MATCH INFO
Manchester City 3
Danilo (16'), Bernardo Silva (34'), Fernandinho (72')
Brighton & Hove Albion 1
Ulloa (20')
Yaya Toure thanked club owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed whose investment has transformed Manchester City from also-rans to three-time Premier League champions following an emotional farewell appearance at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
Toure was presented with a lifetime City season ticket as tributes were paid to the veteran midfielder following the champions' record-breaking 3-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday.
He said: "I want to thank Sheikh Mansour and [chairman] Khaldoon Al Mubarak. Those guys have been magnificent for the fans. City have been so long in the shadow of [Manchester] United and I think those guys bring happiness and a smile to the fans.
"I want to thank the fans as well. They have been so supportive and helpful."
The 34-year-old Ivorian, who is leaving the club at the end of the season, was recalled to the starting line-up and handed the captaincy as City celebrated his outstanding service over the past eight years.
The victory took City's tallies this season in terms of points, goals and wins to 97, 105 and 31 respectively - all new Premier League records.
"Of course I was very delighted to be part of the team that broke the record," said Toure, who does not intend to retire and could stay in English football. "It was something special, brilliant and amazing.
"The fans, all the time, have shown love. There was a feeling like some of them were sad - but they don't have to be sad. I'll be back for sure."
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Manager Pep Guardiola felt the night could not have gone much better.
Brighton's Leonardo Ulloa did pierce the mood slightly by cancelling out Danilo's opener but further strikes from Bernardo Silva and Fernandinho - all three City goals set up by Leroy Sane - ensured a comfortable win.
Guardiola said: "Ninety-seven points, a lot of goals, a lot of wins - that's a consequence of the season we have done. It's good.
"Now it's one more game. We're going to try for 100 points and finish this almost perfect season in the Premier League.
"It's fantastic we did that [break the records] in the day we always will remember - the day for Yaya.
"You know, Yaya does not leave the club because always he'll be part of it."
The presentation to Toure involved a surprise guest appearance from his brother and former City teammate Kolo Toure.
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 3
Danilo (16'), Bernardo Silva (34'), Fernandinho (72')
Brighton & Hove Albion 1
Ulloa (20')
