manchester city have a tough few weeks ahead — and pep guardiola knows it.take on leeds tonight for their first premier league clash since the world cup, sitting eight points clear of the top spot. after they were beaten by brentford before the break, tonight could prove crucial if they want to defend their title. joe lynskey�*s here to look ahead to tonight's clash. when you think about that result just before the world cup break and what they've got coming injanuary, the night's game could be pretty important? the night's game could be pretty imortant? . the night's game could be pretty important?— the night's game could be pretty imortant? ., ., , _, important? yeah, lots coming in the next month — important? yeah, lots coming in the next month or _ important? yeah, lots coming in the next month or so, _ important? yeah, lots coming in the next month or so, for _ important? yeah, lots coming in the next month or so, for manchester i next month or so, for manchester city and every team in the premier league, really, the last match in the set of pictures be

pep guardiola at his press conference saying it will be harderfor guardiola at his press conference sayinger for the players that didn't feature to get back up to the chair in the qatar. getting up to speed is going to be important in the match night when i will be a quality on show. i important in the match night when i will be a quality on show.— will be a quality on show. i think all the managers _ will be a quality on show. i think all the managers are _ will be a quality on show. i think all the managers are the - will be a quality on show. i think all the managers are the same l will be a quality on show. i thinkl all the managers are the same so will be a quality on show. i think i all the managers are the same so i all the managers are the same sol don't _ all the managers are the same sol don't know— all the managers are the same sol don't know we all the managers are the same so i don't know we will behave. i play sometimes, after holidays, two training — sometimes, after holidays, two training sessions, three training sessions. — training sessions, three training sessions, play

pep guardiola, his manager, manchester yesterday i imagine.diola, his manélook, iianchester yesterday i imagine. pep guardiola, his manélook, he chester yesterday i imagine. pep guardiola, his manélook, he chesasked;terday i imagine. pep guardiola, his manélook, he ches asked whyay i imagine. pep guardiola, his manélook, he ches asked why if said, look, he was asked why if he's be available and said, look, he was asked why if he'said be available and said, look, he was asked why if he'said alwayse available and said, look, he was asked why if he'said always notfailable and said, look, he was asked why if he'said always not fit.|ble and said, look, he was asked why if he'said always not fit. and and said, look, he was asked why if he'said always not fit. and they he said always not fit. and they said, with him? said, oh, what's wrong with him? because i thought it might be a recurrence of a shoulder injury, but not fit. in but no, he's not fit. as in he's overweight not in overweight he's come back not in shape now, shape to play football. now,

manchester city manager pep guardiola says england midfielder kalvin phillips was "overweight" when heat he didn't arrive in the condition needed for training sessions and to play. phillips has featured just four times for city — all from the bench — and came on as a substitue twice for england in qatar. the former leeds player wasn't in the squad for their 3—2 league cup win over liverpool on thursday. he arrived overweight. why is he overweight? _ he arrived overweight. why is he overweight? i — he arrived overweight. why is he overweight? i don't _ he arrived overweight. why is he overweight? i don't know. - he arrived overweight. why is he overweight? i don't know. thenl he arrived overweight. why is he overweight? i don't know. then i he arrived overweight. why is he - overweight? i don't know. then i get is the players — overweight? i don't know. then i get is the players response _ overweight? i don't know. then i get is the players response ability - overweight? i don't know. then i get is the players response ability is - is the players response ability is what you saying? he

manchester city manager pep guardiola has been praising his strikerjulian alvarez�*s �*amazing contributioncroatia. he was a substitute for the first two games at the tournament — one of which they lost to saudi arabia — but started every game since, and formed a formidable partnership with lionel messi en route to the final. guardiola says alvarez will be back in a week's time. of course, personally from leo messi, for argentina, country. of course, personally from leo messi, forargentina, country. fora well—deserved champion. he's with us, we are delight. he's going to wish she was amazing for the team. for the way they played, and we have a world champion our team. russia's natalya antchookh has been stripped of the 400—metre hurdles gold she won at london 2012 on the basis of historical data from a moscow testing laboratory. the 41—year—old is already serving a four—year ban after being named in a world anti—doping agency investigation into cheating by russia. it means all three gold medals won by russian track athletes at london 2012 have now been taken away on doping grounds. american

pep guardiola was back initial said he wasn't that but revealed more when pressed.ight? _ pressed. he arrived overweight. why is he overweight? i _ pressed. he arrived overweight. why is he overweight? i don't _ pressed. he arrived overweight. why is he overweight? i don't know. - pressed. he arrived overweight. why is he overweight? i don't know. it. is he overweight? i don't know. it is he overweight? i don't know. it is the player's _ is he overweight? i don't know. it is the player's responsibility? - is he overweight? i don't know. it is the player's responsibility? he| is the player's responsibility? hrs. arrived is the player's responsibility? arrived in is the player's responsibility? he: arrived in that condition. is the player's responsibility? he arrived in that condition. he - is the player's responsibility? he arrived in that condition. he has| arrived in that condition. he has been in the _ arrived in that condition. he has been in the world _ arrived in that condition. he has been in the world cup, - arrived in that condition. he has been in the world

pep guardiola said kalvin philtips— agreed.ardiola was asked to talk about more _ guardiola was asked to talk about more about it, he said it was a private — more about it, he said it was a private conversation. my question would _ private conversation. my question would be. — private conversation. my question would be, because the whole thing not have _ would be, because the whole thing not have been kept private? this was a fitness _ not have been kept private? this was a fitness issue. you knew the press was going _ a fitness issue. you knew the press was going to take it this way. i did think— was going to take it this way. i did think we _ was going to take it this way. i did think we were maybe passed these headlines — think we were maybe passed these headlines. we are clearly not. porky phillips— headlines. we are clearly not. porky phiiiips is— headlines. we are clearly not. porky phillips is not something that kalvin— phillips is not something that kalvin phillips would want to read about _ kalvin phillips would want t

manager pep guardiola is aware that any more mistakes could prove costly in the title race.arsenal, you have to be alert carefully to... because if the distance is bigger, it will be so difficult to catch them. australia are closing in on a series win against south africa after day three of the second test, having declared after reaching 575—8. wicketkeeper alex carey scored a maiden century, following on from david warner's 200, as australia replied to south africa's 189. and the decision to declare looked a wise one — south africa lost the early wicket of their captain dean elgar in the second innings, finishing on 15—1 before play was abandoned because of rain. one of the nfl�*s greatest ever defensive players is to retire at the end of the season. the arizona cardinals�* defensive end jj watts was voted nfl defensive player of the year three times. watt has spent the last two seasons with the cardinals, after representing the houston texans between 2011 to 2020. that's all the sport for now. you might think the days of spending the christmas holidays building your new mo

manager pep guardiola is aware that any more mistakes could prove costly in the title race.tford, and how strong arsenal is, we have to be alert, careful, because if the distance is bigger, it will be so difficult to come through. chelsea and england defender reece james has said this year has been the toughest to date after suffering a second knee injury in chelsea's win over bournemouth yesterday. james had to be taken off in the 53rd minute in what was his first game since returning from an initial knee injury which ruled him out of the world cup. james said on social media that it had affected him mentally and that he was trying to cope with the cards he had been dealt. nick kyrgios has withdrawn from australia's team for the united cup — just 2a hours before the start of the new mixed team event with tournament organisers citing an unspecified injury. the wimbledon runner—up was due to play cameron norrie in sydney on thursday, as part of australia's opening group tie with great britain. kyrgios also missed november's davis cup finals in malaga, and complained earlier t

manager pep guardiola is aware that any more mistakes could prove costly in the title race.nal, you have to be alert carefully to... because if the distance is bigger, it will be so difficult to catch them. australia are closing in on a series win against south africa after day three of the second test, having declared after reaching 575/8. wicketkeeper alex carey scored a maiden century, following on from david warner's 200 as australia replied to south africa's 189. and the decision to declare looked a wise one — south africa lost the early wicket of their captain dean elgar in the second innings, finishing on 15—1 before play was abandoned because of rain. that's all the sport for now. the un security council has denounced a ban by afghanistan's taliban—led administration on women attending universities or working for humanitarian aid groups. in a statement the council members call for "the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and girls." the statement says the restrictions imposed on female aid workers contradict commitments made by the taliban to the afghan

pep guardiola says kalvin phillips was overweight when he returned from the world cup, after the england

manager pep guardiola is aware that any more mistakes could prove costly in the title race.e alert, careful, because if the distance is bigger, it will be so difficult to catch them. chesea and england defender reece james says his run of injuries has affected him mentally — describing this year as his toughest to date. james had to be taken off in the 53rd minute in their win over bournemouth yesterday. it was his first game since returning from his first knee injury that ruled him out of the world cup. in a post on twitter, he said he was trying to deal with the cards he'd been dealt. in the wsl, brighton have named jens scheuer as hope powell's successor as head coach, subject to the german being granted a work permit. if everything goes to plan, scheuer�*s first match in charge will be a crucial one, with brighton playing at the wsl�*s bottom club leicester city when the season resumes on 15 january. novak djokovic is back and training in australia almost a year after he was deported over his covid vaccine status. the nine—time australian open winner had an automatic thr

city are back into second place in the table and manager pep guardiola says there is even more to come— come from erling haaland. i think he's still not _ come from erling haaland. i think he's still not at _ come from erling haaland. i think he's still not at his _ come from erling haaland. i think he's still not at his best, - come from erling haaland. i think he's still not at his best, as - come from erling haaland. i think he's still not at his best, as at - he's still not at his best, as at the beginning of the season but the injury was over a long period and when we started training in abu dhabi he couldn't train a single day, may be the last day. and to get this huge body moving is not easy for him but as much as he can play more minutes it will be better. australia's cricketers have sealed a series win over south africa with one match still left to play. the aussies bowled south africa out for 204 aussies bowled south africa out for 20h on des four in melbourne to win 20a on des four in melbourne to win the second test by an innings and 182 runs. spinner nathan lyon took three

on thursday, manchester city play liverpool in the final match of the last 16, and city manager pep guardiolaaaland and riyad mahrez, with those who have. he says those who've been competing in qatar are that much sharper. they come back, we saw them... so good, perfect, so they could beat, they return every day. we had holidays. but that is why it more important, you know, keep the rhythm and for the players who are not in the world cup to gain the rhythm. the 2024 tour de france will start with three stages in italy, for the first time in its history. it'll be the 26th time the tour has started with a grand depart outside the borders of france. florence will be the starting point for the 2024 race, before it heads for rimini, bologna and turin. the fourth stage will begin in italy, before crossing the border into france. you can get all the latest sports news at our website — that's bbc.com/sport. but from me and the rest of the sport team, goodbye. all the business headlines in just a few minutes. don't go away. in the meantime, you can reach us in social media. you can reach me on twitter

bill to teams that i guess in the last ten years, let's say, have copied gladiolus football —— pep guardiolathe second half and late in the game with a lot of highly skilled and very quick players so australia will be hoping to profit i think from the same strategy against argentina and some man standing coaching decisions and good strategic management by a range of coaching decisions including vine australia and he is going to have to have to do is best. that australia and he is going to have to have to do is best.— have to do is best. that was craig foster, former _ have to do is best. that was craig foster, former captain _ have to do is best. that was craig foster, former captain of - foster, former captain of australia's national football team soccer booze. you're watching bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather, with chris fawkes. hello, there. this weekend, we are going to keep easterly winds feeding in a number of showers, particularly to eastern areas. earlier today, we saw some of those showers move into lincolnshire. most of them are not too heavy and they don't last too

manager pep guardiola knows that any more mistakes could prove costly in the title race. �* ., ., ., against brentford, and how— title race. after our defeat against brentford, and how strong - title race. after our defeat against| brentford, and how strong arsenal is, you have to be alert and careful, because if the distance is bigger, it will be so difficult to catch them. it bigger, it will be so difficult to catch them-— bigger, it will be so difficult to catch them. . , , _, catch them. it has been confirmed that nick kyrgios _ catch them. it has been confirmed that nick kyrgios has _ catch them. it has been confirmed that nick kyrgios has withdrawn i catch them. it has been confirmed i that nick kyrgios has withdrawn from australia's team for the united cup just 2a hours before the start of the new mixed team event, with tournament organisers citing an unspecified injury. the wimbledon runner—up was due to play cameron norrie in sydney on thursday as part of australia's opening drip tie with great britain. nick kyrgios also missed the finals of the davis cup in malaga in novemb

manchester city manager pep guardiola says the sport has lost an iconic figure. 0ur our biggest condolencesers. ithink football thanks to this type of people, players. i think before number ten it was just a number people, players. i think before number ten it wasjust a number in after him it became something special. every player, top layer once tool where —— every top player once tool where —— every top player once tool where —— every top player once to where that number. in other news, indian cricketer rishabh pant is in a stable after being involved in a car crash in uttarakhand in the north of the country. pant suffered multiples injuries to his back, knee, ankle, wrist and face after his car flipped and caught fire. police say he'd "dozed off". he's said to be in a stable condition with reports the cricketer returned a normal mri scan on his brain and back. 0n the field, pakistan and new zealand shared a tense draw in the first test in karachi, after an unusual declaration by pakistan skipper babar azam. he decided to set new zealand 138 to win in the final hour — despite seemingly ha

manchester city manager pep guardiola says england midfielder kalvin phillips was overweight when hee condition needed for training sessions and to play. phillips has featured just four times for city — all from the bench — and came on as a substitue twice for england in qatar. the former leeds player wasn't in the squad for their 3—2 league cup win over liverpool on thursday. he arrived overweight. why is he overweight? _ he arrived overweight. why is he overweight? i — he arrived overweight. why is he overweight? i don't _ he arrived overweight. why is he overweight? i don't know. - he arrived overweight. why is he overweight? i don't know. it - he arrived overweight. why is he overweight? i don't know. it is l he arrived overweight. why is he i overweight? i don't know. it is the player's responsibility?— player's responsibility? arrived in the condition _ player's responsibility? arrived in the condition for— player's responsibility? arrived in the condition for a _ player's responsibility? arrived in the condition for a training - the condition for a training session, to play. h

pep guardiola's side are third in the table, city are looking in control in this half, they are currentlymiership... six games under way. seventh—placed hibs hosting leaders celtic is currently 0—0, and second—place rangers are 1—0 up at home to motherwell. follow all the latest on the bbc sport website, and those watching on bbc scotland can watch the highlights on sportscene later. in the wsl, brighton have named jens scheuer as hope powell's successor as head coach, subject to the german being granted a work permit. if everything goes to plan, scheuer�*s first match in charge will be a crucial one, with brighton playing at the wsl�*s bottom club leicester city when the season resumes on 15 january. novak djokovic is back and training in australia almost a year after he was deported over his covid vaccine status. the nine—time australian open winner had an automatic three—year visa ban overturned in november. djokovic has been practising in adelaide, ahead of the first grand slame of the year in melbourne, injanuary. the nfl and their players union are conducting a review after miami do

the likes of erling haaland and riyad mahrez fully rested having not played in qatar, city boss pep guardiola from the world cup are that much sharper. they combine so good, perfectly. they combine so good, perfectly. they compete, they train every day, and we have holidays, that's why it is most important to keep the rhythm and for the players who were not in the world cup to gain the rhythm. we will try and they will try, it's not a _ we will try and they will try, it's not a strange situation. it is a strange — not a strange situation. it is a strange situation being, coming back for the _ strange situation being, coming back for the world cup and having this fixture _ for the world cup and having this fixture straight after. but as i said. — fixture straight after. but as i said. we _ fixture straight after. but as i said, we will try and the team has already— said, we will try and the team has already proved in the past, wherever players _ already proved in the past, wherever players are _ already proved in the past, wherever players are on the pitch, that they will make — players are on

manchester city manager pep guardiola says england midfielder kalvin phillips was overweight when he he didn't arrive in the condition needed for training sessions and to play. phillips has featured just four times for city, all from the bench, and came on as a substitute twice for england in qatar. he was not in the squad for their 3—2 league cup win over liverpool on thursday. he: arrived overweight. win over liverpool on thursday. he arrived overweight. why _ win over liverpool on thursday. he arrived overweight. why is - win over liverpool on thursday. he arrived overweight. why is he - arrived overweight. why is he overweight? _ arrived overweight. why is he overweight? i— arrived overweight. why is he overweight? i don't _ arrived overweight. why is he overweight? i don't know. - arrived overweight. why is he overweight? i don't know. it. arrived overweight. why is he | overweight? i don't know. it is arrived overweight. why is he - overweight? i don't know. it is the -la er's overweight? i don't know. it is the player's responsibility, _ overweight? i don't know. it is the pla

manchester city manager pep guardiola has been praising his strikerjulian alvarez�*s �*amazing contributionip with lionel messi en route to the final. guardiola says alvarez will be back in a week's time. we are incredibly happy for him. congratulations for him. of course, personally from leo messi, for argentina, country. for a well—deserved champion. he's with us, we are delight. he plays a lot and he's going to be amazing for the team. for the way they played, and we have a world champion our team. russia's natalya antchookh has been stripped of the 400—metre hurdles gold she won at london 2012 on the basis of historical data from a moscow testing laboratory. the 41—year—old is already serving a four—year ban after being named in a world anti—doping agency investigation into cheating by russia. it means all three gold medals won by russian track athletes at london 2012 have now been taken away on doping grounds. american lashinda deemus has now been upgraded from the silver to gold medal for that 400 metres hurdles race that took place ten years ago. and for everything else, you can head

manchester city play liverpool tomorrow in the fourth round and city manager pep guardiola has said it'lld in the world cup, like erling haaland and riyad mahrez, with those who have. he says those who've been competing in qatar are that much sharper. they were doing perfectly, that's normal. they compete, they train every day and we had holidays. so, the most important to keep the rhythm and for the players, to gain the rhythm because like we have, we don't have one month off of two or three weeks to prepare the team and so, we have to do it with what we have. it isa it is a strange situation being and going _ it is a strange situation being and going back to myworld company having this fixture _ going back to myworld company having this fixture. but we will try and teams — this fixture. but we will try and teams of— this fixture. but we will try and teams of already proved in the past the teams — teams of already proved in the past the teams on the pitch that they will make — the teams on the pitch that they will make it a top show. scottish premiership leaders celtic host livingston at

manchester city manager pep guardiola has claimed his england midfielder kalvin phillips was overweightoverweight. why is he overweight? i don't know. but it is the player's responsibility is what you're saying? he didn't arrive in a condition to training sessions, to play. the reason i ask is because he has been away at the world cup, he has been physios, nutritionist... no, no, no. absolutely. that is why he cannot play. when he will be ready, he will play. we need him. we need him a lot. is that a disappointment to you, a surprise? it was a private conversation with kalvin. greater manchester police are investigating a number of incidents that occurred during an after manchester city's win over liverpool. a 15—year—old girl was treated for head injuries at the match at the etihad, while one male was also arrested for racially aggravated public order offence. another man was also assaulted after the game and required hospital treatment. it has been a faultless start to rangers boss michael beale. three games, three wins now, the most recent, a 1—0 victory over ross county. it moves th

interesting what pep guardiola said before the match.s at the world cup were involved in some part against liverpool in the league cup. alvarez who won the world cup with argentina was not there but for the best part city had more players from the world cup. it was a five goal thriller in the carabao cup. city winning 3—2. erling haaland did not go to the world cup. he showed the rest had done him good, firing city into an early lead. mo salah did not go to the world cup with egypt. but he equalised for liverpool. but nathan ake's first goal since april eventually saw off liverpool. city will travel to southampton in the quarter finals. pep guardiola full of praise for his players — and for liverpool afterwards. they don't need anything to score or create chances, for their quality. the structure they have. when they are much better, they destroy you. it's impossible to be 90 minutes better than them but, in long periods in this game, we were better. i always had the feeling they could punish you in the transitions, in the runs, in the q

pep guardiola says alvarez will be back in a week. irate guardiola says alvarez will be back in a weekchampion in our team. manchester city take on liverpool in _ champion in our team. manchester city take on liverpool in the - champion in our team. manchester| city take on liverpool in the league cup tomorrow night. manchester united play tonight against burnley. charlton also have premier league opposition as they face brighton. leah williamson says arsenal are aiming to win the group tonight as they travel to zurich in the women's champions league. the gunners are currently top of the group on goal difference from lyon, who have a tough match againstjuventus. arsenal need just a point to qualify but the 25—year—old says they're fully focused on getting all three. the work we have put in so far, the way the girls have played is incredible, so to top the group with this win would be great. i think teams getting through to the next round, it will be a tough game, but naturally, we want to get ourselves ready. you play every game to win. i think the influence comes for us, maybe, not ne

but then pep guardiola saying his players have come back better than the players that were left behindven matches this boxing day - behind. intriguing times. seven matches this boxing day in - behind. intriguing times. seven matches this boxing day in the | matches this boxing day in the premier league. the premier league's back after an extended break for the world cup, with arsenal hoping they can do what every other team side that won 12 of their first 1a games did and that's win the title. joe lynskey reports now starting with a reminder of where we left things in mid—november. 0n the 13th of november, manchester united beat fulham and the premier league hit pause. football went from the banks of the thames to the sands of the desert, as 133 players left england's top flight for qatar. through the highs and the hurt of the fifa world cup, now the six—week break is done. a new nation are world champions. i'ts argentina, kings of football! and this sport's cycle goes on. in that last weekend, a gap was forged. manchester city lost to brentford so arsenal topped the league by five poi

so going to the world cup played about 40 minutes, came as a substitute, but come back and pep guardiolaot come back in a fit state so what exactly whether that means he's just not enough to play or whether he feels if he's not put enough work in terms of fair evaluation . yeah but but the evaluation. yeah but but the thing is though he should but i mean, if he's come back and he's playing the world cup, you'd expect that he would come back in tie. oh, yeah. try in a finnish tie. oh, yeah. try an it that pep quite an and it seems that pep quite sharp about situation sharp about the situation and just not enough to just he's not fit enough to train the moment so watch train at the moment so watch this i don't know with this a little more so know what he's like guardiola there's like pep guardiola there's always something always a little something there on the surface. on the under the surface. so where something said, where there's something is said, well, not good enough. well, this is not good enough. need to come back more ready but he's just come by for the world cup be nothing but cu

so that brings into focus pep guardiola's comments. yes. about kalvin phillips.ster city, £54 million signing in the summer. he went way to the world cup in qatar with england and two substitute appearances against senegal wales. now he'd only played 4 minutes before he went to the world cup and now pep moaning. yes. ahead of the festive schedule. they've got eight games in three weeks, just over three weeks. come back three weeks. these come back overweight he's wanted to overweight and he's wanted to pound how on earth this has pound us how on earth this has happened? he said, well, you know, reasonable know, he was in reasonable shape. he went to he's shape. and when he went to he's been all top been receiving all these top medical advice from the medical dietary advice from the england english. f.a. how come he's come back overweight? now, we should be clear that overweight in football probably means or means about a pound or £2 or something like that, but nonetheless, the concern nonetheless, it's of the concern for know why you're for i don't know why you'r

phillips, pep guardiola.ajor campaign that's come cap come back in england. cap overweight. well, he's fat shamed. doesn't say. yeah, yeah. at fairly. it's 554 at least three fairly. it's 554 minutes of the minutes since the start of the season he's probably if season so he's probably not if he gone the world cup he have gone to the world cup anyway, play for anyway, although he did play for against and senegal. yeah against wales and senegal. yeah but know, are they going but i don't know, are they going to those that were in to be feeling those that were in qatar. they haven't had a lot of it now have they. that's it right now have they. that's straight in this. an endurance test. endurance. had test. it's an endurance. we had it with covid two years ago that just of suck it up just kind of to suck it up because know, the manchester because you know, the manchester have there this have been there when this decision it's 12 years decision was made it's 12 years ago one thought about this. ago no one thought

city are back into second in the premier league and manager pep guardiola says there's even more to comei would say, but the injury he had for a long period. he will now train one single day and to move his huge body is not easy for him but as much he can play and minutes, minutes will be better. scary thought, he's getting better! the january transfer window isn't open yet, but liverpool have already confirmed their first signing. it's psv eindhoven and dutch forward cody gakpo, who scored three goals at the world cup, including this one against qatar in the opening game of the tournament. he'll be available for liverpool's trip to brentford on the 2nd of january after agreeing personal terms and completing a medical. celtic will go into the glasgow derby nine points clear of rangers after beating hibs 4—0. aaron mooy scored twice — either side of this brilliant goalfrom daizen maeda — from outside the area before the break. the derby match is monday, and rangers may be behind in the league, but they go into it after a win, beating motherwell 3—0. dundee united, kilmarnock and hearts al