Two players did what was required off the bench for Manchester City a… — and more

There were plenty of positives to come out of last night’s 2-1 win over Newcastle for Manchester City. Nico O’Reilly’s rise continued as he scored a vital brace to help his team pick up an important win. Erling Haaland gave everything to the cause as he worked himself into the floor to do whatever his team required at the Etihad. Rodri continued his resurgence which could be massive at the back end of this season. There were two other positives to come out of last night’s win for Manchester City. Those were the performances off the bench of Abdukodir Khusanov and Rayan Cherki for vastly different reasons.

Abdukodir Khusanov played a crucial role for Manchester City against Newcastle in the second half.

Throughout the first half of last night’s match, Newcastle’s pace on the break was a constant threat to Manchester City. Anthony Elanga and Anthony Gordon were a constant threat when they were released in behind Manchester City’s high defensive line. Ruben Dias entered halftime on a yellow card as he and Marc Guéhi were tested by Gordon and Elanga. Abdukodir Khusanov replaced Ruben Dias at the interval, and he put in another impressive display under pressure.

Abdukodir Khusanov helped contain the threat and pace of Newcastle. Khusanov’s recovery pace is a strong asset of his play, as is his ability to read the play and snuff out danger. We saw this across the second half. Also, as Newcastle had more possession in the second half, City sat deeper and kept Eddie Howe’s team out. Khusanov, alongside his teammates, played a key role in City’s defensive resolution and eventual victory last night.

Rayan Cherki appeared unfazed by the pressure of the occasion last night.

Omar Marmoushwas replaced by Rayan Cherki just before the hour mark last night. It did seem that Pep Guardiola had hoped that by bringing on the French internationalhe could provide a match-sealing moment and help Pep Guardiola’s side gain control of last night’s match. Cherki almost set up a goal for Antoine Semenyo, and he did help City maintain possession when he got on the ball. But there was one aspect of Cherki’s performance that stood out.

Rayan Cherki seemed unfazed by the situation of last night’s match. Manchester City had to win to get within two points of Arsenal and heap pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side that looks to be struggling. It was a tense and nervous night at the Etihad last night. But you didn’t sense that Cherki was fazed by this. There was a sense of calm in the French international, and he did bring that onto the pitch. That was impressive and speaks volumes about Cherki’s poise to handle a big moment.

Final thoughts.

The performances off the bench from Abdukodir Khusanov and Rayan Cherki did catch the eye for Manchester City against Newcastle last night, albeit for vastly different reasons. Pep Guardiola’s side will need contributions from everyone to achieve their goals this season. Cherki and Khusanov showed last night that the occasion and pressure that lies ahead may not faze them, which could be massive in the run home.

Sean Strickland made his intentions clear the moment the UFC Houston main event ended, immediately shifting the middleweight title conversation.

Sean Strickland stopped Anthony Hernandez in the third round on Saturday night and then called for a title fight against reigning champion Khamzat Chimaev.

The former middleweight champion used his post-fight interview to position himself as the next challenger.

Strickland delivers statement finish in Houston

Sean Strickland earned a third-round TKO over Hernandez at UFC Houston, with the referee stopping the contest at 2:33 after a knee up the middle was followed by a sustained barrage of punches.

The result ended Hernandez’s eight-fight winning streak and strengthened Strickland’s case in the 185-pound division.

The former champion, who now holds a 29-7 professional record, faced a surging contender in Hernandez, who entered the bout at 15-2 with six finishes during his run.

“His boxing [surprised me], a tough m———- dude. You have some solid boxing, no one ever told me. No part of you was slowing down, but you were getting a little bit sloppy. He’s a f—— savage. That was a f—— war. I respect the hell out of you.”

Khamzat Chimaev now firmly in Strickland’s sights

After securing the stoppage, Strickland turned his attention to Chimaev, who is undefeated at 15-0 and won the middleweight title by defeating Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 in August 2025.

The championship picture had appeared to be forming, but Strickland’s performance placed him back into immediate contention.

Strickland has never been submitted and has conceded only three knockdowns in 23 UFC appearances, reinforcing his reputation for durability at the highest level.

“Chimaev probably gets off the bench. I’d like to piece that little Chechnyan w—-. You never know with him. You never know with that guy, but that’s what I want.”

The division now waits to see whether the champion responds and whether the promotion formalizes the matchup.

Read more:

Better to be safe than sorry …

Following UFC Houston last night (Sat., Feb. 21, 2026) inside Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, promotion officials confirmed to MMAmania.com that three fighters were transported to a local hospital for precautionary reasons after sustaining damage in their respective bouts.

The fighters were Ramiz Brahimaj, Nora Cornolle, and UFC newcomer Josiah Harrell.

Harrell (11-1) was taken for precautionary CT scans of his head and face after suffering a devastating knockout loss to surging prospect Jacobe Smith (watch highlights). The finish was one of the more violent stoppages on the card, with Harrell rendered unconscious after a reversal led to a crushing sequence from Smith.

UFC CEO Dana White addressed the knockout during his post-fight press conference, calling it one of the worst he’s seen in recent memory and noting that the promotion will continue to monitor Harrell in the coming days.

Harrell saw his previously unblemished record snapped in brutal fashion. The 27-year-old’s journey to the Octagon has been anything but smooth — previously signed to faceJack Della Maddalena on short notice before being released due to a rare brain condition, he ultimately fought his way back to the UFC.

Brahimaj (13-6) was also transported for precautionary CT scans following a hard-fought three-round battle against Puna Soriano, absorbing several heavy shots throughout the contest. The loss snapped his three-fight win streak, which included finishes over Austin Vanderford, Billy Goff (watch highlights), and Mickey Gall. Notably, Brahimaj owns a 100 percent finish rate in his victories and has yet to win a decision in his career, with all but one of his losses coming by decision.

As for Cornolle (9-4), she was taken to the hospital for a scan of her shoulder and collarbone after being submitted by Joselyne Edwards on the UFC Houston prelims (watch highlights). After the fight, she was screaming in pain and could not leave the arena on her feet, resulting in her being carted out. She was also knocked out with a slam before the finishing sequence, but the referee did not catch it.

The 36-year-old French fighter is now riding a two-fight losing streak, and UFC Houston was her first stoppage loss.

At this time, the results of both fighters’ scans have not been disclosed.

It is normal for UFC to transport fighters to the hospital for precautionary reasons, especially if the fighters are involved in three-round battles that are full of damage or after suffering nasty knockouts.

Stick with MMAmania.com for the fighters’ health-related updates.

For complete UFC Houston results and play-by-play, click here.

In the 2-1 win at Anfield, Donnarumma denied a deflected Alexis Mac Allister strike late in the game, a save many consider the best of the season.

Later, in the 2-1 win over Newcastle, he stopped a low volley from Harvey Barnes in stoppage time, preserving the lead and securing the win.

The No. 20 Virginia Tech Hokies entered this weekend’s Georgia Classic with a 7-2 record, with a chance to pick up more impressive victories on their resume.

On Friday, the Hokies began this weekend’s tournament with a 7-2 win over Seton Hall. The Hokies jumped on the Pirates early, when Jordan Lynch hit a solo home run in the top of the second inning. Tech would score again to take a 2-0 lead. In the third, the Hokies added three more runs, making it 5-0. Lynch and Zoe Yaeger would each drive in two runs for the Hokies, while Sophie Kleiman pitched four scoreless innings, allowing three hits and walking three batters to earn her second win. Addyson Fisher pitched three innings in relief, allowing both of Seton Hall’s runs.

Later on Friday, VT defeated Utah State, 10-3. The Aggies started fast, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning, but that would be about it for them. Tech scored a run in each of the first two innings to tie the game before exploding for four runs in the third inning and four more in the fourth to take a 10-2 lead. Nine Virginia Tech players had at least one hit against Utah State, with Kylie Aldridge, Lynch, Emma Mazzarone and Gaby Mizelle all recording two hits. Yaeger drove in four to pace the Hokies.

Avery Layton pitched 4.1 innings, allowing four hits and three runs, while striking out four hitters to improve to 2-0. Bree Carrico was dominant in relief again, pitching 2.2 innings of no-hit ball.

The Hokies were scheduled for two more on Saturday, but the rematch with Seton Hall was canceled due to inclement weather. However, Tech’s game against the No. 12 Georgia Bulldogs went on as planned, and the Hokies shocked the home team, picking up a 9-3 win.

Virginia Tech started fast against the ‘Dawgs, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning, as Nora Abromavage blasted a two-run home run. Georgia responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame, but Tech was not phased. After scoring one run on an error, Aldridge doubled to score another in the second inning, making it 4-2.

The Hokies scored another run in the third inning and blew it open in the fourth, scoring four, led by RBI hits from Aldridge and Abromavage. Tech had 11 hits, compared to four for Georgia. Mazzarone pitched a gem, going the distance, allowing four hits and three runs, while striking out nine. She is now 3-1 this season.

Virginia Tech improved to 3-0 against ranked foes already this season and now sits at 10-2 heading into Sunday’s final day in Athens. Saturday was a great day to be a Hokie.

The Hokies took down No. 14 South Carolina twice two weeks ago in the Gamecock Invitational two weeks ago. Can they accomplish the same feat against the Bulldogs in Sunday’s finale?