Belgium stop-off gives City Ed’ start
RAFA BENITEZ called for more protection for keepers in the six-yard box.
West Ham leapfrogged the Toffees in the table after Angelo Ogbonna’s secondhalf header from a corner.
But Toffees boss Benitez was not happy with the awarding of the set-piece as he felt Michail Antonio had fouled Jordan Pickford as they went for the ball.
Problem
EDERSON and Gabriel Jesus can play for Manchester City in the Champions League tomorrow after flying straight from Brazil to Belgium.
The duo missed Saturday’s 2- 0 victory over Burnley after playing in Brazil’s 4-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Uruguay in Manaus in the early hours of Friday.
Had the pair flown back to the UK, they would have had to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days under UK government coronavirus regulations.
But by heading straight for Belgium, the two stars can circumvent that rule, meaning they can play against Club Bruges in the Group A clash.
“Yeah, they are in Belgium right now,” said City manager Pep Guardiola.
“I think they told me that they can play but we will see in what condition they are.
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He said: “I have a problem because I am from Spain and normally in Europe the six-yard box is to protect the keeper.
“When you have a player blocking the keeper in the six-yard area it is a free-kick — and then you can argue whether there is a corner or not. You have to protect him.” Hammers boss
“We have to train here. David Moyes claims
They will not be here so he did not see the now I have to think about it. incident back but is happy with how “But we sent them there games are being because, the day after the officiated this game in Bruges, they can
come back and make a season under the
normal life. updated rules which
“If they had come back allow more contact. here directly to
He said: “The Manchester, they would game is a better have been isolated for 10 watch than it was.” days in a hotel and we didn’t want that.
“That is why they travelled to Belgium.
“Maybe they will be able to play and that’s good news.”
After losing 2- 0 to Paris St- Germain in their last Champions League outing, Guardiola admitted the pressure is on City to get back on track with a win.
“We love the pressure, I love it,” explained the Catalan.
“I know what we have to do, we have to win. We live all the time on the brink, on the edge.
“Now we’ll rest because we don’t have much time.”
Think