Now that’s what you call a 10 out of 10 performance. Ten years since United last did the double over City; 10 games unbeaten now since our midwinter nadir.

We take for granted, at this stage, the wisdom available to us five days a week on Home and Away. But we will not go far wrong taking our life lessons from Summer Bay.

Republic of Ireland coach Mick McCarthy insists he cannot argue with Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho if he does not want to give playing time to young star Troy Parrott.

Mikel Arteta believes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang does not need to win titles with the Gunners to be considered a world-class striker.

Attacking absences do not excuse Mourinho’s lament.

Atalanta marked their debut in the knockout stages of the Champions League in style by crushing Valencia 4-1 in the first leg of their last 16 clash in Italy.

Even though Pep has reiterated his commitment to a club to which he is contracted until the summer of 2021, his body language this season says differently, writes Liam Brady.

Troy has to go through a process, says Jose.

Manchester United might be able to claim misfortune, if they look hard enough.

Daniel Storey gives his Premier League review.

Could Liverpool become the new Invincibles?

Jose Mourinho says Tottenham’s defensive calamities have left him feeling sorry for his attacking players.

These are the standout quotes from the world of punditry in 2019...

Ireland’s Troy Parrott is set to make his Champions League debut this evening as Tottenham head coach Jose Mourinho vows to give his fringe players a chance to impress against Bayern Munich.

Troy Parrott was handed his Premier League debut — and the match ball — by Jose Mourinho at the end of Tottenham’s 5-0 thrashing of Burnley, and could replace Harry Kane in their Champions League tie against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

The result ended a run of three straight wins for Spurs in that time, and allowed United to move to sixth place.

Gerry Cox No, argues Gerry Cox

Mauricio Pochettino has left Tottenham Hotspur.

England and the Czech Republic both qualified for the Euro 2020 finals with wins over Montenegro and Kosovo respectively to take the top two spots in Group A.

Parrott will become the third youngest ever Irish international on Thursday week in a friendly that will act as an audition for the decisive Euro qualifier against Denmark.

The Corkman will remain in the Carabao Cup side despite Alisson Becker’s return to fitness meaning Adrian – who was covering for the Brazil international last month – would normally be in line.

Tottenham, who travel to Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, began the job of saving their season with an encouraging 5-0 Champions League victory over Red Star Belgrade that answered Mauricio Pochettino’s prayers and provided genuine hope of a revival.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 700th career goal as Portugal fell to a 2-1 defeat to Ukraine, who became the fifth team to qualify for Euro 2020.

Daniel Storey Liverpool walk on, but Salah form will cause Klopp some concern

Plenty of goals!

Spurs’ run to last season’s final was littered with great escapes and last-ditch turnarounds but their group stage this term looked like getting off to a winning start in Athens.

The song lyrics famously remind us that Spurs always win when the year ends in one but, as Mauricio Pochettino’s side face their north London derby rivals at the Emirates this weekend, Arsenal’s lucky nine could carry just as much weight.

Jack Grealish has stressed the importance of Aston Villa cutting out the mistakes following Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Bournemouth.

Last season’s top two look set to dominate but there’ll be plenty of thrills and spills along the way. There’ll also be plenty of betting opportunities and these five wagers should help keep punters engaged throughout the season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s return to his hometown club was marred by the confirmation that Manchester United defender Eric Bailly faces up to five months out following knee surgery.

Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has said teenager Troy Parrott is a "shoo-in" for a call up to the senior squad if he remains involved with the Tottenham first-team at the start of the season.

Tottenham’s pre-season preparations took an unusual turn in China as Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Erik Lamela played against 100 local children.

Keane will continue his duties with the Republic of Ireland as assistant to Mick McCarthy.

With Robbie Keane weighing up an offer to come in as Jonathan Woodgate’s assistant at Middlesbrough — a move which, of crucial importance, he stresses, would allow him to continue in his role as a coach on Mick McCarthy’s Ireland staff — the 38-year-old Dubliner is on the brink of taking another step along the road he has long intended to follow, from playing to coaching and, ultimately, to management.

Things we learned from Saturday's Champions League final.

Meh. As European Cup triumphs go, I’ve seen better… OK, I’ll stop being an unbearable gobshite. For now.

There are two distinct types of difficult games to watch, depending on your preference.

So there was not to be one last comeback, another dramatic late goal to keep Tottenham in the cup, which did not have their name written on it after all.

Liverpool's final performance never hit the heights of earlier in the competition, but few Reds fans will care after an early Mo Salah penalty and late Divock Origi strike saw Tottenham beaten 2-0 in Saturday evening’s far from classico Champions League final at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid.

It is a measure of how under much Hugo Lloris is under-appreciated that commentators regularly refer to Harry Kane as Tottenham captain.

Five questions that will decide tomorrow's final at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid.

The phrase ‘boyhood dream’ is rather over-used in football, but even the most cynical amongst us could not fail to tingle, surely, at the thought of winning the Champions League playing for the club we supported as a child.

A modest proposal: Uefa should now do the decent thing and cancel this year’s Champions League final.