Manchester CityâÂÂs hopes of avoiding the âÂÂpunishment roundâ of the WomenâÂÂs Champions League took a blow last night. Tara Elimbi GilbertâÂÂs late effort handed City their third consecutive draw of the league phase and the English champions now probably need to wins on each of the last three matchdays to avoid the knockout phase play-offs in February.
âÂÂAnnoying is not the right word but itâÂÂs a little bit a feeling of âÂÂarghâÂÂ,â said City manager Andrée Jeglertz, post-match âÂÂWe deserved more, I think, but thatâÂÂs how it is in the Champions League. When you dominate games and you donâÂÂt score, the opponent will take their chances and thatâÂÂs what they did.âÂÂ
Read Tom GarryâÂÂs full report from the Joie Stadium:
After a week of Carabao Cup action, we are counting down to the weekend football action.
Last night saw the last of this round of matches as Everton beat a poor Newcastle side to move into the quarter-finals, crucially without Jack Grealish. The England international was dropped for what the club described as a âÂÂbreach of club disciplineâÂÂ, with David Moyes later saying he supported the decision without offering further details. Interestingly, Everton travel to Newcastle for Monday night football, whether Grealish will travel for that one will surely gather a lot of attention.
Away from the drama on Merseyside, is the drama at Old Trafford. Last Friday we were treated to Michael CarrickâÂÂs six-minute monologue after which his Manchester United side crumbled at home to Bournemouth. Remarkably Carrick is still in situ and this weekend United are on the road for a nostalgia-tinged trip to Chelsea, a fixture that was once key to the top four battle, and kind of still is but now itâÂÂs just a bit sadder.
We are due a slate of pre-match Premier League press conferences, which weâÂÂll be keeping you across, plus looking back at last nightâÂÂs WomenâÂÂs Champions League action and more. Your football weekend starts here, (I like to imagine that bit with quite a Sky Sports News heading to the ad break style delivery).