Frank Lampard, blue, slides in to score Chelsea's second goal to help his side to a 2-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield.
Frank Lampard, blue, slides in to score Chelsea's second goal to help his side to a 2-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield.

Gerrard gives Chelsea a helping hand



LIVERPOOL // Let the conspiracy theories begin. Because, while the blue ribbons are yet to be attached to the Premier League trophy, it was effectively gift-wrapped by Liverpool yesterday. When Chelsea's name is engraved on the silverware, it will not mention Liverpool's captain, but his contribution was crucial. The coronation will come against Wigan next week, but Steven Gerrard enabled Chelsea to clear the major hurdle in their path. He supplied Chelsea with their opening goal at Anfield.

While Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard were the men on target, Gerrard was sufficiently off target with a pass to provide the breakthrough. The outcome, however, was fitting. Chelsea had already done a double over both Arsenal and Manchester United. A second win over Liverpool completed the set. Any side with that record has a compelling case to be called champions. In the process they ensured that Liverpool cannot finish fourth. That, of course, was not the objective when the campaign commenced. Their own ambitions to lift the title have long been abandoned; this was the only way they could have a decisive say in its destination.

But if it proves to be Rafa Benitez's final game at Anfield, it was an undistinguished end. Exhausted and demoralised, his side mustered little by way of a response once Chelsea led. Having devoted his programme notes to declaring that Liverpool would not make it easy for Chelsea, Gerrard did precisely that. His pass back towards Jose Reina was played under the assumption that no one was near the goalkeeper.

Instead Drogba anticipated it, strolled past the Spaniard and tucked the ball into the net. "Gerrard made a big mistake but he didn't do it on purpose," said the beneficiary of his largesse. Drogba the scorer, Gerrard the provider: it was a scenario Jose Mourinho may have envisaged when he tried to lure the Liverpool captain to Stamford Bridge in 2004 and 2005, and a moment that may have turned Sir Alex Ferguson an unusual shade of puce.

It came from a player who is the personification of Liverpool and who has an innate understanding of the fierce rivalry with Manchester United; Ferguson will probably have to wait another year to claim the 19th title that would propel his club ahead of the Merseysiders. Truth be told, it was a moment to sum up Liverpool's year as much as it aided Chelsea's. Self-harm has been a feature of a painful campaign.

"It has been a difficult season," said Benitez, who ignored a surfeit of questions inviting him to pledge his future to the club. "I have four years of contract left, so we will see. The fans don't have any doubt about commitment and passion." They do doubt, though, where Benitez's allegiances lie amid continuing interest from Juventus. Appreciative as the crowd were of his side's efforts over the season as they conducted what, rather inappropriately, was a lap of honour, this was a 19th defeat.

There was no weakened team from Benitez - or, his critics may suggest, no weaker than normal - and Liverpool had actually begun the brighter. Alberto Aquilani's belated display of his ability has come too late, this season anyway, to justify his £20 million (Dh113m) fee. He threatened to hinder Chelsea's challenge, however, unleashing a howitzer of a shot that clipped the crossbar of a beaten Petr Cech.

However, after Drogba's goal, gaps became alarmingly apparent in the Liverpool defence. Salomon Kalou claimed a penalty when he stumbled past Lucas Leiva and his incisive running on the left posed a threat. The second goal, however, came from the other flank. Nicolas Anelka crossed and Lampard beat Yossi Benayoun to the ball to tap it in. Reina then made two saves in a minute to deny Nicolas Anelka, from close range, and Drogba, with a crisp volley. It was a feat he repeated to thwart Anelka and Kalou.

"I am happy," said Ancelotti. "We played very well. Defensively we did a fantastic job. It was an important performance. There was a pressure on us." In a rarity, the Chelsea fans chorused the Italian's name. "I will have a good memory about this day," Ancelotti added. See off Wigan on Sunday and he will have plenty of positive memories of the entire campaign. sports@thenational.ae

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species

Camelpox

Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.

Falconpox

Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.

Houbarapox

Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.

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All or Nothing

Amazon Prime

Four stars

The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

On sale: Now

Ticket prices

General admission Dh295 (under-three free)

Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free

Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets

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Married Malala

Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.

The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.

Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)

The Case For Trump

By Victor Davis Hanson
 

MATCH INFO

Europa League final

Who: Marseille v Atletico Madrid
Where: Parc OL, Lyon, France
When: Wednesday, 10.45pm kick off (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports

How to avoid crypto fraud
  • Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
  • Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
  • Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
  • Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
  • Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
  • Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
  • Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
'Munich: The Edge of War'

Director: Christian Schwochow

Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons

Rating: 3/5

Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
  • Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
  • Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
  • Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
 
 
How to help

Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.

Account name: Dar Al Ber Society

Account Number: 11 530 734

IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734

Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank

To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

If you go

Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.

Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com

A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com

Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5

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