Sports
Not our best, but closer’ – how high can Man City finish?
During Manchester City’s dreadful run of form and results towards the end of 2024, Pep Guardiola would often look agitated and stressed.
But after watching his side comprehensively thrash a struggling Ipswich 6-0 on Sunday he looked far more relaxed. It was a display that provided a reminder of just why City have been the dominant side in English football in recent years.
“We are back to doing things that define this team for the last 10 years,” Guardiola told Sky Sports afterwards.
“I’m really pleased for the players, they deserve it. They suffer a lot in this time, but we recovered some identities we lost in this path.”
Just one league win in nine games during November and December was hugely damaging to City’s hopes of a fifth successive title as they are now 12 points behind leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.
Top four is far more realistic and the goal rush at Ipswich helped them overtake Newcastle in fourth and six points shy of second-placed Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.
Guardiola, though, was just happy to see signs of his old team as they took total control against Town.
“[It was] much better,” he added. “Maybe not our best, but closer.
“The players realised where we were, our standards lacked because it’s not just winning titles, it is the joy to do your best.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a big actor in London or a little theatre in Sheffield – it doesn’t matter.
“I think the players proved many things and hopefully it can be the beginning of recognising ourselves of who we were.”
Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy will compete in this year’s Irish Open at the K-Club in County Kildare.
The Holywood player’s only success in his home tournament came at the same venue in 2016.
McIlroy produced a superb birdie-par-eagle finish in the final round to secure victory by three shots.
In September last year, the world number three finished second in the Irish Open at Royal County Down, one shot behind winner Rasmus Hoejgaard.
McIlroy will aim to double his tally of wins at the tournament from 3-7 September.
Gregor Townsend says Scotland “have to be able to cope with injuries” after losing Sione Tuipulotu for the Six Nations.
Rory Darge and Finn Russell will step in as co-captains with Tuipulotu to have pectoral muscle surgery. The Glasgow Warriors centre is expected back by the end of the domestic season, keeping his British and Irish Lions hopes alive.
“It’s more the blow for him,” said Townsend. “We really feel for him.
“We had three players that got injured and, when it’s so close to the tournament, it’s obviously really disappointing.
“For the team, you have to be able to cope with injuries. They’re going to happen leading up to a tournament, but also they’re going to happen within the tournament.”
Former Scotland defender Jen Beattie has announced her retirement after a successful 16-year career.
The 33-year-old ends her time at United States club Bay FC having previously spent nine years at Arsenal across two spells, making 166 appearances.
Beattie, who retired from international football in 2022, scored 24 goals in 143 games for Scotland and played at the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
She says the “timing felt right” to retire, and hopes to do more broadcasting, having worked with BBC Sport and Sky Sports.
“I’m nervous, I’m excited and all the things, but I’m ready for what’s next,” she added.
“To be honest, I think it’s probably been on my mind for a couple of years now. It’s probably been on my mind even before I retired from Scotland.
“Since I’ve been doing the broadcasting a little bit more I’ve just had so much enjoyment from it.
“Leaving Arsenal at any point was always going to be hard. So it’s been on my mind for a while. Not being at my best anymore, I just felt like it was the right time.”
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