Manchester City round-up: FA charge; Pep Guardiola reflects on draw; Monaco’s Kylian Mbappe reacts to speculation

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester City have been charged by the Football Association (FA) after failing to keep their players under control during the 1-1 draw with top-four rivals Liverpool on Sunday afternoon, as reported by BBC Sport. Pep Guardiola’s side protested after Gael Clichy’s foul on Roberto Firmino was deemed a penalty by referee Michael Oliver, with James Milner dispatching the spot-kick away to give his side the lead.

City players surrounded Oliver, with Clichy and David Silva booked, and the FA have enforced a charge for not ensuring “their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion” during the draw. The club has been given until Thursday 23 March to appeal the decision.

Sergio Aguero’s second-half strike from close-range salvaged a point for Guardiola’s side after an enthralling encounter at the Etihad Stadium, meaning City remain third in the Premier League table. Manchester City manager Guardiola has reflected on the point against Liverpool, labelling the match as “one of the most special days” of his life.

After crashing out of the Champions League at the hands of French side Monaco during the week, City recovered well from going a goal behind to secure a critical point at the top of the league. Speaking after the match, in quotes captured by the Mirror, the Spaniard said:

“Why? Because we lived through a tough two days after being out of the Champions League with our mood at what happened in Monaco.

“We had a tough few days, everyone was sad, then playing against a team like Liverpool, who had all week to prepare for the game, they fought until the last minute and put everything out on the pitch.

Despite staying above Liverpool after Sunday’s result, rivals Manchester United closed the gap on City to just five points – with a game in hand – after seeing off relegation contenders Middlesbrough.

In transfer news, Monaco teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe has reacted to the recent transfer speculation linking him with a move to the Etihad Stadium, insisting he doesn’t listen to rumours.

Mbappe – part of the Monaco side that knocked City out of the Champions League – has burst onto the scene this season, scoring 19 goals in 32 games this season including two against the Citizens.

Answering questions on the recent links, the Manchester Evening News reports the teenager said:

“Sorry, but I do not look at what the English press say. I remain very calm around this attention I get.

“I get up in the morning and I go to practice like everyone else. I try to work to improve myself every day and I try to do on the pitch what I do during the training sessions. For now, it works well.”

The 18-year-old has four years left on his contract at Monaco, and it is widely believed that it would take an offer in excess of £50 million to tempt the French side into selling the young Frenchman.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by barselona.51