It feels less is more for this season's crop of Premier League kits.
Things were getting silly, especially with the emergence of training shirts, pre-match hype kits and usual Met Gala-inspired monstrosities from some quarters over the past few seasons. It's good that most of the 20 clubs this season have toned it down, gone a little retro. So, without further ado, here's a list of who will be dapper on the pitch and who will be getting a call from the fashion police.
20. Burnley
Kicking off with the worst effort for the season we start with yo-yo club Burnley, who have seemingly entered into a secret, but hardly subtle, pact with their claret-and-blue brethren. They will all be marked down for this. Burnley's home kit belongs to West Ham. And unlike Villa or the Hammers, they've pinched a kit up for consideration by Watford as their away option for this season.
19 Aston Villa
That home kit belongs to Burnley! A slight improvement on the away shirt from last season, but I am not feeling the sky blue shorts.
18. West Ham
That home kit belongs to Aston Villa! The East Londoners usually knock it out of the park with their away kits, and this year is no exception. A lovely pure white strip with a claret trim, sadly let down by the sponsors who have the temerity to make their branding stand out.
17. Arsenal
It feels like the Arsenal have opted for the most garish of away kits in recent memory to mask the gold trim that embellishes a decent home kit. The gold, of course, would've looked quite snazzy if last year's runners-up had not have choked in the title run-in and earned them the coveted gold Premier League badging that I assume is the only thing clubs play for these days.
16. Fulham
A nice enough home shirt, but a tacky shocking pink away kit that's been done to death over the past few seasons. I suppose it'll help the hardy away faithful pick out their players in the rafters at St James' Park.
15. Everton
A good honest home kit supplied by Hummel. It is fitting and traditional and will serve well as the Toffees say goodbye to Goodison Park. Another "for goodness Stake.com" away kit - Everton have a history of sending their stars out in naff away kits – but not as bad as the one from last season.
14. Brentford
A commendable effort from the Bees sustainability efforts to keep the same away shirt from last season. The new home kit is fairly fresh and nice of the red stripes to blend into black towards the shorts.
13. Wolves
I don't feel offended or inspired – perhaps something the City of Wolverhampton Council could put on the welcome signs along the A41. Sensible home kit and a fairly decent away one.
12. Nottingham Forest
Another good old-fashioned honest home shift for the two-time champions of Europe. Forest were marked down last season for a truly awful away kit, and this one is a little divisive too. It could be a passed off as a bit pre-match training shirt, but it's just subtle enough to see the kick-off whistle in my book.
11. Crystal Palace
Last season's best kit merchants have fallen back into the pack. While the 22/23 vintages all played on the crayon scrawl effect for their stripes, this year's suppliers at Macron have been safer with "just alright" halves. The textbook diagonal sash away kit is sedate, but still lovely.
10. Newcastle United
An improved Newcastle home shirt. It's an happier marriage of black and white stripes with a sponsor logo that doesn't overpower or get lost. The Boca-style away kit and Saudi-style third kit are both slightly better than this year's away shirt.
9. Bournemouth
A good strong home shirt paired with a really intriguing away kit. The fingerprint DNA is an unusual pattern and I like the fact they've retained similar away kit colours to last season. It's all about identity.
8. Chelsea
A really nice Chelsea home strip. Bold and they've played with the accents on the badge and the Nike swoosh. It's like seeing a shiny in a Panini sticker pack. The jury is still out on what it will look like with a sponsor, so it could fall back a few positions. The away kit (merely a leak right now) feels quite techy too, but with the colour choices, you feel they are more positioned to use their third kit this season.
7. Tottenham
I really like the brilliant white. It's plain, but dazzles. The away kit (another leak, nothing official just yet) is also quite bold. Good choice of colours, the navy blue-black is an excellent contrast to the sparkling white, the pink embellishments pop and the lighter collar is caps it off.
6. Manchester United
We're here to talk about Manchester United's away kit, aren't we? The greeny-grey striped kit will be this year's big divider. A colleague believes it is too much in the realm of a rugby shirt, but I think it's really original and is one of those kits that looks better in the flesh rather than on a screen. The home kit is pretty.
5. Liverpool
We also need to talk about Liverpool's away shirt first. I'm a sucker for a throwback kit, especially one that tips its hat to a certain year. In this case it's the not-so-vintage year of 1996 and the FA Cup final defeat to Man Utd. You can vividly recall Eric Cantona threading his volley through a crowded box of Liverpool players wearing this garb. Hopefully, we'll see Salah and co kitted out in the cream Spice Boys suits at some point this season, too. Nice home kit.
4. Manchester City
The only Puma kits on display in the Premier League and it's a great pairing. Last season's champions will be kitted out in a nice sky blue strip that's just doing enough to feel interesting. The away kit is a creamy white number that has patternings that hark back to the mid-90s. The maroon trim pops and the V-neck collar is surprisingly refreshing.
3. Brighton
A great home shirt from the Seagulls, but it's the Bundesliga away kit that's piqued my interest. It's another sort of seaside theme with a sweet lime and liquorice humbug shirt. It's paired masterfully with neutral white shorts. It could have been an abomination, but Nike have pulled it off.
2. Luton Town
It's partly heritage that shot Luton up the table, but also partly novelty that we get to rank an orange kit again in the Premier League. While Blackpool's tangerine is always a bit too much for most palettes, Umbro have captured a dazzling home strip paying homage with the single white stripe over the club badge. I prefer the away kit, on the same theme, just opposite. A knockout pair of shirts.
1. Sheffield United
As I mentioned at the top, it is great that kit manufacturers and clubs have just about escaped a period of garish kits ranging from training-top chic, to Aviva bus upholstery. The Blades return to the Premier League with the best set of kits. Bold, retro, no-nonsense and simple. It is hard to decide which one stands out, the simple home stripes or the tasty yellow away shirt.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE SPECS
Engine: AMG-enhanced 3.0L inline-6 turbo with EQ Boost and electric auxiliary compressor
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 429hp
Torque: 520Nm
Price: Dh360,200 (starting)
The lowdown
Badla
Rating: 2.5/5
Produced by: Red Chillies, Azure Entertainment
Director: Sujoy Ghosh
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Amrita Singh, Tony Luke
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The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last 16, first leg
Liverpool v Bayern Munich, midnight (Wednesday), BeIN Sports
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
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Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club race card
5pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
5.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
6pm: Maiden (PA); Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (PA) Listed; Dh180,000; 1,600m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 2,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (PA); Dh100,000; 2,400m
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
Mercedes V250 Avantgarde specs
Engine: 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder turbo
Gearbox: 7-speed automatic
Power: 211hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 350Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.0 l/100 km
Price: Dh235,000
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Company%20Profile
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Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
CREW
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
FIGHT CARD
From 5.30pm in the following order:
Featherweight
Marcelo Pontes (BRA) v Azouz Anwar (EGY)
Catchweight 90kg
Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) v Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)
Welterweight
Mohammed Al Khatib (JOR) v Gimbat Ismailov (RUS)
Flyweight (women)
Lucie Bertaud (FRA) v Kelig Pinson (BEL)
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (BEL) v Regelo Enumerables Jr (PHI)
Catchweight 100kg
Mohamed Ali (EGY) v Marc Vleiger (NED)
Featherweight
James Bishop (AUS) v Mark Valerio (PHI)
Welterweight
Gerson Carvalho (BRA) v Abdelghani Saber (EGY)
Middleweight
Bakhtiyar Abbasov (AZE) v Igor Litoshik (BLR)
Bantamweight:
Fabio Mello (BRA) v Mark Alcoba (PHI)
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Magomedsultan Magemedsultanov (RUS)
Bantamweight
Trent Girdham (AUS) v Jayson Margallo (PHI)
Lightweight
Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) v Roman Golovinov (UKR)
Middleweight
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Steve Kennedy (AUS)
Lightweight
Dan Moret (USA) v Anton Kuivanen (FIN)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Essentials
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Seattle from Dh6,755 return in economy and Dh24,775 in business class.
The cruise
UnCruise Adventures offers a variety of small-ship cruises in Alaska and around the world. A 14-day Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise from Seattle to Juneau or reverse costs from $4,695 (Dh17,246), including accommodation, food and most activities. Trips in 2019 start in April and run until September.
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World ranking (at month’s end)
Jan - 257
Feb - 198
Mar - 159
Apr - 161
May - 159
Jun – 162
Currently: 88
Year-end rank since turning pro
2016 - 279
2015 - 185
2014 - 143
2013 - 63
2012 - 384
2011 - 883
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
