Guardiola says league form sets standard and will not prioritise cups

Alex Livesey, getty

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes his side must maintain high standards in the Premier League if they are to lift silverware in three cup competitions this season.

City's quest for a third straight league title is realistically over after they fell 16 points behind Liverpool, who also have a game in hand on Guardiola's men.

However, the bookmakers still believe City are the favourites to retain the League Cup and FA Cup and face Real Madrid in a blockbuster Champions League last 16 tie.

"To finish second, there always has to be something inside of us all to move forward and improve," said Guardiola.

"You cannot play good games in the knockout games if you are not running well in the Premier League.

"It's not one day, you are bad and then good. You have to maintain the level as high as possible."

City's quest for cup glory will be aided by the return of Aymeric Laporte after five months out with a serious knee injury.

The Frenchman has been badly missed at the heart of the City defence and he could make his return on Tuesday at Sheffield United.

"Every day Aymeric is getting better," added Guardiola. "I have an idea for him but I have to think today and tonight and then we'll see."

In contrast to City's disappointing league campaign, Sheffield United have massively overachieved on their return to the top flight.

The Blades are seventh in the table and in the running to finish in the top four.

Guardiola is a big fan of United manager Chris Wilder with the use of overlapping centre-halves from his three-man defence catching the eye.

"I'm incredibly impressed," said Guardiola. "If you can improve watching other games and other teams and other managers, then this is the one.

"I have never seen some of the movements that they are doing. There's a reason why they are in the position they are.

"I admire how they play and how they are doing, with a high percentage of the same players from the Championship, League One and now in the Premier League. I like it."

Real Madrid complete signing of Brazilian prospect Reinier

Celso Pupo via www.imago-images.de

Real Madrid have completed the signing of teenage Brazilian prospect Reinier from Flamengo on a six-and-a-half-year deal, the Spanish giants announced on Monday.

According to reports in Spain and in Brazil, Madrid will pay the player's buyout clause, amounting to around 30 million euros ($33.3m), with 80 percent going to Flamengo and the remainder to his representatives and his family.

The attacking midfielder -- whose contract will run until June 2026 -- celebrated his 18th birthday on Sunday.

In a statement, Real said Reinier will team up with Castilla, the club's second team who play in Spain's third tier, after competing in South American Olympic qualifying with Brazil's under-23 team. That tournament is currently taking place in Colombia.

Reinier helped Flamengo win last year's Brazilian league and Copa Libertadores double and has chosen Real Madrid despite reported interest from Barcelona and other leading European clubs.

An unused substitute when Flamengo lost to Liverpool in last month's Club World Cup final in Qatar, he is just the latest exciting young Brazilian talent to move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Vinicius Junior followed the same path from Flamengo in 2018, while his fellow 19-year-old forward, Rodrygo, arrived from Santos prior to the start of this season.

Cyprus football to resume as referees end strike

Alexander Hassenstein, getty

Professional football matches will resume in Cyprus after referees ended a strike over a bomb attack against one of their members, authorities said Monday.

All games were postponed across all divisions at the weekend, following a bomb attack on a referee's car in the southern coastal city of Larnaca.

Referees ended their walkout after reassurances from the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) and Justice Minister George Savvides, during a meeting on Monday, that extra measures will be taken to protect them.

The bomb explosion on Friday damaged a car belonging to 33-year-old Andreas Constantinou and came as Cyprus is probing match-fixing allegations.

A Justice Ministry official will act as a point of contact for referees and anyone who may have information on match-fixing, Savvides told reporters.

He said a citizens' hotline will be available for anyone who wants to blow the whistle on fixed games.

Police will also provide increased security at games for referees who may feel they are under threat.

Last week, European football governing body UEFA sent notifications regarding five sets of suspicious betting trends in Cypriot football.

Chief of police Kypros Michaelides said an investigation into the notifications sent by UEFA is gathering pace.

Local media reported that UEFA has sent the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) a total of 84 notifications regarding match-fixing since 2011 with zero convictions.

Earlier this month, top-flight club Omonia Nicosia called on the European and world football governing bodies UEFA and FIFA to intervene against corruption in the local game.

Omonia wants UEFA and FIFA to investigate the matter and in the meantime suspend Cypriot teams from all international competition.

Omonia said in a statement it had "collected enough evidence over the years to persuade UEFA and FIFA to open a case about football in Cyprus".

Savvides urged clubs to come forward with their evidence to "end the silence" on match-fixing.

In the last five years, referees have staged three strikes following attacks on their members.

CFA boss George Koumas said he hoped that with government assistance "the championship will resume without any notifications of fixed games and without violence".

Lyon sign Cameroon striker Toko Ekambi on loan from Villarreal

Alex Caparros, getty

Cameroonian international striker Karl Toko Ekambi has joined Lyon on loan from Villarreal until the end of the season, the French club announced on Monday.

The 27-year-old, who has scored six goals this season, arrives at a Lyon side sitting seventh in Ligue 1, seven points adrift of Rennes in the third and final Champions League place.

Toko Ekambi will provide Lyon coach Rudi Garcia with another attacking option after winger Memphis Depay was ruled out until the end of the season after suffering a knee injury.

Lyon will pay four million euros ($4.44 million) as a loan fee, with the deal including an option to make Toko Ekambi's stay permanent for 11.5 million euros.

The forward scored 17 goals in the 2017/18 Ligue 1 season for Angers, before netting 18 times in all competitions for Spanish outfit Villarreal last term.

Lyon face Lille in the French League Cup semi-finals on Tuesday, take on Nice in the French Cup last 16 later this month and are also still in the Champions League, where they will next play Juventus.

Villa snap up Samatta in bid for survival

Laurence Griffiths, getty

Aston Villa completed the signing of Tanzanian striker Mbwana Samatta from Genk for a reported £8.5 million ($11 million) fee on Monday.

Samatta has signed a four-and-a-half year deal, subject to a work permit and international clearance being granted.

The 27-year-old has scored 10 goals for Genk in all competitions this season, including against Liverpool in the Champions League at Anfield.

"I'm really pleased we have managed to bring Mbwana to the club," said Villa manager Dean Smith.

"He has scored goals throughout his career and I'm looking forward to working with him."

Smith was badly in need of reinforcements up front after Wesley was ruled out for the rest of the season due to knee ligament damage.

Villa have been forced to play without a recognised striker since the Brazilian was injured in a New Year's Day win at Burnley.

Samatta's deal was not completed in time to face Watford on Tuesday in a huge clash at the bottom of the table.

Villa are in the relegation zone, but just one point behind the Hornets, who are unbeaten in their last six league games.

West Brom's promotion push stalled again by Stoke

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West Brom's winless run in the Championship stretched to six games as they blew the chance to open up a four-point lead at the top after a 1-0 defeat at home to Stoke on Monday.

Tyrese Campbell scored the only goal after just nine minutes for the visitors, who moved four points clear of the relegation zone.

A poor run for both the Baggies and Leeds of late has opened up the race for promotion to the Premier League.

West Brom's cushion over third-placed Fulham is down to five points with Brentford and Nottingham Forest just a point further back.

Slaven Bilic's side have now taken just four points from their last 18 available and failed to force Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland into a serious save.

Campbell, whose father Kevin used to play for West Brom, opened the scoring early on despite Sam Johnstone getting a good hand to the ball.

Stoke then stood firm under an aerial bombardment in the latter stages to continue their upturn in form since Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill took charge in November.

Mbappe dreams of 'Champions League, Euro 2020 and Olympic treble'

Dean Mouhtaropoulos, getty

Kylian Mbappe says he is dreaming of helping Paris Saint-Germain win a first Champions League trophy this year, as well as leading France to the title at Euro 2020 and the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The 21-year-old PSG and France star, a World Cup winner in 2018, was asked what was on his wish list for the new year while launching his charity in the Paris suburbs on Monday.

"It would be a treble of Champions League, European Championship and Olympic Games. That wouldn't be bad," said Mbappe, with a smile.

"That seems unattainable for the time being but I'm going to make sure I fulfil this dream. It would be a proud moment to be able win the first European title for PSG and for our country to keep winning."

Mbappe's charity, "Inspired by KM", was set up to help 98 children -- a nod to his birth year -- between the ages of nine and 16 from various social backgrounds to accomplish "their dreams".

Last month, Mbappe put himself forward for the French team at the Tokyo Olympics, while adding he would not want to fight his club over taking part in Japan.

"Playing in the Olympics, I don't control everything," he told France Football magazine. "Of course I want to go, but if my club, which is my employer, doesn't want me to go, I won't force a clash."

He said he would hold talks with PSG sporting director Leonardo, who is said to be hesitant to allow Mbappe to play at the Olympics for fears over his fitness.

Euro 2020 will be held across 12 different cities over the continent from June 12 to July 12, with the men's Olympic football tournament scheduled for July 23 to August 8.