Manchester City have just narrowly missed out on the 2023 Community Shield after losing 4-1 to last season’s title rivals, Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola‘s men had the chance to start this year’s campaign how they ended the last one: with a shiny piece of silverware that would have been their fourth in 2023. However, a very late equaliser from Leandro Trossard in the 11th minute of stoppage time ultimately saw the game go to pens.
The treble-winners went nearly 80 minutes without scoring in the tightly-contested charity shield match against the side, who also came runners-up in the Premier League — the Gunners selected as the default opponent given the fact that Man City also won the 2022/23 FA Cup.
However, the deadlock was finally broken in the 77th minute when youngster Cole Palmer buried an absolutely wonderful long-range finish to put the Blues ahead. Regardless of the result, what a moment this was for the burgeoning City star.
While many might have rightly expected the likes of Erling Haaland to create the match-winning moment, his performance was much like last year’s Community Shield match against Liverpool where he just couldn’t quite leave his mark. Instead, it was left up to the academy prospect to produce the goods.
Unfortunately for City, the Wythenshawe-born winger and attacking midfielder’s goal wasn’t enough to get them over the line as the deflected effort from Trossard trickled into the back of the net sent the game straight to a penalty shootout
Arsenal’s Fabio Viera was entrusted with the final penalty after both Kevin de Bruyne and the Champions League final match-winner Rodri failed to score theirs, seeing Pep’s former protege Mikel Arteta get on over on his mentor ahead of the new season kicking off on Friday, 11 August.
So, whether you would have been bold enough to count it or not, City will have to settle for remaining treble-winners for now. We’re sure they’ll get over it…
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At the end of the day, we all know how it works: the Community Shield is only another trophy in the cabinet if you win it and just a ‘glorified pre-season friendly’ if you don’t — we still have no doubt Manchester City are pretty everyone’s favourites to win the league again in May.
You can watch the highlights of this year’s FA charity shield down below:
Man City vs Arsenal 2023 Community Shield highlights
Featured Image — Emirates FA Cup/Arsenal/Man City (via Twitter)
Sport
Alex Sanderson summons Rudyard Kipling as Sale Sharks scrape into the semi-finals
Danny Jones
Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson referenced the famous Rudyard Kipling after Sale Sharks managed to book their place in the playoffs of this year’s Gallagher Premiership following a nail-biter of a fixture against Exeter Chiefs.
The Sharks sealed their spot in the semi-finals with a 30-26 win over the Chiefs on Saturday night, with a trio of tries, a singular pen and calmness when it came to conversions proving just enough to make it to full time.
Speaking on the narrow score at Sandy Park, Sanderson himself applauded that same composure during his post-match duties, casually quoting Kipling ahead of the next big game.
Writing on social media after nerves had just about settled, the club simply said: “Apologies for raising the heart rate, Sharks Family… but Saturday we go again.”
Beginning with an expression of that same defiant spirit that has seen them across the line on so many occasions, the 45-year-old told TNT Sports, “We got another Monday in us.”
The Sale Sharks coach went on to add: “So if you can keep your head, when everybody else is losing theirs – I think that’s the old Rudyard Kipling poem – you’re in such a better place on the back of that, knowing what we can fix from the Leicester game and what we can do better from today.”
It’s not every day you hear sportsmen calling up the poetic words of the beloved British-India writer, but it certainly impressed plenty of supporters, though Sanderson has always been popular among fans for his candour and charisma in interviews.
Ultimately, it was Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, Bevan Rodd, Luke Cowan-Dickie and George Ford that the Greater Manchester outfit had to thank for the electrifying finish
You can see how much it meant, clear as day…
Not done yet…
Thank you for your support Sharks Family, it’s truly appreciated!
Sale Sharks will now take on Leicester Tigers (who the local side finished just behind in third place following the result against the Chiefs) in the Premiership semis as they look to get revenge for previous painful meetings
Are you feeling hopeful, Sharks Family?
You can see the full highlights from Sale Sharks’ tense victory over the Exeter Chiefs down below.
Alex Sanderson channelled Rudyard Kipling and Sale scrapped like true Sharks.
Luxury Manchester gym Blok confirms permanent closure after weeks of uncertainty
Daisy Jackson
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure, weeks after the doors to the premium fitness facility mysteriously closed.
Around a fortnight ago, members began to arrive to their classes to find the gym on Ducie Street locked up and a forfeiture notice on the door – but at the time, Blok said that it was fighting to reopen.
Sadly, in an email sent to members today, its founder has confirmed that the studio is now permanently closed.
Blok – which has several very successful sites down in London – said that its relationship with its landlord has ‘broken down to a point where trust has been lost’.
The gym wrote that it’s been left with ‘no workable way forward’.
They said: “BLOK Manchester was a space built by our loyal and dedicated community. Whether you joined us for one class or one hundred, we are deeply grateful. You helped create something genuinely special in an incredible city.”
In the immediate future, they said they’ll be supporting the team of fantastic trainers who worked here, as well as looking after members.
Members will be contacted within a few hours with options and refunds owed.
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure. Credit: The Manc Group
CEO and founder Ed Stanbury said: “While this marks the end of a chapter, we don’t see it as the end of our story in Manchester. We’re already speaking with developers about potential future sites and remain committed to returning to the city when the time is right.
“Thank you for being part of our story so far. Let’s shape the future of wellness. The mission continues.”
Commenting on Blok’s Instagram post – its first in almost a fortnight – people have been sharing their sadness at the closure of its Manchester site.
One person wrote: “beautiful space, beautiful staff and beautiful community.”
Another said: “Sending love to all the instructors !! :(((( gutted”
Someone else commented: “THE BEST CLASSES. I’m gutted.”
Danny Jones -
6th August 2023 
