LIVERPOOL // Exit the artist, enter the insurance policy. As the fourth official prepared to signal the addition of three extra minutes, Roberto Mancini indicated his feelings about the score line. David Silva departed as Kolo Toure came on, charged with preserving the point.
Rather than a third centre-back, his goalkeeper achieved that, a stretching Joe Hart clawing Andy Carroll's header away to complete an afternoon of inspired defiance. Yet if, after a side have won 11 of their first 12 games on a record-breaking start, there is a tendency to see anything other than victory as disappointment, this was a point gained, not two dropped. "I am happy with it," Mancini said.
The pragmatist in him recognised as much. A manager who, before his side were swept to the top of the table by a flood of goals, was accused of negativity, is actually a realist. A draw at Anfield is always a respectable result, one achieved amid a late bombardment can count as an escape.
While Silva had a late shot cleared off the line, for the first time in the league, they mustered a solitary goal. More importantly, they only conceded one.
The Italian's side survived the Anfield onslaught, weathering the late storm with the considerable assistance of Hart. "Joe saved an important point," said his manager; just how significant will become apparent in May.
The theory is that title-winning teams tend to contain a great goalkeeper and, while both City and Hart remain works in progress, each could deem it a step in the right direction on the path to greatness.
Liverpool posed much the sternest test of City's credentials; Hart saved from Charlie Adam, Luis Suarez and Carroll while Dirk Kuyt and Stewart Downing also came close, but they survived.
"We came up against a goalkeeper who did what three or four others did here," said Kenny Dalglish. Goalkeeping heroics are becoming a regularity on Liverpool's hallowed turf, even if it was the latest instalment in the Anfield saga of spurned chances.
Even the one they converted came from an opponent as, within the space of two minutes, City's central defenders traded goals, Vincent Kompany's at the right end and Joleon Lescott's at the wrong. The captain evaded Dirk Kuyt's attentions to head in Silva's corner. His sidekick immediately cancelled the lead out, contriving to wrong-foot Hart and redirect Adam's wayward shot past his unfortunate goalkeeper.
It appeared the only ball the Scot misplaced all afternoon. His partnership with Lucas Leiva is developing promisingly. Each provides a sense of direction; in the process, each provides a contrast with City's most wayward talent.
Mario Balotelli's cameo only lasted 18 minutes, but incorporated two bookings; the first, for a tug on Glen Johnson, drew criticism from Mancini; the second, when he raised an arm to Martin Skrtel, prompted the City manager to accuse the Liverpool players of getting his compatriot dismissed.
Dalglish had little sympathy. "I think Balotelli got himself sent off," he said. "His actions spoke louder than anyone else's. Sometimes if you look in the mirror, you get the answer. Sometimes he doesn't help himself."
The striker's afternoon concluded with an altercation with the dressing-room door.
"If he damages the door, he pays," Mancini said. "Like his house." Whatever the state of the fixtures and fittings at Anfield, City emerged unscathed in their title challenge.
sports@thenational.ae
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
The%20Letter%20Writer
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
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)
Pathaan
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The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Score
New Zealand 266 for 9 in 50 overs
Pakistan 219 all out in 47.2 overs
New Zealand win by 47 runs
New Zealand lead three-match ODI series 1-0
Next match: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, Friday
Crops that could be introduced to the UAE
1: Quinoa
2. Bathua
3. Amaranth
4. Pearl and finger millet
5. Sorghum
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Recipe: Spirulina Coconut Brothie
Ingredients
1 tbsp Spirulina powder
1 banana
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (full fat preferable)
1 tbsp fresh turmeric or turmeric powder
½ cup fresh spinach leaves
½ cup vegan broth
2 crushed ice cubes (optional)
Method
Blend all the ingredients together on high in a high-speed blender until smooth and creamy.
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Coal Black Mornings
Brett Anderson
Little Brown Book Group
