Jack Grealish admits adapting to Manchester City's style of play has been "much more difficult" than he imagined it would be.
Having joined City for a Premier League record £100million fee in 2021, Grealish has largely struggled to replicate the displays he produced for Aston Villa, though he made a decisive impact in Thursday's 1-0 win at Chelsea.
Grealish's fine ball across the six-yard box teed up Riyad Mahrez for City's winner just three minutes and 43 seconds after the pair were introduced as second-half substitutes.
That represented Grealish's third assist in his last three Premier League games – the same amount as he managed in his first 34 league appearances for City, and the England international acknowledges he struggled on his arrival at the Etihad Stadium.
"When I came here, I'll be honest with you, it was so much more difficult than I thought," Grealish told Sky Sports.
"In my head I thought I was going to the team sitting top of the league and I was going to get so many goals and assists and obviously it isn't the case.
"A lot of teams tend to sit in against us and that wasn't the case at Villa.
"[Former Villa boss] Dean Smith would tell me to go and find the weak link in the defence, whether that was on the right, the middle or whether I wanted to hug the touchline, and at Villa, I always had an overlapping full-back.
"I came to City, having been at Villa my whole life, and I've never had to change [before]. I've always been used to that. I didn't realise how hard it is to adapt to a different team and manager."
City's victory at Stamford Bridge was their fourth in a row against Chelsea in all competitions, and Grealish believes the Blues' willingness to attack the champions played into their hands.
"We've had games this season – against Everton and Brentford recently for example – where they've had a back five and they've sat in against us," Grealish said.
"Against a back four today it just felt so much more open, and we were desperate to come on."
Iga Swiatek was in tears after losing to Jessica Pegula as the United States took a 2-0 United Cup semi-final lead over Poland, while Italy moved into command against Greece on Friday.
World number one Swiatek was beaten 6-2 6-2 by the impressive Pegula in just 71 minutes at Ken Rosewall Arena.
Swiatek got the better of Pegula three times last year, but the American made light work of seeing off the three-time grand slam champion this time around to put USA in front.
Pegula struck 21 winners, attacking the Swiatek serve in a commanding display just over a week before the Australian Open gets under way.
Swiatek's emotions came out after she was emphatically defeated by the world number three in Sydney.
Pegula said: "I played her today, conditions are totally different than anywhere else I played her. Obviously maybe I had a little bit of an advantage, they just flew in yesterday.
"Definitely the fastest conditions I have played her [in]. Every other place I've played her has been pretty slow. I think that favoured me a lot, and I was able to use that to my advantage and play a really super clean match.
"I think I just was able to execute my game plan probably better than I have previous times."
Frances Tiafoe backed up Pegula's win by beating Kacper Zuk, who replaced the unwell Daniel Michalski, 6-3 6-3.
That ensures Taylor Fritz has a chance to put the United States into the final if he beats Hubert Hurkacz on Saturday.
Italy are in control of the other semi-final following victories for Martina Trevisan and Lorenzo Musetti.
Trevisan upset Maria Sakkari 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 before Musetti outclassed Stefanos Sakellaridis, winning 6-1 6-1.
Novak Djokovic set up a semi-final clash with Daniil Medvedev at the Adelaide International with a straight-sets win over Denis Shapovalov.
Shapovalov wilted under pressure on his serve at the end of both sets as Djokovic claimed a 6-3 6-4 victory, though he felt the encounter was closer than the score suggested.
"The scoreline doesn't give you the right idea of what happened in the match, almost two hours for two sets, it was such a close match," Djokovic said in his on-court interview.
"I just managed to stay mentally composed in the right moments and play my best tennis."
He wrapped up the win with a backhand volley after a Shapovalov double fault handed Djokovic the key break, teeing up a meeting with Medvedev, whom he beat in the 2021 Australian Open final before losing to the Russian in the US Open showpiece later that year.
Fellow former world number one Medvedev cruised to a 6-3 6-3 win over compatriot Karen Khachanov.
Medvedev trailed 3-1 in the second set but reeled off five straight games to surge into the last four.
"We didn't play since 2019, that's pretty long," Medvedev said of his reunion with Khachanov.
"Hopefully we can play more matches at later stages of tournaments. It's never easy, I'm happy that I managed to really raise my level, especially at the end of both sets, and I'm really happy to be through to the semis."
Sebastian Korda continued his superb run with a straight-sets win over Jannik Sinner, who was bothered by a hip issue that later forced him to pull out of his doubles match.
Korda pulled away in the second set after a tight first to win 7-5 6-1 and has won 11 of his 14 matches since the start of October.
He will take on Yoshihito Nishioka, who overcame home hope Alexei Popyrin 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (8-10) 6-2, for a place in the final.
Massimiliano Allegri believes Champions League qualification, rather than the Scudetto, remains Juventus' aim for the season despite their remarkable upturn in form.
Ahead of Saturday's meeting with Udinese, Juventus have won seven consecutive Serie A matches without conceding, putting them within seven points of league leaders Napoli.
The Bianconeri's tally of 11 Serie A clean sheets is a joint-high in the big five European leagues this season (alongside Barcelona), helping them turn their campaign around in dramatic fashion after Allegri came under pressure before the World Cup.
While some have suggested Napoli's midweek defeat to Inter opens the title race up to several teams, Allegri says a top-four finish remains a more realistic aim for his men.
Asked how Napoli's first Serie A loss of the season impacted Juventus' title hopes, Allegri said: "They don't change. Napoli are the clear favourites, they are many points ahead after 16 games.
"They've had a stoppage and that's it, but I'd say that Napoli are having an extraordinary year and are still the clear favourites.
"Then there's the Inter and Milan. Our goal is to stay in the top four and play for our chances in the Coppa Italia and Europa League."
Juventus are set to receive a further boost when they host Andrea Sottil's team, with Angel Di Maria available for the first time since scoring in Argentina's thrilling World Cup final triumph against France last month.
"Tomorrow, returning to the stadium with our fans and with the stadium full will be a good opportunity for us," Allegri said.
"We have recovered Di Maria. [Leandro] Paredes is improving in condition. Bremer is a bit tired and I will evaluate their conditions today."
Allegri introduced winger Federico Chiesa after 55 minutes in Wednesday's 1-0 win at Cremonese, for just his third Serie A appearance since suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament last January.
While the Bianconeri boss is uncertain whether Chiesa is ready to start, he is enthused by the Italy international's recovery and expects him to have some level of participation.
"The other day he played one half if you consider added time. Those who enter the second half with added time always play almost one half anyway," Allegri said. "Chiesa did well, physically he needed a match like this, picking up the pace a lot.
"He's growing in his condition; I don't know if I'll be able to get him to start, but the more he goes on the more playing time he puts in. I'm very happy."
Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri led a period of silence at his pre-match press conference for Gianluca Vialli, who has died at the age of 58.
The Bianconeri legend, who also represented Sampdoria, Chelsea and Italy, was originally diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017 and, after announcing he had been given the all-clear in April 2020, he was re-diagnosed the following year.
Juve paid a glowing tribute to their former striker, a Champions League winner with the club in 1996, before Allegri asked the assembled media to join him in remembering Vialli and another club legend Ernesto Castano, who died this week, prior to answering questions on his side's fixture with Udinese on Saturday.
"Before starting the press conference, it is necessary to remember Ernesto Castano and Gianluca Vialli," he said.
"I had the pleasure of meeting Vialli and they are two players who have given so much to Juventus and to the Italian national team. I ask you to hold a minute of silence for them.
"Both as a player but above all as a man, Vialli is an example to follow and we will all miss him.
"The memory is what he leaves to the youngsters. The expression of how he interpreted and lived the matches, with his technique, heart and passion."
Vialli scored 259 goals in 673 club matches, as well as netting 16 times in 59 appearances for Italy.
He became player-manager of Chelsea in February 1998 and won an EFL Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup double that season, while he also lifted the FA Cup as Blues boss.
Vialli was part of Roberto Mancini's coaching staff for Italy's successful Euro 2020 campaign.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced a minute's silence would be held prior to this weekend's matches in Italy, while the body's president Gabriele Gravina paid his own respects.
"I am deeply saddened by the news," Gravina said.
"I hoped right up until the final seconds that another miracle would appear, yet I'm consoled by what he gave to football in Italy and the Azzurri shirt, and that will always be remembered.
"Gianluca was a wonderful person and will leave a big hole in the national team and in everyone who knew his extraordinary human qualities."
Former world number one Ash Barty has revealed she is pregnant with her first child.
Barty surprisingly announced her retirement from tennis last March, just two months after she ended a 44-year wait for a home triumph at the Australian Open.
The 26-year-old, who won three grand slam singles titles during her career, revealed her pregnancy via an Instagram post on Friday.
"2023 set to be the best year yet. We are so excited for our new adventure. Origi already the protective big sister," Barty wrote, alongside an image of her dog Origi next to a pair of baby shoes.
Barty's partner Garry Kissick also took to social media to share the news, posting a similar image featuring a baby-sized Liverpool kit with the caption: "Little Red, 2023".
Barty married professional golfer Kissick last July, six years after the pair met at the Brookwater Golf Club in 2016.
In addition to last year's Australian Open, Barty enjoyed singles success at Wimbledon in 2021 and the French Open in 2019, as well as winning the women's doubles title at the 2018 US Open alongside CoCo Vandeweghe.
Teenage Czech qualifier Linda Noskova upset former world number one Victoria Azarenka to set up a semi-final showdown with Ons Jabeur at the Adelaide International.
In a match lasting almost three hours, Noskova triumphed 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (8-6) to continue a dream run in Australia.
Noskova has already beaten third seed Daria Kasatkina in Adelaide and, on only her sixth appearance in a WTA main draw, has won five straight matches.
Further progress will be no easy feat, with top seed Jabeur – a losing finalist at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2022 – grinding out a 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 win over Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk.
On the other side of the draw, second seed Aryna Sabalenka held off a resurgent Marketa Vondrousova to win 6-3 7-5. The Belarusian had led 4-1 in the second set before losing four of the next five games and failing on match point prior to finally seeing it out.
Irina-Camelia Begu defeated fourth seed Veronika Kudermetova 7-5 6-4 to set up a last-four clash with Sabalenka.
At the ASB Classic in Auckland, top seed Coco Gauff outclassed Zhu Lin 6-3 6-2, winning 90 per cent of first-serve points, firing down eight aces, and not giving up a single break point.
Seventh seed Danka Kovinic also won 6-3 6-2 against Viktoria Kuzmova to set up a semi-final clash with Gauff, while world number 95 Ysaline Bonaventure ousted third seed Leylah Fernandez 6-4 6-2 to reach a first Tour-level semi-final where Rebeka Masarova awaits.
Gianluca Vialli has been remembered as a "legend" with "adorable swashbuckling ways" and a "gorgeous soul" after he died at the age of 58.
Former Italy, Cremonese, Sampdoria, Juventus and Chelsea striker Vialli passed away on Friday.
He was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017 and was re-diagnosed with the disease in 2021, having been given the all-clear three years ago.
Vialli had a hugely successful playing career before winning more honours as Chelsea boss, then taking over at Watford before he joined great friend Roberto Mancini's staff to play a part in Italy's European Championship triumph in 2021.
Tributes poured in for Vialli after his death was announced.
Serie A club Sampdoria, for whom Vialli scored 141 goals, said: "We will remember you as a boy and a relentless centre forward, because heroes are all young and beautiful and you, since that summer of 1984, have been our hero.
"Strong and beautiful, with that 9 printed on the back and the Italian flag sewn on the heart. Strongest leader of Sampdoria, paired up front with your twin Bobby Gol [Mancini]. In three words: one of us.
"It was a perception that remained after having bid farewell to Genoa and the South in tears. That's right: while raising trophies around Europe with different colours, tracksuits and clothes, Gianluca Vialli was a Sampdorian and the Sampdorians were with Gianluca Vialli."
Juve stated: "Such an intense sense of loss. We had been watching the news for days, hoping never to read this. But here we are, staring at the screen, and a flood of emotions crash inside of us.
"We have always been with you, Gianluca. Ever since you arrived in 1992, when it was love at first sight. You were one of the first pieces of a Juve side that would climb back to the top of Europe.
"We loved everything about you, absolutely everything - your smile, you being a star and leader at the same time, on the pitch and in the dressing room, your adorable swashbuckling ways, your culture, your class, which you showed until the last day in the black and white stripes.
"We have always been with you, and therefore also after our story together ended, following you with a smile when you brought a brand new Italian model of football to England, on and off the pitch, and only now do we understand how pioneering you were.
"And in recent years, fighting the last battle with you, being moved by you when, in excellent form, you lifted the European Championship trophy, coincidentally in London, in 2021. And even then, we lifted that cup together.
"We have always suffered along with you, including the anxiety of these last few weeks. And again, in the end, we had to cry, but this time tears of loss.
"We are not original in confessing that we don't know how to get on in a world without Gianluca Vialli, even though we know that, as we have always been with you, now it will be you, forever with us. Even if that doesn’t comfort us, at least not right now."
Chelsea also gave an emotional tribute to their former talisman and boss.
The Premier League club said: "As soon as he walked through the door at Stamford Bridge when already a global football star, Luca declared his wish to become a Chelsea legend.
"It is a target he undoubtedly reached, revered for his work on the pitch and in the dugout during some of the most successful years in our history.
"Loved by fans, players and staff at Stamford Bridge, Luca will be sorely missed not just by the Chelsea community, but the entire footballing world, including in his native Italy, where he was such an iconic figure."
Graeme Souness, Vialli's team-mate at Samp, told Sky Sports: "I can't tell you how good a guy he was. Forget football for a minute, he just a gorgeous soul.
"He was just a truly nice human being. I went to Italy when I was 31 years old and he was 20. He was just fabulous to be around, a fun-loving guy, he was full of mischief, such a warm individual and a fabulous player.
"My condolences go to his family and his wife. They have been blessed that their paths crossed, the kids were blessed to have a Dad like that and his wife was blessed that she was married to a man like that."
Dennis Wise, Vialli's captain at Chelsea, tweeted: "My heart is broken today. I will miss you my friend, love you Luca."
Jack Butland has joined Manchester United on loan from Crystal Palace for the remainder of the 2022-23 season.
The Red Devils had been in the hunt for extra competition at goalkeeper after Martin Dubravka was recalled from his own temporary spell by Newcastle United.
United boss Erik ten Hag had confirmed to the media on Thursday that Butland was set to arrive and provide competition to David de Gea and Tom Heaton, and the move was confirmed on Friday.
"This is an amazing club and one that I am now proud to represent. I'm really looking forward to working with an unbelievable goalkeeping group, supporting each other every day to create the best training and playing environment for the team," Butland told United's official website.
"I've played against David de Gea and represented England alongside Tom Heaton; they are top-class keepers, and I am relishing the opportunity to compete alongside and support them as team-mates.
"There is a lot that this group can achieve this season and I'm excited to play my part in helping everyone to reach these ambitions."
Butland, 29, has 87 Premier League appearances to his name and has represented England on nine occasions.
Pep Guardiola joked he is a "genius" and took advice from a journalist for the pivotal substitutions that helped Manchester City to a 1-0 win at Chelsea.
Jack Grealish teed up fellow sub Riyad Mahrez just three minutes after entering the fray in the second half at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.
Guardiola had earlier shaken things up at the break with Rico Lewis and Manuel Akanji replacing Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo after a lacklustre first-half showing from his side.
Asked about the inspired changes, Guardiola quipped: "I'm a genius!
"In the last press conference it was [journalist] Jamie Jackson, and he said 'why did I make a substitution on 81 minutes against Everton?' And I took notes and I thought about him at half-time and I changed it at half-time."
Expanding on his thought process, Guardiola explained: "The first half was sloppy. We didn't create much, our pressing was so poor we were not well organised and in the second half especially with Manuel and Rico we were better.
"All managers try to make subs to improve the team. Sometimes the team are losing, but you are playing well. So why should I change when I have the feeling they are doing well? Why should I do it?
"Today, after 20 minutes, because you have to give the game a little bit of time, I realise I don't like what I'm seeing. Why do you have to wait?
"Everyone saw it, from the first minute of the second half it was a completely different Manchester City."
It was an important win for City, who have trimmed the gap to leaders Arsenal back to five points after the Gunners were held to a goalless draw by Newcastle United on Tuesday.
Guardiola is content with the position he finds his side in, stressing the difficulty of motivating a team that has won four titles in the previous five seasons.
"We could lose here, but now we have a five-point gap. We have three less points to play for," he added.
"It means a lot, but we have to prove ourselves because it is normal to be in this position after four Premier Leagues in five years.
"We have the mindset that in November the people believe we are already champions, and this is impossible.
"Other teams that don't have this pressure because people say in September that City are going to win.
"After four Premier Leagues in five years it is not easy to push them again. That is why I am satisfied after what happened in recent years.
"We'd prefer to be closer but with the way Arsenal play they deserve to better. For us it was so important, especially in the second half, to be aware that we can do it again and again and again."
Joe Mazzulla called for the Boston Celtics to put on a show "over and over again" after they swept the Dallas Mavericks aside on Thursday.
The Celtics dished out a 124-95 defeat to the Mavericks at American Airlines Center on a great night for Jayson Tatum.
Tatum came up with his first triple-double of the NBA season; scoring 29 points, providing 10 assists and taking 14 rebounds in a brilliant all-round display.
It was only the second triple-double of his career and took Boston to 27-12, upstaging Luka Doncic as the Mavericks' seven-game winning streak ground to a halt.
Interim coach Mazzulla wants to see consistency from the Eastern Conference leaders Celtics, who got back on track after suffering back-to-back losses.
He said: "They showed me they can do it one time. They have to do it over and over again."
Jaylen Brown put up 19 points and seven claimed rebounds, while Mavericks superstar Doncic finished with 23 points, nine rebounds, and three assists before being left on the bench for the final quarter.
Mazzulla added: "When we're at our best, we play really good basketball on both ends of the floor with high effort for a long period of time.
"And then we go through a couple of games where we lose that. What I love about tonight was we did bounce back."
Michael Malone will always allow his Denver Nuggets team to enjoy the wins but said "I'm not going to party and celebrate" after a rout of the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday.
Jamal Murray top scored with 18 points as the high-flying Nuggets ran out 122-91 winners at Ball Arena to improve to 25-13 on the season and 15-3 on home court.
It was another statement victory in a season full of excellent performance and leaves the Nuggets top of the Western Conference, with an identical record to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Head coach Malone encouraged his players to enjoy the moment, while also emphasising there is plenty of work still to be done.
"I've been around people who would not allow themselves to enjoy the wins, to enjoy the moment. I'm not that guy," Malone said.
"But I'm also not going to party and celebrate.
"That was a hell of a win for us. A convincing win, from beginning to end. Everybody contributed.
"We're in first place in the Western Conference. We're not there yet. But we're on our way. I like where we're at and, more importantly, I like who I'm going there with."
Murray scored 13 of his 18 points in a blistering first quarter and it was a welcome performance considering his hit-and-miss form since returning from an ACL injury that ruled him out of last season.
Following a 124-111 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves last time out, Malone said with Murray on the plan ride home for a heart-to-heart.
"He takes ownership. He has to help himself as well," Malone said of Murray.
Murray added that the win shows the level the Nuggets have to aspire to on a consistent performance.
He said: "Wins like this give us a lot of confidence and build a lot of chemistry. Sets a standard for us."
The NFL has confirmed the suspended Cincinnati Bengals-Buffalo Bills' Week 17 game will not resume, with teams to consider a neutral side for the AFC Championship game.
The Bengals-Bills game was suspended after Damar Hamlin collapsed during the first quarter due to a cardiac arrest. Hamlin was resuscitated on the field, then rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he has remained in intensive care, but encouragingly has made "substantial progress" in the past 24 hours.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell explained the decision had "no perfect solution", which comes ahead of the final regular season round of fixtures with significant playoff implications, and was based on three key factors.
Goodell stressed that the game's cancellation would not impact any team's qualification or elimination from the postseason, while he was eager to have the playoff scenario clarified for all sides ahead of Week 18. He added that delaying the playoffs one week to play the game was unfair on all other clubs, which guided their decision-making.
The statement revealed that NFL team owners will attend a Special League Meeting on Friday to consider a resolution recommended by the Competition Committee to have the AFC Championship game played at a neutral site if the participating teams could both have mathematically been the No.1 seed if they had played an equal number of games.
That decision affects the Bills (12-3) and Bengals (11-4) along with the Kansas City Chiefs (13-3). The NFL stated three scenarios whereby the AFC Championship game being played on a neutral site would come into effect.
- If Buffalo and Kansas City both win or tie, a Bills-Chiefs championship game will be at a neutral site.
- If Buffalo and Kansas City both lose and Baltimore wins or ties, a Bills-Chiefs championship game will be at a neutral site.
- If Buffalo and Kansas City both lose and Cincinnati wins, a Bills or Bengals v Chiefs championship game will be at a neutral site.
The Baltimore Ravens (10-6) may also be impacted if they win against the Bengals in Week 18, leading to a match-up in an AFC Wild Card game, with the site to be determined by coin flip.
"As we considered the football schedule, our principles have been to limit disruption across the league and minimise competitive inequities," Goodell said in the statement.
He added: "This has been a very difficult week. We continue to focus on the recovery of Damar Hamlin and are encouraged by the improvements in his condition as well as the tremendous outpouring of support and care for Damar and his family from across the country.
"We are also incredibly appreciative of the amazing work of the medical personnel and commend each and every one of them."
Jayson Tatum registered his second career triple-double as the Boston Celtics ended the Dallas Mavericks' seven-game winning streak with a 124-95 victory on Thursday.
Tatum finished the game with 29 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists plus one steal and two blocks. The MVP candidate shot eight-of-22 from the field and two-of-eight from beyond the arc, scoring 11-of-12 from the stripe.
The Celtics improved to 27-12 with their merciless display, which comes amid a tough stretch for the Eastern Conference leaders, who had dropped seven of their past 12 games, including giving up 150 points last game to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Luka Doncic was kept to only 23 points for the Mavs, after a five-game run averaging 44.5 points. Doncic, who shot none-of-six from three-point range, was benched in the fourth quarter amid the blowout.
Tatum also struggled from beyond the arc, but Marcus Smart made up for it with four-of-nine triples in his 15 points, while Malcolm Brogdon hit three-of-five three-pointers in his 15 points off the bench.
Jaylen Brown scored 19 points with two three-pointers with seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
Nuggets rout Clippers despite Jokic being quiet
The Denver Nuggets re-claimed top spot in the Western Conference with a 122-91 domination of the Los Angeles Clippers, who slumped to their fourth straight defeat.
The Nuggets, who secured their 10th straight home win, prevailed without a great contribution from MVP Nikola Jokic, who managed 12 points with six rebounds and nine assists.
Jamal Murray top scored with 18 points, including four three-pointers for Denver, who led by as much as 43 points. The Clippers shuffled their deck ahead of a back-to-back with Kawhi Leonard scoring six points in 18 minutes.
The Nuggets lead the west with a 25-13 record ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies, also 25-13, who won 123-115 over the Orlando Magic with Ja Morant scoring 32 points.
Lauri's career-high ends Jazz's five-game skid
Lauri Markkanen scored a career-high 49 points as the Utah Jazz snapped their five-game skid with a 131-114 victory over the Houston Rockets.
Markkanen posted 18 points in the first quarter on his way to the equal 15th highest single-game scoring performance this season.
The Finnish forward sparked a 14-0 fourth-quarter run which put the game to bed. Jalen Green scored 30 points for Houston, while Kevin Porter Jr added 23.
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