Nostalgia is bigger than it used to be. A great fear of what’s coming down the tracks has turned the world towards the good old days.

‘I’m probably the wrong man to ask, I like a little dive myself.”

Pep Guardiola’s annoyance at a passive first-half performance dampened the Manchester City manager’s mood despite ultimately running out comprehensive victors against Aston Villa.

Sometimes when someone comes out with a Big Reveal or a Hot Issue in a Big Interview promoting their New Book like Richie Sadlier did on The Late Late Show last Friday, there’s a chance that’s all the book could be reduced to.

Offering an idea for sale to the week’s sport In the North London derby tomorrow afternoon, Unai Emery and Mauricio Pochettino will enjoy a welcome break from the tedious business of narrative control.

Former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand has refused to rule out the prospect of returning to the club in a technical role.

With his reputation as a serial title-winner reinforced by Manchester City’s outstanding, single-point success ahead of Liverpool, Pep Guardiola admitted this triumph — his eighth championship in 11 years — was his toughest yet.

Never mind the pointless abomination that was United versus Cardiff. The final whistle has just gone at Brighton versus City, and I find myself yelping a cheer for the triumphant Blues.

As we approach the business end, minds already drift to business time at the Premier League’s fallen powers.

As the embers of the Manchester derby begin to cool, Manchester United legend Roy Keane is leading calls for his former club to buy an entire new defence this summer to ensure that being second best doesn’t enter United’s DNA for good.

Jurgen Klopp is closing in on an historic season for Liverpool, as he again steered his side into the semi-finals of the Champions League. Only this time he returns to Premier League action this weekend top of the table and in a position to make a mockery of the fantastical claims surrounding Pep Guardiola brilliant Manchester City side.

Tottenham Hotspur have enjoyed plenty of memorable European nights but none quite like the 90 plus minutes experienced in Manchester on a crazy, crazy evening.

At the start of a pivotal seven days that could well determine Manchester City’s destiny this season, manager Pep Guardiola last night demonstrated the complicated relationship he and his club share with the Champions League.

Pep Guardiola realises he cannot stop his Manchester City players dreaming about winning the quadruple, but the City boss will urge them to think game by game in their pursuit of an unprecedented clean sweep.

Don’t ask how I’m feeling. You’re reading this, so I’m alive anyway. Weekly updates forthcoming.

Newport County’s remarkable FA Cup odyssey may have ended on Saturday but a 4-1 defeat didn’t stop Irish striker Pádraig Amond from leaving the pitch with a pep in his step.

In some ways, Pep Guardiola might feel he cannot win. The development of Phil Foden has become the cause celebre of English football, largely because the England national team is missing a pure midfield creator and Foden seems to fit the bill.

Larry Ryan: Fashioning narratives out of the week’s big big game

John Lennon’s Christmas song mentioned New Year as well. “Let’s hope it’s a good one without any fear”.

Manchester City star Leroy Sane has been warned by Germany teammate Toni Kroos that he will not fulfil his enormous potential for club and country unless he improves his attitude.

Maurizio Sarri knows even winning trophies is no guarantee of a lengthy stay at Chelsea.

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Algeria winger Riyad Mahrez from Leicester.

Yaya Toure has accused Pep Guardiola, his former manager at Manchester City and Barcelona, of spoiling his farewell party from the Etihad and claimed the Catalan has “problems with Africans”.

Some day, while suffering a demoralising runaround of the type France treated us to last Monday, Irish football may locate its inner George Costanza.

Gareth Southgate has decided against selecting Joe Hart or Jack Wilshere.

The celebrations started before kick-off and went on well into the balmy Manchester night at the Etihad Stadium yesterday as Pep Guardiola was finally able to place his hands on the Premier League trophy.

Manchester City have earned the ultimate collective prize for a remarkable season and their players will lift the Premier League trophy on Sunday when they face Swansea City at the Etihad.

Forget the talk of Manchester City ‘crisis’

The organisers behind Ireland’s newest music festival, which came to a close at Trobolgan holiday village in Cork yesterday, say they’re encouraged by feedback from the event’s first year.

 

It has been billed as the Battle of Britain – or at least England. But tonight’s showdown in Manchester is more than simply a contest to decide the best English side in Europe, or even which of two rival cities has this season’s bragging rights, writes David Shonfield.

The ‘noisy neighbours’ were back, but this time all we could hear were their sobs.

Here are three things we learned last night.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is not about to change his team’s trademark style against Champions League quarter-final opponents Manchester City and believes he can make things “unpleasant” for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Pep Guardiola will not rush Benjamin Mendy back for Manchester City, however keen the Frenchman is to play.

He may have lost Leroy Sane to injury and been priced out of his quest for Riyad Mahrez but if that represented a bad week for Pep Guardiola in his Manchester City wonderland, normal service was quickly resumed on the field last night.

Pep Guardiola insists he will not complain about Manchester City’s schedule as they continue to chase glory on four fronts.

Future Six Nations could start two weeks later in the season to help reshape the global calendar, according to tournament chief executive John Feehan.

Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City’s future stability was more important than signing Alexis Sanchez.

Pepijn Lijnders has left Liverpool to take over as head coach of Dutch side NEC Nijmegen.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is anxiously awaiting a fitness report on leading scorer Mohamed Salah as he prepares for a second match inside 48 hours, writes Carl Markham

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes Premier League leaders Manchester City’s spending power has “no limit”.