LONDON // Champions Manchester United will travel to Swansea City for their first Premier League match under David Moyes, their new manager, while Manuel Pellegrini's Manchester City are at home to Newcastle United when the season opens on August 17.
United, kicking off their league campaign without Sir Alex Ferguson in charge for the first time since 1986, were handed a tricky opening five matches in fixture lists published yesterday.
They host Chelsea, with Jose Mourinho back in charge for the second time, on August 24 before Moyes makes a return to Merseyside with a game at Anfield against old foes Liverpool on August 31.
The champions then take on the promoted London side Crystal Palace before making the short journey to Etihad Stadium on September 22 for the first Manchester derby against last year’s runners-up City, whose Chilean manager is also in his first season in charge.
The return Manchester derby at Old Trafford is scheduled for March 21.
“Lively start to the season! Let us at them,” the United defender Rio Ferdinand said via Twitter.
Quinton Fortune, the former United utility player, warned Mourinho should be more worried than Moyes about their early clash.
“Mourinho has been boasting about his record against United,” Fortune told MUTV. “He always brings it up.
“But this is a different manager, with a different style of play. If David Moyes brings the same desire and fighting spirit that he had at Everton I am sure Mourinho will find it tough. He is playing a completely different United and I am sure he is worried about that.”
Chelsea, third last season behind the Manchester clubs, start at Stamford Bridge against newly promoted Hull City with Frank Lampard hoping to make a record 18th appearance in an opening fixture of a Premier League season.
Everton, with Roberto Martinez stepping into Moyes's shoes, start out at Norwich City before hosting Chelsea as their fourth match of the season.
Liverpool start the season at home to Stoke City, now under the leadership of Mark Hughes, while Arsene Wenger's Arsenal are at home to Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium.
Championship winners Cardiff City travel to West Ham United, while Crystal Palace mark their return to the top flight with a home match against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Premier League’s first Welsh derby, between Cardiff and Swansea, is due on November 2 at Cardiff City Stadium.
The season ends on May 11, when Manchester United are at Southampton, Chelsea travel to Cardiff, Arsenal visit Norwich, and Manchester City host West Ham.
The FA Cup final has been moved back to after the end of the league season, with the match slated for May 17.
English Premier League fixtures to watch in 2013/14
Manchester United v Chelsea, August 24
David Moyes's first Premier League home game at Old Trafford is against Jose Mourinho's men on the second weekend of the season. Both meetings of these teams ended in away wins in 2012/13.
Manchester City v Manchester United, September 22
Fans of the Manchester duo had to wait nearly four months for the first derby last season; this time only four weeks will lapse before City and the new coach Manuel Pellegrini clash with United.
Cardiff City v Swansea City, November 2
The Premier League's first Welsh derby. Cardiff City's Championship-winning campaign was built on the best home record in the league. Michael Laudrup's League Cup winners will provide tough opposition.
Arsenal v Chelsea, December 21
Chelsea did the double over their London rivals last season, but Arsenal finished the season strongly and Arsene Wenger has been promised investment to strengthen his squad. A mouth-watering match is in prospect at Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool v Everton, January 28
Everton manager Roberto Martinez will be hoping for better luck in derby matches than predecessor David Moyes had. Both teams are hoping to end their European exile, and three points from this game could prove decisive at the end of the season.
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal, March 15
These sides have failed to disappoint when facing each other recently; the past six North London derbies have yielded 31 goals.
Crystal Palace v Liverpool, May 3
The penultimate week of the season sees a fixture which could be key at both ends of the table. When this game takes place, it will be more than nine years since the teams last met in London in the Premier League.
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Create and maintain a strong bond between yourself and your child, through sensitivity, responsiveness, touch, talk and play. “The bond you have with your kids is the blueprint for the relationships they will have later on in life,” says Dr Sarah Rasmi, a psychologist.
Set a good example. Practise what you preach, so if you want to raise kind children, they need to see you being kind and hear you explaining to them what kindness is. So, “narrate your behaviour”.
Praise the positive rather than focusing on the negative. Catch them when they’re being good and acknowledge it.
Show empathy towards your child’s needs as well as your own. Take care of yourself so that you can be calm, loving and respectful, rather than angry and frustrated.
Be open to communication, goal-setting and problem-solving, says Dr Thoraiya Kanafani. “It is important to recognise that there is a fine line between positive parenting and becoming parents who overanalyse their children and provide more emotional context than what is in the child’s emotional development to understand.”
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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
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