Man City stars positive for Covid-19

Everton’s Premier League match with Manchester City last night was called off after a number of City players tested positive for Covid-19.

Defender Kyle Walker and forward Gabriel Jesus tested positive before City’s last game against Newcastle, along with a couple of staff members, but it has been confirmed that even more of the squad have now contracted the virus.

City said in a statement: “After the latest round of Covid-19 testing, the club returned a number of positive cases, in addition to the four already reported on Christmas Day.

“With the security of the bubble compromised, there posed a risk that the virus could spread further amongst the squad, the staff and potentially beyond.”

The Premier League confi rmed that it was City who requested the postponement on medical grounds.

They said in a statement: “The Board agreed to rearrange the game as a precaution, and further testing will now take place tomorrow.

“The decision has been taken with the health of players and staff the priority.

“The Premier League continues to have full confidence in its protocols and rules, and the way in which all clubs are implementing them.

“The League wishes those with COVID19 a safe and speedy recovery and will rearrange the postponed fi xture against Everton in due course.”

Everton have also confi rmed the postponement, but said that plans for the New Year’s Day clash at home to West Ham remain unaffected.

Speaking after that Newcastle game, City boss Pep Guardiola confi rmed that Walker and Jesus were recovering.

“The last thing I think about is being without Gabriel and Kyle,” he said after the game.

“What we want is that Gabriel and Kyle don’t get worse and can be asymptomatic and pass this 8-10 days without tough symptoms.

“The guys who think about what is best for the team and think they have to give something for the team given it has worked for them, they will be part of the team forever. The guys that don’t want it, it will be their problem.” — Mirror.