'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Alan Shearer has responded to Liam Gallagher's jibe at the Premier League icon for the question he posed to Pep Guardiola after Manchester City's FA Cup win over Chelsea.
The Cityzens secured a spot in the final of the tournament after beating the Blues 1-0 in the semi-finals on Saturday (April 20), courtesy of Bernardo Silva's 84th-minute strike.
The game was scheduled just three days after Manchester City were knocked out by Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. Speaking after the Chelsea win, Guardiola complained about the grueling schedule and the need to rest players for their long-term health. He said:
"It’s unacceptable. Because I’ve won I have the courage to tell you. For the health of the players, it’s not normal. I don’t understand how we survived today. Why play today and not tomorrow, when Coventry, Chelsea, and United didn’t play in the midweek?"
"Why not have one more day for the health of the players? Tell me how you prepare this final against Chelsea in the best moment of the season. How? It’s impossible. There’s no chance."
During the interview, Shearer asked Guardiola whether he could've made more changes and rotated his squad as a counter-measure. His question was certainly not received well by former Oasis frontman Gallagher, who's an ardent supporter of Manchester City.
Gallagher wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
"F**k off shearer you cop."
To which, the former Newcastle United striker replied:
"Oh come on Liam. Don’t look back in anger man!"
Manchester City will next face Brighton & Hove Albion at the Falmer Stadium on Thursday (25 April).
"Oh cry me a bloody river" - Piers Morgan slams Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola for criticism over schedule
British broadcaster Piers Morgan has lambasted Guardiola for his criticism over the hectic scheduling of games. Morgan criticized the Spaniard for his complaints, given the quality of players at his disposal.
The Englishman, famous for being a die-hard Arsenal fan, took to social media to lash out at Guardiola for his comments. Morgan wrote on X:
"Oh cry me a bloody river, Pep… you’ve got two world class players in every position, paid by your Middle Eastern gazillions, yet you’re whining about too many games."
Manchester City are currently third in the Premier League table, sitting a point behind second-placed Liverpool and league leaders Arsenal. However, the reigning English champions do have a game in hand.
While the Cityzens have been eliminated from the Champions League and the Carabao Cup this season, they have the FA Cup to play for as well. City will face Manchester United in the final next month.
