Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City would not deserve a bonus even if they were to cast off their recent struggles and win this summer’s Club World Cup.
Sheffield United moved back to the top of the Sky Bet Championship, leapfrogging Yorkshire rivals Leeds, courtesy of a 3-1 win over play-off hopefuls Coventry.
Elsewhere, it was confirmed Jean-Philippe Mateta will return from injury on Saturday when Crystal Palace travel to Fulham for an FA Cup quarter-final clash.
Unconvincing Pep talk
Manchester City have had a season to forget
Manchester City have had a season to forget(Martin Rickett/PA)
Manchester City could land a windfall of up to £97million if they go all the way in the revamped Club World Cup, set to be held in the United States from June 14 to July 13.
However, after City failed to mount a strong Premier League title defence and crashed out of the Champions League before the last-16 stage, Guardiola feels he and his players do not deserve anything extra.
“We don’t deserve a bonus this season,” said Guardiola, whose side take on Bournemouth in the FA Cup on Sunday. “The bonus, if you win, I don’t know how much, it’s for the club.
“The managers, the backroom staff, the players – we don’t deserve (anything), not even a watch.”
Blades cut through Coventry to go top
Gustavo Hamer, centre, helped Sheffield United beat Coventry
Gustavo Hamer, centre, helped Sheffield United beat Coventry(Mike Egerton/PA)
The Championship returned following the international break and Sheffield United, at least temporarily, claimed top spot by brushing aside Frank Lampard’s Coventry.
Gus Hamer opened the scoring against his former club with a brilliant free-kick and after Tyrese Campbell had put the Blades 2-0 up at half-time, Rhian Brewster slammed home a game-clinching third.
Jack Rudoni volleyed a stoppage-time consolation for Coventry as the Blades secured their 10th win in their last 13 league matches to open up a three-point lead over second-placed Yorkshire rivals Leeds, who play Swansea at home on Saturday.
The Blades also cranked up the pressure on Burnley, climbing five points clear of their other automatic promotion challengers, who also play on Saturday, against Bristol City at Turf Moor.
Mateta bolsters Palace
Jean-Philippe Mateta suffered a serious injury in Crystal Palace’s FA Cup clash against Millwall earlier this month
Jean-Philippe Mateta suffered a serious injury in Crystal Palace’s FA Cup clash against Millwall earlier this month(Zac Goodwin/PA)
Mateta will make his first Palace appearance on Saturday since being hospitalised with a lacerated ear and is set to wear a protective helmet in the Eagles’ clash against Fulham in the FA Cup.
Mateta was kicked in the head by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts in the eighth minute of the teams’ FA Cup fifth-round meeting four weeks ago and required 25 stitches, with Roberts – who was sent off – receiving a six-match ban.
Palace eventually won 3-1 to set up Saturday’s quarter-final against Fulham at Craven Cottage where they will be looking to land a third Wembley appearance in the cup in 10 seasons, and are buoyed by their top scorer’s readiness to return.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner said: “(Mateta) feels comfortable (with a helmet). When he scores a header then it was the right mask with the right protection.”
Alves has rape conviction quashed
Dani Alves, right, is a former Barcelona and Brazil defender (Emilio Morenatti/AP)
Dani Alves, right, is a former Barcelona and Brazil defender (Emilio Morenatti/AP)(Emilio Morenatti/AP)
Dani Alves’ sexual assault conviction has been overturned on appeal.
The former Barcelona and Brazil star was sentenced to four and a half years in prison in February last year after being found guilty of assaulting a woman at a nightclub on December 31, 2022.
He was released on bail in March 2024 while his appeal was heard, and on Friday it was announced that the Appeals Division of Catalonia’s High Court of Justice had unanimously upheld his appeal and acquitted him.
The appeal court said in its judgement that the ruling in the original court case “contains, throughout the reasoning, a series of gaps, inaccuracies, inconsistencies and contradictions regarding the facts, the legal assessment and their consequences”.
Brazil axe Dorival
NOTA OFICIAL 🇧🇷
A Confederação Brasileira de Futebol informa que o técnico Dorival Júnior não comanda mais a Seleção Brasileira. A direção agradece ao profissional e deseja sucesso na continuidade de sua carreira. A partir de agora, a CBF vai trabalhar em busca do substituto.… pic.twitter.com/CVbTAOaYPQ
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) March 28, 2025
Brazil manager Dorival Junior has been sacked after the team were beaten heavily by Argentina in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.
The five-time world champions are fourth in the South American section, 10 points behind their arch-rivals after being thrashed 4-1 in Buenos Aires but with a healthy cushion as they seek to seal automatic qualification via a top-six finish.
However, there have been five defeats in their 14 matches so far including a 1-0 loss at home to Argentina in November 2023, whilst they have lost away games against Paraguay, Uruguay and Colombia.
The Brazilian Football Confederation said in a statement: “The Brazilian Football Confederation announces that coach Dorival Junior will no longer be in charge of the Brazilian National Team.
“The board thanks the professional and wishes him success in his continued career. From now on, the CBF will work to find a replacement.”
What’s on today
Marco Silva will be hoping his Fulham side can reach the FA Cup semi-finals
Marco Silva will be hoping his Fulham side can reach the FA Cup semi-finals(Nick Potts/PA)
As well as Fulham welcoming Palace, Brighton will host Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup quarter-finals, with all four Premier League teams looking to confirm a spot at Wembley.
Leeds can regain top spot in the Championship with a win over Swansea. Such an outcome would move Leeds level on points with Sheffield United but Daniel Farke’s side have a much superior goal difference.
Celtic, 13 points clear at the top of the William Hill Premiership, will attempt to bounce back from defeat to Rangers last time out when they take on Hearts.