Manchester City hoovered up their eighth domestic trophy under Pep Guardiola's reign with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.
It was a third straight League Cup success for City under Guardiola and the 30th trophy of the Catalan's managerial career following similar success at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
City have won five of the last seven editions of a competition that ranks fourth on their list of priorities at the start of each season, behind the FA Cup, Premier League and the one trophy that has eluded serial domestic winners, the Champions League.
With the league almost certain to be surrendered barring a spectacular collapse by Liverpool, here are five things City must now focus on until the end of the season.
1) Target a long-term centre-back
While Liverpool can lay claim to having the best defender in world football in Virgil van Dijk, the nagging sense is that we have been denied a genuine challenge to that mantle following Aymeric Laporte's long-term injury. The classy Frenchman is slowly working his way back to full fitness but was not risked against Villa on Sunday, with John Stones paired alongside Fernandinho. Stones was at fault for Villa's goal, stumbling under a high ball. And while highlighting one mistake may seem petty, it forms the basis of wider concerns about the Englishman's place in elite company. Van Dijk and Laporte exude an aura of "thou-shalt-not-pass", Stones radiates doubt. Fernandinho has proved an able deputy but if City hope to close the gap on champions-elect Liverpool next season, signing an elite centre-back should be the top priority. Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly or Barcelona's Samuel Umtiti would both improve a City rearguard that has been breached 29 times in 27 league games, compared to Liverpool's 20 in 28.
2) Keep Raheem Sterling out of the clutches of Real Madrid
Few players are able to resist when Real Madrid flutter eyelids in their direction, and Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling may have been a little too forthcoming in an interview with a Spanish magazine about his admiration for the 13-time European Cup winners before the two sides met last week. City dominated at the Bernabeu, making them favourites to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals when they meet in the return leg at the Etihad on March 18. Sterling started on the bench in the 2-1 win in the Spanish capital, but then so did Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Fernandinho. Making a connection between Sterling's interview - where he was pictured with a City and Real Madrid shirt draped over each arm - and his omission from the starting XI as a form of punishment seems futile and takes away from the tactical masterstroke of Guardiola. Sterling is the most improved played in the Premier League over the past three years and it owes as much to his own ability as it does to the acumen of his gilded coach. The England international has arguably moved ahead of Kevin de Bruyne in the pecking order as City's most effective player. Keeping him out of the clutches of Madrid this summer though, especially if City are unsuccessful in their appeal from a Uefa two-season ban from Europe, could prove a tall order.
3) Give more responsibility to Gabriel Jesus
One of those to benefit from Sterling being benched in the last-16 first leg against Real was the Brazilian. Gabriel Jesus was magnificent in Madrid and scored the equaliser that inspired their come-from-behind victory. A return of 63 goals in 135 matches since joining City in January 2017 is impressive, especially when it has been spent largely playing back up to Sergio Aguero. The Argentine is City's record scorer, and his predatory instincts show no sign of waning with 22 goals already this term. But time catches up with everyone, and Guardiola has spoken often this season of the need to plan the long-term replacements of club stalwarts such as David Silva, Fernandinho and Aguero. At 22 Jesus is nine years younger than Aguero and his natural successor. He has served his apprenticeship and is ready to take over from the master.
4) Trust in Phil Foden
Much like with Jesus, Phil Foden has the feel and look of heir apparent to David Silva, who will leave City at the end of the season with the accolade as the club's best-ever signing. Both started the League Cup final against Villa, with Foden named man of the match, showing the control, touch and vision that echoed Silva in his pomp and made the Spaniard one the finest creative midfielders in a generation. At 19, Foden still has plenty of time to develop, and will only get better under the guidance of Guardiola. While City need to strengthen in some areas, they still possess an abundance of attacking riches.
5) Finish the season strong
With Liverpool a staggering 22 points clear at the Premier League summit, it is unthinkable that Jurgen Klopp's side will not go on to win a first title in 30 years, despite suffering their first setback of the season against Watford. And while City's title defence has been meek, sustaining the form of the previous two campaigns, when they amassed 198 points to clinch the 2018 and 2019 titles, has proved impossible to replicate for a third. City will rightfully celebrate their League Cup success, to go with the Community Shield in August, and face Sheffield Wednesday in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday, another trophy they hope to defend. With a potential two-season ban from the Champions League hanging over them - the Court of Arbitration for Sport are considering City's appeal - winning a first Champions League title, the trophy City's Abu Dhabi owners covet most, would make it another memorable season.
RESULTS
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group 1 (PA) Dh119,373 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Brraq, Adrie de Vries (jockey), Jean-Claude Pecout (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Taamol, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Turf) 1,800m
Winner: Eqtiraan, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial (TB) Dh183,650 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Soft Whisper, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
9.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m
Winner: Etisalat, Sando Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
Dubai World Cup prize money
Group 1 (Purebred Arabian) 2000m Dubai Kahayla Classic - $750,000
Group 2 1,600m(Dirt) Godolphin Mile - $750,000
Group 2 3,200m (Turf) Dubai Gold Cup – $750,000
Group 1 1,200m (Turf) Al Quoz Sprint – $1,000,000
Group 2 1,900m(Dirt) UAE Derby – $750,000
Group 1 1,200m (Dirt) Dubai Golden Shaheen – $1,500,000
Group 1 1,800m (Turf) Dubai Turf – $4,000,000
Group 1 2,410m (Turf) Dubai Sheema Classic – $5,000,000
Group 1 2,000m (Dirt) Dubai World Cup– $12,000,000
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Result:
1. Cecilie Hatteland (NOR) atop Alex - 31.46 seconds
2. Anna Gorbacheva (RUS) atop Curt 13 - 31.82 seconds
3. Georgia Tame (GBR) atop Cash Up - 32.81 seconds
4. Sheikha Latifa bint Ahmed Al Maktoum (UAE) atop Peanuts de Beaufour - 35.85 seconds
5. Miriam Schneider (GER) atop Benur du Romet - 37.53 seconds
6. Annika Sande (NOR) atop For Cash 2 - 31.42 seconds (4 penalties)
Company%20Profile
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more from Janine di Giovanni
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Juvenile arthritis
Along with doctors, families and teachers can help pick up cases of arthritis in children.
Most types of childhood arthritis are known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis. JIA causes pain and inflammation in one or more joints for at least six weeks.
Dr Betina Rogalski said "The younger the child the more difficult it into pick up the symptoms. If the child is small, it may just be a bit grumpy or pull its leg a way or not feel like walking,” she said.
According to The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases in US, the most common symptoms of juvenile arthritis are joint swelling, pain, and stiffness that doesn’t go away. Usually it affects the knees, hands, and feet, and it’s worse in the morning or after a nap.
Limping in the morning because of a stiff knee, excessive clumsiness, having a high fever and skin rash are other symptoms. Children may also have swelling in lymph nodes in the neck and other parts of the body.
Arthritis in children can cause eye inflammation and growth problems and can cause bones and joints to grow unevenly.
In the UK, about 15,000 children and young people are affected by arthritis.
Racecard
5pm: Al Maha Stables – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Emirates Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Emirates Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m
7pm: The President’s Cup – Group 1 (PA) Dh2,500,000 (T) 2,200m
7.30pm: The President’s Cup – Listed (TB) Dh380,000 (T) 1,400m
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
THE SPECS
Engine: 4.4-litre V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 523hp
Torque: 750Nm
Price: Dh469,000
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km
Price: from Dh285,000
On sale: from January 2022
