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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Dan Brown

Joao Cancelo sends message to Pep Guardiola as Man City goalkeeper records another clean sheet

Manchester City fell to a 1-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon, with Pep Guardiola's side failing to close the gap on league-leaders Arsenal after the Gunners lost to Everton.

The Blues had the chance to move within two points of Mikel Arteta's side, but the reigning champions were disappointing against Spurs and now sit just three points ahead of rivals Manchester United - who defeated Crystal Palace on Saturday.

On Monday, City were charged with breaking financial fair play rules around 100 times over a nine-year period, which starts in 2009 and goes on until 2018. During that period, the club won the Premier League on three occasions. If found guilty, City could face a points deduction or even expulsion from the Premier League.

ALSO READ: Guardiola has already made feelings clear amid Man City financial allegations

Away from the Etihad, several of the club's loan players were in action at the weekend - with defender Joao Cancelo and goalkeeper Zack Steffen both featuring for their respective loan sides. Here's how the club's loanees got on at the weekend...

Joao Cancelo

The Portuguese full-back left City to join Bayern Munich on loan on transfer deadline day - much to the surprise of everyone. Cancelo had made 26 appearances for Guardiola's side this term, but he had fallen down the pecking order following the World Cup and the club were content with him leaving.

Since signing for the Bundesliga giants, Cancelo has made two appearances. He grabbed an assist on his debut for Bayern, and registered another assist in the win over Wolfsburg at the weekend. He started the match, before being replaced by Daley Blind in the second period.

Zack Steffen

The goalkeeper started in Middlesbrough's 3-0 Championship victory over Blackpool on Saturday afternoon. Zack Steffen kept his seventh clean sheet of the campaign and was once again impressive for Michael Carrick's men. He has made 27 appearances in all competitions and has asserted himself as first-choice.

Zack Steffen in action for Middlesbrough. (MI News/NurPhoto)

Josh Wilson-Esbrand

Since joining Coventry City on loan in January, Josh Wilson-Esbrand has made two appearances. The young defender came off the bench as Mark Robins' men lost 1-0 to West Brom on Friday night - being sent on in the 61st minute.

James Trafford

The young shot-stopper played the full 90 minutes as Bolton secured a 1-0 victory over Cheltenham on Saturday. James Trafford has made 33 appearances for the League One side this term, and has been lauded by manager Ian Evatt. He has kept 17 clean sheets in all competitions and looks to have improved significantly.

Callum Doyle

Like Wilson-Esbrand, Callum Doyle is also on loan at Coventry City, and the defender started in the defeat to West Brom on Friday night. The 19-year-old has started 22 of the Sky Blues' Championship matches this season and looks comfortable playing first-team football.

James McAtee

The central midfielder has really impressed since signing for Sheffield United on loan from City, yet he only managed 16 minutes off the bench in the Blades' goalless draw with Rotherham on Saturday afternoon. He replaced Ben Osborn, but James McAtee struggled to have the desired impact. He has scored three times so far this season.

James McAtee in action for Sheffield United. (2022 Getty Images)

Liam Delap

Having spent the first half of the campaign with Stoke City, Liam Delap is now with fellow Championship side Preston North End. He has made three appearances since signing for Ryan Lowe's side, and played the full 90 minutes in the defeat to Bristol City at the weekend.

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