Mendy’s tax ultimatum

BENJAMIN MENDY has been given an additional three months to clear a tax debt after the UK tax authorities filed a bankruptcy order against the former City left back. The Frenchman, now playing with Lorient in Ligue 1, is in the UK High Court over unpaid taxes of around £800,000. It’s been adjourned for a fourth time and Mendy’s mansion in Cheshire is finally under offer for £3.8million.

The property was the scene of accusations of sexual violence, all of which he was cleared of last year. Mendy had been prepared to pay £20,000 a month towards his UK tax debt from his Lorient wages but a court was told the payments had not been made. The 29-year-old was expected to receive a bonus from his new employers that has not been forthcoming.

CITY might as well have lined up as a 5-0-5 here, given the four ridiculously attacking players selected behind Erling Haaland. The system — with Phil Foden on the left wing — shifted most of their play to the right. Foden kept coming inside, which meant a lot of responsibility for holding the width on the left side fell to summer signing Josko Gvardiol. The left back is still getting to grips with City’s system.

BRENTFORD’S threat at set-pieces saw the Premier League champions focus part of their preparation for this game on how best to defend them. Helpful that they have a former Bees analyst dedicated to set-plays on their staff. But it could be argued that they were undone by a clever routine from a goal kick, with Ivan Toney blocking Nathan Ake to allow Neal Maupay to gallop through. Maybe the big clubs will continue attempting to raid Brentford for specialists in that field.