Huddersfield make Man City wait for record Football world unites as Fergie undergoes emergency surgery
INCHES AWAY Premier League champions are one point away from record set by Chelsea in 200405
MANCHESTER: Champions Manchester City will have to wait to break the Premier League points record after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Huddersfield Town at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Manchester City, who lifted the Premier League trophy in front of their fans after the match, mustered only two shots on target all game, as relegationthreatened Huddersfield dug in for a vital point.
The draw means City have 94 points, one short of the season record set by Chelsea back in 2004-05, but they still have two games left to play.
HOPES BOOSTED
Huddersfield gave their survival hopes a huge boost with a point that moves them three clear of the bottom three ahead of their midweek trip to Chelsea.
“England is a special place and is so tough,” City manager Pep Guardiola said after the match. “Today we saw it. You never know if you are going to win, but I had no doubt what I had to do.”
Guardiola handed John Stones his first Premier League start since January in defence, and the England international was immediately put under pressure by a determined Huddersfield side.
City goalkeeper Ederson was forced into the first meaningful save of the game 11 minutes in, but Florent Hadergjonaj should really have done better from a good position.
Hadergjonaj then found Alex Pritchard on the edge of the box, who again forced Ederson into a smart stop. City, however, failed to mount any sort of attack.
STAYING PUT
Keep fighting Boss. Sending prayers and love to (Ferguson’s wife) Cathy and the whole family DAVID BECKHAM, posted on Instagram
City improved after the break, as Guardiola shuffled his pack, but a poor final pass and brave defending from the visitors kept the champions at bay.
As the game went into stoppage time, Huddersfield backed off and that tactic almost proved costly as Nicolas Otamendi curled just wide.
The visitors held on for a crucial point, meaning City must wait for that points record. On an afternoon of celebration at the Aubameyang 14, 75 Lacazette 45+3 Kolasinac 54
Iwobi 64
Giroud 32 Man City 36 30 4 2 Man United36 24 5 7 Liverpool 37 20 12 5 Tottenham 36 21 8 7 Chelsea 36 21 6 9 76 94 39 77 42 72 36 71 27 69
Etihad, the champions will not be too downbeat about the result.
“This gives us belief (that Huddersfield can stay up) but to be totally honest I’ve had belief in this group of players since preseason,” Huddersfield manager David Wagner said. “Every player and member of the backroom staff believes.” LONDON: David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo were among those to offer messages of support to British football’s most successful manager Alex Ferguson, after the former Manchester United boss underwent emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage.
United said in a statement on Saturday that Ferguson’s surgery had gone “extremely well”, but the 76-year-old would need a period of intensive care to aid his recovery.
Ferguson won a total of 49 trophies during his illustrious managerial career, which also included spells at St Mirren and Aberdeen. The Scotsman led United to an impressive 38 trophies during his nearly 27-year reign at the club.
Real Madrid forward and fivetime Ballon d’or winner Cristiano Ronaldo kickstarted his career at United under Ferguson from 2003 to 2009.
“My thoughts and prayers are with you, my dear friend. Be strong, Boss!” the Portugal captain said on social media as he shared a picture of him and Ferguson during their time together at Old Trafford.
Beckham was part of the famous “Fergie’s Fledglings” group, along with Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and brothers Gary and Phil Neville, that led United to numerous trophies from the mid-1990s, including the historic 1999 treble.
“Keep fighting Boss. Sending prayers and love to (Ferguson’s wife) Cathy and the whole family,” Beckham said on Instagram with a picture of him signing his United youth contract as Ferguson stood by his side.
Many current and former United players, including Michael Carrick, Rio Ferdinand, Diego Forlan and David de Gea also offered messages of support as did United’s Premier League rivals Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
“The thoughts of everyone at LFC are with Sir
Alex Ferguson and his family... a great rival but also a great friend who supported this club during its most difficult time, it is hoped that Sir Alex will make a full recovery,” Liverpool said in a statement.
Ferguson and his family also received well wishes from clubs all around the world. Italian sides AC Milan and Inter Milan, Spanish champions Barcelona and Scottish champions Celtic were among a host of clubs to support the Scotsman.
Soccer greats, managers, fans, politicians and news outlets sent messages of support as did athletes and governing bodies from other sports, including the National Basketball Association (NBA). “Sir Alex I’m praying you get through this, you’ve won everything in life any player or manager dreams of, I as a friend am stunned...,” England great Paul Gascoigne said.