Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has struggled for goals of late. Reuters
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has struggled for goals of late. Reuters
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has struggled for goals of late. Reuters
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has struggled for goals of late. Reuters

Premier League talking points: Man City's struggles, Salah can't stop scoring, Chelsea chasers


Steve Luckings
  • English
  • Arabic

Manchester City are in their deepest slump since the Abu Dhabi-led takeover of 2008.

Manager Pep Guardiola admitted he was questioning himself after Wednesday's 2-0 setback to Juventus It represented City's seventh loss in 10 games across competitions and left them 22nd in the standings. With just two games of the Uefa Champions League phase remaining, a place in the top eight and automatic last-16 qualification looks beyond them and they face a battle just to stay in the top 24 and claim a play-off spot.

"I’m incredibly honest. If we play good [I say] we played good and today I thought we played good," Guardiola told reporters after the defeat in Turin. "Our game will save us. We can do it."

Among a series of eye-catching statistics, City have conceded more goals across all competitions than any other team from Europe's big five leagues (21 in nine games) since the start of November.

Just as concerning has been their league form. Six of those defeats have come in the Premier League, leaving City eight points behind leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.

Thankfully for City, they next face a club equally mired in poor form.

Sunday's match against city rivals Manchester United sees fourth vs 13th in the league table, positions both clubs will find unacceptable.

United have lost their last three in the league, including a first home defeat to Nottingham Forest in 30 years last weekend.

New United boss Ruben Amorim has won just one of his four Premier League games since taking charge at Old Trafford, though he does have recent experience of beating Guardiola's men, leading Sporting to a 4-1 Champions League victory in his final home match with the Portuguese champions.

However, City might not be quaking in their boots – misfiring United have an embarrassing recent record at the Etihad Stadium, shipping 13 goals in their past three Premier League matches during three heavy defeats.

United were in action on Thursday, maintaining their unbeaten record in the Europa League with a 2-1 win over Viktoria Plzen.

"The win is important at the moment and it's good to prepare for the next game," United manager Amorim told TNT Sports.

Match details: Manchester City v Manchester United, Sunday, kick off 8.30pm UAE

Salah can't stop scoring

The only topic generating more heat than City's alarming slump is the red-hot form of Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian forward was Liverpool's savour once again in midweek, hammering home a penalty against Girona to maintain the Reds' grip at the top of the Champions League standings with six wins from six.

That was Salah's 16th goal of the campaign, and took him level on 50 Champions League goals alongside Kylian Mbappe and Filippo Inzaghi.

It followed a star showing against Newcastle United last week, in which Salah scored twice and made an assist in a thrilling 3-3 draw at St James' Park.

Salah's contract situation continues to be a distraction off the pitch, though his performances clearly show it is having no effect on it.

Despite last weekend's Merseyside derby at Everton called off due to high winds, Liverpool still top the table by four points and have a game in hand over their rivals.

Manager Arne Slot wants a return to the intensity his men showed in wins against Real Madrid and Manchester City at home when they take on Fulham at Anfield.

"I'm far from pleased about the performance," said the Dutchman, bemoaning his side's lack of control against Girona in midweek.

Match details: Liverpool v Fulham, Saturday, kick off 7pm UAE

Chelsea lead chasing pack

In-form Chelsea took advantage of Liverpool's inactivity last weekend to move four points behind the leaders.

The Blues stormed to a 4-3 victory over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, with Cole Palmer twice converting from the penalty spot.

Enzo Maresca said after the match it was "completely wrong" to talk of a title challenge, but with Manchester City struggling for form and Arsenal not the force they looked last season, Chelsea look best placed to take the fight to runaway leaders Liverpool.

Chelsea boast the most potent attack in the division and will expect to extend Brentford's miserable away record when the sides meet at Stamford Bridge.

With the game in mind, the Italian used Thursday's Europe Conference League to blood some youngsters in his squad.

Maresca praised Chelsea’s young debutants Josh Acheampong and Samuel Rak-Sakyi after his team qualified for the last 16 with a 3-1 win against Astana in Kazakhstan.

The head coach left at home all but one of the XI that started Sunday’s win at Tottenham, but it did not stop an inexperienced second string easing to victory in temperatures of around minus 10 in the Kazakh capital Almaty.

There was also a second senior start for winger and academy graduate Tyrique George and, having built a commanding lead they never looked like surrendering, Maresca felt confident enough to finish the game with an additional three teenage debutants on the pitch, all sent on in the second half.

“I was impressed by all of them,” said Maresca. “The ones that started – Tyrique, Sam and Josh – they all have done very good. Very happy for them. Also the ones that came on in the second half. So I’m pleased for them.”

Match details: Chelsea v Brentford, Sunday, kick off 11pm UAE

Howe under scrutiny

Without a win in four games, Newcastle United are languishing in 12th place in the Premier League table.

Inconsistency has been central to the struggles of Eddie Howe's men.

Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham have dropped points on Tyneside but home defeats to Brighton and West Ham, coupled with just two wins on the road, have heaped pressure on Howe.

The Englishman is reportedly vulnerable after changes in the club's hierarchy, with key allies departing. Sporting director Dan Ashworth left early this year – and has since been and gone from Old Trafford – while former co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi sold their minority stake in the club in July.

"Howe cannot escape scrutiny," former Newcastle captain Alan Shearer told The Athletic. "Ultimately, he is responsible for results and performances and neither look great."

Match details: Newcastle v Leicester City, Saturday, kick off 7pm UAE

Fixtures

Saturday (7pm UAE unless stated)

Arsenal v Everton, Liverpool v Fulham, Newcastle v Leicester, Wolves v Ipswich, Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa (9.30pm)

Sunday

Brighton v Crystal Palace (6pm), Ma6nchester City v Manchester United (8.30pm), Chelsea v Brentford, Southampton v Tottenham (both 11pm)

Tuesday

Bournemouth v West Ham (midnight)

BRAZIL SQUAD

Alisson (Liverpool), Daniel Fuzato (Roma), Ederson (Man City); Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Emerson (Real Betis), Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (PSG); Arthur (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich); David Neres (Ajax), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Willian (Chelsea).

Fight card

1. Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) v Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)

2. Featherweight: Hussein Salim (IRQ) v Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)

3. Catchweight 80kg: Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Khamza Yamadaev (RUS)

4. Lightweight: Ho Taek-oh (KOR) v Ronald Girones (CUB)

5. Lightweight: Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) v Damien Lapilus (FRA)

6. Bantamweight: Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) v Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)

7. Featherweight: Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)

8. Flyweight: Shannon Ross (TUR) v Donovon Freelow (USA)

9. Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Dan Collins (GBR)

10. Catchweight 73kg: Islam Mamedov (RUS) v Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM)

11. Bantamweight World title: Jaures Dea (CAM) v Xavier Alaoui (MAR)

12. Flyweight World title: Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)

SHAITTAN
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BELGIUM%20SQUAD
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F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
  1. Join parent networks
  2. Look beyond school fees
  3. Keep an open mind
The team

Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory 
Videographer: Jear Valasquez 
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory 
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat 
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova 
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi 

 
Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

Elvis
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Baz%20Luhrmann%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Austin%20Butler%2C%20Tom%20Hanks%2C%20Olivia%20DeJonge%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)

Power: 141bhp 

Torque: 250Nm 

Price: Dh64,500

On sale: Now

Scoreline

Chelsea 1
Azpilicueta (36')

West Ham United 1
Hernandez (73')

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M3%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%2FUSB-4%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206E%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Midnight%2C%20silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%2F35W%20dual-port%2F70w%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%2C%202%20Apple%20stickers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C599%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
57%20Seconds
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rusty%20Cundieff%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJosh%20Hutcherson%2C%20Morgan%20Freeman%2C%20Greg%20Germann%2C%20Lovie%20Simone%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

The Baghdad Clock

Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld

Global institutions: BlackRock and KKR

US-based BlackRock is the world's largest asset manager, with $5.98 trillion of assets under management as of the end of last year. The New York firm run by Larry Fink provides investment management services to institutional clients and retail investors including governments, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, banks and charitable foundations around the world, through a variety of investment vehicles.

KKR & Co, or Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, is a global private equity and investment firm with around $195 billion of assets as of the end of last year. The New York-based firm, founded by Henry Kravis and George Roberts, invests in multiple alternative asset classes through direct or fund-to-fund investments with a particular focus on infrastructure, technology, healthcare, real estate and energy.

 

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

Updated: December 13, 2024, 7:33 AM`