Manchester City achieved a resounding and well-deserved victory over their guest Fulham with three goals to nil, in the match that brought the two teams together on Thursday evening at the "Etihad" stadium, as part of the competitions of the twenty-sixth round of the English Premier League Football Championship.

A fiery first half decides the match early

City entered the match with a clear attacking intent to settle things early and avoid any surprises, which is exactly what happened during the final fifteen minutes of the first half. Antoine Simeone in the 24th minute with a powerful shot, giving the home side the lead. Just six minutes later, the talented youngster Nico Aurelio doubled the advantage in the 30th minute, confirming the coaching staff's confidence in their young players.

Before the first half breathed its last, Norwegian striker Erling Haaland on making his usual mark, scoring the third goal in the (39) minute, clinically killing the match before entering the dressing rooms, amidst overwhelming joy in the stands of the Etihad Stadium.

The battle for the top spot heats up with Arsenal

With this valuable victory, Manchester City increased their points tally to 53, strengthening their hold on second place in the Premier League table. This win has reignited the title race, reducing the gap to just three points behind leaders Arsenal, who still have a game in hand. This scenario confirms that the coming weeks will witness a fierce battle between the Gunners and Pep Guardiola's men, as City seek to utilize their extensive experience in the final stretch of the season to put pressure on the leaders and seize the title.

Fulham's position in the league table

Meanwhile, Fulham's points tally remained at 34, leaving them in twelfth place. Although the London club is relatively comfortable in mid-table, this heavy defeat may prompt the coaching staff to reassess their defensive strategy to avoid a further decline in results in upcoming matches, especially given the fierce competition in the middle of the table to escape the relegation zone and secure a higher position.

The importance of winning and its timing

This victory is particularly significant for Manchester City, not only because of the three points, but also because it came with a convincing performance and a clean sheet, boosting the team's defensive and offensive confidence as they enter the crucial final stretch of the season and European competitions. Furthermore, the diverse lineup of goalscorers, including attacking signings, academy graduates, and the team's top scorer, reflects the depth of the squad and the options available to the English champions as they continue their climb towards the top.

The Saudi Pro League has put an end to the recent controversy surrounding allegations of obstruction or lack of cooperation with Al-Ittihad Club regarding the transfer of French star Karim Benzema, following the player's recent developments. This clarification aims to dispel rumors concerning the recruitment program's procedures and its relationship with popular clubs.

Official statements deny the crackdown

Omar Batterjee, Director of Corporate Communications and Media at the Saudi Professional League, categorically denied all reports of obstacles being placed in the way of Al-Ittihad's management. In his remarks on the "In 90" program Thursday evening, Batterjee affirmed that Al-Ittihad was treated according to the same standards applied to all other clubs.

Petrji explained, "Al-Ittihad Club, like the rest of the clubs in the league, has had its pre-allocated budgets made clearly available. Contracting decisions, and the mechanism for utilizing the budgets available through the program, are matters that primarily concern the clubs themselves according to their own technical and commercial vision, without direct interference in technical choices by the League.".

The role of the association and the recruitment program

In clarifying their roles, the Director of Corporate Communications concluded his remarks by emphasizing that the primary responsibility of the League and the Recruitment Program team lies in organizational and procedural matters. He stated, "The most important point to clarify is that the League's or the Program team's role is to ensure the integrity of procedures, adherence to regulatory frameworks, and providing the necessary support to clubs to guarantee the success of negotiations, not to impose names or exclude others.".

This statement comes at a sensitive time, as the source indicated that Al-Ittihad had officially terminated its contract with Karim Benzema during the winter transfer window, after which the French player joined Al-Hilal, an event that sparked a wide wave of discussions in sports circles.

The context of sports transformation in the Kingdom

To understand the dimensions of this event, one must consider the bigger picture of the Saudi sports project. The Saudi Professional League (SPL) is undergoing an unprecedented historical transformation with generous government support, aiming to place it among the top 10 leagues in the world. This project relies on a "recruitment program" designed to attract elite players from around the globe, while ensuring fair competition and the allocation of resources based on specific criteria that serve the development of Saudi football.

This strategy is an integral part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which places great importance on the sports sector as an economic, tourism, and entertainment driver. These international contracts have contributed to raising the league's market value and increasing global viewership, placing a significant responsibility on the league to ensure that contractual processes are conducted with transparency and high professionalism.

Expected impact

The league's clarification of its operational procedures underscores the sports system's commitment to transparency, which is vital for reassuring both fans and investors. Furthermore, the transfer of stars like Karim Benzema between top clubs enhances the competitiveness and excitement of the league, confirming that the Kingdom's sporting environment has become attractive and motivating for the biggest names in world football, regardless of the club they play for.

The management of Al-Shabab Club has entered into serious and advanced negotiations with the veteran Algerian coach Noureddine Benzekri to take over the technical leadership of the first football team during the coming period, in an urgent corrective step aimed at rearranging the team’s cards after a series of unsatisfactory results.

According to sources close to Al-Midan Al-Riyadi, negotiations between Al-Shabab and the Algerian coach have progressed significantly, with the club leaning towards appointing Benzekri to replace Spanish coach Imanol Alguacil. The same sources confirmed that Al-Shabab's management has already submitted an official memorandum to the Ministry of Sports requesting the termination of Alguacil's contract, citing poor results and the team's declining performance.

The straw that broke the camel's back

The swift move by Al-Shabab came after a disappointing draw against Oman's Al-Nahda in Tuesday's Gulf Champions League match. This result sparked widespread anger within the board and among Al-Shabab fans, who had hoped for a stronger showing in the regional tournament, prompting the decision to seek a replacement with the necessary experience to handle crises.

Ben Zekri... the man for tough jobs in the Saudi League

Noureddine Benzekri enjoys a stellar reputation in Saudi football, where he is nicknamed "The Fireman" and "The Giant Hunter" due to his past successes in rescuing teams from relegation zones and achieving positive results against popular clubs. Benzekri boasts an impressive track record in the Saudi Professional League, having previously managed Al-Raed, Al-Fayha, Damac, and Al-Akhdoud, successfully guiding most of them to safety and instilling a fighting spirit based on high morale and strict tactical discipline.

Changing the art school and its expected impact

The move towards the Algerian school of football, represented by Benzekri, marks a radical shift from the Spanish school represented by El Guassel. The club's management believes the current phase requires a coach experienced in the intricacies of Saudi football and capable of creating a positive impact in the locker room, rather than relying on names that might need a long time to adapt. Benzekri's arrival is expected to boost player morale and instill a strong presence on the field, something Al-Shabab needs to return to winning ways and compete strongly in upcoming domestic and Gulf competitions.