Japan football star Yui Hasegawa on life at Man City, her career so far and future goals

Japan football star Yui Hasegawa on life at Man City, her career so far and future goals
Manchester City women’s team Japanese star midfielder Yui Hasegawa. (X/@ManCityWomen)
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Updated 23 January 2025
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Japan football star Yui Hasegawa on life at Man City, her career so far and future goals

Japan football star Yui Hasegawa on life at Man City, her career so far and future goals
  • Hasegawa admits the club is going through a tough period with injuries, but is still hopeful they can secure some silverware this season
  • The Japan international is considered one of the best footballers in the world and is a pivotal figure on Gareth Taylor’s squad

ABU DHABI: On the back of a productive warm-weather training camp in Abu Dhabi, Manchester City women’s team have had a mixed bag of results, dropping to fourth in the Women’s Super League, while also advancing to the semifinals of the League Cup.
After going unbeaten in the first 10 games of their 2024-2025 campaign, City have been rocked by a spate of injuries with Dutch summer signing Vivianne Miedema and England international Lauren Hemp both undergoing knee surgeries, and WSL lead-scorer Khadija Shaw sustaining a lower leg injury that has sidelined her since early December.
City’s recent derby loss to Manchester United may have all but ended their WSL title hopes, but they still have plenty to play for in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup, while chasing a top-two finish in the WSL to secure a place in Europe next season.
Japanese star midfielder Yui Hasegawa admits the club is going through a tough period with injuries, but is still hopeful they can secure some silverware this season.
Hasegawa, 27, joined City from West Ham in September 2022 on a three-year deal and signed a contract extension last January that will keep her at the Academy Stadium until the summer of 2027.
The Japan international is considered one of the best footballers in the world and is a pivotal figure on Gareth Taylor’s squad.
Arab News recently caught up with Hasegawa at Emirates Palace to discuss her career, her time at Manchester City, and her goals for the future with both club and country.
Q: You’ve played in Japan, Italy and the UK, so you have experience seeing the development of women’s football across the globe. In your opinion, what is the state of women’s football right now compared to when you first entered?
YH: When I started playing football, I knew how big football was in the US and I was very inspired and fascinated by the American soccer community. However, when I started high school, I started to know how amazing the European football leagues are, and I really wanted to join them. Now, I’m with one of the biggest club teams and I’m extremely happy. I’m still going to try my best in my football career.
Q: What was the biggest challenge that you faced when you first left Japan and went to play football at AC Milan in Italy?
YH: When I first went to Italy, the biggest challenge was the language and also the cultural difference. The football culture in Italy was also very different from what I was used to and I couldn’t really play in my own style. The relation with my surroundings was different. It was still football but different football. I couldn’t play the best in my own style. I faced a lot of challenges; I couldn’t really connect with the people around me either. However, because I went to Italy, now I feel like I have improved and grown from that challenge as well.
Q: What is life like for you in England and what is your experience like with Manchester City so far?
YH: When I played in Italy or West Ham, I always had this dream of playing for Manchester City and being with this club. I can really play in my own style. I’m very, very happy. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity. For the lifestyle, I have two other Japanese players on the same team, so the three of us cook together and eat Japanese food. I’m really happy with the changes.
Q: When you talk about your style of football, how do you describe it? I read in an interview that you are a big fan of Andres Iniesta, and I’m curious; are you inspired by his style or how do you describe your own style?
YH: Of course, Iniesta was my inspiration. He has great technique. He can go against the opponents, he contributes to a goal when it is really important, he leads his teammates to bring to the goal, all these are things that I like. That’s how he inspired me. My style is that I want the audience to really enjoy my football and also lately I’m not just contributing to the offense; I think my strength is that I’m contributing to the defense as well. I’m trying to develop more a sharp sense of prediction.
Q: How confident are you in City’s chances of claiming silverware this season?
YH: The stage of my team at the moment; there are some injured players, so I realize that it might be difficult but I want to take it one game at a time and I am determined to win each game. I’m very confident. As a team as a whole, we are determined to win every game from now on.
Q: After England won the Euros, did you feel that the attention in women’s football in the UK has gotten bigger?
YH: I do feel so. Compared to West Ham, I feel like there is a lot more attention on me being at Manchester City and I feel that this team, the players individually, are all stars and each one of them have their own fans. I also noticed that a lot of children always call their names. I feel that the result is very, very important from the Euros.
Q: When you started playing football in Japan, there was no professional women’s league. What gave you the idea that this is something you wanted to pursue, even though you didn’t even have a professional league to look up to?
YH: When I started playing football when I was young, I always watched the men’s game. I didn’t know if there was a professional league in Japan but I just wanted to go pro. When I grew up to junior high school age, I was very surprised that there are women players that work for a company and they play in the company league. So I felt like even if this is my path, I wanted to continue playing football. And now, it’s my profession and I’m very grateful and I want to enjoy what I do.
Q: In Japan, there are some big names in women’s sport right now. There is someone like you, who is one of the best midfielders in the world. There is Naomi Osaka. How do you feel to be part of this generation of strong Japanese women in sport?
YH: I still wonder if I’m actually part of this group of Japanese star athletes, but I feel like outside of Japan, I get more recognized and valued, especially last year and this year. I feel that maybe in Japanese culture, female athletes are still not as valued in Japan. But I just want to be a female athlete that children can be inspired by and I want to bring good results as well.
Q: How much have you heard about the football scene in this part of the world for women? In Saudi Arabia, they are putting a lot of effort into the league over there and there is an Asian Champions League now as well, featuring a team from Abu Dhabi. Are you following much and how do you see the room for growth for women’s football in this region?
YH: I recognize that women’s football in the Middle East is still developing and women aren’t necessarily at the forefront. If I can contribute to making that place recognizable for female athletes, I would really love to contribute, and I would like to help in every way that I can and make a place to make female athletes more valued, not only in football but in sports in general.
Q: What are your biggest goals and dreams with Japan and with Manchester City?
YH: With Man City, of course winning the league is my goal at the moment. I have always wanted to play in the Champions League and in my favorite style of playing football, so winning the Champions League would be a goal for me as well. As for Japan, we have a new foreign coach for the first time (Danish coach Nils Nielsen) and we would like to bring back that 2011 (World Cup) winning moment once again. I would also like to contribute to the improvement of football culture in Japan.


Ons Jabeur through to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open quarterfinal against Elena Rybakina

Ons Jabeur through to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open quarterfinal against Elena Rybakina
Updated 1 min 20 sec ago
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Ons Jabeur through to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open quarterfinal against Elena Rybakina

Ons Jabeur through to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open quarterfinal against Elena Rybakina
  • Tunisian star defeated Wakana Sonobe in straight sets while the US’ Ashlyn Krueger produced a stunning fightback to beat Daria Kasatkina

ABU DHABI: Ons Jabeur has reached the last eight of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open with a straight-sets victory over 17-year-old Wakana Sonobe, and on Thursday takes on reigning champion, Elena Rybakina, who came from behind to beat Katie Volynets.

In arguably the performance of the day, the US’ Ashlyn Krueger produced a stunning fightback to beat last year’s runner-up Daria Kasatkina, while Belinda Bencic, Marketa Vondrousova, Leylah Fernandez, Linda Noskova and Magda Linette are also through to the last eight.

Fan-favorite Jabeur had booked her passage to the last 16 with a superb display against Jelena Ostapenko. But she faced a different type of challenge against rising star Sonobe, who had recorded two qualifying wins before defeating Yue Yan in the round of 32. This was just over one week after claiming the girls’ singles title at the Australian Open.

While both players began the match in confident fashion, with Sonobe holding her own for the early part of the first set, her lack of experience against top players soon became apparent as she lost her last three service games in the first set to fall 1-0 down.

While Sonobe broke Jabeur immediately in the second set, the Tunisian former world No. 2 regained her composure and began to dictate play, breaking the Japanese youngster twice on her way to a 6-3, 6-3 victory. She now plays Rybakina in a repeat of the 2022 Wimbledon final.

Looking ahead, Jabeur said: “It’s going to be a tough match. Elena plays really well, and I know she loves playing here on this surface. I will just try to do my best, and focus on myself, and what I can do better on the court.”

Kazakhstan’s Rybakina came from behind to beat Volynets in her first appearance of this year’s tournament. It was a slow start from Rybakina, who dropped the first game of the match on serve, allowing American Volynets to take the first set 6-2.

Rybakina, however, is the current champion for a reason, and her response was both predictable and emphatic, as she bounced back to win the second set 6-4, before taking the third by the same scoreline, getting her defense of the crown off to the perfect start.

While Rybakina is defending the title she won a year ago, the 2023 champion, Bencic, was also in action on Wednesday, with the Swiss star producing the most dominant performance of the day as she swept aside Kudermetova 6-0, 6-0 in just 64 minutes.

Bencic will now face 2023 Wimbledon champion, Vondrousova, who followed up her win over Emma Raducanu with another solid display, this time against Yulia Putintseva, running out a 6-2, 6-3 winner on Stadium Court.

Fernandez, although not quite as dominant as Bencic, booked her place in the quarterfinals courtesy of a comfortable victory over Lulu Sun, who provided minimal resistance, particularly in the first set which the Canadian claimed without losing a game.

Sun improved in the second set, but Fernandez, who was beaten by Coco Gauff at the recent Australian Open, simply produced a series of eye-catching shots for an impressive 6-0, 6-3 victory. She now faces Krueger in the last eight.

Krueger had made a brilliant comeback against Kasatkina. Having won just a solitary game in a one-sided first set, Krueger, 20, recomposed herself and responded in style, eventually securing an outstanding 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory.

In the day’s final two matches, Czech star Noskova, 20, produced a stunning performance to upset Paula Badosa, beating the Spaniard 6-4, 6-1. This sets up a last-eight meeting with Linette, who was awarded a victory via walkover in her tie against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova after she was forced to withdraw.

Stadium Court plays host to all four quarterfinals on Thursday, with Jabeur versus Rybakina undoubtedly the pick of the ties. The pair have met five times in their careers to date, with Jabeur winning three to Rybakina’s two, although one of those victories was the Wimbledon final in 2022.

Vondrousova and Bencic have been in fine form during the tournament so far, meaning their meeting is likely to be an intriguing one, while Fernandez versus Krueger is an opportunity to watch two of tennis’ young talents battle it out for a place in the semifinals.


Dubai Capitals clinch last-ball thriller against Desert Vipers to reach DP World ILT20 final

Dubai Capitals clinch last-ball thriller against Desert Vipers to reach DP World ILT20 final
Updated 37 min 18 sec ago
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Dubai Capitals clinch last-ball thriller against Desert Vipers to reach DP World ILT20 final

Dubai Capitals clinch last-ball thriller against Desert Vipers to reach DP World ILT20 final
  • The Capitals chased down 189 to complete a 5-wicket victory against the Vipers in qualifier 1 at Dubai International Stadium

DUBAI: The Dubai Capitals clinched a thrilling last-ball victory against the Desert Vipers on Wednesday, securing their place in the final of the DP World ILT20 season three.

In a nail-biting finish at the Dubai International Stadium, an all-round masterclass from Gulbadin Naib — featuring a third consecutive half-century against the Vipers, and a two-wicket haul — propelled the Capitals to a five-wicket win.

The triumph not only marked the second-highest run chase in T20s at the venue but also extended the Capitals’ dominance over the Vipers with their fifth consecutive win against the side.

Earlier in the evening, Alex Hales lit up the innings with a blistering 67 off just 32 balls, forging a 98-run partnership with Max Holden to give the Vipers a flying start. However, the Capitals fought back brilliantly with the ball, restricting the Vipers to 189/7 and setting the stage for a dramatic chase.

Chasing a steep target amidst the pressure of a playoff, the Dubai Capitals had a steady powerplay of 47 runs without losing any wickets. Adam Rossington struck Sam Curran for three boundaries in the fifth over to make his intentions clear, but the Capitals were already falling behind.

Meanwhile, Shai Hope mustered a run-a-ball knock of 17 runs before he was claimed by Wanindu Hasaranga in the seventh over. The runs dried up after the first six overs and the situation worsened when Lockie Ferguson cleaned up Rossington for 44 runs in 31 balls in the 10th over to bring the scoreline to 67/2.

Naib and skipper Sam Billings were tasked with recalibrating the run chase and the pair got to work quickly. Billings attacked Mohammad Amir in the 12th over, hitting two fours and a six, then reverse-swept Hasaranga for three fours and a six in the next over. However, a mix-up led to his run-out in the same over, cutting short his explosive innings at 38 runs off 16 balls.

Naib motored on as he was joined by Rovman Powell. The Capitals needed 52 runs from 30 balls. Powell raced to 20 runs before he was scalped by David Payne in the 18th over. The Capitals required 12 in the last over and Naib was lucky to squeeze six runs off the first two balls. He was dropped by Dhruv Parashar on the next ball but perished a ball later with the scores tied. Sikandar Raza struck a boundary on the last ball to seal the run chase.

In the first innings, the UAE’s Farhan Khan removed Rahmanullah Gurbaz to give the Capitals a breakthrough in the first over. The powerplay belonged to the Vipers as Hales and Holden steered them to 64/1 in six overs. Hales, who was particularly destructive, was dropped in the fifth over. The same over would see 14 runs as the error proved costly.

Hales dispatched Raza for two consecutive sixes in the seventh over as he brought up a 28-ball fifty. He smashed seven fours and cleared the ropes thrice to reach the milestone for the ninth time in the DP World ILT20.

The Dubai Capitals bounced back to derail the Vipers’ onslaught. While the first seven overs had seen 84 runs, the next seven overs only produced 45 runs, courtesy of tight spells from the spin duo of Haider Ali and Qais Ahmad.

Though Holden was the more conservative partner, the pair had put on 98 runs in 52 balls until Naib caught Hales off his own bowling in the ninth over. Naib was in action again as Holden holed out to him at long-on, off Ahmad, for 36 runs in 26 balls. The Vipers were at 107/3 in 10.1 overs.

Curran and Dan Lawrence moved with caution, preserving their wicket as the Vipers limped to 136/3 in 15 overs. Curran broke the shackles with two sixes off Qais, but was caught by Naib in the same over, for 24 runs in 21 balls.

While Rutherford and Hasaranga departed cheaply, Lawrence found a few more boundaries but departed for 35 runs to Dushmantha Chameera in the 19th over. It was Khuzaima Tanveer’s late flourish of 15 runs in five deliveries including a six and two fours in the final over that helped the Vipers post 189/7 in 20 overs. 

Player of the Match Naib said: “When you played a good game in the past, you remind yourself of that. I was reminded of the previous fifties I got. I took some time at the start. I can play at any position.

“Number three now is my lucky number. I have opened as well so I can bat anywhere. We played a lot of cricket here in Dubai. It was a pressure game, and I love pressure games. With the ball, I used the surface. I used my variations a lot.”

The Desert Vipers’ captain Ferguson commented: “It was a tough night. It was a great game of cricket, obviously dew came on and made the game difficult for us. We were unfortunate not to have come out on top. I thought it was a great total but it’s T20 cricket. Alex Hales played very well earlier.”

The MI Emirates will take on the Sharjah Warriorz in the eliminator on Thursday. The winner of the encounter will face the Dubai Capitals for a place in the final.

Brief scores

Dubai Capitals beat Desert Vipers by 5 wickets

Desert Vipers 189/7 in 20 overs (Alex Hales 67, Max Holden 36, Dan Lawrence 35, Gulbadin Naib 2 for 25, Qais Ahmad 2 for 29)

Dubai Capitals 193/5 in 20 overs (Gulbadin Naib 62, Adam Rossington 44, Sam Billings 38, Lockie Ferguson 2 for 32, David Payne 1 for 31)


Pioneering Pakistan woman MMA fighter breaks barriers ... and arms

Pioneering Pakistan woman MMA fighter breaks barriers ... and arms
Updated 06 February 2025
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Pioneering Pakistan woman MMA fighter breaks barriers ... and arms

Pioneering Pakistan woman MMA fighter breaks barriers ... and arms
  • Anita Karim comes from Gilgit-Baltistan and is nicknamed ‘the arm collector’ due to her fierce performances
  • She originally trained in taekwondo and jiu-jitsu before discovering MMA at high school in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Growing up in the rugged northern reaches of Pakistan, Anita Karim honed her combat skills fighting with three older brothers who pulled no punches.

The bruising experience prepared her for a career in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) — blending Thai kickboxing, Japanese judo and wrestling — and she is now the nation’s pre-eminent woman fighter.

“The village where I come from, they support women fighters,” she told AFP. “But when I started MMA, they had no awareness of this sport.”

“They said it’s a men’s game exclusively and a woman cannot do that one,” the 28-year-old said.

In this photograph taken on December 11, 2024, Anita Karim (R) and Bushra Ahmed, mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters, take part in a training session at a club in Islamabad. (AFP/File)

Eight years ago she won the right to enter the ring, swiftly becoming Pakistan’s first internationally competing woman MMA fighter and appearing in Asia’s biggest promotion, ONE Championship.

“Now misogynistic comments and criticisms have stopped,” she said at her gym in the capital Islamabad, where she trains without heating in the octagonal “cage” where fighters face off.

It is unusual for women to take up sport in deeply conservative Pakistan, where it is often forbidden by families.

But Karim’s native Gilgit-Baltistan region — where female modesty codes are more relaxed — has become an incubator for women’s sport.

In October, two sisters from the region, Maliha and Maneesha Ali, brought back gold and bronze from a taekwondo competition in Indonesia.

Karim’s brother Uloomi, who became her coach after being on the receiving end of her blows, said support began at home.

In this photograph taken on December 11, 2024, Anita Karim (2L), a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, warms up with her brother and coach Uloomi (L) before a training session at a club in Islamabad. (AFP/File)

“When she showed the commitment, the dedication, we knew that she was going to make it,” said the 33-year-old, standing in their family-owned gym.

“We knew that she could take it and we did not have any issues with her training with any guy.”

Surprisingly timid outside the ring, Karim is at the head of a cohort of Pakistani female MMA fighters — five from Gilgit-Baltistan, according to the regional government.

“She’s shy, but when she enters the cage, it’s completely different,” said Uloomi, who has also competed in the sport.

Her speciality is the armlock, deployed with an agonizing all-body grip, which aims to force an opponent to “tap out” in submission before bones are broken or joints wrecked.

In 2022 she was pictured atop a podium in Pakistan with two opponents wearing slings on their injured arms — a performance that earned her the nickname “the arm collector.”

“They could have tapped to stop the fight, but they didn’t, so I went through with it,” she said.

In this photograph taken on December 11, 2024, Anita Karim (top) and Bushra Ahmed, mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters, take part in a training session at a club in Islamabad. (AFP/File)

In her hometown, Karim originally trained in taekwondo and jiu-jitsu before discovering MMA at high school in Islamabad — to the consternation of her community back home.

“A lot of people close to me criticized me, but that’s part of the game. Now they know how it works,” she said.

The message emanating from her hometown now is one of pride.

“The way she has made the name of Gilgit-Baltistan and all of Pakistan shine on the international level, serves as a lesson,” said the regional government’s sports chief Shah Muhammad.

After losing on her professional debut in 2018, where the referee refused to let her fight unless she raised her leggings above the knee, she moved to Thailand to train at an MMA academy.

She now earns a living from competition prizes, modest government grants and coaching at her Islamabad gym.

When she returns after competitions, small crowds gather to greet her at the airport and she is followed by a fledgling community of female fighters.

They too want to turn professional in a nation where only one in five women have jobs, according to United Nations figures.

“Anita is a role model for us,” said Bushra Ahmed, a few years Karim’s junior and out of breath as she trains alongside her, another woman and a dozen men.

Karim also wants to “give Pakistani women confidence and self-defense techniques,” with over 80 percent having been victims of public harassment, according to the UN.

Recently she “hit a man who was harassing me in a market in Islamabad,” Karim said.

“He left with his face stained with blood.”


Italian qualifier Bellucci stuns Medvedev in Rotterdam

Italian qualifier Bellucci stuns Medvedev in Rotterdam
Updated 06 February 2025
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Italian qualifier Bellucci stuns Medvedev in Rotterdam

Italian qualifier Bellucci stuns Medvedev in Rotterdam
  • The Italian, who also reached the last eight in Atlanta in 2024, will next play sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas or Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor for a spot in the semifinals
  • Former US Open champion Medvedev, ranked seven in the world, had defeated veteran Stan Wawrinka in the first round but has struggled at the start of 2025

ROTTERDAM: Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci stunned former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev in three tough sets on Wednesday to reach the Rotterdam ATP quarterfinals.

The 23-year-old left-hander, playing on a career-high ranking of 92, came through 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 to record a first win over a top 10 opponent.

“It was a three-hour match and I really enjoyed every moment of it. I really tried to do the best I could. I’m pretty tired but I’m happy,” said Bellucci.

“I was going for the serve and volley which is not something I’m used to doing but it worked pretty good today.”

Bellucci held his nerve in the decider, where he saved six break points, after squandering a match point in the second set tie-break against the 2023 champion in Rotterdam.

The Italian, who also reached the last eight in Atlanta in 2024, will next play sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas or Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor for a spot in the semifinals.

Former US Open champion Medvedev, ranked seven in the world, had defeated veteran Stan Wawrinka in the first round but has struggled at the start of 2025 having lost in the second round of the Australian Open last month.


Newcastle shoot down Arsenal to be back in League Cup final in bid to end 70-year wait for domestic trophy

Newcastle shoot down Arsenal to be back in League Cup final in bid to end 70-year wait for domestic trophy
Updated 06 February 2025
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Newcastle shoot down Arsenal to be back in League Cup final in bid to end 70-year wait for domestic trophy

Newcastle shoot down Arsenal to be back in League Cup final in bid to end 70-year wait for domestic trophy
  • Newcastle will play either Tottenham or Liverpool in the March 16 final at Wembley Stadium
  • Newcastle reached the 2023 League Cup final, but lost 2-0 to Manchester United

LONDON: Newcastle are back in the English League Cup final for another chance to end their 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy.

The Saudi-backed northeast club beat Arsenal 2-0 in the second leg of the semifinals Wednesday to advance 4-0 on aggregate. Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon scored the goals at a boisterous St. James’ Park.

Newcastle will play either Tottenham or Liverpool in the March 16 final at Wembley Stadium. Tottenham lead 1-0 after the first leg, with the return match at Anfield on Thursday.

For Newcastle, it marks another opportunity to capture a first piece of silverware since being bought by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund in 2021. Newcastle’s last trophy was the now-defunct Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969 and the most recent domestic title was the FA Cup in 1955.

Newcastle reached the 2023 League Cup final, but lost 2-0 to Manchester United.

“Play like that and we can dream big,” Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes said after the Arsenal match. “It would be amazing in my first season as the captain to lift a trophy, it is my dream.”

Arsenal arrived buoyed by a 5-1 thrashing of Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday and looking to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg against Newcastle at Emirates Stadium last month.

Mikel Arteta’s team failed to handle the lively atmosphere inside St. James’, with its usually solid defense looking fragile and almost conceding after just four minutes when Alexander Isak was played through on goal and finished into the top corner. It was disallowed for offside following a video review and the decision was announced to fans inside the stadium by the referee via a wireless microphone — a practice being trialed in the English League Cup ahead of use in the Premier League.

After Martin Odegaard hit the post for Arsenal, Newcastle took the lead in the 19th when Isak struck a shot against the post and Murphy converted the rebound.

Arsenal’s remote chances of a comeback were further hit when Gabriel Martinelli went off with a muscle injury before halftime, and Gordon virtually secured Newcastle’s place in the title match by scoring the second after Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was dispossessed outside his area by a sliding Fabian Schar.

The ball flew straight to Gordon, who swiveled and shot into the bottom corner past stranded goalkeeper David Raya.

Arsenal, two-time League Cup winners, were looking to reach the final for the first time since 2018, when it lost 3-0 to Man City.

Newcastle fans taunted Arsenal’s manager in the last few minutes, singing: “Mikel Arteta, it must be the ball.” It was a reference to Arteta saying after the first leg that the ball used in the League Cup was “very different to a Premier League ball” after his team missed several chances.

And Gordon appeared to deliver a post-match dig at Arsenal, whose players and fans had delighted in goading Man City striker Erling Haaland on Sunday for his “stay humble” comment in the previous match between the teams.

“It is important for us to stay humble now,” Gordon said ahead of the final. “It will be a big occasion but it’s so far away.”