Burnley vs Manchester City LIVE: Guardiola denies frustration as City spurn chances to further extend lead over Arsenal | OneFootball

Why Manchester City’s subdued win over Burnley may prove a misstep in nailbiting title race

It may be a familiar feeling for Arsenal, overhauled by Manchester City again in the run-in, just as they were three seasons ago.

After exactly 200 days at the summit, Arsenal have been knocked off it, if only until Saturday. For the first time since August, City are top. Burnley cemented the relegation that has been on the cards for them since August. City can time their surge to the top of the table to depress their rivals, and yet they did not have the air of an unstoppable juggernaut. They were separated from the demoted Clarets only by Erling Haaland’s 35th goal of the season and his second winner in four days.

This was City’s fifth consecutive victory but the least impressive of them. Their lack of ruthlessness could encourage Arsenal. They are now top on goals scored, but squandered a chance to go ahead on goal difference.

Richard Jolly22 April 2026 22:22

Premier League relegation battle: Do Tottenham, West Ham, Nottingham Forest or Leeds have the best run-in?

Premier League relegation battle: Who has the best run-in?

Spurs are looking to avoid a shock Premier League relegation, while Nottingham Forest want to steer clear of European distraction and West Ham are aiming to pull off a great escape

Chris Wilson23 April 2026 05:00

Why Chelsea had to sack Liam Rosenior and the true scale of the mess left behind

It’s the sort of story that always comes out when a manager goes, but actually tends to indicate doom long before then. Even weeks before Liam Rosenior left Chelsea - a decision eventually confirmed on Wednesday evening - some players couldn’t help indulging in some of the unfair commentary.

Sources say some comments surrounded Liam Rosenoir’s decision not to wear his glasses at the training ground. One or two even joked about whether it was to look tougher.

This fed into a huge reason why the 41-year-old has now gone, and why Chelsea now face up to an FA Cup semi-final with Calum McFarlane again a stand-in. Rosenior never had full authority over that dressing room, in a development that was all too predictable. A promising young coach just wasn’t ready for this job, at this time, as anyone could have told the hierarchy.

Why Chelsea had to sack Liam Rosenior and the true scale of the mess left behind

Chelsea are looking for another manager after cutting ties with Rosenior, with Miguel Delaney detailing how his reign unravelled and what comes next for the Blues

Miguel Delaney23 April 2026 04:00

Far from the driver of Chelsea’s decline, Liam Rosenior is mere collateral damage of the disastrous BlueCo era

So now Liam Rosenior’s LinkedIn profile requires updating. The manager given the cruel moniker of ‘LinkedIn Liam’ may struggle to spin a three-and-a-half month spell at Chelsea into a learning experience that leaves him ready for his next challenge. Rather, it must have been a horribly bruising experience. Rosenior did not even enter the last five years of his five-and-a-half year contract at Stamford Bridge. Though not the shortest managerial tenure in his family, after his father Leroy's 10 minutes in charge of Torquay in 2007, his 23-game reign gave him the shortest tenure of any supposedly permanent head coach in Chelsea history.

The risk is the permanent element is the harm done to Rosenior. Chelsea’s surrender at Brighton, coupled with their tactical incoherence as he switched to a 3-5-2 formation, amounted to an advertisement for change. His own verdict – “indefensible” and “unacceptable” – highlighted his inability to get a performance from his players. His team failed to make a tackle in the first half hour, went a fifth straight league game without scoring and, after being on course for Champions League qualification, could now get a bottom-half finish.

Rosenior’s tragic departure risks leaving him as collateral damage of BlueCo era

Liam Rosenior’s spell as Chelsea manager has come to a miserable end - but the ownership only have themselves to blame, after yet another move which lays bare their incompetence and arrogance

Richard Jolly23 April 2026 02:00

Man City stay silent on John Stones’ future amid summer exit rumours

Manchester City are remaining tight-lipped regarding the future of England defender John Stones, amid growing speculation that he is set to depart the club when his contract expires this summer.

The 31-year-old has enjoyed a trophy-laden spell since his 2016 move from Everton to the Etihad Stadium, accumulating an impressive haul that includes a Champions League title, two FA Cups, and six Premier League crowns.

Stones is hoping to secure a seventh league triumph with Pep Guardiola’s side before his anticipated exit.

Man City stay silent on John Stones’ future amid summer exit rumours

John Stones will be out of contract at Manchester City at the end of the season

Chris Wilson22 April 2026 23:45