Pep Guardiola has sparked some debate among Manchester City fans after naming Ederson the “best player” on the pitch during their defeat against European heavyweights Real Madrid.
City took the leak against the increasingly familiar Champions League foes with an impressive team move finished off by Erling Haaland following a rocky start to proceedings, but an answer back from fellow phenom Kylian Mbappe saw the team draw level just after half-time and the game opened up even more.
It looked as though the Blues had avoided further late drama after Stockport’s very own Phil Foden earned them a crucial penalty and Haaland once again dispatched it, but it wasn’t to be as former City product Brahim Diaz made an immediate impact off the bench to score against his old club.
The goal came from a stray Ederson kick-out and then bad went to worse as it often does in football and the decision to come early and try to close down Vinicius Jr. saw him chipped by the Brazilian and Jude Bellingham tap home the winner in the 92nd minute. A beyond painful end for the home fans.
It was another midweek capitulation as not only is it the first time they’ve come undone against the 15-time champions but it also felt like a repeat of the same story for much of this season.
Man City haven’t just been off their usual formidable form in the Premier League, currently sitting fifth in the table, but they seem to have a consistent issue in the UCL: that being letting in late goals.
The collapse against the Spanish giants made it seven goals conceded in the last 15 minutes throughout the tournament so far this season, facing a total of 20 shots from the La Liga leaders on Tuesday night alone – the most of any team visiting the Etihad in any competition since Pep arrived.
Injuries have caused plenty of defensive problems for sure but the recent rotation of goalkeepers has also caused even more uncertainty in the backline, it would seem, and Ederson’s return between the sticks has already been a point of contention among some fans.
The 31-year-old had an up-and-down game, to put it mildly, having nearly given away a penalty in the opening 10 minutes were it not for an offside flag, before going on to make a number of key blocks in the first half as Madrid piled on early pressure.
As it turns out, his performance was so defiant for the majority of the game that Pep made a point of beginning his post-match interviews by singling out Ederson as the “best player” against a dangerous Madrid team, even despite his mistakes. You can see his press conference in full here:
Is Pep right – was Ederson the best City player against Madrid even despite his mistakes? Or is he just protecting his team?
It’s fair to say the comment has sat so well with everyone, with one fan writing: “Ederson has actually cost us so many UCLs. They want me to give him credit for kicking the ball”; another said: “Ederson has single-handedly manipulated Manchester City today. Such a brilliant matchplan was ruined by that idiot.”
A third simply wrote, “Ederson, man. He’s finished”. On the other hand, even an opposition fan did side with Pep’s defence of the player, pointing out that “Mbappe and Bellingham would have scored at least two goals each if not for his wonderful saves” earlier in the game.
It’s also worth noting that City have conceded not just the most goals of any side in this year’s Champions League thus far but more in 38 games in all comps this season (56) than they did in 59 games last term (54), and while Ederson hasn’t been in net the whole time, he is still the first choice.
Regardless, the Manchester club have a lot of work to do if they are to make it past Carlo Ancelotti’s side on their home turf in the decider of the playoff tie next Wednesday, 19 February. Will Ederson remain in net or will Guardiola turn to Stefan Ortega this time? We’ll have to wait and see.
You can watch the highlights from the dramatic first leg down below.
A young BMX star from Trafford finished on the podium in the 2025 World Championships
Danny Jones
A Greater Manchester native placed on the podium at the 2025 BMX World Championships in yet another display of our region’s sporting excellence.
12-year-old Leo Rowlands from Timperley in Trafford was one of the several promising BMX riders representing Team GB at the World Championships in Copenhagen, which kicked off at the end of July.
Back in 2023, Geordie-born Kieran Reilly became the UK’s first champion at the UCI BMX Freestyle Worlds in Glasgow, and this year, London’s Beth Shriever claimed a trio of world titles.
Combine that with the incredible achievement of the talented young lad coming third overall in his own category, and it really was another brilliant performance from Great Britain.
Credit: Supplied
Penning a proud statement online, local outlet Altrincham Today wrote: “HUGE congratulations to Leo Rowlands, who has just claimed WORLD No. 3 at the BMX World Championships in Copenhagen.
“The Year 7 [aged 11-12] Altrincham College student, who’s been racing since age 6 and trains at Bruntwood Park BMX Club in Cheadle, came through a field of over 140 of the world’s best riders to reach the final and secure his spot on the podium.
“Already North Champion and UK National No. 2, Leo will be going for the British Championship title in Kent this month.”
Joining in sharing their pride and praise on social media, his home college in Alty, along with Rowlands’ fellow students, simply added: “Incredible performance, Leo!”
The comments underneath both posts are filled with other parents and fellow locals passing on their congrats. You love to see it.
Credit: Family Handout (supplied)
As for his regular cycling haunt, Bruntwood Park BMX Club also went on to add: “Yesterday, two riders reached the top of the sport for their age, and it is with great pride that they bring home the club’s first W plates from a World Championships.
“First up, Leo Rowlands, who put down a stunning lap in the Male 12s final, working his way back from dead last out of the gate to make a brilliant podium and take home W3.”
They went on to credit all of their rising talents, including another promising young and already multi-title-winning champion in Lexi Waite, who fought her way back from a slipped gate to finish in fifth.
Bruntwood signed off by adding: “What an incredible achievement from both of these outstanding riders, and we cannot wait to have these guys back with their W plates!”
There’s plenty of cycling history being made here in Greater Manchester, and we’ve no doubt there’s more to come.
Manchester Storm ban supporter and condemn discriminatory behaviour after online comments
Danny Jones
Ice hockey side Manchester Storm have come out to vocally condemn any and all forms of discrimination following recent concerns raised online and, more importantly, putting words into action after issuing a stadium ban to a match-going fan.
Writing a lengthy, passionate and defiant post on Wednesday, 6 August, Manchester Storm informed supporters that they had been made aware of multiple “derogatory and discriminatory comments” earlier this week.
The remarks in question were made across various social media platforms, as well as fan forums over the past few days, but thankfully were quickly identified and removed by admins.
Nevertheless, Storm recognised the importance of cracking down on this kind of behaviour as swiftly and firmly as possible, penning this pitch-perfect reply in terms of tone and practical action.
The official statement reads: “These comments are deeply concerning and go against everything our club stands for. Let us be absolutely clear: racism, homophobia, and any form of discriminatory or hateful behaviour will not be tolerated – online or at the [Planet Ice] Arena.
“We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive club that welcomes players, staff, and fans from all backgrounds. Anyone found engaging in racist, homophobic, or otherwise abusive behaviour will be banned and will not be permitted entry to The [Storm] Shelter.”
Storm also went on to detail that the individual in question regarding multiple related incidents has not only been issued with a ban, but that their season ticket has been revoked and will be denied all entry to their home ground in Altrincham.
They also assured that the matter has been reported to Greater Manchester Police, adding that the club “will continue to cooperate fully with their investigations” and”will not hesitate to pursue further legal action where necessary.
Proud to see such quick and decisive action from the local sporting organisation, which should help serve as a real deterrent for similar potential trouble in the future.
The response from the right-minded fans in the comments was great to see as well.
Regardless of the offensive remarks made on the forum, most Manchester Storm supporters welcome the statement fan ban. (Credit: IG)
One user on X wrote: “The storm is for everyone; we don’t need these people anywhere near the Storm Shelter. Thank you for acting so quickly.” Another on Instagram added, “Absolutely, hockey is for everyone, correct and firm stance/action. Well done, from a Belfast Giants fan.”
The club signed off by saying: “Manchester Storm remains committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all. Hate has no place in hockey – or anywhere else.
“We thank our community for standing with us in upholding these values.
Danny Jones -
12th February 2025 
