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UCL: MANCHESTER CITY EASE PAST BRUGGE AFTER SLOW START

Manchester City got back to winning ways with a 4-1 victory over Brugge to move to within sight of the Champions League knockout rounds although it was not a trouble-free night for Pep Guardiola’s side on Wednesday.

In the end, goals by Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus earned a comfortable enough victory to leave City in second place with nine points from four games in Group A.

But there were periods after a John Stones own goal gave Brugge an early equaliser in which City looked uncomfortable.

The Belgians had several decent opportunities before Mahrez headed Pep Guardiola’s side back in front in the 54th minute. Sterling gave City breathing space with a tap-in after 72 minutes and the hosts were able to coast home.

Substitute Jesus gave the scoreline an emphatic look as he added the fourth with the last kick of the game.

City, who suffered a surprise Premier League defeat by Crystal Palace at the weekend, need only one point from their remaining two games to secure their last-16 place. Brugge are in third spot with four points.

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Man City to build statue for David Silva

Manchester City have announced plans for a statue of Spanish playmaker David Silva at Etihad Stadium.

Silva’s successful 10-year spell at City came to an end after Saturday’s Champions League defeat by Lyon.

Signed from Valencia in 2010, the midfielder, 34, made 436 appearances and helped City win 14 trophies.

Silva will return to La Liga next season – he had been linked with Italian side Lazio, but a move to Real Sociedad was announced late on Monday.

“David is a transformational player, a quiet leader who has inspired everyone around him,” said City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

“David’s statue will act as a lasting reminder of the wonderful moments that he gave us, not only as an incredible footballer, but as an inspiring ambassador who represented this football club with great dignity at all times.”

The statue will be unveiled in 2021, along with another tribute dedicated to former City captain Vincent Kompany, who left the club last year and announced earlier on Monday he was retiring from playing.

Silva’s contribution will also be commemorated by the naming of a training pitch and mosaic in his honour at City’s training ground.

Silva, who was in the squads to win the 2010 World Cup and the European Championship in 2008 and 2012, posted a farewell letter to City fans, saying the club had left an “indelible mark” on his life and career.

“I look back and it is clear I could not have made a better decision than to accept City’s proposal to join their project back in 2010,” he said

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VALENCIA’S FERRAN TORRES MAY JOIN MANCHESTER CITY

Manchester City could make Valencia winger Ferran Torres their first summer signing to replace Leroy Sane.

Valencia want £40m for Torres, who has a year left on his contract with the La Liga club, and BBC Sport understands the 20-year-old Spain international is keen on a move to Etihad Stadium.

Germany forward Sane left City for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

City, who finished second in the Premier League, are also expected to target central defenders this summer.

England centre-back John Stones, 26, and 32-year-old Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi fell behind 19-year-old Eric Garcia as a partner for first-choice Aymeric Laporte following the coronavirus shutdown.

Spain Under-21 international Garcia started six of City’s 10 Premier League games after the season restarted in June. Stones, who missed the first two matches with an ankle injury, started only two and Otamendi three.

City director of football Txiki Begiristain has said he is expecting a “strange” transfer window given the campaign will not end completely until the end of August, with the new one starting three weeks later on 12 September.

“We have to be ready,” he told City’s official website. “We have less time than ever, so people will have to move fast. We still have the Champions League, so we have to wait to move forward.”

Begiristain also said it was possible City will play a friendly behind closed doors this weekend to prepare for the Champions League last-16 second leg against Real Madrid on 7 August.

City won the first leg 2-1 in Madrid before the season was suspended in March.

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Manchester City want Martinez

Manchester City expect to be busy in the summer transfer window and have earmarked Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez as a potential long-term replacement for Sergio Aguero.

Sky Sports News reported earlier this summer that the Argentina striker is Barcelona’s top target but City are known admirers of the 22-year-old, who is refusing to extend his present contract at San Siro.

City see Martinez, who has scored 18 goals in 39 games for Inter this season, as a potential long-term successor to his compatriot Aguero and will be better placed than Barcelona to pay the striker’s £98.5m release clause.

Despite having won their legal battle with UEFA, City are aware that a Premier League investigation is still ongoing – and will not want to appear to be splashing the cash in the summer market.

However, on Tuesday it was reported that City were keen on Bayern Munich’s David Alaba.

There are concerns at the Etihad, however, that Alaba would prefer a move to Spain.

The versatile Austrian international, who is under contract until 2021, has been stalling on signing a new deal and is expected to move this summer.

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MAN CITY DESTROY ARSENAL

Arsenal’s David Luiz was sent off in a performance riddled with mistakes as Manchester City secured a comfortable victory behind closed doors on the first night of the Premier League’s return.

Luiz, who came on as a first-half substitute, failed to clear the ball just before half-time and Raheem Sterling fired in City’s opener.

The defender was then sent off after pulling back Riyad Mahrez in the second half to give away a penalty, which Kevin de Bruyne coolly slotted in for City’s second.

Substitute Phil Foden netted a third for the defending champions, capitalising on a rebound from Sergio Aguero’s strike.

There was concern for City late on as Eric Garcia needed several minutes of treatment on the pitch after a nasty collision with goalkeeper Ederson, and was carried off on a stretcher.

Arsenal were second best throughout as manager Mikel Arteta left Alexandre Lacazette on the bench and Mesut Ozil was kept out of the extended 20-man squad.

There were bursts of energy from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Eddie Nketiah going forward in the first half but it was City who were more dangerous. Man City 3-0 Arsenal: It’s not the same – Pep Guardiola misses fans in Arsenal win

De Bruyne, Sterling and David Silva were all denied by Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno, who produced an impressive display, but it seemed inevitable City would move ahead when Luiz’s mistake gifted Sterling a chance from close range.

Victory for Pep Guardiola’s side means league leaders Liverpool remain six points away from winning the title – writing off any potential celebrations in Sunday’s Merseyside derby.