-year-old’s comments, however. “What is your problem with me?” Ngannou tweeted on Sunday (21 May). “I completed my contract, was a free agent, and chose to walk away. You didn’t release me. “I hate taking risks? That’s why I defended my title to [fulfil] my contract with no acl or mcl? “I’m finally getting paid and respected, and have a deal that’s fair and equal for all parties. Why are you so against me being free and happy?” Ngannou also hit back at White’s claim that the Cameroonian had turned down fights in the UFC prior to his exit. “The reason I fought three times in three years is because you wanted to control my deal and [sign] a new one. And freeze me out,” Ngannou wrote. “‘I owe these guys three fights a year.’ Isn’t that what you say? What happened? I always asked for & never said no to any fight in the 3 years.” Ngannou most recently fought in January 2022, outpointing former teammate Ciryl Gane to retain the UFC heavyweight title with an injured knee. He later underwent treatment for the injury, before leaving the UFC this January. In March, UFC light-heavyweight icon Jon Jones won the vacant heavyweight title by submitting Gane in Round 1. Jones and Ngannou have long gone back and forth on Twitter and in the media, with White previously accusing Jones of avoiding a fight with Ngannou. On Saturday, however, the UFC president claimed the opposite, leading Ngannou to write: “If you ever really want that Jon Jones fight to happen, reach out to @PeteMurrayPFL. Whenever, wherever.” Ngannou also shared footage of White suggesting, after Ngannou had beaten Gane, that Jones had no desire to fight the Cameroonian. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Francis Ngannou: Who will the heavyweight fight next after signing with PFL? Joe Rogan is right: Tyson Fury has ‘no chance in hell’ against Jon Jones McGregor Forever: The problem with the new Conor McGregor documentary Who will Francis Ngannou fight next after signing with PFL? Francis Ngannou explains unprecedented PFL deal and how it will help his opponents Conor McGregor makes guarantee for Michael Chandler fight
2023-05-22 19:52
Vingegaard warms up for Tour de France defence with Dauphine victory
Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard won the Criterium du Dauphine cycling race on Sunday to warm up for his Tour de France...
2023-06-11 21:53
Fiji 'on track' for Rugby World Cup after beating Japan
Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui said his team was "on track" for the Rugby World Cup after beating Japan for their third win in...
2023-08-05 22:19
Arsenal signs star winger Bukayo Saka to extended contract through 2027
Arsenal has secured homegrown star Bukayo Saka to an extended contract
2023-05-24 00:21
All Blacks' Rugby World Cup stocks drop after old flaws resurface in Springboks thrashing
New Zealanders’ growing confidence in the All Blacks’ prospects at the Rugby World Cup has been punctured by the record loss to world champion South Africa in its last warmup
2023-08-30 17:17
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