• Gabriel Jesus, right. celebrates scoring Manchester City's second goal in their 4-1 win over Wolves on March 2. Reuters
    Gabriel Jesus, right. celebrates scoring Manchester City's second goal in their 4-1 win over Wolves on March 2. Reuters
  • Leander Dendoncker scores an own goal and the first for City at the Etihad Stadium. Reuters
    Leander Dendoncker scores an own goal and the first for City at the Etihad Stadium. Reuters
  • Wolves' Conor Coady celebrates levelling the scores. EPA
    Wolves' Conor Coady celebrates levelling the scores. EPA
  • City manager Pep Guardiola. EPA
    City manager Pep Guardiola. EPA
  • City defender Ruben Dias picks the ball out of the net after Coady's goal. AFP
    City defender Ruben Dias picks the ball out of the net after Coady's goal. AFP
  • Riyad Mahrez scores City's third. Reuters
    Riyad Mahrez scores City's third. Reuters
  • Gabriel Jesus scores the final goal in the 4-1 win. EPA
    Gabriel Jesus scores the final goal in the 4-1 win. EPA
  • Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring City's fourth goal. Reuters
    Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring City's fourth goal. Reuters
  • Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo and City' counterpart Pep Guardiola. AFP
    Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo and City' counterpart Pep Guardiola. AFP
  • City's Gabriel Jesus scores their fourth goal. Reuters
    City's Gabriel Jesus scores their fourth goal. Reuters

Pep Guardiola on brink of emulating his hero Johan Cruyff if Manchester City maintain winning momentum


Ian Hawkey
  • English
  • Arabic

For the manager of Manchester City, an exhilarating tunnel of successive wins is about to turn into a hall of mirrors.

If City keep extending the run of 21 victories, the latest the 4-1 defeat of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Pep Guardiola will glimpse reflections of his past at every milestone.

Win Sunday’s derby and Guardiola will not only inflict a decisive wound on Manchester United’s dwindling Premier League title hopes, but also dent the pride of an eternal rival.

Twenty-two successive triumphs is a modern landmark set by Real Madrid in 2014-15 and, until last year, represented the best run of a club in the top five European leagues. Anything that eclipses a Madrid achievement has a special resonance for a born-and-bred Barcelonista like Guardiola.

Should City follow up three points at home to United with another three against Southampton, Guardiola, formerly manager at Bayern Munich, will draw level with a Bayern milestone – the 23 wins the German Treble-winners compiled in 2019-20. Also on the horizon are longer-standing records associated with two major influences on Guardiola’s career, Louis Van Gaal and Johan Cruyff.

Guardiola says he pays little attention to records that do not come accompanied with trophies, but, speaking ahead of the victory over Wolves, he namechecked Madrid’s famous run. It was built by a Real who then held the European Cup, having brushed aside Guardiola’s Bayern brutally – 5-0 on aggregate in the semi-final – on the way to that prize.

The following season the Madrid machine, guided by Carlo Ancelotti, clicked into top gear as they began the defence of their European prize, with a 5-1 win against Basel; 22 victories later, they were lifting the Club World Cup.

There are points of comparison with City’s current dominance. Madrid had actually made a very poor start to 2014-15, winning just one and losing three of their first five domestic matches.

Surreal though it now seems, Guardiola’s English champions-elect are bouncing back from City’s worst start to a league season for 12 years. Like Madrid six years ago, City are confronting a condensed calendar.

As European champions and Copa del Rey holders, Ancelotti’s squad had the extra commitment of two Super Cups and the Club World Cup. City, still in both domestic Cups and the Champions League, are tackling a packed fixture list because the pandemic delayed the start to the season.

Ancelotti’s Madrid squad, like City’s, had enviable options across the attacking and creative positions. Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez, stars of the 2014 World Cup, had just joined. There was the so-called ‘BBC’ up front, B for [Gareth] Bale, B for [Karim] Benzema, C for Cristiano [Ronaldo].

But here’s the striking distinction between Ancelotti’s unstoppables and Guardiola’s juggernaut – the role of the spearhead striker. Ronaldo scored 28 times in those 22 matches, “a huge advantage for us,” Ancelotti acknowledged.

__________________________________________________________________

City 4 Wolves 1: player ratings

  • MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson, 6 – Had one save to make in the first 68 minutes and didn’t make it as Conor Coady’s pinpoint header crept into the corner. Thankful to see Pedro Neto head over late on before City finished with a flurry. EPA
    MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson, 6 – Had one save to make in the first 68 minutes and didn’t make it as Conor Coady’s pinpoint header crept into the corner. Thankful to see Pedro Neto head over late on before City finished with a flurry. EPA
  • Kyle Walker, 7 - Forced a dramatic fourth late on when his fizzed low cross from the right was deflected by Coady and Gabriel Jesus was on hand to finish. Reuters
    Kyle Walker, 7 - Forced a dramatic fourth late on when his fizzed low cross from the right was deflected by Coady and Gabriel Jesus was on hand to finish. Reuters
  • Ruben Dias, 6 – Produced an important block to deny Adama Traore but didn’t have a great deal else to do in another comfortable outing. AFP
    Ruben Dias, 6 – Produced an important block to deny Adama Traore but didn’t have a great deal else to do in another comfortable outing. AFP
  • Aymeric Laporte, 6 - Brought into the starting XI at the expense of John Stones and thought he’d become the third City centre-back to get on the scoresheet in just two games, only for VAR to chalk off what would have been the perfect poacher’s finish. Getty
    Aymeric Laporte, 6 - Brought into the starting XI at the expense of John Stones and thought he’d become the third City centre-back to get on the scoresheet in just two games, only for VAR to chalk off what would have been the perfect poacher’s finish. Getty
  • Joao Cancelo, 7 – Saw more of the ball than anyone in the opening ten minutes and was frequently at the heart of free-flowing attacks in another high-energy display. Free to attack the Wolves penalty area and was up to the task of marshalling Neto at the other end. Getty
    Joao Cancelo, 7 – Saw more of the ball than anyone in the opening ten minutes and was frequently at the heart of free-flowing attacks in another high-energy display. Free to attack the Wolves penalty area and was up to the task of marshalling Neto at the other end. Getty
  • Kevin de Bruyne, 7 - Like Cancelo, he was involved in almost everything in the opening stages. The Belgian asked questions of the Wolves centre-backs with a collection of hanging crosses and saw a strike of his own deflected wide of Rui Patricio’s right post. Rusty, but still classy. EPA
    Kevin de Bruyne, 7 - Like Cancelo, he was involved in almost everything in the opening stages. The Belgian asked questions of the Wolves centre-backs with a collection of hanging crosses and saw a strike of his own deflected wide of Rui Patricio’s right post. Rusty, but still classy. EPA
  • Rodri, 6 - A sublime pass from Rodri that picked out Mahrez in space on the right for the opener. He could have undone his hard work when he clipped Joao Moutinho who got back to his feet to assist the equaliser. PA
    Rodri, 6 - A sublime pass from Rodri that picked out Mahrez in space on the right for the opener. He could have undone his hard work when he clipped Joao Moutinho who got back to his feet to assist the equaliser. PA
  • Bernardo Silva, 8 - Raced back to the halfway line to steal back possession when Wolves looked to counter early. Twice denied an attacking return by the excellent Patricio who kept out his downward header before thwarting Jesus who had been cleverly slipped through by the midfielder. EPA
    Bernardo Silva, 8 - Raced back to the halfway line to steal back possession when Wolves looked to counter early. Twice denied an attacking return by the excellent Patricio who kept out his downward header before thwarting Jesus who had been cleverly slipped through by the midfielder. EPA
  • Riyad Mahrez, 9 - Wolves defenders were up against it all night with Mahrez, who crafted the opener when he stole a yard on Jonny and fired in a low cross which Dendoncker stabbed into his own goal. Capped a fine evening with a smart finish into the corner to kill the game. EPA
    Riyad Mahrez, 9 - Wolves defenders were up against it all night with Mahrez, who crafted the opener when he stole a yard on Jonny and fired in a low cross which Dendoncker stabbed into his own goal. Capped a fine evening with a smart finish into the corner to kill the game. EPA
  • Gabriel Jesus, 7 - Not enough questions asked of Patricio in the opening 80 minutes, but then finished with a flurry and ended the night with a well-taken brace. EPA
    Gabriel Jesus, 7 - Not enough questions asked of Patricio in the opening 80 minutes, but then finished with a flurry and ended the night with a well-taken brace. EPA
  • Raheem Sterling, 8 - Early cut-back was hacked away by Coady, but the forward’s presence was enough to panic Dendoncker who diverted the ball past Patricio. Clipped the outside of the post with a stunning effort in the 78th minute. Getty
    Raheem Sterling, 8 - Early cut-back was hacked away by Coady, but the forward’s presence was enough to panic Dendoncker who diverted the ball past Patricio. Clipped the outside of the post with a stunning effort in the 78th minute. Getty
  • SUB: Ilkay Gundogan, N/R - Replaced Bernardo Silva for the final six minutes and still had an important contribution to make when he tracked back to clear away Neto’s inviting delivery before his effort was spilled by Patricio and converted by Jesus. EPA
    SUB: Ilkay Gundogan, N/R - Replaced Bernardo Silva for the final six minutes and still had an important contribution to make when he tracked back to clear away Neto’s inviting delivery before his effort was spilled by Patricio and converted by Jesus. EPA
  • WOLVES RATINGS: Rui Patricio, 7 – Produced a hat-trick of super stops to keep out efforts from Bernardo Silva, Kevin de Bruyne and Jesus before denying Mahrez with another flying save to his right. Comfortably his side’s man of the match despite conceding four goals. AFP
    WOLVES RATINGS: Rui Patricio, 7 – Produced a hat-trick of super stops to keep out efforts from Bernardo Silva, Kevin de Bruyne and Jesus before denying Mahrez with another flying save to his right. Comfortably his side’s man of the match despite conceding four goals. AFP
  • Ki-Jana Hoever, 5 - Didn’t enjoy himself too much against a City side who were clearly in the mood. He did his best to press de Bruyne but the City No 17 was just too classy. The one time he was able to push forward he could only put his cross into the stand. AP
    Ki-Jana Hoever, 5 - Didn’t enjoy himself too much against a City side who were clearly in the mood. He did his best to press de Bruyne but the City No 17 was just too classy. The one time he was able to push forward he could only put his cross into the stand. AP
  • Romain Saiss, 5 – Didn’t do too much wrong, but like his teammates he just couldn’t contain a blistering City attack and he was fortunate not to be punished when his attempted clearance was blocked by Mahrez. Getty
    Romain Saiss, 5 – Didn’t do too much wrong, but like his teammates he just couldn’t contain a blistering City attack and he was fortunate not to be punished when his attempted clearance was blocked by Mahrez. Getty
  • Conor Coady, 6 - A dogged performance, but a careless one too and despite his work, he was guilty of giving away possession cheaply on more than one occasion. Dragged his side on terms when he powered his header beyond Ederson, only for Jesus to restore City’s advantage when he pounced on a kind deflection off the defender. EPA
    Conor Coady, 6 - A dogged performance, but a careless one too and despite his work, he was guilty of giving away possession cheaply on more than one occasion. Dragged his side on terms when he powered his header beyond Ederson, only for Jesus to restore City’s advantage when he pounced on a kind deflection off the defender. EPA
  • Leander Dendoncker, 6 – A calamitous start from Dendoncker who gave possession straight to Sterling in a dangerous area and put his next touch into the back of his own net. In fairness he couldn’t really do much else, such was the quality of the cross from Mahrez. Reuters
    Leander Dendoncker, 6 – A calamitous start from Dendoncker who gave possession straight to Sterling in a dangerous area and put his next touch into the back of his own net. In fairness he couldn’t really do much else, such was the quality of the cross from Mahrez. Reuters
  • Jonny, 4 - Second best to Mahrez all night. Couldn’t match the Algerian’s pace or precision and all too often failed to stop the cross as the City man’s deliveries wreaked havoc. Withdrawn shortly after the restart. Getty
    Jonny, 4 - Second best to Mahrez all night. Couldn’t match the Algerian’s pace or precision and all too often failed to stop the cross as the City man’s deliveries wreaked havoc. Withdrawn shortly after the restart. Getty
  • Ruben Neves, 5 - There’s no doubting his ability, but he never really got going in this one. Withdrawn for the final moments. Getty
    Ruben Neves, 5 - There’s no doubting his ability, but he never really got going in this one. Withdrawn for the final moments. Getty
  • Nelson Semedo, 6 - Pinned inside his own half for the bulk of the contest which made it almost impossible for his side to get out. To his credit, he produced a vital block to deflect an ambitious - and probably goalbound - de Bruyne effort safely behind for a corner. Getty
    Nelson Semedo, 6 - Pinned inside his own half for the bulk of the contest which made it almost impossible for his side to get out. To his credit, he produced a vital block to deflect an ambitious - and probably goalbound - de Bruyne effort safely behind for a corner. Getty
  • Joao Moutinho, 7 - Didn’t get going until the final half hour when he flicked a switch and started to link up nicely with Neto. Teed up Coady to level the scores with a calculated delivery into the box after he was clipped by Rodri. EPA
    Joao Moutinho, 7 - Didn’t get going until the final half hour when he flicked a switch and started to link up nicely with Neto. Teed up Coady to level the scores with a calculated delivery into the box after he was clipped by Rodri. EPA
  • Adama Traore, 7 - Hardly touched the ball in the first-half. Grew into the game as it progressed and caused more problems after the break, including a powerful effort that was glanced wide by the knee of Dias before he unforgivably smashed over moments later. Getty
    Adama Traore, 7 - Hardly touched the ball in the first-half. Grew into the game as it progressed and caused more problems after the break, including a powerful effort that was glanced wide by the knee of Dias before he unforgivably smashed over moments later. Getty
  • Pedro Neto, 7 - A spectator for much of the first half. When he did look to burst forward he was quickly hunted down by three sky blue shirts and ended up heading back towards his own goal. The tricky forward did his best to run at City defenders but he couldn’t get the better of his compatriot Cancelo. AP
    Pedro Neto, 7 - A spectator for much of the first half. When he did look to burst forward he was quickly hunted down by three sky blue shirts and ended up heading back towards his own goal. The tricky forward did his best to run at City defenders but he couldn’t get the better of his compatriot Cancelo. AP
  • SUBS: Fabio Silva, 5 - Replaced an exhausting looking Jonny in the 56th minute, but he had little impact. EPA
    SUBS: Fabio Silva, 5 - Replaced an exhausting looking Jonny in the 56th minute, but he had little impact. EPA
  • Owen Otasowie, N/R - Replaced Ruben Neves for the final few minutes but Mahrez put the game to bed about 30 seconds later following a mistake from the midfielder. Getty
    Owen Otasowie, N/R - Replaced Ruben Neves for the final few minutes but Mahrez put the game to bed about 30 seconds later following a mistake from the midfielder. Getty

__________________________________________________________________

The most potent goalscorer in City’s squad, Sergio Aguero, has scarcely featured because of injury and illness since City drew against West Bromwich Albion in December. He has no goals in the 21-match sequence in which 15 different City players have registered on the scoresheet.

Bayern’s win rush of last season, had a top-of-his-form Robert Lewadowski leading the line. The Pole struck 21 goals in the 23 victories. City’s leading scorer in the last 21 matches? Ilkay Gundogan, with 10, a midfielder who has spent much of his career at the club as the deepest-lying player of the front six.

Aguero, who made his first start of 2021 against West Ham United last weekend, should have an opportunity to get among the goals soon, with City about to be in action four times in ten days.

If they win all those fixtures, they will match Ajax’s 25-game chain of victories in 1995. Van Gaal’s celebrated young Ajax won the Champions League within that run. The eventual reward for the Dutch coach was a move to Barcelona, where Guardiola was captain.

Van Gaal’s 25 wins fell one shot of establishing an Ajax record, set by the European champions of 1971-72, their figurehead the brilliant Cruyff. Ajax’s ‘Total Football’ 26-victory sequence is the long-standing high bar for elite, top-division European football.

If City overtake it, it will resonate with City’s manager because of Cruyff, who as a coach launched Guardiola’s senior playing career at Barcelona and schooled him in many of his core principles.

Cruyff used to warn that winning momentum, however sustained, can seem very brittle when it stalls. Take the record-setting Real Madrid of 2014-15. They ended that season second in La Liga, dethroned in Europe, out of the domestic Cup before the quarters, and with Ancelotti sacked.

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Twin-turbocharged%204-litre%20V8%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E542bhp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E770Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEight-speed%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1%2C450%2C000%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Director: Romany Saad
Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari

2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

AUSTRALIA SQUAD

Tim Paine (captain), Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner

Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015

- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France

SPECS

Mini John Cooper Works Clubman and Mini John Cooper Works Countryman

Engine: two-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Transmission: nine-speed automatic

Power: 306hp

Torque: 450Nm

Price: JCW Clubman, Dh220,500; JCW Countryman, Dh225,500

SHADOWS%20AND%20LIGHT%3A%20THE%20EXTRAORDINARY%20LIFE%20OF%20JAMES%20MCBEY
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20Alasdair%20Soussi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPages%3A%20300%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPublisher%3A%20Scotland%20Street%20Press%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAvailable%3A%20December%201%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE BIO

Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren

Favourite travel destination: Switzerland

Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers

Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum

Tips to keep your car cool
  • Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
  • Park in shaded or covered areas
  • Add tint to windows
  • Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
  • Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
  • Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
SECRET%20INVASION
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ali%20Selim%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Samuel%20L%20Jackson%2C%20Olivia%20Coleman%2C%20Kingsley%20Ben-Adir%2C%20Emilia%20Clarke%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Stage result

1. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix 4:42:34

2. Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Hansgrohe

3. Elia Viviani (Ita) Ineos Grenadiers

4. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) BikeExchange-Jayco

5. Emils Liepins (Lat) Trek-Segafredo

6. Arnaud Demare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ

7. Max Kanter (Ger) Movistar Team

8. Olav Kooij (Ned) Jumbo-Visma

9. Tom Devriendt (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux

10. Pascal Ackermann (Ger) UAE Team Emirate

The biog

DOB: 25/12/92
Marital status: Single
Education: Post-graduate diploma in UAE Diplomacy and External Affairs at the Emirates Diplomatic Academy in Abu Dhabi
Hobbies: I love fencing, I used to fence at the MK Fencing Academy but I want to start again. I also love reading and writing
Lifelong goal: My dream is to be a state minister

Generational responses to the pandemic

Devesh Mamtani from Century Financial believes the cash-hoarding tendency of each generation is influenced by what stage of the employment cycle they are in. He offers the following insights:

Baby boomers (those born before 1964): Owing to market uncertainty and the need to survive amid competition, many in this generation are looking for options to hoard more cash and increase their overall savings/investments towards risk-free assets.

Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980): Gen X is currently in its prime working years. With their personal and family finances taking a hit, Generation X is looking at multiple options, including taking out short-term loan facilities with competitive interest rates instead of dipping into their savings account.

Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996): This market situation is giving them a valuable lesson about investing early. Many millennials who had previously not saved or invested are looking to start doing so now.

Destroyer

Director: Karyn Kusama

Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan

Rating: 3/5 

UAE release: January 31 

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

How%20to%20avoid%20getting%20scammed
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENever%20click%20on%20links%20provided%20via%20app%20or%20SMS%2C%20even%20if%20they%20seem%20to%20come%20from%20authorised%20senders%20at%20first%20glance%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAlways%20double-check%20the%20authenticity%20of%20websites%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EEnable%20Two-Factor%20Authentication%20(2FA)%20for%20all%20your%20working%20and%20personal%20services%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EOnly%20use%20official%20links%20published%20by%20the%20respective%20entity%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDouble-check%20the%20web%20addresses%20to%20reduce%20exposure%20to%20fake%20sites%20created%20with%20domain%20names%20containing%20spelling%20errors%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
Fixtures (all in UAE time)

Friday

Everton v Burnley 11pm

Saturday

Bournemouth v Tottenham Hotspur 3.30pm

West Ham United v Southampton 6pm

Wolves v Fulham 6pm

Cardiff City v Crystal Palace 8.30pm

Newcastle United v Liverpool 10.45pm

Sunday

Chelsea v Watford 5pm

Huddersfield v Manchester United 5pm

Arsenal v Brighton 7.30pm

Monday

Manchester City v Leicester City 11pm

 

Country-size land deals

US interest in purchasing territory is not as outlandish as it sounds. Here's a look at some big land transactions between nations:

Louisiana Purchase

If Donald Trump is one who aims to broker "a deal of the century", then this was the "deal of the 19th Century". In 1803, the US nearly doubled in size when it bought 2,140,000 square kilometres from France for $15 million.

Florida Purchase Treaty

The US courted Spain for Florida for years. Spain eventually realised its burden in holding on to the territory and in 1819 effectively ceded it to America in a wider border treaty. 

Alaska purchase

America's spending spree continued in 1867 when it acquired 1,518,800 km2 of  Alaskan land from Russia for $7.2m. Critics panned the government for buying "useless land".

The Philippines

At the end of the Spanish-American War, a provision in the 1898 Treaty of Paris saw Spain surrender the Philippines for a payment of $20 million. 

US Virgin Islands

It's not like a US president has never reached a deal with Denmark before. In 1917 the US purchased the Danish West Indies for $25m and renamed them the US Virgin Islands.

Gwadar

The most recent sovereign land purchase was in 1958 when Pakistan bought the southwestern port of Gwadar from Oman for 5.5bn Pakistan rupees. 

Three tips from La Perle's performers

1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.

2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.

3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.

Quick%20facts
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EStorstockholms%20Lokaltrafik%20(SL)%20offers%20free%20guided%20tours%20of%20art%20in%20the%20metro%20and%20at%20the%20stations%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20tours%20are%20free%20of%20charge%3B%20all%20you%20need%20is%20a%20valid%20SL%20ticket%2C%20for%20which%20a%20single%20journey%20(valid%20for%2075%20minutes)%20costs%2039%20Swedish%20krone%20(%243.75)%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ETravel%20cards%20for%20unlimited%20journeys%20are%20priced%20at%20165%20Swedish%20krone%20for%2024%20hours%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAvoid%20rush%20hour%20%E2%80%93%20between%209.30%20am%20and%204.30%20pm%20%E2%80%93%20to%20explore%20the%20artwork%20at%20leisure%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
RACE CARD

5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (Turf) 2,200m
5.30pm: Khor Al Baghal – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Khor Faridah – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m
7pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m
7.30pm: Khor Laffam – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900