LONDON: The English Premier League (EPL) title should be awarded to Manchester United and Liverpool after Manchester City was accused of violating financial regulations.

The Premier League today claimed City, owned by Abu Dhabi-controlled City Football Group (CFG), breached financial rules more than 100 times over nine seasons.

After the news broke, Liverpool and United supporters insisted their teams should be awarded the Premier League title in a year in which they finished second behind Pep Guardiola’s side.

Liverpool are just one point behind City in the 2018-19 and 2021-22 seasons. The Reds were also two points behind City in the 2013-14 season.

United were denied the 2011-12 league title by City on goal difference thanks to Sergio Aguero’s dramatic win in the final league game.

One Liverpool supporter wrote: “If found guilty there should be points deducted. We only have one title instead of three because we are competing against teams who break the law.”

Another Reds supporter wrote: “Give the Premier League title to the second place team in 2013-14, 2018-19 and 2021-22 as punishment.”

United supporters also said: “Give Manchester United and Jose Mourinho the 2017-18 Premier League title.”

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said winning a trophy was a necessary step at Old Trafford after the team beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 earlier this morning then won 5-0 on aggregate to reach the League Cup final.

Anthony Martial and Fred scored for Ten Hag’s side in the final 17 minutes of the semi-final with United facing Newcastle at Wembley on February 26.

Three managers have left the club since United last won a trophy under Jose Mourinho in 2017.

But Ten Hag is now just one game short of ending the drought in his first season at the club.

“I think we have a good squad, so we want to maintain a high standard,” said the Dutch manager. “You have to bring it in every game.

“We are Manchester United. When you are a United player, you have to live up to that standard.”

The advantage collected by the Red Devils when they won 3-0 at the City Ground in the first round when Ten Hag could rotate the squad since United are still involved in four tournaments.

He made six changes from the squad that beat Reading 3-1 in the fourth round of the FA Cup last Saturday with Marcus Rashford among those rested on the bench.

Wout Weghorst came close to breaking the deadlock before the break when the Dutchman’s header went wide but the game opened up more after Ten Hag made a change after an hour.

“We have a lot to do this season, so far I hope everyone can play,” said Ten Hag.

“If you want to win trophies, you need all of them to perform. You saw tonight that we can bring a new dynamic from the bench.”

SOUTHAMPTON: Eddie Howe warned Newcastle that they are not safe for the League Cup final after a 1-0 win over Southampton early this morning.

Joelinton scored the only goal of the game in the second half at St Mary’s to put Newcastle ever closer to a domestic championship final since 1999.

Southampton’s Duje Caleta-Car was sent off at the end of a tense game after Adam Armstrong’s equalizer for Nathan Jones’ side was disallowed by VAR for handball.

Newcastle may qualify for Wembley ahead of the tie at St James’ Park on January 31, meeting winners Manchester United and Nottingham Forest in the final.

“It was a good day but there is still a long way to go in this meeting. Happy to win, that’s our goal, but we realize 1-0 is too thin.

“It’s a tough game. I think both teams have had their chances. Nobody’s got the upper hand yet. We go back to St James’ with the fans behind us,” said Howe.

Howe, however, admitted his side were lucky when Armstrong’s equalizer was disallowed: “I thought it was a goal. It was a relief when VAR stepped in.”

Newcastle enjoyed an excellent season under Howe, finishing third in the Premier League and reaching their first semi-final of the domestic championship since 2005.

The last time they won a domestic trophy was in the 1995 FA Cup.

Their last final ended in defeat at the hands of Manchester United in the 1999 FA Cup.

MANCHESTER: Manchester City lead Deloitte’s Football Money League for the second consecutive year with the English Premier League dominating the top 20 clubs for the first time.

The total revenue from the top 20 clubs is close to the pre-pandemic value of 9.2 billion euros for the 2021-22 season.

The increase was largely through a 1.3 billion euro jump in matchday revenue after two seasons affected by pandemic disruptions.

The Premier League’s increased revenue in broadcast rights sales and strong commercial growth saw 11 of England’s top flight clubs fill the top 20 for the first time.

Leeds and Newcastle replaced Wolves and Zenit St Petersburg from last season’s top 20 list.

A 13 percent increase in City’s income to 731 million euros saw them maintain their top position over European champions Real Madrid who collected 714 million euros.

Liverpool are third, their highest finish in Money League history and overcame Manchester United for the first time, following their triumphant run to the European Champions League final, at 702 million euros.

United are fourth (689 million euros), followed by Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich (each at 654 million euros).

Barcelona, ​​who topped the Money League two years ago, slipped to seventh place after being knocked out of the European Champions League at the group stage and suffering a decline in commercial value compared to its rivals.

Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal complete the top 10.

“The financial dominance of the English Premier League will be difficult to challenge for the coming seasons. It is not impossible that one day all 20 English Premier League clubs will be in the top 30 of the Money League,” said Deloitte Sports Business Group director, Sam Boor.

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Pep Guardiola told Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly to continue to support Graham Potter after Manchester City thrashed the Blues 4-0 in the third round of the FA Cup early this morning.

Potter’s troubled side lost for the second time at the hands of City in four days as their hopes of a domestic cup win this season ended in disappointment.

Already eliminated in the League Cup by City last November and losing 1-0 at the hands of the English Premier League (EPL) champions last Thursday, Chelsea’s faltering season is approaching crisis after Guardiola’s squad terrorized the Etihad Stadium.

Chelsea have won just three of their 12 games but Guardiola reassured Potter when he urged the Blues’ top management to give the manager time to develop his approach.

“I want to say to Todd Boehly, give him time. I know in a big club, results are important but I want to say give him time,” said Guardiola.

“What he did at Brighton was amazing, but we need time in the first season. I had (Lionel) Messi at Barcelona in my first season, so I didn’t need two seasons because Messi was there.”

Chelsea failed to produce any attempts in the first half and Potter described it as “painful.”

Potter said it could be because of an injury crisis that forced him to drop nine players and give teenager Bashir Humphreys a chance to make his defensive debut.

But the 47-year-old controller said their offering needed to be repaired immediately.

RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo described himself as a “unique player” and insisted that his career is not over yet after a warm welcome at his new club near Saudi Arabia early this morning.

The 37-year-old Portuguese star said he had done his best in Europe and was hungry for a new challenge as he was greeted with fireworks and cheers at Al Nassr’s Mrsool Park stadium.

A five-time winner of the Ballon d’Or as well as five Champions Leagues, signed a reported 200 million euro deal until June 2025, shortly after parting ways with Manchester United.

“It’s not the end of my career by coming to Saudi Arabia. This is why I changed, honestly, I don’t worry about what other people say,” said Ronaldo.

“In Europe my work is over… I have received many offers in Europe, many in Brazil, Australia, the United States, even in Portugal,” he said.

“Many clubs tried to sign me but I gave a promise for this club.”

The 25,000-seat stadium erupted in excitement as Ronaldo, wearing Al Nassr’s yellow and blue jersey, walked onto the pitch and paid tribute to the fans.

His girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez, who was wearing a traditional dress, the abaya or robe that Saudi Arabian women usually wear, followed him behind with their children.

“I’m a unique player. It’s good to come here, I broke all the records there (Europe) and I want to break some records here,” Ronaldo said.

“I came here to win, to play, to have fun, to be part of the success of this country and its culture,” he added.

LONDON: Arsenal are aiming to close out 2022 with a bang when the Premier League predecessors travel to Everton this weekend.

In their pursuit of Arsenal, reigning champions Manchester City cannot afford to go wrong in the visit of Everton, as Newcastle look to extend their record win over Leeds.

With Gabriel Jesus out of action for several months due to injury, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could heave a sigh of relief if Eddie Nketiah found his target during the 3-1 win over West Ham on Boxing Day.

In his first start of the season, Nketiah scored the third goal in the London derby encounter and the 23-year-old proved he could replace Brazil striker Jesus who injured his knee during the 2022 World Cup.

While some fans feel Nketiah has not been as sharp as Jesus has been since his move from Manchester City, Arteta believes his young striker can fill that void.

“He’s a confident player. I hope that goal will add to his belief if he doubts himself,” said Arteta.

Victory at Brighton on Sunday will ensure Arsenal enter the new year at least five points clear at the top of the league.

Meanwhile, Manchester City teenager Rico Lewis has been able to give the defending champions a new dimension to retain the title after a touring debut in the Premier League.

Lewis still feels he is not good enough to join City’s star lineup despite putting in an impressive display in last Wednesday’s 3-1 win at Leeds.

The 18-year-old centre-back has repaid the trust shown by City manager Pep Guardiola who chose him over England right-back Kyle Walker and Portugal defender Joao Cancelo.

“I don’t feel like City’s first team. I try to do my best to help the team win.

“I don’t know if I’m going to feel like a player in the first team. It’s probably happening slowly without realizing it,” Lewis said ahead of tomorrow’s meeting with Everton.

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Nathan Ake’s header proved crucial as Manchester City knocked out reigning champions Liverpool in the League Cup following a dramatic 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium earlier today.

The last 16 clash marked the return to competitive action for England’s two football giants after the break for the World Cup and this latest clash is sure to be fierce.

Premier League (EPL) champions City twice took the lead through Erling Haaland and Riyad Mahrez but Liverpool wasted no time to equalize through goals from Fabio Carvalho and Mohamed Salah.

But after Ake made it 3-2 just before the hour mark, the visitors failed to get a third equalizing goal.

“After the World Cup and a long time of not playing, both teams are amazing with their high level and intensity,” City manager Pep Guardiola told Sky Sports.

“Liverpool are very hard to beat, if they play well they will wipe you out.”

He added: “Kevin is playing with fire in him. He needs to find him. What a player. How many years has he been here? Eight years? He’s a true legend.”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has no doubts when he says City are a “super, super, super squad that does it really well,” but still has a lot to say about its defensive fortifications.

“The goal we conceded should not have stood… We played a good game but not good enough to beat City tonight.

“There’s a lot we can improve on and we can go into the next game better and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Guardiola named six World Cup players in his main squad.

Ake, Manuel Akanji, Aymeric Laporte, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan have all started since starting.

Klopp too, whose squad beat Chelsea 11-10 in the long penalty shoot-out at Wembley in February to win a ninth League Cup for Reds, also fielded the best squad.

The controller from Germany put Salah down in his first appearance in the League Cup aside from the final since October 2020, Darwin Nunez and Carvalho.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson was also listed on the bench but fellow England international Trent Alexander-Arnold was immediately left out while Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk also rested after the World Cup.

DOHA: Brazil legend Pele says Lionel Messi “deserves” to win the World Cup after Argentina beat France in a penalty shoot-out earlier this morning.

“Today, football continues to tell something, as always, in a captivating way. Messi won his first World Cup, that’s the way it was decided,” Pele, a three-time World Cup winner, said on Instagram.

Pele also hailed France star Kylian Mbappe who scored a hat-trick in the 3-3 final after added time before coolly converting a penalty in the decider.

“My colleague Mbappe scored four goals in the final. It is a great honor to see this greatness in the future of our sport.”

Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi finally succeeded in fulfilling his personal dream of lifting the World Cup trophy when La Albiceleste defeated defending champions France 4-2 through a penalty shoot-out after the final action lasted 120 minutes and ended 3-3 at the Lusail Stadium, early this morning.

The end of Qatar 2022 saw Messi, 35, return home proud by setting several respected records at the prestigious tournament.

Messi is one of six players who have played in five World Cup finals alongside Antonio Carbajal (Mexico), Lothar Matthaeus (Germany), Rafael Marquez (Mexico), Andres Guardado (Mexico) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal).

Messi played for the 26th game in the World Cup during the final in Qatar early this morning, thus breaking the record held by Matthaeus with 25 games.

DOHA: Croatia is not only aiming to chain Argentina star Lionel Messi, instead focusing on blocking the entire opposing team in the semi-finals of the World Cup, this Wednesday.

Croatia is chasing a place in the final for the second year in a row at the World Cup after losing to France in 2018.

They eliminated the Brazilian selection in the quarter-finals after coming from behind to equalize in stoppage time before winning the penalty shoot-out.

“We don’t have any specific plans to insulate Messi and as a rule we don’t focus on one player but the entire opposing team,” striker Bruno Petkovic told a media briefing last night.

“We will protect them as a team and not individually escort. Argentina is not just Messi, they have many great players. We need to prevent an Argentinian squad,” he said.

Messi, a seven-time Ballon D’Or winner so far, has been the lifeblood of Argentina, who also needed a penalty shoot-out victory after leading twice against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.

Without players suspended and injured following the re-appearance of defender Borna Sosa, Croatia controlled by Zlatko Dalic will definitely be ready and will go down with more confidence.

Their midfield led by captain Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic will continue to be key in starting the line-up, as they did against Brazil, and defender Josip Juranovic says they are an influential trio.

“Mateo, Luka and Marcelo are the best Croatian midfield in history. I don’t think he can be repeated. If you put the ball to them it is safer than keeping money in the bank,” said the defender.

Substitute Petkovic scored a 117th-minute equalizer against Brazil while also forcing the match to be decided in the penalty shoot-out, with Croatia having now won all four of the penalty shoot-outs in the World Cup.

“I think a lot of non-professional players can perfect penalty kicks,” said Petkovic.

“The difference is how strong you are mentally. There is a lot of pressure but it can help if you have a world-class goalkeeper.” said Petkovic.

Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved one penalty against Brazil as well as saving three of Japan’s in the last 16 tie