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vitalmindandbody · 6 years

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‘ We missed democracy ‘: is Hong Kong’s two-systems venture over?

As China tightens its grip on the city over which British govern intention 20 years ago, pro-democracy activists are still fighting against deterioration of freedoms

For President Xi Jinping, the 20th anniversary of Hong Kongs return toChina is a moment to toast the reunification of a nation and herald its unstoppable rise. But for activists such as Eddie Chu, one of the leading lights of a new generation of pro-democracy politicians, it has become an moment for something quite different.

Boot-licking. Unprecedented boot-licking! he says, a smile cracking across his look as he reflects on how many members of the local elite have chosen to brand two decades of Chinese pattern by plastering their houses and transactions with patriotic mottoes and red flag in the hope, he supposes, of currying economic favour.

That is quite the opposite of what Hong Kong people wanted to see in 1997. We wanted to see republic. Democracy is not boot-licking.

On Saturday morning, Chinas authoritarian ruler, who is becoming a rare three-day tour of the former British colony, will guide galas of two decades of Chinese dominate alongside Hong Kongs incoming chief executive, Carrie Lam.

At a flag-raising ceremony merely down the road from where the umbrella revolution happened an extraordinary explosion of dissent in the fall of 2014 the pair will recollect the moment this city of 7. 3 million residents returned to China after 156 years of colonial principle. A flypast and a ocean ceremony are as follows. By nighttime, the skies over Victoria harbour, from where the royal boat Britannia varied on 1 July 1997, is likely to be illuminated by a magnificent 23 -minute blaze of fireworks.

The moving party of Hong Kongs return to the motherland like a long-separated child coming back to the warm espouse of his mother, is still vivid in our remembering, Xi told a dinner on Friday night.

But for members of Hong Kongs democracy movement, the anniversary is accompanied by a profound gumption of ambiguity and trepidation.

Eddie Chu and followers demonstrate against the detention of 26 parties reject the Chinese authority. Picture: Yan Lerval/ Sipa/ Rex/ Shutterstock

Twenty times after Britains departure thrust this hyperactive lair of capitalism into the hands of a Leninist dictatorship, campaigners such as Chu fear Beijing is about to up the bet in its battle for control.

Ten pro-democracy legislators, of which “hes one”, are at risk of losing their jobs as a result of government-backed legal challenges against them. There are fears that under Hong Kongs new commander, who was elected by a tightly ensure pick committee, there will be a regenerated move to ordain controversial anti-subversion legislation.

And while Xi has sought to impres an upbeat style during his visit, recent comments by another senior Communist party figure who committed to consolidate Chinas control of the former colony has put activists on edge.

The relationship between the central government and Hong Kong is that of delegation of influence , not power-sharing, Zhang Dejiang, Chinas number three agent, said, adding that Hong Kong could only be governed by those who posed no threat to[ its] prosperity and stability.

Feeding into activists sense of foreboding is the feeling that numerous western governments have now cut them release for dread of impairing their economic relationships with the worlds second largest economy.

Martin Lee, 79, the elder statesman of Hong Kongs democracy movement. Photo: The Guardian

The foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, issued a carefully worded account about the commemoration on Thursday, saying it was vital that Hong Kongs autonomy be preserved. But Johnson stirred no direct mention of proliferating fears about the eroding of Hong Kongs exemptions, or even of Beijings alleged abduction of a neighbourhood bookseller who regarded a British passport.

The British government is just awful. Im afraid I cannot find any kind words to say about that, says Martin Lee, a 79 -year-old barrister who is the elder statesman of Hong Kongs democracy movement.

Like numerous, Lee is convinced that China is gradually depriving away the freedoms promised to Hong Kongs citizens under the one country, two systems formula and that Britain has done nothing to intervene.

On Friday, a spokeswoman for Chinas foreign ministry appeared to confirm those suspicions, telling reporters that the joint declaration, a bargain negotiated by London and Beijing pledging Hong Kongs way of life for 50 years, was a historical document that no longer had any practical meaning.

Suzanne Pepper, a veteran chronicler of the citys quest for democracy, says campaigners can no longer count on London or Washington for assistance: As long as there is not blood in the street, they dont care.

Not everybody is lamenting Saturdays landmark anniversary, however. The streets around Xis waterfront hotel are speck with the groups of pro-government partisans and embellished with placards that speak I enjoy Hong Kong and One country, two systems has the strong vigor. Lilac posters hanging from bridges and lampposts carry the celebrations official catchline: Together. Progress. Opportunity. Skyscrapers have been decked out in luminous blood-red banners and neon displays that speak: Warmly celebrate the 20 th anniversary of Hong Kongs return to China.

Amid the omnipresent propaganda, there is also sincere patriotic fervor. Hong Kong parties should be proud of the achievements of the motherland and all the progress home countries has obligated, enthused Li Li, a steer at a government-sponsored exhibit about Chinas space programme that has been erected in Victoria Park to coincide with this weeks party.

Many more have saluted the commemoration and the presidential visit with carelessnes.

Chu estimated that about a third of the population was divided between pro-democracy and pro-government followers. The remainder couldnt care less about the anniversary, and were most worried about the traffic jams caused by the massive insurance operation to protect Xi.

Swaths of the citys waterfront are sealed off with towering white-hot and blue-blooded obstructions, with agents patrolling the streets with assault rifles in their hands. Too numerous police! jokes one of hundreds of officers patrolling the province, sweat beading on his neck.

Lee says the lack of interest many young people are showing in Xis visit mark how detached they feel from mainland China and how Beijings programmes have lost their hearts and souls.

Oh, this is the ruler of a neighbouring country thats what they feeling, he says, pointing to a recent referendum suggesting that exclusively 3% of 18-to-29-year-olds consider themselves Chinese, the lowest proportion since 1997. The young people want republic. They dont want to be brainwashed.

For all the indifference and misgiving, Hong Kongs protest move appears in buoyant mood. Tens of thousands are expected to turn out on Saturday afternoon for an annual advance marking the return to China. Their rallying cry will be 20 years of lies.[ It] was going to be Communist party officers, get out of Hong Kong, but they decided that was a bit very provocative, says Pepper.

Last September, a record number of young anti-Beijing activists were elected to Hong Kongs legislative council, or Legco, in what one victor called a democratic miracle. Nonetheless, many of them could now be forced from role, chiefly because of government legal challenges over protests the activists took part in while being attested in last year.

If two to three of them lose their sets, then the whole political match will change totally, and then Beijing will have absolute control of this legislative term, tells Chu, which was intended to shout Democracy and self-determination and Tyranny must die while taking his oath.

Xi Jinping at a variety show to celebrate the handover anniversary. Photograph: Keith Tsuji/ Getty Images

Pepper said she was not rosy that Beijing would furnish agreements to activists, although there are Hong Kongs incoming leader has pledged to mended the divide and build bridges. This is a bridge between democracy and totalitarianism, said Pepper. How she is going to connection that, I dont know.

Chris Patten, Hong Kongs last head, has offered a more upbeat appraisal of the city he once flowed, saying he was encouraged by the really profound feel of citizenship of its young activists. Above all, I anticipate I am pleased about the style in which Hong Kong beings themselves are the reason for it still being a reason of confidence rather than pessimism.

Lee, who is famed for an impassioned defence of democracy that he demonstrated after Britains withdrawal, says he is an everlasting optimist about his progress chances under a new, young leader. These young person are our hope for the future. Im very proud of them.

Sitting in his assemblies between a failure of Winston Churchill and a statuette of the Goddess of Democracy, the symbol of the 1989 Tiananmen Square asserts, Lee remembers strolling through the umbrella motions prime camp, a sprawl of tents and political debate, three days before police lastly cleared it, in December 2015.

There were two little birds singing on the field.[ It was as if they were saying :] I please I were free, you are familiar with? The breeze was fresh, he remembers. I miss those days.

Additional reporting by Benjamin Haas and Wang Zhen .

Read more: www.theguardian.com

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vitalmindandbody · 6 years

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Please help us help #childrefugees survive the winter – Guardian/ Observer 2016 Appeal

The political solutions to the crisis is a possibility composite, but that does not mean we should vacate our humanity

The plight of child refugees is at the heart of this years Guardian and Observer charity appeal. We corroborated refugees last year and “were proud” to return to this theme again. It remains the great humanitarian crisis of our times.

The political climate has hardened around immigration, and in a volatile nature the tragedy of coerced migration can seem less visible. Yet current realities is inescapable: in Europe, thousands of children are stuck in squalid cliques or sleeping bumpy, caught up in political turmoil beyond their restrict and exposed to multiple dangers.

This year, account numbers of children have submerge in the Mediterranean; others have been held in detention for touring without documents. Official illustrations express more than 90,000 children have circulated alone, fleeing campaign and privation across Europe. Charities feel the real figure is higher, because so many have passed beneath the radar.

The Guardian and Observer has systematically reported the dire status faced by many children: the rat-infested cliques, the unheated squats and the blurred trenches that they are forced to call home. Weve published interviews with children of grammar school age, hurtling without parents, to be concerned about how to feed themselves and how to get to safe.

Children play in a camp on the island on Chios in September. Picture: Louisa Gouliamaki/ AFP/ Getty Images

Child refugees operating from struggle and violent unease in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Sudan have told us Europe can seem an unwelcoming situate. Many are shocked to find themselves living in camps that may be safe from bomb, but where ailments are far worse than what they were used to at home. Most anguish at being stuck in limbo, unable to continue their education, squandering their lives. They gamble disease, trafficking, sexual exploitation and misuse. Tells be clear: without aid, some will not survive the winter.

The UK governments answer has been muted. It has repelled efforts to allow child refugees to be reunited with families in the UK, and delayed attempts to give shelter to the most vulnerable children touring alone. The major aid agencies are clear that the UK has not accepted its fair share. The questions prompts both weariness and strife from many in Britain; some find it convenient to conflate asylum seekers with financial migrants, and borrow a less than greeting approaching. Child refugees ought to have criticised for not gazing sufficiently young.

Our view has not changed from last year. The political solutions to the refugee crisis is a possibility complex, but that does not mean we should abandon our humanity. We should not open our souls, departure behind walls, real or reckoned, or ignore the pressing moral imperative to provide assistance and sanctuary for some of the worlds most desperate people.

Guardian and Observer readers last year demonstrated extraordinary solidarity with refugees. Through our 2015 request you pictured in your thousands that a more compassionate expres prevails amid the hatred. You signalled a are hoping for a more tolerant, empathetic, kinder civilization. Above all, you established amazing generosity: last years plea raised an astonishing 2.6 m for refugee charities.

This year we are asking readers to donate to three terrific benevolences that furnish practical and effective help and support to child refugees, whether they are travelling alone or with families, or had now been reached in the UK. All mix a heartfelt entrepreneurialism with a dynamic is committed to social justice.

Help Refugees brings a refreshing verve and power to the provision of emergency humanitarian aid. Set up precisely 16 months ago by a group of friends pondering what they could do to help refugees, it has grown to become one of Europes largest distributors of food, invests, shelter and remedy to refugees, subscribing over 50 projects across the continent.

Safe Passage is another new campaign, created by the Citizens UK benevolence last year to help provide law support efforts to the thousands of unaccompanied refugee children, so that they can apply for asylum in the UK many of them to be reunited with family members resident here rather than gambling their lives smuggling themselves in on lorries.

Once refugee children are in the UK, adapting to their new smothers can be a lonely and demoralising knowledge. A series of projects run by The Childrens Society furnish a range of services from legal advice to help youngsters access education and house, to usage assignments, social activities and mentoring. The aim is to help youngsters overcome the pain of movement, and to support them to rebuild their lives.

Guardian and Observer columnists will over the next few weeks highlight the vital work of our three kindness through terms, paints, and movie, both online and in our newspapers. We have been inspired by them and their work, and we hope you will be too. Help us once again to show solidarity with refugees. Please give generously.

Support the three choice kindness by donating here

Read more: www.theguardian.com

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vitalmindandbody · 6 years

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Julius Eastman Died Too Young, But His Brilliant Music Lives On

Before considering a accomplishment of Julius Eastman’s work, I was thinking of how to write about his life story: his remarkable rise to the high levels of the New York downtown avant-garde background in the 1970 s, despite living in the YMCA while at conservatory; his fearless, intersectional effort as a lesbian African American soul in an overwhelmingly grey, privileged, and straight-or-closeted art panorama; and his tragic autumn, culminating in many years of homelessness and an early death in 1990, at the age of 49.

But after watching the first of the performances in a retrospective of Eastman’s work at NYC’s performance art space The Kitchen , now I merely would like to speak about his music–an incandescent, pulsating minimalism reminiscent of Steve Reich, Terry Riley, Philip Glass, and their numerous followers.

This isn’t to separate Eastman’s life from his task, but to employ the work at the center, because that is where it deserves to be.

The two parts I encountered acted,” Joy Boy” and” Femenine ,” date from 1974 — the same time Reich inaugurated writing Music for 18 Musicians, by way of comparison. The first featured ten minutes of syncopated pattern to be provided by violin, flute, trombone, and vocals, its pulsating lilt and wordless vocalization prompting me instantly of Glass’ early jobs, but with more urgency( and technical rigor ).

The second, long long slouse boasted disintegrating arpeggios over a rhythmic minimalist background, ended with a contraption of automated sleigh bells( a 1974 form of a drum machine, I joked to my friend ). It was alternately trancelike, meditative, and frenetic, depending on the moment.

Both were capably performed by a reconfigured form of the S.E.M. ensemble, let by Petr Kotik, who first performed Eastman’s work as far back as 1970, and who collaborated with him throughout that decade.

The names of Eastman’s work are tricky business. Both “Joy Boy” and “Femenine” are out, loud, and proud affirms of sexual/ gender fluidity.

The names of other acts cannot be written in full for the purposes of this report:” N—-r Faggot ,”” Evil N—-r ,”” Crazy N—-r .”

They are, obviously, deliberate provocations and pronouncements; Eastman was not interested in assimilating or “passing.” While such designations might be commonplace today, he use them before identity politics came of age and before the period “intersectionality” was even coined.

And yet, it’s hard to find resonances of those identity markers in the patches themselves. I thought of the fag gendering of “Femenine,” with its masculine carven within the feminine, as the patch droned on( in a good way ).

I could devise associates: the ways in which the African-derived percussion coexisted with the European-derived instrumentation, or the absence of commonly gallant prospers( the trombone’s bangs often seemed anti-heroic, a kind of musical appearance of Jack Halberstam’s book, The Queer Art of Failure ).

But I could be making all that up.

The tension was right there at the time. “Minimalism” was not a word that composers themselves hugged. But as it mixed as a shift, minimalism came to stand for a kind of anti-subjectivity, moving away from the Nostalgic sect of the master and his( almost always his) temperament, and toward less egoic notions of art, master, and audience. Think Donald Judd instead of Jackson Pollack; Laurie Anderson instead of Leonard Bernstein.

Indeed, John Cage, one of Eastman’s prototypes, dismissed Eastman’s work for being” closed in on the subject of homosexuality … he has no other hypothesi to express .” That mention is extravagant, and says more about Cage’s internalized homophobiaCage- was homosexual, but lived in a glass closet, and never addressed sex identity in his work–than anything else.

But Cage’s lecturing removal does point to a real strain in Eastman’s work, between identity and transcendence, record and art.

That tension simply heightens when you review the striking more detailed information on his life story, which, as I have suggested, tend to reign any discussion of him.

Born in upstate New York in 1940, Eastman was education in forte-piano and constitution and rapidly gained acknowledgment in both. He inclined to the’ downtown’ New York avant garde incident in the 1970 s. Gazing over the signs in The Kitchen’s exhibition of Eastman memorabilia, you recognize him among the luminaries of New York’s downtown avant garde: Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane, Eric Bogosian, Meredith Monk, Arthur Russell.

Yet all of them went on to successful jobs( Zane succumbed of AIDS in 1988, but Jones has continued their collaborative work until the present era ). Works by Reich, Riley, Glass, and Cage are played regularly at Carnegie Hall. Eastman fought into addiction in the 1980 s, and while some say that his privation was partly voluntary, that seems difficult to square with the precarity of his life and the untimeliness of his death. Much of his music was lost.

The focus on Eastman’s life trajectory likewise runs the risk of exoticization: the black, lesbian wunderkind felled by addiction and racism. One is needed look at the romanticization of Jean-Michel Basquiat, who would’ve been sleeping in Tompkins Square Park at the same time as Eastman.

Basquiat often manipulated his exploiters, playing off their anticipations of the “naive” Afro-Caribbean artist who in fact was anything but naive.( His onetime girlfriend, Madonna, would subsequently do similarly .) Arguably, Eastman was likewise trying to own the narrative of his own marginalization rather than have it prescribed to him by others.

And hitherto, Basquiat likewise contended with addiction, dying at age 27 while a legion of alleged adherents looked on impotently. It’s hard to tease out Basquiat the illusion( two movies and weighing ), Basquiat the creator, and Basquiat the stock( one recent depict sold for $110.5 million ). All are implicated in intolerance, classism, and the fetishization of men of pigment. It is easy to see similar dynamics in accordance with the rules Eastman might be romanticized today.

Perhaps that’s one reason The Kitchen’s exhibition on him is fragmentary , non-linear, and sometimes infuriating; don’t rely on it for a curriculum vitae of Eastman’s life, or a narrative assessment of his job. Perhaps it doesn’t want to contain Eastman in these sorts of narrative frames he fought in his work.

That work, what remains of it regardless, is now Eastman’s legacy.( Farther works are to be performed in New York on Jan. 27 and 28 .)

On the one hand, with its deeds and form, it defies any attempt to whitewash Easton’s overlapping identities and positions in society. On the other hand, unlike pedantic, identity-politics-driven culture( and critical) yield, the vitality of Eastman’s pieces at once transcend and include his account.

You don’t forget who Eastman is in these times. You wreak his selves, together with your own, right into the numinous.

Read more: www.theguardian.com

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vitalmindandbody · 6 years

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Premier League 2016 -1 7 season refresh: our columnists’ most effective and worsts

Our writers take stock after the Premier League season, naming their best player, finest goal, most entertaining match, biggest gripe and much more

Best player

Daniel Taylor: NGolo Kant. If he can keep Cesc Fbregas out of the Chelsea team, he must be some player.

Barney Ronay: Friendly midfield interceptors are the fashion, but Harry Kane has been the outstanding single player: top scorer, team man and with just enough comic-book star quality.

Dominic Fifield: Eden Hazard, liberated by Antonio Contes switch in system, provided the cut and thrust which inspired Chelsea to their title success. Given his toils last season as he struggled with a hip complaint, his revival was eye-catching.

Paul Wilson: It probably doesnt matter which Chelsea candidate gets the vote, so in the interests of sharing things around I am going to go for Csar Azpilicueta. He seems to be able to play in any position across the back line and his consistency and tenacity are unaffected.

Amy Lawrence: If you could bottle the spirit of Kant and market it to football clubs it would be a bestseller. He has an ability to make others around him better, to make a game plan quicker. The way he carried his Leicester qualities so easily to Chelsea, to be transformative instantly, deserves all the plaudits.

Barry Glendenning: Jordan Pickford. Only in Sunderlands first team because David Moyes was unable to lure Joe Hart on loan to Wearside, the 23-year-old pulled off the impressive feat of making himself one of the most sought-after young goalkeepers in Europe despite playing in the Premier Leagues worst team. Although hes prone to the increasingly rare gaffe, its difficult to pick holes in any aspect of Pickfords overall game and its no exaggeration to say that without him, Sunderland might well have been relegated before the sighting of this springs first swallow.

David Hytner: Eden Hazard. Back to his very best. His ability to make the difference when it matters the most marks him out.

Scott Murray: Diego Costa kept Chelsea going throughout the autumnal odyssey that effectively decided the league, all the while staying in character as pantomime provocateur. Homeric. Well miss his entertaining presence when hes gone.

Jamie Jackson: Dele Alli. Seventeen Premier League goals at 175 minutes per strike for a No10 is top class. At 21, a player with that edge all elite players possess has to get better.

Andy Hunter: Eden Hazard. The champions were not simply a very defensive team, as a former manager bearing sour grapes suggested. They were also the most devastating and intelligent team in the final third thanks largely to the Belgium internationals return to form.

Chelseas Eden Hazard has been back to his best this season. Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Louise Taylor: Sam Clucas, Hull City; runner up, David Luiz, Chelsea. There are other, far more obvious, candidates but placed in the context of Clucass achievement in ascending five rungs of the league ladder in successive seasons it has to be the left-footed midfielder. Impressive since being shifted from a wide role to central midfield this term, the intelligence of Clucass passing bears the hallmarks of Glenn Hoddle, who persuaded him not to give up the game before honing his skills at his football academy in Spain. David Luiz, meanwhile, is lovely to watch and his re-invention in Antonio Contes back three has thoroughly confounded the doubters.

Stuart James: Gylfi Sigurdsson. Directly involved in 22 of Swansea Citys 43 goals. For a player to continually create and score so many goals in a team that spent almost the entire season fighting relegation is quite something.

Jacob Steinberg: After last seasons sabbatical, Eden Hazard rediscovered his mojo in thrilling style and found the consistency to go with his outrageous talent. NGolo Kant was a worthy recipient of the PFA and FWA awards, but Hazard was Chelseas match-winner on so many occasions.

Paul Doyle: Kasper Schmeichel. While the rest of last seasons champions lost their way, the goalkeeper was the only Leicester player to improve. Yes, there was that 6-1 defeat by Spurs but, taking a broader view, Schmeichel was an example to us all in these troubled times.

Simon Burnton: The brilliant, hard-working, humble and likeable NGolo Kant deserves all the player-of-the-season awards currently cluttering his mantelpiece.

Ed Aarons: NGolo Kant deserves his awards for winning a second successive Premier League title, but Christian Eriksens return to form coincided with Tottenhams emergence as Chelseas only genuine challengers. Even 13 assists and eight Premier League goals do not explain the importance of the Denmark international to Mauricio Pochettino. Csar Azpilicueta also deserves a mention.

Sachin Nakrani: Gylfi Sigurdsson. The Iceland international directly contributed to almost half of Swanseas Premier League goals and, quite simply, without him they would have been relegated, suffering all the fallout that comes with that, which, it should be remembered, includes people losing their jobs.

Best manager

Daniel Taylor: Antonio Conte. Even Jos Mourinho has stopped temporarily, at least trying to undermine him. How, possibly, can anyone question what he has done to get Chelsea back on top?

Barney Ronay: Antonio Conte. Hurled together on the hoof a wonderfully well-grooved champion team, eased John Terry out of the picture without the slightest friction and on match days remains the most ludicrously excited man about anything ever.

Dominic Fifield: Antonio Conte. In a league crammed with elite managers, he adapted best to the peculiarities of the Premier League and ended up putting all the other big names to shame.

Paul Wilson: It was going to be Marco Silva until a few days ago, but now Hull are back in the real world after a brief visit to dreamland there seems no point in looking past the obvious. Antonio Conte could hardly have hoped for a better first season in England. In terms of impact, it says it all that he can now match Carlo Ancelottis double as well as Jos Mourinhos Premier League record of wins in a season.

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Antonio Conte: Chelsea’s new Special One? video

Amy Lawrence: Conte. From the very first game of the Premier League campaign when he celebrated a late win over West Ham with that zealous touchline passion, he has managed almost every situation with authority, class and style. In tactical alterations and man management, bringing the best out of characters as different as David Luiz, Diego Costa, Victor Moses and Pedro, he barely missed a beat.

Barry Glendenning: Antonio Conte. Charming and handsome, with the touchline demeanour of a man who has just had a large handful of red ants dropped down the trousers of his expensive designer suit, there is little to dislike about Chelseas manager. His switch to a back three in the wake of defeat at Arsenal has been hailed in some quarters as the greatest managerial masterstroke in the history of football and while that may be be over-egging the pudding somewhat, the manner in which he steered his team to the title with a minimum of fuss in a season when one or more of Messrs Klopp, Mourinho and Guardiola were expected to have his measure was no mean feat.

David Hytner: Antonio Conte. It has been another hugely impressive season for Mauricio Pochettino but Contes has been better. Took over a Chelsea squad with problems and, in what has been his first season outside of Italy, moulded them into champions.

Scott Murray: Heres a respectful nod to Arsne Wenger, who in addition to yet another high league placing and yet another cup final, somehow maintained super-human levels of dignity despite intense provocation from an entitled minority. An extraordinary feat. His will be much the better look when this story is told 20 years from now.

Jamie Jackson: Antonio Conte. He coached the volatile Costa to 20 league goals and may win the classic English double in his debut season.

Andy Hunter: Conte is the stand-out choice, not only for winning the Premier League title in his first season in English football but for how he responded to potential crises notably the 3-0 defeat at Arsenal and Januarys stand-off with Costa.

Louise Taylor: Sean Dyche, Burnley. Antonio Conte clearly has a strong case while, despite narrowly failing to keep Hull up, Marco Silva turned water into wine in east Yorkshire. Then theres Mauricio Pochettino, whose Tottenham team play fabulous football on around half the collective wage bill of other top six sides, but keeping Burnley in the Premier League is a significant achievement. Given the same relatively limited resources as Dyche, would Jos Mourinho or Pep Guardiola have done anything like as well?

Sean Dyches Burnley have never really been threatened with relegation this season so good has their home form been. Photograph: Lee Smith/Reuters

Stuart James: Antonio Conte. Hugely impressive to win the title in his first season in English football tactically astute, full of passion for the game and gives the impression that every player, even those not regularly in his starting XI, buys into his work.

Jacob Steinberg: A nod to Sean Dyche for keeping Burnley away from the relegation scrap, but it has to be Conte, who outperformed his rivals by reviving a misfiring, uneven squad with the power of his motivational qualities, tactical acumen and infectious will to win.

Paul Doyle: Sean Dyche. Burnley never looked like going down, which is remarkable.

Simon Burnton: Great as Tottenham have once again been under Mauricio Pochettino, Antonio Contes impact at Chelsea has been greater.

Ed Aarons: Antonio Conte. The Italian only arrived at Stamford Bridge a month before Chelseas first game of the season but has emerged as a title winner in his first season in English football. The switch to 3-4-3 has defined Contes success but the former Juventus midfielder has also shown his man-management skills in dealing with Diego Costas regular tantrums.

Sachin Nakrani: Antonio Conte. Winning the title in your first season in England is a superb achievement, particularly when it involves reinvigorating a squad that had been in turmoil during the previous campaign.

Best goal

Daniel Taylor: Olivier Girouds scorpion kick for Arsenal against Crystal Palace.

Barney Ronay: Girouds running scorpion volley, a lovely move and a ludicrous finish, made all the more improbable by the fact he seems to stop mid-scorpion to winch his leg up a little higher, like a very stiff man trying to wriggle his way over a garden fence.

Dominic Fifield: Eden Hazard against Arsenal, sprinting away from Laurent Koscielny and holding off Francis Coquelins attempts to bring him down, then finishing before Shkodran Mustafi could block.

Paul Wilson: Sam Allardyce will have been more concerned about some unconvincing Crystal Palace defending, but Andy Carrolls overhead kick against Crystal Palace takes some beating for wow factor. Not a team goal, perhaps, but Carroll put a lot of himself into it.

Amy Lawrence: The Emre Can/Giroud/Henrikh Mkhitaryan showpieces lead the way for individualism, but there was something that struck a chord about Willians goal for Chelsea at Everton in a game that felt so influential for the title. What a fine team goal. The quality of Cesc Fbregass run and pass for Willian summed up the brio Chelsea rediscovered this season. That was the moment they felt undeniably like champions again.

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How the 2016-17 Premier League title was won by Chelsea video

Barry Glendenning: Gastn Ramrez. Possibly not the best, but almost certainly the only thing of interest any Middlesbrough footballer did all season Ramrezs fine solo effort sent goal-shy Boro on their way to their first home win. Picking up the ball inside his own half and encouraged by the strange reluctance of anyone in a Bournemouth shirt to close him down, the Uruguayan embarked on a 70-yard run down the inside left that climaxed with him abruptly cutting inside and slotting home. Buoyed by this rare moment of quality and inspiration, Middlesbrough went on to win three more Premier League matches, while their increasingly unpopular summer signing would go on to score only one more goal as his side sank below the depths.

David Hytner: Andy Carroll v Crystal Palace. Nothing has the ability to bring jaws to the floor more quickly than the thumping scissor kick. Especially when it is executed by a big man.

Scott Murray: Olivier Giroud against Palace. A finish so absurd its easy to forget the six-player pitch-long romp that preceded it, embellished by a centre-circle back-flick from Giroud himself. English footballs most eye-catching sweep forward since Terry McDermott scored against Spurs in 1978.

Jamie Jackson: Henrikh Mkhitaryans scorpion kick versus Sunderland on Boxing Day. Zlatan Ibrahimovic pings a cross over from the right and the Armenian lets go a flying back-heeled volley. Delicious.

Andy Hunter: Dimitri Payet, West Ham United v Middlesbrough. Other goals carried more weight in the context of the season Emre Can against Watford and Eden Hazards v Arsenal being the most notable examples but based purely on its merits this fleeting reminder of the quality the France international could bring to the Premier League had no equals.

Louise Taylor: Robert Snodgrass v Leicester City. The winner in a 2-1 shock opening-day victory against the defending champions for Mike Phelans side. When Wes Morgan could only half-clear Ahmed Elmohamadys vicious cross, the ball fell to Snodgrass whose first-time, left footed, half-volley arrowed into the bottom corner.

Stuart James: Emre Cans bicycle kick against Watford must take some beating. In fairness, Olivier Girouds scorpion kick against Palace is also worthy of a mention.

Emre Can lets fly with a sumptuous overhead kick against Watford. Photograph: John Walton/PA

Jacob Steinberg: Gaston Ramrezs slaloming 70-yard run against Bournemouth ended with a clever trick and a cool finish. Sure, Andy Carroll, Olivier Giroud and Henrikh Mkhitaryan all took the breath away with those scorpion kicks and bicycle blasts. But in an otherwise grim season for Middlesbrough, the fact Ramrezs solo effort was a rare moment of excitement makes it all the more precious.

Simon Burnton: Olivier Girouds New Years Day scorpion kick wasnt even Januarys goal of the month, and there are a few rival volleys that compare with it, but to my mind it is the best of the bunch. It has grown on the scorer as much as it has grown on me: after the game he said he was a bit lucky. It was the only thing I could do. I tried to hit it with a backheel and after it was all about luck, but by March he was saying: I dont want to big myself up but goals like mine leave a mark on history. Andy Carrolls [overhead kick] is magnificent, but maybe people wont remember it in two years time. Mine, yes.

Paul Doyle: Wayne Rooney against Stoke. It was a hell of a way to snatch a late equaliser, set a wonderful record and convince Jos Mourinho he could finally jilt an over-the-hill hero.

Ed Aarons: In a season of spectacular volleys, Emre Can saved the best for last. His brilliant overhead kick against Watford left nothing to chance, unlike Olivier Giroud or Henrikh Mkhitaryans scorpion kicks.

Sachin Nakrani: Olivier Giroud v Crystal Palace. In a season of notable scorpion/overhead kicks, this one edges it because of the slick counter-attack that preceded it and which Giroud was involved in as well as the height at which boot met ball prior to it looping into the net.

Best match

Daniel Taylor: At the risk of sounding like a misery, its not easy to think of a stand-out match this season. Nothing left me as excited as, say, seeing Monaco in the Champions League.

Barney Ronay: Swansea 5-4 Crystal Palace. Messy, wild and desperate at times, but this is basically what the Premier League is for.

Dominic Fifield: Bournemouths madcap 4-3 win over Liverpool was entertaining, but Crystal Palaces win at Chelsea in April encapsulated everything about the baffling nature of the Premier League at times. Chelsea were superb going forward, playing wonderfully incisive and inventive football. Palace defended ruggedly and, somehow, kept them out.

Paul Wilson: The one that sticks in the mind is Manchester City 1-3 Chelsea. An eventful and entertaining game, with some dead-eyed finishing by Chelsea to leave Pep Guardiola moaning about Kevin de Bruynes miss for the rest of the season. A significant title pointer at the Etihad too, for the second successive season following Leicesters statement win in February.

Amy Lawrence: Swansea 5-4 Crystal Palace. Lovely, wonderful, beautiful, panicked madness. The best of the Bob Bradley experience. Alan Pardew trying to put on a brave face. First on Match of the Day for an unanticipated game. Whats not to like?

Barry Glendenning: Bournemouth 4-3 Liverpool. They dont get much more entertainingthan this white-knuckle rideat the Vitality Stadium.

Leroy Fer scores during Swanseas rollercoaster 5-4 victory over Crystal Palace. Photograph: Christopher Lee/Getty Images

David Hytner: Swansea v Crystal Palace. Never mind the defending at both ends, this was a classic, loaded with drama, and the scenes after Fernando Llorentes stoppage-time winner seemed to shake the Liberty Stadium. Both of the managers, Bob Bradley and Alan Pardew, were sacked within a month or so.

Scott Murray: Manchester City 1-1 Liverpool. It really wouldnt have taken much for this game to have ended 5-0, 0-5 or 5-5. One of those.

Jamie Jackson: Burnleys emphatic win over Liverpool at Turf Moor on the seasons second weekend punched a hole in the title pretensions of Jrgen Klopps team and suggested Sean Dyches men would survive. Those auguries were proved correct.

Andy Hunter: Everton 4-0 Manchester City. Selecting from Premier League matches attended, this raucous afternoon at Goodison Park stands out for many reasons. In Ronald Koemans eyes it was really perfect and a total team performance from Everton. It confirmed the emergence of Tom Davies, who scored his first goal for the club with an exquisite chip over Claudio Bravo at the Gwladys Street end, and brought a debut goal for Ademola Lookman with one of the teenagers first touches in the Premier League. For Pep Guardiola, however, it underlined the defensive and mental frailties at Manchester City, represented the heaviest league defeat of his managerial career and left him conceding the title was beyond his team for this season.

Louise Taylor: If this means watched live, its a difficult one to answer. As north-east correspondent Ive certainly seen a few candidates for worst game at Sunderland and Middlesbrough and the better ones I covered invariably involved Newcastle United in the Championship. One top-tier game does stick in the memory though; Hull 3-3 Crystal Palace in December. A six-goal thriller featuring a brilliant, mesmerising performance from Palaces Wilfried Zaha.

Stuart James: Swansea City 5-4 Crystal Palace. A nine-goal thriller that was 1-1 with 25 minutes remaining then all hell let loose. Bob Bradley and Alan Pardew, the respective managers, went through every emotion going and, in truth, it wasnt really surprising that neither man lasted much longer in the job. For what its worth, the reporters at the game were also in a terrible state come the end.

Jacob Steinberg: Crystal Palace 0-4 Sunderland. Sunderland were so surprised about scoring four goals in a single half that they didnt win another game until they were already relegated. In their defence, Ive only just recovered from the shock as well.

Simon Burnton: Liverpools 4-3 win at the Emirates on the seasons opening weekend was everything you could ask it to be and more. Excellent attacking, lovely goals from open play, a gorgeous free kick, brilliant individual skill, embarrassing manager-hugging celebrations, sunshine, it had the lot. The only possible reaction was yes please, Ill have nine months more of that. Which, sadly, neither team could deliver.

Paul Doyle: Leicester 4-2 Manchester City. Thrilling and at times brilliant, but also bizarre, outrageous and laughable. A snapshot of this seasons Premier League.

Ed Aarons: Swansea 5-4 Palace. Leading 4-3 with the game past the 90-minute mark, Alan Pardew must have felt pretty good. His team had just battled back from 3-1 down with only 15 minutes remaining to lead, only to surrender the points to Fernando Llorentes double in injury time.

Sachin Nakrani: Manchester City 1-1 Liverpool. A high-octane, end-to-end, relentlessly-thrilling encounter only let down by poor finishing. A mention, too, for Swanseas 5-4 victory over Crystal Palace. A madcap encounter that saw two goals in stoppage time and Alan Pardew fearing the worst.

Best referee

Daniel Taylor: Keith Hackett. I see his criticisms of the current crop and marvel that he must never have made a mistake in his life.

Barney Ronay: Clatts. Will be missed, in part for his unintentional comedy, when he leaves for Sauds.

Dominic Fifield: Probably Martin Atkinson or Michael Oliver.

Paul Wilson: No idea. They all look the same to me. Lets say Martin Atkinson.

Amy Lawrence: Michael Oliver doesnt seem to want to be the star as much as some. He gives the impression of wanting the best game possible.

Barry Glendenning: Mike Dean. His no-lookyellow card to Ross Barkley in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park was a thing of beauty.

Referee Mike Deans no-look yellow card given to Ross Barkley was a thing of beauty. Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Reuters

David Hytner: I dont have strong feelings on the category this season. Id still say Mark Clattenburg is the best.

Scott Murray: Referees are lightning rods for impotent frustration, rampant paranoia and myopic rage. Objective praise doesnt come into it, its not what theyre there for.

Jamie Jackson: The video official what a brave innovation. What? They still do not exist despite everyone else having access to ad nauseam replays?

Andy Hunter: Any nomination will incur the wrath of at least one club though Anthony Taylor continues to improve so in the interests of harmony lets just say its not Jon Moss.

Louise Taylor: Probably Mark Clattenburg (despite missing the latter part of the season following move to Saudi Arabia.)

Stuart James: Not much to get excited about here. Martin Atkinson, Mark Clattenburg (yes, I realise hes now gone) and Michael Oliver would be in the top three. Oliver, on a good day, gets the nod.

Jacob Steinberg: Michael Oliver gets my vote, capped by punishing Manchester Uniteds cynical rotational fouling on Hazard in the FA Cup.

Simon Burnton: Mark Clattenburg. He sometimes looks like he thinks hes the best referee in the land, which is unappealing, but that doesnt make him wrong.

Paul Doyle: Mike Dean. The only one to enforce the shirt-tugging directive with something close to consistency. And technology will never have mannerisms as entertaining as his.

Ed Aarons: Mark Clattenburg and Martin Atkinson usually get the biggest gigs from Uefa and Fifa, but Michael Oliver remains the outstanding referee in the country. Still only 32, the Ashington official has been in charge of more matches (31) than anyone else and issued just two red cards.

Sachin Nakrani: Unlike 99% of people who watch football in this country, I dont have a strong view on referees. They all seem roughly the same and their mistakes, while occasionally astonishing, never entice me into reaching for a pitchfork.

Best signing

Daniel Taylor: Mamadou Sakho. People laughed when a January loan signing was nominated for Crystal Palaces player of the season award. But without him Palace would be down.

Barney Ronay: Leroy San. What a lovely mover, what a calm head, what a nice young man. Seems to have no real limit to how good he could be.

Dominic Fifield: NGolo Kant was key to Leicester Citys startling success in 2016, and just as influential to that of Chelsea in 2017. A blur of energy and interceptions, and at the heart of everything Chelsea have achieved.

Paul Wilson: Where would Manchester United be without Zlatan Ibrahimovics contribution? Hardly the best value signing, and not exactly one for the future either, but until injury struck he did what he had been brought in to do.

Amy Lawrence: Hard to argue with Kant for overall impact. Honourable mentions to Mamadou Sakho who made a big difference to Crystal Palaces predicament, and Gabriel Jesus for being a great signing who looks bound to shine more for Manchester City in future.

Barry Glendenning: NGolo Kant.

David Hytner: David Luiz. Has shown that underneath the mad hair lies an intelligent reader of the game. Has excelled in the middle of a back three. Long passing remains beautiful to watch.

Scott Murray: Gabriel Jesus, a score-any-sort genius destined to rattle in an absurd number of goals. Had he not picked up that injury in February, Manchester City would have given Chelsea a race.

Jamie Jackson: Eric Bailly. Manchester United appear to have filled the Nemanja Vidic-sized gap created by his 2014 departure. Costing 30m from Villarreal, the Ivorian is a tough, dominant 23-year-old who can be a fixture for a decade.

Andy Hunter: Paul Clement. Swansea City were bottom and looking certain for relegation when they appointed their third manager of the campaign in January. Astute signings such as Tom Carroll and convincing a squad to buy into yet another managerial voice enabled the former Bayern Munich assistant to have an impact that can shape a clubs short-term future.

Louise Taylor: Eric Bailly for Manchester United. At 30m he wasnt cheap but goodness knows how far United and Mourinho might have sunk without Baillys central defensive excellence.

Mamadou Sakho stops Alxis Snchez in his tracks. The defender transformed Crystal Palace after his loan move from Liverpool. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Reuters

Stuart James: NGolo Kant would have to be up there, though it was a rather obvious piece of business on Chelseas part, given the Frenchmans impact at Leicester the season before. With that in mind, and taking it account the size of the fee, Ill go for Victor Wanyama, Tottenhams 11m recruit from Southampton.

Jacob Steinberg: On the basis that signing Kant was a no-brainer after last seasons exploits, one has to admire Chelsea for making the return of David Luiz a success. Its easy to forget that there were plenty of doubts about the Brazilian when he signed on deadline day.

Simon Burnton: Crystal Palace won six of the 30 games they played without Mamadou Sakho in their line-up this season, but five of the eight in which the Liverpool loanee appeared, keeping five clean sheets in the process (counting their 1-0 defeat at Spurs, in which he was forced off after 57 goalless minutes and they conceded in the 78th). No other signing was so transformational.

Paul Doyle: Mamadou Sakho. Liverpool outcast, Crystal Palace saviour.

Ed Aarons: Hard to argue with NGolo Kant for 30m, who transferred from one blue title-winning shirt to another with minimum of fuss. Victor Wanyama, 11m from Southampton, has had almost the same effect for Tottenham, albeit for a third of the price.

Sachin Nakrani: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I was among the people who thought the 35-year-old, while undeniably talented, would struggle in England. Instead he has gone on to become one of the best free transfers in Premier League history.

Worst flop

Daniel Taylor: Pep Guardiola. Maybe our expectations were too high but, after all that waiting, it has been a real disappointment. Claudio Bravo comes a close second, which probably illustrates the point.

Barney Ronay: Claudio Bravo of course, the first goalkeeper Ive ever seen receive an ironic round of applause from his own fans for making a save.

Dominic Fifield: Moussa Sissoko has hardly pulled up any trees since becoming Tottenham Hotspurs record signing, which has not come as much of a surprise to those who watched him regularly at Newcastle United.

Play Video

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Guardiola: Barcelona and Bayern Munich would have sacked me video

Paul Wilson: The man who was tired of London. Dimitri Payet was a big letdown at West Ham United. The clubs 2015-16 player of the year and inspiration for a stadium mural at least ought to have been able to manage a full season before leaving.

Amy Lawrence: Jointly awarded to Manchester United and Arsenal, neither of whom were able to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title despite recruiting heavily last summer to apparently boost their push.

Barry Glendenning: Pep Guardiola. Tasked with his most difficult job in management so far, even by his own admission the Manchester City manager has come up woefully short.

David Hytner: Simone Zaza. His ludicrous penalty at the Euros for Italy was merely the prelude. Saw his loan spell at West Ham United cut short after 11 matches and no goals because, had he played a bit more, the club would have had to buy him outright. Moved to Valencia in January.

Scott Murray: Pep Guardiola arrived in England with a big reputation … for being super-surly in press conferences. His glorious disdain for daft questions has at times shone through this was simply majestic but not yet with Fergie or Louis van Gaal levels of consistency. Hes got the press corps rattled, though, if the repeated raising of the subject on the Sunday Supplement is anything to go by. He now needs to go in for the kill.

Jamie Jackson: Claudio Bravo. Pep Guardiola probably blew Manchester Citys hopes of winning anything in his first season when bombing out Joe Hart and paying 14.5m for the Chilean on 25 August. Bravo in a word? Hapless.

Andy Hunter: Claudio Bravo. There were more expensive mistakes than the Manchester City goalkeeper Tottenhams 30m outlay on Moussa Sissoko for example but his recruitment was fundamental to how Pep Guardiola envisaged his first season in the Premier League and served only to undermine it. That is not to say it was a mistake to replace Joe Hart, who has toiled at Torino, only that Bravo was the wrong choice.

Louise Taylor: Moussa Sissoko, Tottenham Hotspur. Rafael Bentez is rightly proud of persuading Spurs to part with 30m for a midfielder who played a big part in Newcastle Uniteds relegation last year and whose Euro 2016 cameos for France flattered to deceive. Indeed when HMRC recently raided St James Park, club staff joked about whether they were investigating the theft of 30m from Spurs.

Stuart James: A few in the mix here Borja Bastn at Swansea, Jordon Ibe at Bournemouth and Ahmed Musa at Leicester all come to mind. But Claudio Bravo, Manchester Citys 17m goalkeeper, is surely the standout candidate. What were you thinking of, Pep?

Read more: www.theguardian.com

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It’s the curve of life- and it starts in September | Julian Baggini

We focus on the brand-new year as the time for daring thinking and fresh starts. But when we consider what we know and may memorize, next month seems a better candidate

Im sure Im not the only one who cannot shake the association of September with the commencement of the school year. Its not just because of the pervasive back-to-school adverts and signalings in browse spaces. All those years of education have ingrained the rhythms of terms and holidays into our minds.

The academic year was one of various hertzs by which we recognize our lives. Their rhythms follow the pulsate of two different containers, one natural, one human. The other major culture repetition is the calendar year, with its affiliated end-of-year reckon and looking ahead to the one to come, whether we acquire resolutions or not. Religions and commonwealths pin on to these their own observances, meters for feasting and fasting, revelry and penance. Then there are the natural cycles of the seasons, of returns, of solstices, punctuated by the anniversaries of our own births.

Some parties admit to be indifferent to all of this. Most of us, nonetheless, find it helpful to use at least some of them as reference points to give organize to our lives, providing minutes of thoughtfulnes, critique, rehabilitation and resolve. September is a good example of how the natural and cultural rights cycles work together. Summer has ended, and with it the time of time when we most typically relax and try to enjoy ourselves. The abbreviate of the days seems to be a message to start get serious again. So perhaps its no coincidence this is the conventional time to start a direction of study, formal or informal.

The academic year likewise brings together two differentiating features of the movement of life: the linear and the cyclical. The linear is one of progress: one year older, one school year higher. The cyclical is only one of interminable redundancy: the phases of the moon, the four seasons, the everlasting revolving door of students.

It seems to me that living well requested to be to give due heavines to the natural and the cultural, the cyclical and the linear. We requirement some appreciation of the linear, because life is finite, with a beginning and an objective, and each stage on the excursion involves something different from us. Likewise, if we dont keep moving, life loses its vigour. Heeding Septembers call to learning is one way of impeding our recollections cogs turning.

However, we can become too fixated on the relevant recommendations of progress and self-development, as though our lives were projects that we could eventually terminated and perfect. Thats when tuning into the hertzs of culture and sort can act as a corrective. It reminds us that nothing is for ever, and that just as the sun sets, the moon ebbs and the leaves descend, the authorities concerned will likewise all too soon fade away. Our travel is not a matter with a final destination as its aim, but one that reverts us to the nothing from where we started. The direction of “lifes” circular , not straight: the linear is ultimately likewise the cyclical.

Appreciating that potentially grim actuality is part of growing up. For children, the academic year is principally about the linear, and quite rightly so. A child, even an adolescent, changes so much from one September to the next. Each new school year raises a new progression in year group, a step to the fore the playground pecking order. When were adults, nonetheless, the cyclical vistum of the academic year becomes more evident. For anyone who works in education, its another set of first-years, another dining hall full of their children to feed. Everyones residence in the bigger, repetition picture becomes clearer. Recognizing the next generation head off to institution wishes to point out that, just as they have taken our residence, others will take theirs. That, of course, is also a remember that we will take the place of those older than us, and ultimately be complied with to the grave.

If that reverberates melancholy rather than simply a matter of fact, its in part because our culture has already become so fixated on the ideals of progress and evolution that it has lost touch with the cyclical. We prosecute higher GDP, improved life satisfaction ratings, greater fitness, better health. September is a good time to remind ourselves that while any such progress is acceptance, the main point is to be living well now , not for the hope of a better life to come. The purpose of hearing brand-new situations or performing old-time ones is so that, if we are lucky enough to see another September, the authorities concerned will do so improved; and if “were not going”, our final lap of reward was a trip-up worth taking.

Read more: www.theguardian.com

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Nearly every governor with ocean coastline opposes Trump’s drilling proposal

(CNN)The Trump administration’s proposal to open vast portions of US coastline to oil drilling was met with ferocious opposition from a number of the coastal governors it would affect.

That move by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke drew accusations of favoritism, which have been denied. But the fact remains that nearly every governor with ocean coastline opposes drilling off their coast or, in one case, has concerns.

The map paints a startling picture of opposition to the drilling proposal.

The lone supporter is Maine’s Republican Gov. Paul LePage. Gulf Coast governors who already have drilling off their shores are open to new exploration.

Here’s a roundup of where the governors stand:

HAS CONCERNS:

Georgia — From Jen Talaber Ryan, deputy chief of staff for communications for Republican Gov. Nathan Deal: “The governor has some concerns with opening up Georgia’s pristine coastlines which he will convey to the congressional delegation.”

AGAINST

New Hampshire — Republican Gov. Chris Sununu told reporters that “of course” he was against drilling off the New Hampshire coast.

Massachusetts — Republican Gov. Charlie Baker:

“Governor Baker made clear to Secretary Zinke over six months ago that the administration opposes offshore drilling in the North Atlantic and is pleased to see that the Department of the Interior cites the Governor’s opposition in their recently released draft report,” Brendan Moss, Baker’s deputy communications director, said Wednesday, noting that Interior’s draft report cites Baker as someone opposed to the measure.

Rhode Island — Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo:

“The President is endangering the health of nearly all coastal waters in our country, including our 400 miles of coastline in Rhode Island, so that rich oil companies can get richer. The North Atlantic region is home to one of the most productive and sensitive marine ecosystems in the world, not to mention Rhode Island’s tourism, recreation and fishing industries. We’ve taken action over the past few years to decrease our reliance on fossil fuels and invest in alternative energy sources. We are home to the nation’s first offshore windfarm. We cannot take this step backwards. Now is the time for Rhode Islanders to make their voices heard and tell President Trump to protect our waters.”

Connecticut — Democratic Gov. Dan Malloy:

“This is yet another disgraceful and unnecessary action from an administration that has taken us light years backward in the fight against climate change. It stands only to hurt Connecticut’s economy, our natural resources, and our coastal communities. We need a federal government that will stand up and protect our environment. Sadly, this president has once again put special interests before people.”

New York — Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo:

“New York doesn’t want drilling off our coast either. Where do we sign up for a waiver @SecretaryZinke?” Cuomo tweeted on Tuesday.

New Jersey — Republican Gov. Chris Christie:

Christie’s administration sent a letter to the Trump administration in August saying the governor “strongly opposes any waters off our coastline being considered for inclusion in this leasing program.”

Democratic Governor-elect Phil Murphy:

“We must stand firm against any plan for fossil fuel exploration, drilling, or development off the Atlantic Coast — whether it be three miles, 30 miles, or 300 miles from New Jersey,” Murphy told reporters earlier this month.

Maryland — Republican Gov. Larry Hogan said his administration would use “any viable legal claims, actions or suits against the US government to prevent” it.

Delaware — Democratic Gov. John Carney:

“Drilling for oil and gas in the Atlantic off Delaware’s coast would create the risk of a catastrophic spill or other related disasters that would not only threaten our natural resources, but pose serious threats to Delaware’s economy. More than 60,000 jobs are tied, directly and indirectly, to tourism and recreation along our coastline. Coast-related activities contribute almost $7 billion to our economy. We also have an obligation to take steps to confront climate change, and this takes us in the wrong direction. Delaware is our country’s lowest-lying state, and the effects of sea-level rise pose significant risks. For all of these reasons, I continue to stand with Delawareans in opposing drilling off the coast of Delaware or elsewhere in the Atlantic, and we will continue to voice our opposition.”

Virginia — Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe has asked the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to be excluded from any drilling plan.

Democratic Governor-elect Ralph Northam:

“We’d like a word in Virginia,” Northam tweeted in response to Zinke.

North Carolina — Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper:

On CNN on Thursday: “Well, it’s interesting that six months ago I said that we don’t want offshore drilling off the North Carolina coast because of coastal tourism and the economy. 30 — over 30 North Carolina cities and towns passed resolutions saying they didn’t want offshore drilling because of coastal tourism and their economy. And now the secretary of the interior has said that Florida is not going to have offshore drilling because of coastal tourism and the economy. We can speculate all we want as to the reason why Florida was exempted.”

He added: “As soon as I heard about the Florida decision, I asked for a meeting, or at least a telephone call, with Secretary Zinke.”

South Carolina — Republican Gov. Henry McMaster:

McMaster — a vocal Trump supporter — told reporters after the announcement that he disapproved of the decision because of the impacts he could have on tourism.

On Wednesday McMaster said he will take “appropriate steps” to counter it, according to video provided to CNN.

“I am opposed to offshore drilling of South Carolina’s shore. I am opposed to seismic testing off of South Carolina shore,” he said. “We cannot take a chance with those resources, those industry and that economy. It is just too important. This is a matter of serious importance to us in South Carolina.”

He added: “We cannot afford to take a chance with our beauty, our majesty and the economic value and vitality of our wonderful coastline in South Carolina.”

When asked if he will push for a waiver from the Trump administration, McMaster said, “I will be taking appropriate steps and there will be more news later.”

Florida — Republican Gov. Rick Scott received a waiver excluding Florida from the proposal to open new waters to drilling.

Florida dropped from offshore drilling plan

California — Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown:

“For more than 30 years, our shared coastline has been protected from further federal drilling and we’ll do whatever it takes to stop this reckless, short-sighted action,” Brown, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee — the three West Coast governors, all Democrats — said in a statement.

Oregon — Democratic Gov. Kate Brown:

“For more than 30 years, our shared coastline has been protected from further federal drilling and we’ll do whatever it takes to stop this reckless, short-sighted action,” California Gov. Jerry Brown, Kate Brown and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee — the three West Coast governors, all Democrats — said in a statement.

Brown also appeared on CNN.

Oregon governor outraged at offshore drilling

Washington — Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee:

“For more than 30 years, our shared coastline has been protected from further federal drilling and we’ll do whatever it takes to stop this reckless, short-sighted action,” California Gov. Jerry Brown, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and Inslee — the three West Coast governors, all Democrats — said in a statement.

Inslee sent a letter to Zinke on Thursday asking for Washington to be removed from the plan. “I write to express to you my strong opposition to newly proposed oil and gas leasing off of Washington State’s coast, and the Pacific Coast. Specifically, I urge you to remove this area from the 2019-2024 Draft Proposed National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program issued by your department last week, which would expand oil and gas drilling off the Pacific Coast for the first time in decades. I would also like to request a meeting with you to discuss this important topic,” he wrote.

LIKELY IN FAVOR

Maine — Julie Rabinowitz, spokeswoman for Gov. LePage, offered this statement:

“The Governor has not yet had an opportunity to review the details of the new five-year National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program recently issued by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), but generally supports efforts to make good use of our indigenous resources and improve the United States’ energy independence and security.

“The Governor supports BOEM’s approach of beginning with a broad area in the initial proposed plan in order to allow public input and analysis of all available resources, with the expectation that significant regions will be excluded from the final plan based on environmental sensitivity, fishery industry concern, tourism value or other areas of specific concern. The Governor believes in a balanced approach that places a priority on protecting our environment and traditional industries but that does not close the door on jobs and lower energy costs for Maine people.”

Several Gulf Coast governors and the governor of Alaska, all of whom already have drilling off their shores, seemed more open to the idea. Here are their statements.

Mississippi — Republican Gov. Phil Bryan:

Clay Chandler from Bryant’s office: “Currently, there are no rules or regulations that permit drilling in the Mississippi Sound, which is the body of water between the coast and the Barrier Islands. Gov. Bryant would prefer any drilling activity be beyond the Barrier Islands, and not in the Sound. Based on my reading of the map, the administration’s proposal would not encroach on that, making an exemption unnecessary.”

Alabama — Republican Gov. Kay Ivey: “President Donald Trump made clear his desire to ensure Americans can use our own natural resources to produce the energy vital to our economy and national security. As he has done time and again, President Trump has proven to the people of Alabama that he is a man of his word, and we are grateful to him and to Secretary Ryan Zinke for their determination to open a vast tract of American waters to oil and gas exploration. This decision is not only in the best interest of all Americans, it allows Gulf Coast states, like Alabama, to utilize our natural resources not only to provide energy for our nation, but increased economic opportunities for our people.”

Alaska – Indepdendent Gov. Bill Walker:

Jonathon Taylor, Walker’s deputy press secretary, said, “Governor Walker continues to support resource development in areas of the outer continental shelf (OCS) and Secretary Zinke’s initiation of the review and planning process. We expect during this review process that all stakeholders — and especially local Alaska communities — will be thoroughly engaged, and the details of plans and the areas offered for leasing may change based on this feedback. Secretary Zinke’s efforts are another important step in Alaska’s commitment and long history with safe resource development based on local input and involvement.”

Correction: This post initially misidentified the first name of the governor of New Hampshire. It is Chris Sununu. It also identified Alaska Gov. Bill Walker as a Republican. Walker is now an Independent.

Read more: www.theguardian.com

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Fornication, Grime, and Gore Cant Save The Alienist From TVs Serial-Killer Fatigue

The Alienist is not just aliens, run figure.

As it is about to change, “alienist” is a term for analysts in the early days of the profession who was held that the mentally ill were “alienated” from their memories. The outdated word received a revitalization when Caleb Carr’s 1994 romance The Alienist was secreted, which TNT’s brand-new drama is changed from. It’s a ghostly, grisly season drama that while interesting, unfortunately seems exceedingly dated.

Take for instance the premise, where you have Daniel Bruhl as Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, an alienist who hunts serial executioners. In tell to understand serial executioners, he must understand their knowledge. It’s the advice that Hannibal Lecter leaved Clarice Starling virtually 30 years ago. It’s the same method that Dr. Will Graham employed on NBC’s Hannibal just a few years ago. What The Alienist has going for it is that it’s set at the outset of the type of detective work Will would do on Hannibal , but we see it from the lens of 1896.

The series is grisly without being too over-the-top, as it plummets into a planned about young male copulation employees being assassinated. The first such is a boy in women’s clothes , not only slaughtered but his eyes too removed from their sockets. The Alienist wishes to poise the quaintness of a period drama with the verve of modern procedurals like the aforementioned Hannibal and Criminal Minds , but it all comes across as too familiar to be entirely exciting. The Alienist isn’t particularly interested in the minutiae to new technologies like the superior The Knick was and, as a point portion, it doesn’t quite detect as sumptuously lived in as The Crown or other succession of that ilk.

I have never read Carr’s novel; it’s quite possible devotees were clamoring for this adaptation. But as it arrives now, it feels superfluous in a television landscape where we’ve gone to this well multiple times. How many times must a brilliant man hunt down serial executioners in the same way, without at least the visual and trippy verve of a Hannibal ?

The addition of Luke Evans and Dakota Fanning breath some life into the sequence. Evans’ characterization of a newspaper illustrator with a predilection for brothels sleazes up the serial in a required direction. Fanning as police secretary to Theodore Roosevelt invites a reflection on women in the workplace and in the late 1800 s that would be better served as the primary crux of the line. Adapting The Alienist for the screen ought to have invited adapting it for our modern times. Placing it in Fanning’s POV might have moved the series a far more urgent and vital patch of television than it is now.

Speaking to NPR, Fanning discussed the relevance of her character Sarah Howard, in today’s climate,” On one handwriting, you know, it’s great when the show that you’re making is relevant to the times that you’re living in. But some of the relevant is various kinds of inauspicious because there is a scene in the first episode with my persona and another police officer, and you appreciate sexual abuse and abuses of capability in the workplace. And the narrations do parallel fibs that are being told right now, so I think it is important, especially for my generation, to investigate those similarities between now and so long ago .”

Which isn’t to say The Alienist is a complete cleanse. It’s a instead delightful recreation for those who are fans of procedural crime dramas and the recreation of its 19 th-century adjusting demonstrates it an extra bit of genre elegance that’s needing from your typical CBS series. But what The Alienist is currently missing is verve and a feeling of “why now?” That is, other than simply,” TNT had the rights to the book .”

Maybe it should have been about immigrants.

Read more: www.theguardian.com

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Rocket carries, eagles and marriage cakes: the Chicago contest that led to a skyscraper explosion

In 1922, the Chicago Tribunes owner propelled a rivalry to design a towering new HQ for the working paper and changed high-rises for ever. Will the relaunch of the call-out by the Chicago Architecture Biennial raise such seismic outcomes?

It was billed as” the greatest architectural contest in biography”, a hunt for” the most beautiful and unique bureau building in the world” to mansion” the world’s greatest newspaper “. The Chicago Tribune’s owner, Colonel Robert R McCormick, had no deficit of ambition where reference is propelled the open call to design a sparkling new HQ for his newspaper in 1922. And he wasn’t disappointed by the response.

The glamour of the summary, along with the enticement of $100,000 in prize money( around $1.5 m today ), investigated 263 designers submit designs from 23 countries around the world. The introductions provision a fascinating cross-section of the aesthetic preoccupations of the working day, wandering from neoclassical marriage cake confections to modernist slab, manifesting a moment on the cusp of radical change.

Winner … an early shooting of Tribune Tower, been developed by Raymond M Hood and John Mead Howells. Photograph: Keystone-France/ Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

The winning introduction, which still countenances proudly on the area of Michigan Avenue, was a neo-gothic fantasy of stone quays and hovering buttressings, a rocket ship conjured from 16 th-century France. It remains one of the most significant and most provocative towers in Chicago, if not “the worlds”, its facade encrusted with rock-and-rolls and globs of other famous houses brought back from exotic tracts by the newspaper’s reporters. But it was the competition itself that had the bigger impact on the architectural curiosity. The sheer compas of introductions sparked an international dialogue on what counseling the future of the skyscraper should take, affording a stylistic smorgasbord for generations of towers to come.

It is a discussion that the curators of the second largest Chicago Architecture Biennialhope to reignite this month, with an exhibition that will restage the Tribune Tower competitor, 95 times on, questioning contemporary architects to respond to the brief.

Choosing as their topic ” reach new biography”, co-curators of the biennial Mark Lee and Sharon Johnston set out to ask a new generation what a high-rise could be today. The L-Abased duo, founding partnership with Johnston Marklee architecture firm, say that coming to Chicago as outsiders, they” wanted to generate a discussion that would have an international resonance like the original race did “.

Walter Gropius and Adolf Meyer’s proposal. Photo: Rizzoli press

That 1922 game was the eventual combat of the modes. The majority of American designers, then still trained in the Beaux-Arts manner, promoted a diehard approaching, their designs wandering from teetering romanesque campaniles to gothic accumulations. These were office buildings as cathedrals, their mighty stone shafts crowned with domes, globes and spires. Columns were piled on pilasters, rusticated plinths cried under heaving cornices and every intersection was elaborated with a twiddly moulding. It was the post-industrial capitalist society sought for legality in the fancy dress of yore.

Bruno und Max Taut’s expressionist pyramid. Image: Ullstein Bild/ Getty

The European entries, by differ, were much more diverse, straddling from gigantic Art Deco monuments to stark sword frames deprived of all gild. There was an expressionist pyramid by Bruno Taut, an asymmetrical planar composition by Bauhaus maestroes Walter Gropius and Adolf Meyer and, perhaps most famously of all, a tower in the shape of a gigantic doric tower by Viennese provocateur Adolf Loos. On the eve of the publication of Le Corbusier’s seminal manifesto, Vers une Architecture, you can sense the palpable enthusiasm about capturing the” being of the age” in glass and steel.

Adolf Loos’s doric column-shaped tower. Image: Rizzoli press

The competition has resembled down the generations, and Johnston and Lee are not the first to revive the rivalry as a means of sampling the feeling of the day. In 1980, Chicago architects Stanley Tigerman and Stuart Cohen invited” Late Entries” to the rivalry, questioning such luminaries as Tadao Ando and Frank Gehry to submit motifs. As Tigerman wrote:” The original competitor occurred at a time that was near the end of one period and the opening up of another. This exhibit takes region during a period of revisionism in which Modernism is being safely demoted to its plaza in biography .”

Tadao Ando’s characteristically minimalist meaning for the 1980 version of the architectural rivalry. Photo: Rizzoli press

The entryways were a riotous postmodern hotch-potch of comment and collage. The decorators sampled promiscuously from different periods and used its own proposal as vehicles for critical note. Gaetano Pesce proposed a construct as a fractured description of the newspaper, incarnating” brutality, liberty, politics and technology” in its sculpted facade. Helmut Jahn looked at employing the available breath claims above the existing tower, building a mirror-glass doppelganger of the Tribune on top of its gothic treetop. Ando proposed a characteristically mute grid, while Gehry submitted a mad sketch of a tower topped with an eagle, from whose wings visitors could hang in an aerial fairground ride.

Frank Gehry’s sketch for the 1980 Late Introductions show. Photograph: Frank Gehry

Just as the 1922 contender disclosed a new generation of modernists, so the 1980 version celebrated the recall of biography and adornment, the” complexity and opposition” called for by Robert Venturi.” Our own generation has gained new verve ,” wrote Tigerman,” through its desire to find formal intend in our culture causes now that the barrenness of Modernism is behind us .”

Helmut Jahn’s 1980 introduction. Photo: Helmut Jahn

So what will the 2017 edition tell us about the nation of contemporary structure? By restriction the selection to only 15 inventors, all sampled from a similar-ish school of thought, it is unlikely to give the full picture. Rather than taking the temperature of world-wide rehearse, the curators say they wanted to give a younger generation the chance to make a statement about building tall. There are none of the obvious big names- no spherical “parametric” stalagmites from Zaha Hadid Architects , no Lego brick ziggurats from Bjarke Ingels , no mute stone obelisks from Peter Zumthor , no minimal white-hot mainstays from Sanaa. Instead, there will be a series of intelligent, critical reflections on the Tribune competition, exhibited as an immersive thicket of three-metre high magnitude models.

London architect Sam Jacob prolongs the funny tighten of the 1980 challenger. Directing to the archaeological fragments embedded in the facade of the existing tower, its own proposal ascertains an octagonal cupola roosted atop arched colonnades that in turn remain upon modernist grids. With this lively layer-cake of different buildings Jacob is reflecting on how” structure is not something that we create but something that already exists, just waiting for us to discover it “.

The Chicago Pasticcio: Sam Jacob’s 2017 entry fuses Adolf Loos’ unbuilt 1922 proposition with the actual Tribune Tower on Michigan Avenue. Picture: Sam Jacob Studio

Swiss practice Christ& Gantenbein have gone down the ready-made street more, chose to recreate an automated concrete garage tower built in Sao Paulo in 1964, as a revel of” the pristine building of pure tectonics “.

Christ& Gantembein’s 2017 recommendation repurposes a 1964 cement tower building up Sao Paulo. Photo: Johnston Marklee( Chicago Architecture)

Others have preferably lazily recycled previous jobs of their own, with Mexico’s Productora stacking one of their framed overtures on top of another, and France’s Eric Lapierre scaling up a faceted pillar from a student dwelling impede he’s building up Paris. 6a Architectfollow a same direction, but with a more elaborate narrative, questioning a number of American wood-turners to each lathe a section of their tower according to a series of profiles taken from their Raven Row gallery in London, whose Georgian interior was, for a while, on display in the Art Institute of Chicago.

Serie’s proposed vertiginous load of pavilions in this year’s game. Photo: Chicago Architecture

The simulates will no doubt make for a series of diverting art bits, but overall there seems to be too much interest in contriving a cunning story and little attention given to actually designing a high-rise media headquarters for the 21 st century. Some entries touch on the changing media landscape, but don’t take it very far. Serie proposes a vertiginous load of pavilions, like nested coffee tables get awry, conceived as a landscape of” theaters, converging zones, restful landscapes and hedonistic garden-varieties: the real productive spaces for today’s media workers .” African architect Francis Kere guess a mixed-use neighbourhood, with home, workspace and cultural facilities set around a series of spaces in a tower of cylinders. Mexico’s Tatiana Bilbao envisages a” horizontal parish” of 192 patches, given to a range of collaborators to design.

Francis Kere Architect’s sketch for the 2017 game. Image: Library of Congress/ Kere Architecture

Visitors expecting a cross-section of contemporary tradition will be saddened. But then again you only have to visit Manhattan to find Bob Stern house classical stone skyscrapers next to Herzog and de Meuron’s careened glass Jenga tower. When all kinds of high-rise imaginable is already being built, from Stefano Boeri’s vertical woodlands to Calatrava’s kilometre-high spider’s web in Dubai, it seems that many of the young practices here would rather retreat into the realms of commentary and critique than add to the melee.

As for the Chicago Tribune itself, the exhibition comes at a harrowing moment. The newspaper recently announced that it is moving out of its iconic headquarters after its parent company exchanged the Tribune Tower to a Los Angeles developer for $240 m. There are plans to convert it into indulgence suites and a inn, a stark remember that neither newspapers , nor designers, have the dominance they formerly enjoyed.

Vertical City will be on display at the Chicago Cultural Center as part of the 2017 Chicago Architecture Biennial, 16 September to 7 January.

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Premier League 2016 -1 7 season revaluation: our columnists’ most effective and worst

Our writers take stock after the Premier League season, naming their best player, finest objective, most witty accord, biggest objection and much more

Best musician

Daniel Taylor : NGolo Kant. If he can preserve Cesc Fbregas out of the Chelsea team, he must be some player.

Barney Ronay: Friendly midfield interceptors are the way, but Harry Kane has been the superb single actor: top scorer, unit man and with just enough comic-book star quality.

Dominic Fifield : Eden Hazard, liberated by Antonio Contes switching in system, provided the cut and thrust which induced Chelsea to their title success. Given his toils last season as he fought with a hip complaint, his revitalization was eye-catching. Paul Wilson : It probably doesnt thing which Chelsea candidate gets the vote, so in the interests of sharing happens around I am going to go for Csar Azpilicueta. He seems to be able to play in any situation across the back direction and his consistency and obstinacy are unaffected. Amy Lawrence : If you are able bottle the spirit of Kant and grocery it to football clubs it would be a bestseller. He has an ability to establish others around him better, to make a game plan quicker. The road he carried his Leicester character so easily to Chelsea, to be transformative instantly, deserves all the plaudits. Barry Glendenning : Jordan Pickford. Only in Sunderlands first team because David Moyes was unable to seduce Joe Hart on lend to Wearside, the 23 -year-old attracted off the impressive achievement of representing himself one of “the worlds largest” sought-after young goalkeepers in Europe despite playing in the Premier Leagues worst unit. Even though he prone to the increasingly uncommon gaffe, its hard to select flaws in any aspect of Pickfords overall competition and its no exaggeration to say that without him, Sunderland might well have been relegated before the sighting of this springs first swallow. David Hytner : Eden Hazard. Back to his very best. Its capability to attain certain differences when it matters the most scores him out. Scott Murray : Diego Costa prevented Chelsea going throughout the autumnal odyssey that effectively decided the conference, all the while remain in persona as pantomime provocateur. Homeric. Well miss his entertaining spirit when hes travelled.

Jamie Jackson: Dele Alli. Seventeen Premier League aims at 175 hours per ten-strike for a No10 is top class. At 21, a player with that shape all society participates possess has to get better.

Andy Hunter: Eden Hazard. The endorses were not simply a extremely defensive crew, as a former director demeanour sour grapes proposed. They were also the most devastating and intelligent crew in the final third thanks primarily to the Belgium internationals return to form.

Chelseas Eden Hazard has been back to his best this season. Image: Darren Walsh/ Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Louise Taylor: Sam Clucas, Hull City; runner up, David Luiz, Chelsea. There are other, far more obvious, campaigners but placed in the context of Clucass achievement in ascending five rings of the conference ladder in succeeding seasons it has to be the left-footed midfielder. Impressive since being shifted from a wide character to central midfield this term, the intelligence of Clucass delivering endures the specific characteristics of Glenn Hoddle, who influenced him not to give up the game before honing his skills at his football academy in Spain. David Luiz, meanwhile, is lovely to watch and his re-invention in Antonio Contes back three has exhaustively perplexed the doubters.

Stuart James: Gylfi Sigurdsson. Directly involved in 22 of Swansea Citys 43 destinations. For a actor to constantly create and score so many destinations in a squad that expended virtually the entire season fighting relegation is quite something.

Jacob Steinberg : After last seasons sabbatical, Eden Hazard rediscovered his mojo in thrilling style and acquired the consistency to go with his outrageous endowment. NGolo Kant was a worthy recipient of the PFA and FWA awardings, but Hazard was Chelseas match-winner on so many occasions.

Paul Doyle: Kasper Schmeichel. While the rest of last seasons champs lost their space, the goalkeeper was the only Leicester player to improve. Yes, there was that 6-1 defeat by Spurs but, taking a broader thought, Schmeichel was an example to us all in these perturbed times.

Simon Burnton : The brilliant, hard-working, humble and likeable NGolo Kant deserves all the player-of-the-season bestows currently cluttering his mantelpiece. Ed Aarons : NGolo Kant deserves his awards for winning two seconds successive Premier League title, but Christian Eriksens return to pattern coincided with Tottenhams emergence as Chelseas exclusively genuine challengers. Even 13 assists and eight Premier League purposes do not explain the importance of the Denmark international to Mauricio Pochettino. Csar Azpilicueta likewise deserves a mention.

Sachin Nakrani : Gylfi Sigurdsson. The Iceland international directly contributed to nearly half of Swanseas Premier League points and, quite simply, without him they would have been demoted, abiding all the fallout that comes with that, which, it should be remembered, includes parties losing their jobs.

Best manager

Daniel Taylor : Antonio Conte. Even Jos Mourinho has stopped temporarily, at the least trying to undermine him. How, maybe, can anyone question what he has to be undertaken to get Chelsea back on top?

Barney Ronay: Antonio Conte. Hurled together on the hoof a wonderfully well-grooved champion unit, eased John Terry out of the picture without the slightest friction and on match days remains the most ludicrously agitated guy about anything ever.

Dominic Fifield : Antonio Conte. In a conference crammed with upper-class administrators, he accommodated best to the peculiarities of the Premier League and intention up putting all the other big names to shame.

Paul Wilson : It was going to be Marco Silva until a few days ago, but now Hull are back in the real world after a brief inspect to dreamland there seems no object in ogling past the obvious. Antonio Conte is more difficult to have hoped for a better first season in England. In periods of affect, it says it all that he can now pair Carlo Ancelottis double as well as Jos Mourinhos Premier League chronicle of prevails in a season.

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Amy Lawrence : Conte. From the very first game of the Premier League campaign when he celebrated a late win over West Ham with that zealous touchline joy, he has managed almost every situation with approval, class and style. In tactical mutations and soul management, fetching best available out of references as different as David Luiz, Diego Costa, Victor Moses and Pedro, he just missed a beat. Barry Glendenning : Antonio Conte. Charming and handsome, with the touchline demeanor of a gentleman which has recently had a large few of blood-red ants sagged down the trousers of his expensive decorator dres, there is little to dislike about Chelseas manager. His switch to a back three in the aftermath of defeat at Arsenal has been applauded in some quarters as the greatest managerial masterstroke in its own history of football and while that are able to be over-egging the dessert moderately, the manner in which he steered his team to the title with a minimum of fuss in a season when one or more of Messrs Klopp, Mourinho and Guardiola were expected to have his measurement was no mean feat. David Hytner : Antonio Conte. It has been another immensely impressive season for Mauricio Pochettino but Contes has to get better. Took over a Chelsea squad with problems and, in what has been his first season outside of Italy, moulded them into champions. Scott Murray : Heres a respectful gesture to Arsne Wenger, who in addition to yet another high conference put and yet another cup final, somehow continued super-human high levels of dignity despite intense provocation from an entitled minority. An extraordinary feat. His will be much the better look when this history is told 20 years from now.

Jamie Jackson: Antonio Conte. He coached the volatile Costa to 20 tournament aims and may win the classic English double in his introduction season.

Andy Hunter: Conte is the stand-out select , is not simply for winning the Premier League title in his first season in English football but for how he responded to potential crises notably the 3-0 defeat at Arsenal and Januarys stand-off with Costa.

Louise Taylor: Sean Dyche, Burnley. Antonio Conte clearly has a strong instance while, despite narrowly failing to keep Hull up, Marco Silva returned liquid into wine-colored in east Yorkshire. Then theres Mauricio Pochettino, whose Tottenham team play fabulous football on around half the collective compensation bill of other top six line-ups, but preventing Burnley in the Premier League is a significant achievement. Presented the same relatively limited resources as Dyche, would Jos Mourinho or Pep Guardiola have done anything like as well?

Sean Dyches Burnley have never truly been threatened with relegation this season so good has their dwelling way been. Image: Lee Smith/ Reuters

Stuart James: Antonio Conte. Enormously impressive to win the claim in his first season in English football tactically astute, full of heat for video games and gives the impression that every actor, even those not regularly in his starting XI, buys into his work.

Jacob Steinberg : A nod to Sean Dyche for preventing Burnley away from the relegation scrap, but it must continue to be Conte, who outshone his contenders by rejuvenating a misfiring, uneven squad with the influence of his motivational characters, tactical acumen and infectious are willing to win.

Paul Doyle: Sean Dyche. Burnley never looked like going down, which is remarkable.

Simon Burnton : Great as Tottenham was again working under Mauricio Pochettino, Antonio Contes wallop at Chelsea has been greater. Ed Aarons : Antonio Conte. The Italian merely arrived at Stamford Bridge a month before Chelseas first recreation of the season but has emerged as a name winner in his first season in English football. The switch to 3-4-3 shall determine Contes success but the former Juventus midfielder has also demonstrated his man-management abilities in are working with Diego Costas regular tantrums. Sachin Nakrani : Antonio Conte. Winning the entitlement in your first season in England is a superb achievement, specially where reference is involves reinvigorating a squad that had been in turmoil in the previous campaign.

Best purpose

Daniel Taylor : Olivier Girouds scorpion kick for Arsenal against Crystal Palace. Barney Ronay : Girouds flowing scorpion barrage, a lovely move and a incongruous finish, made all the more improbable given the fact he seems to stop mid-scorpion to winch his leg up a little higher, like a extremely potent boy trying to slunk his method over a garden fence. Dominic Fifield : Eden Hazard against Arsenal, sprinting away from Laurent Koscielny and holding off Francis Coquelins attempts to wreaking him down, then finishing before Shkodran Mustafi could block. Paul Wilson : Sam Allardyce will have been more worried about some unconvincing Crystal Palace defending, but Andy Carrolls overhead kick against Crystal Palace takes some flogging for wow ingredient. Not a crew purpose, perhaps, but Carroll gave a lot of himself into it.

Amy Lawrence : The Emre Can/ Giroud/ Henrikh Mkhitaryan showpieces lead the way for individualism, but there was something that struck a chord about Willians goal for Chelsea at Everton in a game that find so influential for the title. What a fine squad goal. The excellence of Cesc Fbregass move and pass for Willian summing-up up the brio Chelsea rediscovered this season. That was the moment they detected undeniably like champs again.

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Barry Glendenning : Gastn Ramrez. Perhaps not best available, but almost certainly the only thing in the best interests any Middlesbrough footballer did all season Ramrezs fine solo exertion transmitted goal-shy Boro on their road to their first residence acquire. Picking up the ball inside his own half and encouraged by the strange dislike of anyone in a Bournemouth shirt to end him down, the Uruguayan embarked on a 70 -yard run down the inside left that climaxed with him unexpectedly cutting inside and slotting residence. Buoyed by this rare instant of quality and muse, Middlesbrough went on to win three more Premier League matches, while their increasingly unpopular summertime subscribe would go on to score exclusively one more goal as his back sank below the depths. David Hytner : Andy Carroll v Crystal Palace. Nothing are competent to introduce jaw to the floor more quickly than the hit scissor knock. Specially when it is executed by a big man. Scott Murray : Olivier Giroud against Palace. A finish so absurd its easy to forget the six-player pitch-long cavort that predated it, exaggerated by a centre-circle back-flick from Giroud himself. English footballs most eye-catching sweep forward since Terry McDermott tallied against Spurs in 1978.

Jamie Jackson: Henrikh Mkhitaryans scorpion kick versus Sunderland on Boxing Day. Zlatan Ibrahimovic pings a cross over from the right and the Armenian gives run a moving back-heeled barrage. Delicious.

Andy Hunter: Dimitri Payet, West Ham United v Middlesbrough. Other goals carried more weight in the context of the season Emre Can against Watford and Eden Hazards v Arsenal being the most notable instances but based purely on its merits this momentary remember of a better quality the France international could bring to the Premier League “havent had” equates.

Louise Taylor: Robert Snodgrass v Leicester City. The win in a 2-1 scandalize opening-day win against the represent endorses for Mike Phelans side. When Wes Morgan could only half-clear Ahmed Elmohamadys brutal cross, the projectile fell to Snodgrass whose first-time, left footed, half-volley arrowed into the bottom reces.

Stuart James: Emre Cans bicycle knock against Watford must take some trouncing. In fairness, Olivier Girouds scorpion kick against Palace is also worthy of a mention.

Emre Can gives fly with a sumptuous overhead kicking against Watford. Photo: John Walton/ PA

Jacob Steinberg : Gaston Ramrezs slaloming 70 -yard run against Bournemouth ended with a clever stunt and a cool finish. Sure, Andy Carroll, Olivier Giroud and Henrikh Mkhitaryan all took the breath away with those scorpion kicks and bicycle explosions. But in an otherwise grisly season for Middlesbrough, the facts of the case Ramrezs solo effort was a uncommon minute of excite reaches it all the more precious. Simon Burnton : Olivier Girouds New Years Day scorpion knock wasnt even Januarys goal of the month, and there are a few competitive barrages that compare with it, but to my sentiment it is the best of the knot. It has grown on the scorer as much as it has grown on me: after video games he said he was a bit luck. It was the only happening I could do. I tried to affected it with a backheel and after it was all about luck, but by March he was saying: I dont wishes to big myself up but goals like mine leave a mark on history. Andy Carrolls[ overhead knock] is impressive, but perhaps beings wont remember it in two years time. Mine, yes.

Paul Doyle: Wayne Rooney against Stoke. It was a blaze of a acces to grasp a late equaliser, set a wonderful record and reassure Jos Mourinho he had been able to finally jilt an over-the-hill hero.

Ed Aarons : In a season of spectacular barrages, Emre Can saved best available for last. His brilliant overhead kick against Watford left good-for-nothing to occasion, unlike Olivier Giroud or Henrikh Mkhitaryans scorpion kicks. Sachin Nakrani : Olivier Giroud v Crystal Palace. In a season of remarkable scorpion/ overhead kickings, this one rims it because of the slick counter-attack that preceded it and which Giroud was involved in as well as the meridian at which boot convened ball prior to it looping into the net.

Best coincide

Daniel Taylor : At the risk of voicing like a sadnes, its not easy to think of a stand-out match this season. Nothing left home as roused as, say, meeting Monaco in the Champions League. Barney Ronay : Swansea 5-4 Crystal Palace. Messy, wild and frantic at times, but this is basically what the Premier League is for. Dominic Fifield : Bournemouths madcap 4-3 win over Liverpool was entertaining, but Crystal Palaces triumph at Chelsea in April encapsulated everything about the baffling sort of the Premier League at times. Chelsea were superb going forward, playing wonderfully incisive and inventive football. Palace defended ruggedly and, somehow, kept them out. Paul Wilson : The one that protrudes in the mind is Manchester City 1-3 Chelsea. An eventful and entertaining competition, with some dead-eyed finishing by Chelsea to leave Pep Guardiola moaning about Kevin de Bruynes miss for the rest of the season. A significant name cursor at the Etihad too, for the second consecutive season following Leicesters statement win in February. Amy Lawrence : Swansea 5-4 Crystal Palace. Lovely, wonderful, beautiful, panicked madness. The excellent of the Bob Bradley experience. Alan Pardew trying to put on a fearless appearance. First on Match of the Day for an unanticipated activity. Whats not to like?

Barry Glendenning: Bournemouth 4-3 Liverpool. They dont get much more entertainingthan this white-knuckle rideat the Vitality Stadium.

Leroy Fer tallies during Swanseas rollercoaster 5-4 victory over Crystal Palace. Picture: Christopher Lee/ Getty Images

David Hytner : Swansea v Crystal Palace. Never mind the defending at both ends, this was a classic, loaded with drama, and the stages after Fernando Llorentes stoppage-time winner seemed to shake the Liberty Stadium. Both of the managers, Bob Bradley and Alan Pardew, were sacked within a month or so. Scott Murray : Manchester City 1-1 Liverpool. It truly wouldnt have taken often for this play to have ended 5-0, 0-5 or 5-5. One of those.

Jamie Jackson: Burnleys emphatic win over Liverpool at Turf Moor on the seasons second weekend perforated a flaw in the entitle assertions of Jrgen Klopps team and advocated Sean Dyches gentlemen would endure. Those auguries were proven correct.

Andy Hunter: Everton 4-0 Manchester City. Selecting from Premier League coincides accompanied, this raucous afternoon at Goodison Park stands out for numerous intellects. In Ronald Koemans sees it was really perfect and a total team action from Everton. It confirmed the rise of Tom Davies, who scored his first goal for the team with an exquisite chipping over Claudio Bravo at the Gwladys Street end, and delivered a introduction point for Ademola Lookman with one of the teens first contacts in the Premier League. For Pep Guardiola, nonetheless, it stressed the defensive and mental imperfections at Manchester City, represented the heaviest league demolish of his managerial profession and left him acknowledging the title was beyond his squad for this season.

Louise Taylor: If this means watched live, its a difficult one to reaction. As north-east correspondent Ive certainly investigated a few campaigners for worst competition at Sunderland and Middlesbrough and the very best ones I covered invariably concerned Newcastle United in the Championship. One top-tier competition does stick in the remember though; Hull 3-3 Crystal Palace in December. A six-goal thriller boasting a brilliant, mesmerising achievement from Palaces Wilfried Zaha.

Stuart James: Swansea City 5-4 Crystal Palace. A nine-goal thriller that was 1-1 with 25 hours remaining then all blaze let loose. Bob Bradley and Alan Pardew, the respective managers, went through every spirit moving and, in truth, it wasnt actually surprising that neither husband lasted much longer in the job. For what its worth, the reporters at the game were also in a ghastly state come the end.

Jacob Steinberg : Crystal Palace 0-4 Sunderland. Sunderland were so surprised about tallying four goals in a single half that they didnt win another activity until they were already relegated. In their defence, Ive only just recovered from the stun as well. Simon Burnton : Liverpools 4-3 triumph at the Emirates on the seasons opening weekend was everything you could question it to be and more. Good attacking, delightful objectives from open participate, a ravishing free kick, bright soul skill, humiliating manager-hugging revels, sunshine, it had the spate. The only possible reaction was yes please, Ill have nine months more of that. Which, sadly, neither team could deliver.

Paul Doyle: Leicester 4-2 Manchester City. Thrilling and at times brilliant, but too ludicrous, outrageous and ludicrous. A snapshot of this seasons Premier League.

Ed Aarons : Swansea 5-4 Palace. Producing 4-3 with the game past the 90 -minute mark, Alan Pardew must have appeared pretty good. His unit had just duelled back from 3-1 down with merely 15 minutes remaining to lead, merely to surrender the points to Fernando Llorentes double in harm time. Sachin Nakrani : Manchester City 1-1 Liverpool. A high-octane, end-to-end, relentlessly-thrilling encounter exclusively let down by good stop. A mention, very, for Swanseas 5-4 victory over Crystal Palace. A madcap encounter that watched two aims in strike era and Alan Pardew panicking the worst.

Best ref

Daniel Taylor : Keith Hackett. I assure his disapprovals of the present crop and marvel that he must never have made a mistake in his life. Barney Ronay : Clatts. Will be missed, in part for his unintentional slapstick, when he buds for Sauds. Dominic Fifield : Probably Martin Atkinson or Michael Oliver. Paul Wilson : No idea. They all ogle the same to me. Tells say Martin Atkinson. Amy Lawrence : Michael Oliver doesnt seem to want to be the sun as much as some. He gives the impression of missing the best tournament possible.

Barry Glendenning : Mike Dean. His no-lookyellow card to Ross Barkley in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park was a stuff of beauty.

Referee Mike Deans no-look yellow-bellied poster given to Ross Barkley was a happening of glamour. Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/ Reuters

David Hytner : I dont have strong sorrows on the category this season. Id still say Mark Clattenburg is the best. Scott Murray : Refs are lightning rods for impotent annoyance, rampant paranoia and myopic storm. Objective kudo doesnt come into it, its not what theyre there for.

Jamie Jackson: The video officer what a courageous invention. What? They still do not exist despite everyone else having access to ad nauseam replays?

Andy Hunter: Any nomination will incur the wrath of at the least one club though Anthony Taylor continues to improve so in the interests of peace makes just say its not Jon Moss.

Louise Taylor: Probably Mark Clattenburg( despite missing the latter part of the season following move to Saudi Arabia .)

Stuart James: Not much to get excited about here. Martin Atkinson, Mark Clattenburg( yes, I realise hes now moved) and Michael Oliver would be in the three best. Oliver, on a good day, gets the nod.

Jacob Steinberg : Michael Oliver gets my vote, capped by penalizing Manchester Uniteds cynic rotational fouling on Hazard in the FA Cup. Simon Burnton : Mark Clattenburg. He sometimes consider this to be he thinks hes the best referee in the tract, which is unappealing, but that doesnt become him wrong.

Paul Doyle: Mike Dean. The only one to enforce the shirt-tugging directive with something close to consistency. And technology will never have mannerisms as entertaining as his.

Ed Aarons : Mark Clattenburg and Martin Atkinson frequently get the biggest gigs from Uefa and Fifa, but Michael Oliver remains the superb adjudicator in the country. Still merely 32, the Ashington official has been in charge of more equals( 31) than anyone else and questioned merely two red cards. Sachin Nakrani : Unlike 99% of people who watch football in this country, I dont have a strong scene on umpires. They all seem approximately the same and their mistakes, while sometimes stunning, never entice me into reaching for a pitchfork.

Best signing

Daniel Taylor : Mamadou Sakho. Beings giggled when a January loan signing was nominated for Crystal Palaces actor of the season awarding. But without him Palace would be down. Barney Ronay : Leroy San. What a nice mover, what a calm psyche, what a nice young man. Seems to have no real limit to how good he could be. Dominic Fifield : NGolo Kant is critical for Leicester Citys startling success in 2016, and just as influential to that of Chelsea in 2017. A blur of energy and interceptions, and at the core of everything Chelsea have achieved. Paul Wilson : Where would Manchester United be without Zlatan Ibrahimovics contribution? Just the best significance sign, and not exactly one for the future either, but until injury impressed he did what “hes been” brought in to do. Amy Lawrence : Hard to argue with Kant for overall impact. Honourable mentions to Mamadou Sakho who made a big difference to Crystal Palaces predicament, and Gabriel Jesus for being a great signing who searches bound to gleam more for Manchester City in future. Barry Glendenning : NGolo Kant. David Hytner : David Luiz. Has shown that underneath the mad fuzz lies an smart reader of video games. Has excelled in the middle of a back three. Long overtaking abides beautiful to watch. Scott Murray : Gabriel Jesus, a score-any-sort genius destined to clang in an laughable number of aims. Had he not picked up that hurt in February, Manchester City would have given Chelsea a race.

Jamie Jackson: Eric Bailly. Manchester United appear to have crowded the Nemanja Vidic-sized gap created by his 2014 deviation. Expensing 30 m from Villarreal, the Ivorian is a tough, prevailing 23 -year-old who can be a fixture for a decade.

Andy Hunter: Paul Clement. Swansea City were bottom and seeming particular for relegation when they appointed their third manager of awareness-raising campaigns in January. Astute contracts such as Tom Carroll and reassuring a force to buy into yet another managerial articulation facilitated the former Bayern Munich assistant to have an impact that can determine a clubs short-term future.

Louise Taylor: Eric Bailly for Manchester United. At 30 m he wasnt inexpensives but goodness knows how far United and Mourinho might have subsided without Baillys center defensive excellence.

Mamadou Sakho stops Alxis Snchez in his racetracks. The advocate altered Crystal Palace after his loan be removed from Liverpool. Photo: Matthew Childs/ Reuters

Stuart James: NGolo Kant would have to be up there, though it was a rather obvious slouse of business on Chelseas part, given the Frenchmans affect at Leicester the season before. With that in attention, and taking it account the size of the fee, Ill go for Victor Wanyama, Tottenhams 11 m draft from Southampton.

Jacob Steinberg : On the basis that signing Kant was a no-brainer after last-place seasons manipulates, one has to admire Chelsea for moving the restore of David Luiz a success. Its easy to forget that there were abundance of doubts about the Brazilian where reference is signed on deadline epoch. Simon Burnton : Crystal Palace won six of the 30 activities they played without Mamadou Sakho in their line-up this season, but five of the eight in which the Liverpool loanee appeared, preventing five clean membranes in the process( weighing their 1-0 defeat at Spurs, in which he was forced off after 57 goalless times and they surrendered in the 78 th ). No other signing was so transformational. Paul Doyle : Mamadou Sakho. Liverpool outcast, Crystal Palace saviour. Ed Aarons : Hard to argue with NGolo Kant for 30 m, who transposed from one off-color title-winning shirt to another with minimum of fuss. Victor Wanyama, 11 m from Southampton, has had almost the same effect for Tottenham, albeit for a third of the price. Sachin Nakrani : Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I was among the people who supposed the 35 -year-old, while undeniably talented, would strive in England. Instead “hes having” gone on to become one of the best free gives in Premier League history.

Worst flop

Daniel Taylor : Pep Guardiola. Maybe our expectancies were too high but, after all that waiting, it has been a real letdown. Claudio Bravo comes a close second, which probably illustrates the point. Barney Ronay : Claudio Bravo of course, the first goalkeeper Ive ever seen receive an ironic round of applause from his own fans for making a save.

Dominic Fifield : Moussa Sissoko has hardly pulled up any trees since growing Tottenham Hotspurs record signing, which has not come just as much of a surprise to those who watched him regularly at Newcastle United.

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Paul Wilson : The humankind who was tired of London. Dimitri Payet was a big letdown at West Ham United. The clubs 2015 -1 6 player of its first year and muse for a stadium mural at the least ought to have been able to manage a full season before leaving. Amy Lawrence : Jointly awarded to Manchester United and Arsenal, neither of whom were able to setting a serious challenge for the Premier League title despite recruiting heavily last summer to apparently boost their push.

Barry Glendenning: Pep Guardiola. Assignment with his most difficult job in management thus far, even by his own admission the Manchester City manager have put forward woefully short.

David Hytner : Simone Zaza. His outlandish penalty at the Euros for Italy was merely the prologue. Saw his loan incantation at West Ham United cut short after 11 competitions and no goals because, had he played a bit more, the club would have had to buy him outright. Moved to Valencia in January. Scott Murray : Pep Guardiola reached in England with a big honour … for being super-surly in news conference. His glorious indifference for daft queries has at times shone through this was simply majestic but not yet with Fergie or Louis van Gaal levels of consistency. Hes got the press corps clanged, though, if the repeated raising of the subject on the Sunday Supplement is anything to go by. He now needs to go in for the kill.

Jamie Jackson: Claudio Bravo. Pep Guardiola maybe blew Manchester Citys the expectations of triumphing anything in his first season when bombarding out Joe Hart and paying 14.5 m for the Chilean on 25 August. Bravo in a word? Hapless.

Andy Hunter: Claudio Bravo. There were more expensive mistakes than the Manchester City goalkeeper Tottenhams 30 m outlay on Moussa Sissoko for example but his recruitment was fundamental to how Pep Guardiola saw his first season in the Premier League and only serve to erode it. That is not to say it was a mistake to change Joe Hart, who has toiled at Torino, simply that Bravo was the incorrect alternative.

Louise Taylor: Moussa Sissoko, Tottenham Hotspur. Rafael Bentez is rightly proud of influencing Spurs to part with 30 m for a midfielder who played a big its participation in Newcastle Uniteds relegation last year and whose Euro 2016 cameos for France flattered to delude. Surely when HMRC lately attacked St James Park, club personnel joked about whether they were investigating the stealing of 30m from Spurs.

Stuart James: A few in the mingle here Borja Bastn at Swansea, Jordon Ibe at Bournemouth and Ahmed Musa at Leicester all spring to mind. But Claudio Bravo, Manchester Citys 17 m goalkeeper, is surely the standout campaigner. What were you thinking of, Pep?

Read more: www.theguardian.com

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Tragic, fascinating, brilliant- living for’ wild child’ Zelda Fitzgerald revisited

Two cinemas and a TV sequence out soon portray the living standards of the jazz-age scribe and bride of F Scott Fitzgerald

She is thought of as the original wild child, a pearl-twirling defendant girlfriend who died at the age of 47 after a flame breaks out in the North Carolina sanatorium where she was a patient. Now Zelda Fitzgerald, the southern belle made jazz-age protagonist, dubbed the first American flapper by her husband and partner-in-drink Scott, is to have her own Hollywood make-over two films are in the pipeline and a television series will air on Amazon Prime early next year.

All three programmes have starry names appended: Jennifer Lawrence will take the lead in Zelda , a biopic directed by Ron Howard and based on Nancy Milfords best-selling profile; Scarlett Johansson will bob her hair for The Beautiful and The Damned ; and Christina Ricci will play the young and impulsive Zelda in the Amazon series Z: The Beginning of Everything. The designation of the Tv series comes from Scotts awestruck provide comments on fit Zelda: I affection her, and thats the beginning and result of everything.

So what is it about Zelda that fascinates almost 70 years after her sad goal? In role it is that the cataclysms the couple lived through find an resemble in our own tumultuous times.

Interest in the Fitzgeralds has definitely been on the increase is not simply since Baz Luhrmanns film of The Great Gatsby in 2013 but likewise from the many parallels between their lives and job and the period were living through right now, says Sarah Churchwell, scribe of the critically acclaimed Careless Beings: Murder, Mayhem and The Invention of the Great Gatsby .

Its a tale of thunder and bust and it resonates as we are grappling with our own boom and failure, our own concern about the costs of our plethoras and our own social defaults. Human life and riches of Scott and Zelda peculiarly mimicked their periods: in the 1920 s they were roaring for all they were merit, but with the accident in 1929, everything fell apart.

It helps, too, that Zelda was so vibrant a illustration. It begins with her grace, says Churchwell. But likewise with the narratives told in the 1920 s about the high jinks and merriment she and Scott seemed to have. Beings really liked her: she was surprising, smart, clever, amusing and cherished a good party. She too liked to be the centre of notice, and so had her detractors very. These events combined to build her a legend.

Scott repeatedly returned to their relationship in his fiction, most notably in his second novel, The Beautiful and Damned , which details the exhilarating early days of their matrimony; and his doleful fourth, Tender Is The Night , in which the gilded fantasy has faded into a more tawdry actuality. Zeldas exclusively novel, Save Me The Waltz , presented the relationship from her side.

They were arguably Americas first fame pairing: a carefree golden pair who wrote their course into the spotlight, establishing their own myth of gin-soaked periods and fun-filled nights, only to linger too long formerly the light-footed had started to dim. Their recklessness shapes the story exciting and stunning, says Churchwell. But they paid a the highest price.

After a few giddy years, all the youthful promise deteriorated away, leaving Scott a perplexed and drunk jobbing hacker in Hollywood and delivering Zelda to breakdown at persons under the age of 30, a diagnosis of schizophrenia , now widely thought to be a bipolar disorder, and their own lives in and out of sanatoriums.

Her story is both fascinating and unfortunates, says Therese Anne Fowler, on whose novel Z the Amazon series is based. Here we have a woman whose talents and vitality and intellect should have stirred her a bright success, who was determined to be an attained artist, scribe and ballet dancer in an epoch where married girls were supposed to be wives and moms, period. Her devotion to Scott was, in many ways, her undoing[ although] he was just as imprisoned as she was. Had they adored one another less, they are likely both have come to better ends.

The idea of Zelda as a bright lady caught by her day has gained traction in recent years, with a number of operates re-evaluating her through the prism of feminism although it is not always the most wonderful of fits. As early as 1974, the couples daughter Scottie defied such claims, writing that attempts to scene her mom as a classic put-down spouse, whose efforts to express her quality were thwarted by a frequently male chauvinist spouse were no longer accurate.

Writing in the New Yorker in 2013, Molly Fischer agreed , mention: Saving Zelda Fitzgerald is no easy overture …[ she] does not want to be anyones domesticated, and theres something flustering about the literary readiness to domesticate her, to alter an infuriating dame into an appealing heroine.

The new movies may well further Hollywoodise Zelda, sanding away her rough boundaries and reinventing her as a relatable protagonist for our modern times. The molding of Lawrence so often described as Americas Sweetheart in the Howard biopic is no accident.

A report about the upcoming Johansson film in the Hollywood Reporter showed it would draw on previously unreleased textile to indicate that her husband embezzled his wifes theories as his own.

Mark Gill, president of Millennium Films, the yield firm behind The Beautiful and The Damned , concurs : She was massively ahead of her period and she took a vanquish for it. He plagiarized her ideas and put them in his volumes. The wedding was a codependency from blaze with a jazz-age soundtrack. The cinema has, nonetheless, fastened the co-operation of the Fitzgerald estate.

Fowler agrees that there is a growing predisposition to exploit our own concerns to Zelda. We do anoint her as a kind of proto-feminist protagonist, even though she didnt examine herself as a feminist and didnt amply supplant at anything, she says. But her original honour is based on conventional paternalistic standards of what the status of women, mom and spouse ought to be and do. Her ambitions and her insistence on seeking them were considered inappropriate and undesirable; after her psychotic break she was literally told that this insistence had created her divide head and that the path to a panacea lay in giving up all ambitions that didnt conform to the paternalistic ideal.

Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Lawrence and Christina Ricci are all set to play Zelda Fitzgerald in the forthcoming creations The Beautiful and the Damned, Zelda and Z: The Beginning of Everything. Composite: Getty Images

The backlash against this image is intelligible given that popular opinion of Zelda was initially driven by Ernest Hemingways notoriously corrosive descriptions in A Moveable Feast , wrote posthumously in 1964, in which he dismissed her as insane and accused Scotts thriving dependence on beverage on his wife.

Our perception has very much changed, says Churchwell. We have come to sympathise with her thwarting, to recognise her talents and to be more fair-minded about her alternatives. That said, she prudences against attempts to create a Team Scott/ Team Zelda segment, as is so often the action in famed literary partnerships. Its important to say that they always loved each other and wouldnt have appreciated people taking slopes Fitzgerald wrote a few years before he died that it was a moral obligation that their friends understood they were a duet, a group and would stay that direction, even if her illness meant they couldnt live together.

Churchwell is likewise scathing about attempts to suggest Zelda had a larger role in her husbands act than previously presumed. There are people who want to credit Zelda with Scotts work, which is just silly and doesnt do wives any privileges, she says. Its not a zero-sum recreation: we are in a position recognise both of them for who they were.

Zelda had numerous abilities, but where writing was related she was probably very ill when she started to hone her offerings, and while it is true that Scott didnt especially want her to write partly out of territoriality but partly because medical doctors told him it was bad for her its too true that her work isnt in the same class as his. Her individual convicts are often lovely, and she can create a mood and has clever transforms of term but her operates tend to be sketches rather than full tales. If they had obligated different options, maybe she could have been an important scribe, but current realities is that she wasnt.

Perhaps, then, the true key to Zeldas sustained pull on our curiosity lies not in her drive but in her modernity. I dont want to live I want to adoration firstly and live incidentally, she extol and it is that vigor and gluttony for all of lifes suffers, both good and bad, that strains down over the decades, granting each generation to see something new.

Z: The Beginning of Everything will air on Amazon Prime early next year

THEY SAID

I have rarely known the status of women who expressed herself so delightfully and freshly: she had no ready-made mottoes on the one handwriting and no striving for result on the other. Critic Edmund Wilson

I fell in love with her courage, her franknes and her flame self-respect, and its these events I would believe in even if the whole world pandered in wild hunches that she wasnt all that she should be.

F Scott Fitzgerald

I did not have a single belief of inferiority, or shyness, or incredulity, and no moral principles.

All I crave is to be very young ever and very irresponsible, and is of the view that my life is my own to live and be happy and croak in my own practice to delight myself.

Other people ideas of us are dependent largely on what theyve hoped for.

Read more: www.theguardian.com

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