Tuesday’s briefing: Arteta urges Dowman patience as Man City hunt Madrid miracle

Max Dowman might be headline news after his stunning Premier League strike against Everton but Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has stressed caution over his approach to the 16-year-old.

Chelsea have escaped a points deduction despite admitting a breach of Premier League rules over transfer payments, while Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has refused to rule out a miracle against Real Madrid.

Elsewhere, seemingly doomed Wolves continue to show fight after hitting back from 2-0 down to draw at Brentford, while Wales talisman Kieffer Moore is facing an untimely spell on the sidelines.

Arteta urges caution over teenage star Dowman

Mikel Arteta has warned against Max Dowman being burdened by hype and stressed he will take a cautious approach to the 16-year-old’s future first-team opportunities.

Dowman became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history on Saturday when he beat two players before sliding the ball past Jordan Pickford late in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton.

Arteta said: “He is knocking on the door at 16, saying ‘I am good enough and I can impact this team whenever it is needed’. And he is doing it when he is playing.

“We just need to bring the temperature down and understand what is the best thing for this boy at his age.

“He’s doing something phenomenal. We all know that. Let’s keep it down a little bit and respect his nature to do what he has to do, which I’m sure is going to be something really good.”

Chelsea escape points deduction despite rules breach

Chelsea have avoided a points deduction after admitting to breaching Premier League rules in relation to more than £47million of undisclosed payments made under the ownership of Roman Abramovich.

Payments were made from third party entities which the Premier League said were “controlled by or associated with” Abramovich to unlicensed agents and individuals connected to selling clubs which helped to facilitate transfers for players including Eden Hazard, Samuel Eto’o and Willian.

These payments, which the league said were made with the “knowledge and approval” of senior former Chelsea officials, were not properly disclosed.

Chelsea have been given a one-year transfer ban, suspended for two years, and fined a total of £10.75m as part of a sanction agreement with the league.

The league’s board accepted that had the new owners not proactively reported their concerns upon completing their takeover in 2022, the breaches would potentially never have been discovered.

Guardiola insists miracles can happen ahead of Champions League clash

Pep Guardiola admits Manchester City face a “massive” task as they attempt to overturn a 3-0 deficit against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

City were heavily beaten in last week’s first leg at the Bernabeu, leaving them needing to produce one of the great European comebacks in the second leg of their last-16 tie at the Etihad Stadium to progress.

It may be a daunting challenge against the 15-time European champions but manager Pep Guardiola believes it is possible if his team produce a perfect display.

The City boss said: “I have to admit the task is massive. To score more than three goals against Madrid is not easy.

“The result in the first leg was not the perfect one but at the same time we are here. It’s a football game, everything can happen.”

Rock-bottom Wolves bounce back against Brentford

Wolves boss Rob Edwards praised his side’s determination after they hit back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw at Brentford.

Goals from Adam Armstrong and Tolu Arokodare secured a point for the visitors and it should have been more as Arokodare’s late header thundered against the crossbar.

Edwards said: “It’s better to show fight and quality rather than just giving up and that’s why the supporters were on their feet at the end.

“While we’re here, make the most of it and show we are a good team.”

Kieffer Moore ruled out of Wales World Cup play-off

Wales’ World Cup hopes have been dealt a blow after Wrexham striker Kieffer Moore was ruled out of next week’s play-off semi-final against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Should Craig Bellamy’s side beat Bosnia at Cardiff City Stadium on March 26, Moore will also miss the play-off final against Italy or Northern Ireland on March 31 at the same venue.

The 33-year-old has been sidelined for Wrexham’s last two matches against Hull and Swansea after sustaining a tendon injury in the FA Cup defeat to Chelsea earlier this month.

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson said: “Kieffer’s not going to be right for the internationals, which is a blow for him and for Wales.

“He’s got this tendon injury, which he feels okay with it, but it’s shown up on the scan.”

What’s on today

Three Premier League clubs have it all to do in their respective Champions League second leg clashes on Tuesday night.

Arsenal clearly have the best chance but can ill afford mistakes as they host Bayer Leverkusen on the back of last week’s 1-1 draw in Germany.

But home advantage will probably not count for much for either Manchester City or Chelsea, who must overcome three-goal first leg deficits against Real Madrid and Paris St Germain respectively.