City facing Covid crisis after Everton match off

MANCHESTER City could be forced to pull out of their next two fixtures — Sunday’s Premier League clash at Chelsea followed by the Carabao Cup semi-final three days later against Manchester United — after a further Covid-19 outbreak at the club forced the postponement of last night’s match with Everton at Goodison Park.

City had been set to play the Toffees at 8pm, but the match was postponed by the Premier League on medical grounds just four hours before kick-off after three more members of Pep Guardiola’s squad tested positive for Covid-19.

The c l ub a nnounced on Christmas Day that Gabriel Jesus, Kyle Walker and two staff members had contracted the virus but, after the squad were tested again on Sunday, three more positive tests were confirmed.

The trio — who it is thought have yet to show any symptoms — will have to self-isolate for at least 10 days.

City’s training ground has been closed indefinitely and was undergoing a deep clean yesterday. Guardiola’s squad will be tested again today to see if there has been a further spread of the virus amid fears Sunday’s league match against Chelsea in London could also be compromised. Three days later, City are due to face United at Old Trafford in their League Cup semi-final.

After today’s planned tests, City are likely to conduct a further two rounds of testing before the Chelsea game but the prospect of another postponement would present huge logistical headaches for the club.