Guardiola Prioritizes Mental Strength for Manchester City's Quadruple Ambition
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has declared that his team's pursuit of four major trophies this season will be determined primarily by psychological factors rather than technical skills. With City competing in the Premier League, Carabao Cup, FA Cup, and Champions League, Guardiola believes the final three months of the campaign hinge on mental fortitude.
Rest and Mental Preparation Take Priority
Following a two-week break from midweek fixtures, Guardiola has granted his players additional time off after their upcoming match against Leeds. "I prioritised rest," Guardiola explained. "With three months left, there are many things that the team have improved in and still some things that the team has to improve, but now it is the little details."
The Spanish tactician emphasized that experience in high-pressure situations would prove crucial. "Maybe for the new players it is new, but we have talked a lot in many meetings for many years that, when you arrive in the last three months, competing in all competitions, everything is here," he said, pointing to his head.
City currently trail Arsenal by five points in the Premier League with a game in hand, while facing crucial matches against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final, Newcastle in the FA Cup fifth round, and Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16.
Premier League Managers Address Key Challenges
Howe Urges Gordon to Maintain Focus Amid Arsenal Links
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has called on winger Anthony Gordon to ignore speculation linking him with a summer move to Arsenal. The 25-year-old, who signed a new contract in October 2024, has been in impressive form this season.
"I'm not sure there's a lot I can do about that," Howe admitted regarding the transfer rumors. "We're mid-season, we're in the middle of some of the biggest games of his career and who knows what's going to happen internationally with him in the summer as well?"
Howe emphasized the importance of concentration during this critical period. "He's got no time to look left or right, he's got to be fully focused on straight ahead and the next game and trying to be as good as he can be." Gordon's performances could influence his chances of making England's World Cup squad this summer.
Moyes Criticizes Refereeing of Set-Piece 'Dark Arts'
Everton manager David Moyes has launched a strong critique of Premier League officiating, claiming corner-kick situations have devolved into "wrestling contests" due to referees' failure to address persistent infringements.
"It has been allowed to let go, whether it be blocking of goalkeepers or blocking of defenders, and you get the feeling now that referees really don't want to get involved in any of it," Moyes stated ahead of Everton's match against Newcastle.
The veteran manager singled out Arsenal as particularly adept at set-piece tactics. "The best at it – but with style – would be Arsenal: good delivery, good style, but ultimately there's a lot of dark arts in it such as blocking the goalkeeper from the back or the front."
Moyes acknowledged that Everton's own corner routines against Manchester United had become counterproductive. "The plan was not to deliver the corners in the fashion we did the other night. They shouldn't have been delivered as close to the goalkeeper. It became a bit of a wrestling match and I didn't think it showed enough quality or enough thought."
Glasner Praises Carrick's Impact at Manchester United
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has expressed admiration for Michael Carrick's transformative effect at Manchester United since taking over last month. United have collected more Premier League points than any other team in 2026 under Carrick's leadership.
"They are a very good team now," Glasner noted ahead of Palace's visit to Old Trafford. "They gave a very good balance between, it's a very experienced team, with really, very experienced Premier League players, and very young players with huge talent."
The Austrian manager highlighted United's improved organization and spirit. "The most important thing for them is they are consistently playing with their team and have a clear structure in the way they are playing. This is what I could see against Everton. They have a great spirit right now."
Andrews Reflects on Brentford Success After Initial Skepticism
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews has acknowledged the initial doubt surrounding his appointment last summer but expressed satisfaction with his team's progress. Andrews recently signed a new six-year contract after guiding Brentford to seventh place with eleven games remaining.
"I love being at this club, I love the challenges that it brings, the level that we are at, and what we need to do to strive and not just survive at this level," Andrews said. "It's right up my street."
The former set-piece coach recognized the need to win over supporters. "When I said I wanted to earn my stripes it was aligned to the fans and my relationship with them, I felt like I needed to earn their belief in me, fundamentally, and scepticism around my appointment in the summer which I understood at the time."
Brentford could welcome back long-throw specialist Michael Kayode for their match against Burnley as they continue their push for European qualification.
