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Manchester City sowed the seeds for their latest title success before they had even completed their 2022 triumph. In May last year, as the team fought hard on the field to hold off the challenge of Liverpool, off it the top brass agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund to sign Erling Haaland. It was a bold statement by a club used to making bold statements. The prolific Norwegian striker joined them in the summer and, almost instantly, an already formidable team became a seemingly unstoppable force. Obviously it was not quite so straightforward, but after City’s powerful spring charge – when they reeled in and then flew past Arsenal without even a hint of feeling pressure – few could argue they are now one of the greatest teams to have graced the Premier League. Haaland has been at the heart of it, scoring a barely believable and record-breaking 36 league goals so far in the process. He not only surpassed the greats of the past, but left them trailing in his wake. He overtook the previous record mark of 34 – set by Andy Cole and Alan Shearer in 42-game seasons in the mid-1990s – with five matches to spare. He helped himself to four hat-tricks and formed a potent combination with the team’s chief playmaker, Kevin De Bruyne. Rarely has a player made as big an impact as Haaland has and, given how City have adapted and improved around him as the season has gone on, there would seem to be plenty more to come. Yet while Haaland may have been a hugely significant factor in City’s fifth title in six seasons, it would be unfair to give him all the credit. De Bruyne has enjoyed another highly influential campaign, laying on 16 assists and scoring seven goals himself. Jack Grealish, now looking far more comfortable with his £100million tag, has also been a driving force while Rodri has developed into one of the strongest midfielders in the game and John Stones has excelled in a hybrid defence-midfield role. Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Nathan Ake have also made big contributions at different times. The key once again, however, has been the man in charge, Pep Guardiola. The inspirational Catalan has produced another masterclass of management, underlining his pre-eminence in the game and strengthening his position among the greats. After two successive title wins with false nines or makeshift centre-forwards, Haaland’s arrival signalled a change of approach from the former Barcelona boss. Initially there were doubts, with fears Haaland’s presence might disrupt City’s natural flow. Indeed, early on, it did seem his goals were masking some disjointed and indifferent performances. Form either side of the World Cup break was patchy and underwhelming and allowed Arsenal to take early control of the race. Yet Guardiola worked through the inconsistencies and ironed out the problems, with excellent man-management, tactical nous and his ferocious winning mentality. There were some well-timed criticisms, surprise selection calls and eyebrow-raising departures – Raheem Sterling, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus and Joao Cancelo – all of which have been vindicated as City came good when it really mattered. Arsenal obviously let a strong position slip but, in a disrupted season, when City had more players at the World Cup than any other club, Guardiola paced the challenge perfectly. To have maintained intensity while also competing in two other competitions makes it all the more remarkable. City still have to win two more finals to complete a glorious treble, but their Premier League success alone is a phenomenal achievement. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live County Championship leaders Surrey race to emphatic win over Kent Leinster devastated by Champions Cup final loss – Leo Cullen A look at Pep Guardiola’s 10 major trophies as Manchester City manager

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Wayne Rooney, England’s top scorer before he was eclipsed by Harry Kane in March this year, announced his retirement from international football with immediate effect, on this day in 2017. No outfield player has won more England men’s caps than the 37-year-old, who netted a then-record 53 goals across 120 appearances for his country. Rooney had been offered a reprieve by England boss Gareth Southgate after a fine return to his boyhood club Everton, but decided the time was right to call it a day. In a statement released to the PA news agency, Rooney said: “It was great that Gareth Southgate called me this week to tell me he wanted me back in the England squad for the upcoming matches. I really appreciated that. “However, having already thought long and hard, I told Gareth that I had now decided to retire for good from international football. “It is a really tough decision and one I have discussed with my family, my manager at Everton and those closest to me. “Playing for England has always been special to me. Every time I was selected as a player or captain was a real privilege and I thank everyone who helped me. “But I believe now is the time to bow out.” Rooney made his England debut as a 17-year-old against Australia in February 2003 and scored his first goal against Macedonia in September that same year. Just as he would later do with Manchester United, he usurped Sir Bobby Charlton as England’s all-time top scorer with his penalty against Switzerland in September 2015. Rooney replaced David Beckham as the country’s most capped outfield player the following September in Slovakia – ahead of which he announced his intention to retire after the 2018 World Cup. And despite being within touching distance of Peter Shilton’s record 125-cap haul for England men, Rooney stayed true to his decision to walk away with what was already a remarkable record. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Rangers have ‘set up next week’ with Champions League draw – Michael Beale Rangers strike twice but PSV Eindhoven hit back to leave tie in the balance Matt Hudson-Smith going for gold after smashing European 400m record

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Just two gameweeks lie between now and the end of the Fantasy Premier League season, meaning it is time to squeeze every possible point out of our squads before the final scoreboards are shown. With that in mind, here are five essential picks for your team this week: (All prices accurate as of Thursday 18 May) For more picks, differential top tips, chip strategy and more, sign up for our newsletter by entering your email address at the top of this article or clicking here. Callum Wilson - 7.2m With Ivan Toney banned for the next eight months, Callum Wilson seems the safer bet for the run-in. The Englishman has been the form player of the past two months and has scored a staggering 17 Premier League goals in just 19 appearances. Leicester and Chelsea await the Magpies and both leaky defences look like easy pickings for one of the league’s most consistent strikers. Ruben Dias - 6.0m Given their double gameweek, it is essential that you bring in the maximum three Manchester City assets. The tricky part is knowing which players to go for, given that Pep Guardiola will be rotating players around Champions League and FA Cup duties. Ruben Dias is one of the safer bets, given that, generally, if he's fit, he plays - and more importantly, he performs. City have only lost once when Dias has played in 22 appearances, meaning that games against Brighton and Chelsea bode well for FPL points should the Portuguese start both games. David de Gea - 5.1m Don't let that howler against West ham fool you. David de Gea has the most clean sheets in the league this season (16) and conceded just one goal across the two reverse fixtures of GW37 opponents Chelsea and Bournemouth. The goalkeeper stands as one of precious few that have three games remaining and the potential to keep clean sheets in all of those matches. Aleksandar Mitrovic - 6.6m Aleksandar Mitrovic marked his return from suspension with a goal to confirm relegation for hapless Southampton, and we can expect the Serbian to continue with that kind of ruthlessness in at least one of his final two fixtures against Palace and Man United. Still staggeringly cheap at £6.6m, Mitrovic is a great idea if you want to re-direct funds from your front line into other areas of the squad, without sacrificing points. Kaoru Mitoma - 5.7m Brighton face relegated Southampton next, in a match many should expect to be full of goals. Kaoru Mitoma will likely be among them, given that he averages just under 1.5 shots per game, with 44% of those on target. He too has three games left to play and is cheap, consistent and virtually a sure starter. For more picks, differential top tips, chip strategy and more, sign up for our newsletter by entering your email address at the top of this article. Read More Fantasy Premier League tips for GW36: Lindelof, Mac Allister and more Bayern and Dortmund set for closest Bundesliga title race end in years Football rumours: Manchester United ‘shock contender’ to sign Sadio Mane Bayern and Dortmund set for closest Bundesliga title race end in years Football rumours: Manchester United ‘shock contender’ to sign Sadio Mane On This Day in 2012 – Chelsea beat Bayern Munich to claim first Champions League

The Florida Panthers are seeking their first Stanley Cup in the franchise's second appearance in the NHL Stanley Cup Final.The Florida Panthers and the Vegas Golden Knights will face off in the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Final. The Panthers are the representative from the Eastern Conference, whil...