Premier League clubs have agreed to develop a new financial system following widespread criticism of the application of the competition’s current Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Last November, Everton were plunged into a relegation battle after being deducted 10 points for breaching the Premier League’s financial rules over a four-year period ending in 2022.

That deduction was later reduced to six points on appeal, though the Toffees could face a further penalty after being charged with another breach in the assessment period ending last year.

Nottingham Forest have also been charged with breaking the rules during the same period, with the outcome of both clubs’ hearings expected to be made public before mid-April.

Read our other football news stories here:
Premier League title race: Remaining fixtures for Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City
Arteta demands more positive Arsenal ahead of do-or-die Porto clash
Manchester City: Richard Keys lashes out at ‘disgrace’ Guardiola

Last week, reports suggested Leicester City may also be charged with exceeding the competition’s maximum allowed loss limit – currently £105million every three years – if they win promotion from the Championship this season.

The lack of an established set of penalties for breaching the rules, as well as the slow progress of the Premier League’s case against Manchester City – who have been charged with 115 breaches of competition rules – has led to criticism from some quarters.

Many have suggested the rules should be brought in line with UEFA’s ‘squad cost’ control measures, and on Monday, it was confirmed that changes are in the pipeline.

Premier League clubs today agreed to prioritise the swift development and implementation of a new League-wide financial system.

Clubs also re-confirmed their commitment to securing a sustainably-funded financial agreement with the EFL.

— Premier League (@premierleague) MARCH 11, 2024

However, Premier League clubs are yet to reach an agreement on a new financial settlement with the English Football League, amid suggestions a new government regulator could force a deal upon them.

The competition’s stakeholders outlined their commitment to reaching an agreement in a statement on Monday, which read: “At a Premier League shareholders’ meeting today, clubs agreed to prioritise the swift development and implementation of a new league-wide financial system.

“This will provide certainty for clubs in relation to their future financial plans and will ensure the Premier League is able to retain its existing world-leading investment to all levels of the game.

“Alongside this, Premier League clubs also re-confirmed their commitment to securing a sustainably funded financial agreement with the EFL, subject to the new financial system being formally approved by clubs.

“The league and clubs also reaffirmed their ongoing and longstanding commitment to the wider game which includes £1.6billion distributed to all levels of football across the current three-year cycle.

“The Premier League’s significant funding contributions cover all EFL clubs and National League clubs, as well as women’s and girls’ football, and the grassroots of the game.”

Mikel Arteta knows Arsenal need to adopt a far more proactive approach when they host Porto in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday, hoping to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit.

While Arsenal have been in brilliant form on the domestic front, winning all eight of their Premier League games in 2024 while scoring 33 goals, they produced an insipid display in Portugal three weeks ago.

Galeno’s stunning 94^th-minute strike condemned the Gunners to a 1-0 defeat at the Estadio do Dragao, with the visitors failing to record a single shot on target in that game.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Premier League title race: Remaining fixtures for Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City
Ronaldo wants Haaland, Mbappe and Bellingham to team up at Madrid
Man City: Rodri sets target of nine wins from 10 to retain title

Ahead of Tuesday’s all-important second leg at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta suggested Arsenal’s approach to that game was too conservative, with more invention required against a stubborn Porto backline.

“We’re certainly going to have to tweak a few things to generate much more than we did against them,” Arteta said at Monday’s pre-match press conference.

“It’s the Champions League, you’re facing top teams and the fact that there are two games plays on your mind a little bit. We have to be better tomorrow.

“Every opponent has their strengths and weaknesses, their way of approaching games. Now we know this opponent better, we played these kinds of games many times.

“We’ll just focus on being ourselves and doing more of the things we can control, better than we did a few weeks ago.”

Focus mode 🔛 PIC.TWITTER.COM/J3BS4MVH2V

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) MARCH 11, 2024

Arsenal’s nine last-16 eliminations are a Champions League record, and they last reached the competition’s quarter-finals in 2010, beating Porto 6-2 on aggregate at this stage after losing the first leg 2-1.

Arteta knows the Emirates crowd will have a huge role to play, saying: “It’s an opportunity we have in our stadium with our people. For 96 minutes, bring your noise and let’s do it together.

“The impact they [the fans] can make tomorrow is incredible. I don’t think they realise it. We need them to play every single ball with us, but we need that emotional control as well.

“We need to realise that the game will go through different phases, we have to chose the moments to push, but it’s a beautiful opportunity to live these nights.

“It’s been 14 years, so everything we put out there will be worth it.”

Locked in. 🔐

📍 Sobha Realty Training Centre PIC.TWITTER.COM/PPWNUNIPOT

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) MARCH 11, 2024

Arsenal went top of the Premier League table on Saturday, with Kai Havertz’s late header guiding them to a 2-1 win over Brentford after Aaron Ramsdale’s mistake allowed Yoane Wissa to cancel out Declan Rice’s opener.

Arteta praised the way Ramsdale’s team-mates rallied around him after that error, saying: “The unity around the players is amazing. It’s organic, it’s natural.

“They really feel for each other and when they have opportunities to get someone out of trouble, they are ready to do it. It was another great example of the quality in the team and the people we have in there.”

Matchday 28 always looked likely to be a pivotal moment in the Premier League title race, and so it proved.

Arsenal were the major victors to emerge from the weekend’s fixtures, with the Gunners going top of the table with a 2-1 win over Brentford before their two rivals, Liverpool and Manchester City, did battle at Anfield.

An entertaining 1-1 draw on Merseyside leaves all three teams separated by just a single point with 10 games of the season remaining.

Read our other football news stories here:
Rodri sets target of nine wins from 10 to retain Premier League title
Manchester City: Richard Keys lashes out at ‘disgrace’ Guardiola
Man City outcast Cancelo tips Guardiola’s men for glory

With the FA Cup quarter-finals taking centre-stage this coming weekend, the three competitors have time to draw breath before returning to league action after the international break.

As one of the most absorbing title races in many years enters its decisive phase, we look at each team’s remaining fixtures to see where the battle might be won and lost.

The way things stand in the Premier League top three 👀

With 10 matches to go, it couldn’t be much closer… PIC.TWITTER.COM/OPPEE9EOVE

— Premier League (@premierleague) MARCH 10, 2024

ARSENAL (1^st, 64 points, GD +46)

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners currently have the edge over their rivals, having won all eight of their Premier League fixtures in 2024 by a remarkable aggregate score of 33-4. That sizable boost to their goal difference has come at an opportune time, giving them a seven-goal buffer to Liverpool.

However, they face the sternest test of their credentials next time out, going to the Etihad Stadium for a huge clash with City, who demolished them 4-1 in the same fixture last season.

Getting through that match unscathed will be key for Arsenal, though they face a daunting set of away fixtures overall, with all five of their remaining road trips pitting them against teams currently inside the top half of the table.

Their visits to North London rivals Tottenham – set for the last weekend of April – and Manchester United on the season’s penultimate matchday promise to be huge occasions.

Arsenal remaining fixtures: Man City (A), Luton Town (H), Brighton (A), Aston Villa (H), Wolves (A), Tottenham (A), Bournemouth (H), Manchester United (A), Everton (H).

To be arranged: Chelsea (H).

The noise inside Emirates Stadium 😍 PIC.TWITTER.COM/XOKTB6OAUP

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) MARCH 10, 2024

LIVERPOOL (2^nd, 64 points, GD +39)

Liverpool might feel they have the kindest set of remaining fixtures, having already faced both of their title rivals twice.

The Anfield factor will be huge as Jurgen Klopp embarks on his farewell tour, and having home advantage for their meeting with Spurs – one of just two teams to beat them in the Premier League this campaign – could be crucial.

There are, however, a couple of fixtures which may provide cause for concern. Back in 2018-19, Liverpool finished with 97 points but were still edged out by City, with goalless draws at Old Trafford and Goodison Park proving costly. Both of those grounds still await them in 2023-24.

Both Arsenal and City have already lost at Villa Park this term, meanwhile, and Aston Villa may still be fighting for UEFA Champions League qualification when Liverpool go there in May.

Liverpool remaining fixtures: Brighton (H), Sheffield United (H), Manchester United (A), Crystal Palace (H), Fulham (A), West Ham (A), Tottenham (H), Aston Villa (A), Wolves (H).

TBA: Everton (A).

For the final time as @LFC manager against Pep Guardiola’s @MANCITY 🔴 🔵

One of the most evenly contested Premier League rivalries comes to an end 🤝#LIVMCI PIC.TWITTER.COM/BYTVXBNY3F

— Premier League (@premierleague) MARCH 10, 2024

MANCHESTER CITY (3^rd, 63 points, GD +35)    

Last season, City roared back to snatch the title away from Arsenal by winning 12 straight Premier League games between matchweeks 24 and 36. They may just need a similar run to retain their crown, with midfielder Rodri setting them a target of nine victories from their final 10 games.

The champions’ toughest tests come early on, with home games against two sides they have already lost to this term in Arsenal and Villa.

If Pep Guardiola’s men can come through those contests with maximum points, Arsenal might just find themselves in the awkward position of needing a favour from local rivals Tottenham.

City have lost all on all four of their trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League. With all three of the contenders still to play, Spurs could have a huge say in the destination of the title.

Manchester City remaining fixtures: Arsenal (H), Aston Villa (H), Crystal Palace (A), Luton Town (H), Tottenham (A), Nottingham Forest (A), Wolves (H), Fulham (A), West Ham (H).

TBA: Brighton (A).

.@KEVINDEBRUYNE and John Stones’ set piece special is your @Sure Move of the Match 👌 PIC.TWITTER.COM/TPE3NDJAST

— Manchester City (@ManCity) MARCH 11, 2024

Richard Keys has labelled Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola a “disgrace” and accused him of being arrogant towards a beIN Sport reporter.

Guardiola was interviewed by beIN’s Andy Kerr following yesterday’s 1-1 draw at Liverpool with Keys angry at what he perceived as dismissive behaviour from the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach towards his colleague.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Rodri sets target for City to win the league
Ronaldo would love to se Haaland team up with Bellingham and Mbappe at Madrid
Cancelo tips Manchester City for Champions League glory

Writing in his blog published on X, Keys said: “Guardiola was just plain rude [to] our reporter – the excellent Andy Kerr. If I’d been Kerr I’d have shut the interview down and walked away. And I told him as much afterwards.

“Guardiola was a disgrace. He couldn’t be bothered. He offered nothing – just one-word answers and a daft smile. He looked at Kerr like he was a piece of s*** on his shoe. He did the same last week. In fact – he does the same most weeks.

“But here’s the thing Senor Guardiola. We’re all trying to do a job – just like you. Nobody, whilst doing that job, deserves to be ridiculed by you. Andy Kerr deserved better Sunday, not because you have a contractual obligation to speak to him – but because you have a moral obligation to treat him – and others – with manners and respect.”

Former Sky frontman Keys would rather broadcasters didn’t interview Guardiola, unless he shows interviewers more respect.

“I like it, I like it!”

Pep admits that he enjoyed his conversation with Kevin De Bruyne after coming off and offers a injury update on Ederson.

🎤 @ANDYKERRTV #BEINPL #LIVMCI #LFC #MCFC PIC.TWITTER.COM/NACD33VV1X

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) MARCH 10, 2024

He added: “I’ve suggested to my bosses that we should simply ignore you unless you come down off your high horse and behave. Sadly that won’t happen. But it should.

“I could understand Guardiola’s attitude a little more if the pen had been given [for a late challenge by Jeremy Doku on Alexis Mac Allister]. If City had been beaten. If frustration had got the better of him – but none of those things applied.

“When I watch him, Guardiola gives me the impression that nobody has a right to ask him questions, because none of us has the same lofty genius that he clearly believes elevates him above everybody else. He might be right – but, as my old mum used to say – good manners cost nothing.”

Former Brazil striker Ronaldo would relish the possibility of Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham teaming up together at Real Madrid.

Bellingham has made a wonderful start to his Madrid career following his switch from Borussia Dortmund and leads the goalscoring charts with 16 from 22 league starts. He is expected to be joined at the Bernabeu by Mbappe with the France captain having told Paris Saint-Germain he will leave the club at the end of the season.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Rodri sets target for City to win the league
Littler accused of arrogance after on-stage beef
Cancelo tips Manchester City for Champions League glory

Haaland is still nothing more than a dream for Madrid even though they will have been encouraged by the Norway striker last week refusing to commit his long-term future to Manchester City.

Should the three players ever turn out for Madrid, Ronaldo believes it would be similar to the Galacticos team that he played in alongside the likes of Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Luis Figo.

He told the Daily Mail, as part of a Paddy Power promotion: “Real Madrid’s policy is to have the best players in the world. Haaland is one of the best players in the world. Everyone wants to have Haaland. He is at an unbelievable club.

“City are doing an amazing job, I think he is very happy there at the moment. But, we will see. I hope we can see all of those players together in the one club. It will remind me of the Galacticos if they all [Haaland, Mbappe and Bellingham] do end up at Real Madrid.

“If it happens, it’s going to be crazy. Watching Real Madrid playing with all of those players together. It will be an unbelievable team that will achieve remarkable things.

“But I think it’s going to be a great challenge for Carlo Ancelotti to manage all of those players. But, putting good players together is easier than putting bad players together. It won’t be too much of a problem for the coach.”

We sent Ronaldo to play for one of the worst Sunday League teams in England.

Unfortunately, not every Super Sub will work out…

🔞 18+ BeGambleAware PIC.TWITTER.COM/10MHWVA0HM

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) MARCH 11, 2024

Ronaldo has been impressed by Bellingham’s impact at Madrid, even comparing him with former France great Zidane, while he hopes the rumours of Mbappe’s impending move to Spain are correct.

He added: “We have to wait until it’s official before talking about it in detail, but everyone is excited about Kylian Mbappe in Madrid. He is an amazing player. He is going to be one of the best players in this moment. I think it’s a very good choice for him if he joins Madrid. I think he will finally get the Ballon d’Or if he joins Real.

“I don’t know what is true but people are talking about his situation at PSG. For sure, in Madrid he will have a team supporting him with every decision he makes. He will have a team to support him on the field and off the field as well. They will protect him. But, I think he had a very good time at PSG.

“Of course, PSG made a big effort to keep hold of him. He was the big star of the PSG project. But, we will see what happens with Mbappe at Real Madrid. One thing is for sure and that’s that we are going to enjoy a lot more of Mbappe for the coming years.”

Disgarded full-back Joao Cancelo believes Manchester City are favourites to win the Champions League, closely followed by Inter.

Cancelo is still contracted to City until 2027 after moving to Manchester from Juventus in 2019, signing an initial six-year deal which he extended for a further two years in 2022.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Rodri sets target for City to win the league
Littler accused of arrogance after on-stage beef
Guardiola pleased with De Bruyne’s angry reaction

However, a public disagreement with Pep Guardiola saw him spend the second half of last season on loan at Bayern Munich and this season with Barcelona on a similar arrangement.

The Portugal international, who has also played for Valencia and Inter, is happy at Camp Nou and hopes to stay there beyond the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

He told Gazzetta dello Sport: “I know nothing yet [about the future], but I’d like to stay here. 

“I grew up watching Ronaldinho’s Barcelona. He’s my idol. I am proud to wear this jersey, and there aren’t other clubs I can join, right?

“I was lucky enough to play for only big teams. I am proud of my career because nobody has ever gifted me anything. I’ve conquered everything with sacrifice.”

Barcelona remain in the Champions League – they face Napoli tomorrow night in the second leg of their last-16 clash with the tie delicately poised at 1-1 – but Cancelo thinks the trophy will end up elsewhere.

He added: “Anything can happen even if Inter always win and have the Scudetto in their hands. 

“Right now, they are at the top, only second to Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side is favourite to win [the Champions League] because of their players, playing style and coach. 

“They are the only team to have won eight games from eight, but after them, there’s Inter.”

Rodri has set Manchester City a target of winning at least nine of their remaining 10 games if they want to retain the Premier League title.

City ground out a 1-1 draw at Liverpool yesterday despite not being at their best and end the weekend in third place, a point adrift of the Merseysiders and Arsenal.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Liverpool 1-1 Man City
Littler accused of arrogance after on-stage beef
Guardiola pleased with De Bruyne’s angry reaction

Pep Guardiola’s men have arguably the toughest run-in of the three with games against Arsenal, Tottenham and Aston Villa to come and Rodri knows there is very little room for manoeuvre.

He told the Independent: “We need a break. We have the FA Cup game [against Newcastle] and then the international break so it will be good for us to refresh and give the last push at the end of the season.

“We know how good we are in the last part of the season, we just need to charge the batteries again and focus on the last 10 games.

“It seems you have to win nine or 10 games to win this Premier League. This is the challenge and we are going to go for it.”

City dominated the early exchanges at Anfield and deservedly went in front when John Stones converted a clever corner routine at the near post.

John Stones delivering the goods from an exquisite @KEVINDEBRUYNE corner! 🫡 PIC.TWITTER.COM/MXOWBIX6DG

— Manchester City (@ManCity) MARCH 10, 2024

But Liverpool improved as the game went on. Alexis Mac Allister equalised from the penalty spot after Ederson’s clumsy challenge on Darwin Nunez and the hosts felt they should have had a penalty late on when Jeremy Doku’s high challenge on Mac Allister went unpunished.

Rodri added: “An incredible game. We started really well in terms of chances and dominance and I think it was quite good. The second half was their half.

“Of course with the crowd and the way they played and pressed, we weren’t clinical enough to find the spaces.

“We made a few mistakes but with the high press it is difficult, you are not precise with the ball and that’s what happened in terms of the penalty.

“We are there in the fight and this club is about the mentality of the team. Sometimes when we don’t play well, [it’s important] we don’t lose.”