Year in review: The highlights of the last 12 months in the Premier League

Manchester City have ended the year as the team to beat in the Premier League. (AP)
Updated 26 December 2017
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Year in review: The highlights of the last 12 months in the Premier League

TEAM OF THE YEAR — MANCHESTER CITY

Odd as it is to select the most expensively assembled team in the history of the Premier League and one that won nothing silver in 2017, it’s statistical fact that Manchester City’s results across the calendar year are markedly superior to any rival. And this is a team that — barring the most cataclysmic of collapses — had the 2017/18 title under wraps. Pep Guardiola’s men have suffered just two League defeats in the year to date, they’ve held to their manager’s vision of how the sports should be played (albeit one that many observers over-romanticize), improved through the course of those 12 months, and entertained with the sheer quality of their football.

MATCH OF THE YEAR — ARSENAL 1 MAN UNITED 3

Let’s consider a couple of candidates here. The most decisive match of the year looks to be one that took place less than two months into the current campaign. Manchester City traveled to Chelsea stripped of Benjamin Mendy and Sergio Aguero by injury yet elected to take the game to the champions by banking on their audacious control the ball in the opponents’ half tactics. Any team plays that way against Antonio Conte at high risk of succumbing to counterattacks, but bolstered by the fatigue induced by Chelsea’s midweek Champions League victory at Atletico Madrid and a first-half injury to Alvaro Morata, City deservedly won. Guardiola’s players are still flying high on the confidence derived from those three points. For sheer unadulterated Premier League entertainment, little stands up to Manchester United 3-1 victory at Arsenal at the beginning of December. Brilliantly ruthless in their pressing and counterattacking, Jose Mourinho’s men went two up inside 11 minutes. Arsene Wenger changed personnel and shape then watched David De Gea deliver the goalkeeping performance of the year to keep the score at 2-1. The best of Paul Pogba’s creativity delivered United’s third before he was controversially sent off for a challenge whose greatest beneficiary was the City side awaiting the following weekend’s Manchester derby.

MANAGER OF THE YEAR — ANTONIO CONTE

There are two options here. Antonio Conte won the Premier League at the first time of asking despite being in more or less constant conflict with Chelsea’s board, and receiving very little of what he asked for in the transfer market. Pep Guardiola had a good second half to a traumatic debut campaign in English football (by some margin the most testing and disappointing of his career), followed by a stellar first half to his second campaign there. Merit points need to be deducted from Conte for being unburdened by European football, and winning just one trophy. Guardiola made more unforced errors in his first year in the Premier League than almost any elite manager who preceded him; the Catalan has also had a degree of backing — both financial and structural — unprecedented in the game. Over the piece, there can be no doubt that Guardiola had delivered the more audacious, aesthetically pleasing and successful (in terms of points gathered) football of the two. Yet when it comes to adding value in the more challenging of circumstances, Conte’s has to be the greater achievement.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR —  KEVIN DE BRUYNE

There is no more dangerous footballer in the Premier League at present than Kevin De Bruyne. The inventiveness and bravery of his passing is matches by a sublime accuracy, demonstrating an ability to place the ball not only where the Belgium international wants, but landing with a speed and trajectory that enables his team-mate to take full advantage of it. De Bruyne has scored 10 Premier League goals in 2017, Pep Guardiola has him running further than most creative midfielders would tolerate, and tackling and fouling when required. He’s adapted his positioning when faced by opponents seeking to close the Belgian out of games, dropping him deeper into a virtual holding midfield role, where De Bruyne still looks comfortable. If the 26-year-old can sustain something close to this form for the duration of the season (something he’s had problems with in the past) England’s Player of the Year awards are only headed in one direction.

GOAL OF THE YEAR — OLIVIER GIROUD

When it came to the 2017 Puskas Award, Kevin-Prince Boateng’s scissor-kick finish for Las Palmas against Villarreal had this observer’s vote — principally because it capped some impressively executed team build-up play with not one, but two moments of extreme individual skill. Within the confines of the Premier League, however, it’s impossible to argue with the Olivier Giroud scorpion kick that took the FIFA prize. Arsenal’s counter against Crystal Palace is quick, precise and involves six players. Giroud’s finish wonderfully inventive. It also has a good back story. “I’m going to have the mickey taken out of me,” said Giroud after taking the global prize. “It was very bizarre, it wasn’t the situation in which I was most at ease. It was part of the curriculum to become a PE teacher. But our teacher considered that kind of dancing a form of art, and the move I did could have been part of a choreography of my dance teacher at the time.”

TEAM OF THE YEAR (4-1-2-3): David De Gea; Antonio Valencia, Toby Alderweireld, John Stones, Marcos Alonso; N’Golo Kante; Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva; Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane, Eden Hazard.


Barcelona lose at home for 1st time this season, falling 2-1 to Las Palmas

Updated 57 min 52 sec ago
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Barcelona lose at home for 1st time this season, falling 2-1 to Las Palmas

  • Barcelona had played superbly in the first three months under new coach Hansi Flick
  • They have now gone three rounds of La Liga without a win

BARCELONA: Barcelona lost at home for the first time this season when the Spanish league leader were stunned 2-1 by Las Palmas on Saturday.
Barcelona had played superbly in the first three months under new coach Hansi Flick and were flying high after convincing victories over Real Madrid in the domestic competition and Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
They had won all eight home games overall.
But they have now gone three rounds of La Liga without a win. Prior to the loss to Las Palmas, they fell 1-0 at Real Sociedad and drew 2-2 at Celta Vigo.
Madrid, despite their own troubles especially in the Champions League, can now move ahead of Barcelona in the Spanish league. They trail Barcelona by four points with two games more to play.
Sandro Ramirez and Fábio Silva scored for the Canary Islands club on either side of Raphina’s equalizer.
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal returned from a right ankle injury that had sidelined with for three weeks as a halftime substitute, but Jasper Cillessen saved his best shot. The Las Palmas goalkeeper also did well to palm a Raphinha free kick over his bar in the final minutes.


Norris hands Piastri the win in Qatar sprint as McLaren closes in on the F1 constructors’ title

Updated 30 November 2024
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Norris hands Piastri the win in Qatar sprint as McLaren closes in on the F1 constructors’ title

  • Norris started on pole position and kept the lead at the start as Piastri squeezed past the Mercedes of George Russell for second

LUSAIL, Qatar: McLaren neared its first Formula 1 constructors’ title in 26 years as Lando Norris handed Oscar Piastri victory in a one-two finish for the team in the sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix on Saturday.
Norris started on pole position and kept the lead at the start as Piastri squeezed past the Mercedes of George Russell for second.
Norris gave the lead to Piastri with the finish line in sight, paying his teammate back for gifting him a win in the sprint race in Brazil when Norris was still fighting Max Verstappen for the drivers’ title. Russell finished third.
Verstappen — crowned the drivers’ champion last week in Las Vegas — finished eighth and his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez was last after a pit stop to change his car’s nose.
Qualifying takes place later Saturday for Sunday’s Grand Prix race.


Mbappe’s problem is Real Madrid’s problem, says Ancelotti

Updated 30 November 2024
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Mbappe’s problem is Real Madrid’s problem, says Ancelotti

  • “Mbappe’s problem is the problem that we all have. The idea is to try to give our best version, not just of him but myself, other players,” Ancelotti told a news conference
  • “It’s not a problem about one player”

MADRID: Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said Saturday superstar striker Kylian Mbappe’s struggles this season are due to his team’s overall lack of consistency.
The French forward missed a penalty as Spanish and European champions Real Madrid lost on Wednesday in the Champions League against Liverpool, their third defeat in five matches in the competition.
Mbappe, who joined in the summer at the end of his Paris Saint-Germain contract, was criticized for his performance and has netted just two goals in his last nine games for Madrid.
“Mbappe’s problem is the problem that we all have. The idea is to try to give our best version, not just of him but myself, other players,” Ancelotti told a news conference ahead of Sunday’s La Liga clash against Getafe.
“It’s not a problem about one player, the problem that we have is one of a team that has not been capable of being consistent. It’s not a problem about one player.
“We have to try and improve that, do everything we can... among other things (Mbappe) is new here and adapting, among other things he’s scored eight goals and has participated in attack, giving assists.
“Yes he can play better, but we can all do better and we will try to.”
Mbappe was not included in the last two France squad lists and has also had off-field issues to deal with during his first months at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“He is absolutely not sunken, he knows he has to improve like we all do... he’s being scrutinized after the Liverpool game because he missed a penalty, like many of my players have,” continued Ancelotti.
The coach said the Liverpool defeat was partly due to losing players through injury, including Vinicius Junior, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao among others, but that Brazilian winger Rodrygo was fit to face Getafe.
Madrid, second, trail La Liga leaders Barcelona by four points, albeit having played one fewer match.
“I am like Mbappe, I am trying to give my best version,” said Ancelotti.
“Results say that I have not been capable of doing that. I’m not happy... but I’m convinced we will fix it, like we always fix it.”


Aspiring GCC drivers make the most of GT World Challenge

Updated 30 November 2024
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Aspiring GCC drivers make the most of GT World Challenge

  • The so-called SAL GT Jeddah 2024 marks a crucial juncture for many of the GCC young drivers as they look to step up from regional to global competition

Jeddah: The Fanatec GT World Europe Challenge has always been a highlight of the racing calendar as a chance for drivers to demonstrate their skills around the world’s most challenging circuits, and this year’s final round in Jeddah featured a diverse grid of international drivers.

The so-called SAL GT Jeddah 2024 marks a crucial juncture for many of the GCC young drivers as they look to step up from regional to global competition.

Six of the contenders vying to leave an impact this weekend are already a part of this year’s challenge and looking forward to achieving positive results. They are: Reema Al-Juffali, Bandar Alesayi, Fahad Al-Gosaibi, Ahmed bin Khanen, from Saudi Arabia; and Ahmad Alharthy and Al-Faisal Al-Zubair, from Oman.

On Friday, the six drivers met the press and expressed their happiness at being part of this international challenge — to enjoy the experience behind the wheel on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the world’s fastest circuit.

Bandar Alesayi explained that the championship and the cars were new to the drivers, but they knew a lot about the circuit. “It is a very strong championship and a tough competition but I will enjoy it,” he said.

Ahmed bin Khanen said: “We will strive to provide our best to achieve distinguished results. It is so great to compete against the best in the world.”

Fahad Al-Gosaibi, who proved his skills in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, said that his 20 years in Porsche racing in the Gulf region would be an incentive to achieve his ambition of first place as he chases the best performance during the Fanatec GT competition being held in his homeland.

“We really appreciate the great support we all receive as Saudi drivers from the Ministry of Sports and the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation,” he said.

Reema Al-Juffali said that the generous support of the Ministry of Sports and the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation provided the drivers with a great incentive in all motor sports championships. Al-Juffali said that she would seek to achieve a distinguished place in the competition, noting that GT events were the first step toward reaching her dream of representing the Kingdom in this race.

Omani driver Ahmed Al-Harthy said: “The GT race is the most difficult championship in the world because there are 49 cars on the track at the same time.” Al-Harthy said that the Kingdom’s hosting of major motorsports championships such as Formula 1, Formula E, and now GT, was a source of pride and gave hope to Gulf youth who aspired to participate in these races.

His countryman, Al-Faisal Al-Zubair, said that his team was ranked second in the chance to win the challenge on Saturday. “It will be a great joy if we win the championship from the land of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is like our country,” he said.

He praised the Kingdom’s ability to host many of the most important international competitions such as the Dakar Rally, Formula 1, and others. 


Pakistan to face Zimbabwe in first T20I on Sunday

Updated 30 November 2024
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Pakistan to face Zimbabwe in first T20I on Sunday

  • The first T20 between Pakistan and Zimbabwe will start at 4pm Pakistan standard time
  • Pakistan this week defeated Zimbabwe 2-1 in their three-match one-day international series

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will face Zimbabwe in the first of their three-match Twenty-20 International (T20I) series in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe on Sunday.
The first T20 between Pakistan and Zimbabwe will start at 4pm Pakistan standard time. Pakistan this week defeated Zimbabwe 2-1 in their three-match one-day international series.
“A 99-run win in the third ODI to wrap up a series victory,” the Pakistan Cricket Board remarked as Kamran Ghulam struck his maiden one-day international century to steer Pakistan to win.
“Onto the T20I action.”
Pakistan and Zimbabwe will play the second and third T20 matches on Dec. 3 and 5 at the same venue in Bulawayo.
The tourists then head to South Africa for an eight-match all-formats tour, including two Tests.