It is Manchester City’s first game after relinquishing a title. Perhaps typically, they are chasing another.
They can no longer call themselves champions of England but they remain FA Cup holders, a distinction they hope to retain at least for another year.
“Right now, it is a priority because it is the next game and we can get Wembley again in the semi-final,” said Pep Guardiola.
A trip to Newcastle returns him to something of a bogey ground. City drew 2-2 at St James’ Park in November, despite a shot count of 24-6. They lost there 2-1 last season when they had 76 per cent of possession.
“Newcastle have the weapons to punish us,” said Guardiola, though the objective may be to turn domination into goals.
In a sense, it has been a theme of the season. City have been outstanding at times – indeed, they had spells of brilliance in losing to Chelsea on Thursday – but there have been too many games where they have failed to capitalise.
The contrast with the relentless champions has been apparent to Guardiola.
“I remember the way we dropped points in the second game in the league against Tottenham,” he said. Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs had three shots to City’s 30 in August’s 2-2 draw.
“It was many, many things in the beginning where we drop points and it was a little bit tricky and Liverpool didn’t make any mistakes,” Guardiola reflected.
City had claimed 198 points in the previous two campaigns, winning 64 of 76 league games. Logically, that was unsustainable. That winning habit was sustained, but by Liverpool.
“It was not the perfect season for us after what happened in the previous two seasons with the consistency but there are teams that were worse than us,” said Guardiola.
“It is so difficult to do what we have done in the most difficult league in the world but you cannot win all the time.”
City have been more inconsistent. It offers scope for improvement but Liverpool’s levels have been remarkable.
“They lose one game and draw [two] so you have to congratulate them: hats off,” added Guardiola. Words will be backed up with deeds and City will give Liverpool a guard of honour at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday.
“There was one team that was exceptional and when one team is exceptional, learn from them and congratulate them. It is simple. We know the reason why we suffered this season and we are going to try and solve it next season.”
Defensive absentees are one factor and City will be without the injured John Stones and the banned Fernandinho on Sunday.
But the fact their points tally has decreased is not, he was quick to point out, due to a lack of desire on the part of his players. Serial winners had not grown complacent with success.
“A team that wins eight titles in the last three years has passion, in every single game, in every competition, everywhere,” he said.
It is not as simple as saying Liverpool wanted it more. “I don’t know the passion of Liverpool. I imagine what happens when you have 30 years without winning the Premier League and have won the Champions League.”
The Champions League focuses City’s thoughts and not merely because they have an August rematch with Real Madrid.
Arsene Wenger used to insist that fourth place is like a trophy and Guardiola, considering the strength in depth in England agrees.
“Qualification for the Champions League is maybe the second most important title in a season and we are close to achieving it,” he said.
But his side could still win three actual trophies. Including the FA Cup.
MATCH INFO
Iceland 0 England 1 (Sterling pen 90 1)
Man of the match Kari Arnason (Iceland)
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
South and West: From a Notebook
Joan Didion
Fourth Estate
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
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if you go
The flights
Emirates fly direct from Dubai to Houston, Texas, where United have direct flights to Managua. Alternatively, from October, Iberia will offer connections from Madrid, which can be reached by both Etihad from Abu Dhabi and Emirates from Dubai.
The trip
Geodyssey’s (Geodyssey.co.uk) 15-night Nicaragua Odyssey visits the colonial cities of Leon and Granada, lively country villages, the lake island of Ometepe and a stunning array of landscapes, with wildlife, history, creative crafts and more. From Dh18,500 per person, based on two sharing, including transfers and tours but excluding international flights. For more information, visit visitnicaragua.us.
About Seez
Company name/date started: Seez, set up in September 2015 and the app was released in August 2017
Founder/CEO name(s): Tarek Kabrit, co-founder and chief executive, and Andrew Kabrit, co-founder and chief operating officer
Based in: Dubai, with operations also in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon
Sector: Search engine for car buying, selling and leasing
Size: (employees/revenue): 11; undisclosed
Stage of funding: $1.8 million in seed funding; followed by another $1.5m bridge round - in the process of closing Series A
Investors: Wamda Capital, B&Y and Phoenician Funds
TICKETS
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
Elvis
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