Local hero Phil Foden fired Manchester City to a record-breaking fourth straight Premier League title as they humbled West Ham at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola's side may be an expensively assembled collection of global talent but it was the boy from just down the road in Stockport who ensured it was a triumph made in Manchester.
Foden, a boyhood City fan, joined the club when he was just four years old and signed for their Academy in 2016.
And the 23-year-old took just 79 seconds to set them on the road to history. He conjured a cute turn on the edge of the area to make himself space before unleashing a stinging left-foot shot into the top corner.
Foden ran to the home fans, holding his hand across his heart and the City badge to spark a party in the stands.
He then doubled their lead after 18 minutes, making a clever burst into the box to sweep home a superb pinpoint cross from Jeremy Doku.
Mohammed Kudus put the celebrations momentarily on hold when he got West Ham back into the game with a contender for goal off the season after 42 minutes.
As a cross came into the box the Ghanaian flicked the ball up for himself before whipping a stunning overhead kick into the roof of the net.
In the second half, City laid virtual siege to the Hammers' goal with visiting keeper Alphonse Areola forced to make a string of saves.
But Rodri calmed the home supporters' nerves when he steered the ball into the bottom corner from Bernardo Silva's cutback on the hour mark.
West Ham's Tomas Soucek had a goal ruled out by VAR for handball just before full-time before the City title party went into overdrive as chants of “Blue Moon” rang out across the East Manchester evening.
Player of the match Foden told Sky Sports afterwards: “It is so hard to put into words what we've done today. No team has ever done it [won four in a row], we have put ourselves into the history books. You see what it means to the fans and to us players working all year for this moment. A special moment to share it with the fans.
“I think to win the Premier League four times, no team has ever done it before, so to do it means we are up there [with the best teams of all time]. I am just absolutely shattered to be honest.”
“I never get bored of it, you want this feeling every time. When you win something there is no better feeling. I want to keep winning as much as I can.”
And on his opening strike, he said: “Almost the perfect start. Sometimes I believe in scoring a bit too early. Luckily I got us the second and that settled us a bit. The sniper [celebration] is here to stay definitely.”
Manager Guardiola said: "For Arsenal to push us to another level – before it was Liverpool and the last two seasons it's been Arsenal. This one has been incredible. We get the message, we know they will be there for many years.
"Young manager with big talent – they sent us a message that you have to be careful for the next few years. When I moved here if someone had said I would win six leagues in seven seasons I would say you're insane – no way. All these players for Manchester United and Liverpool and Chelsea, all these teams. Now is our period. We are part of that."
Midfielder Bernardo Silva said: “The margins are so small. Liverpool in two seasons we beat them by one point and now Arsenal by two points. We've been lucky enough to have these small margins to be in front of them. The achievement is unbelievable. Four in a row, we are so, so proud and so, so happy.”
City are the first club in history to win English football's top-flight title in four times. After winning a historic League, FA Cup and Champions League treble last season, they can also win a record second consecutive double against fierce local rivals United in the FA Cup final next weekend.
Foden was named the Premier League Player of the Season this year. He was also voted the Football Writers' Association's Footballer of the Year.
The young Englishman has for so long been the understudy to the brilliant Kevin De Bruyne in City's midfield.
But this season, with 19 goals and eight assists to his name, the apprentice has shown he is ready to step into the master's boots.
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
WISH
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The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
Company%20profile
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UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Company%20profile
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Secret Pigeon Service: Operation Colomba, Resistance and the Struggle to Liberate Europe
Gordon Corera, Harper Collins
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
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