The romantic view is that it all started with the Sergio Agüero goal. You know, “Agüueeeerrro!” and the 2011-12 Premier League title. Yet really, Agüero doesn’t get his moment if Yaya Touré doesn’t score twice, late, in a really tense 2-0 victory at St James’ Park six days earlier. Everything is connected.
May 14 1913 Washington’s Walter Johnson gives up a run in the fourth inning against the St. Louis Browns to end his streak of 56 scoreless innings. The Senators win 10-5. 1919 Four days after his Kentucky Derby victory, Sir Barton, ridden by Johnny Loftus, wins the Preakness Stakes by four lengths over Eternal.
Yaya Touré has publicly criticised his former agent, Dimitry Seluk, for making comments about an "African curse" that is stopping his former side Manchester City and Pep Guardiola from winning the Champions League.
At the end of this one-sided game there was the murmur of conversation to be heard, no doubt about the relegation threat that looms ever larger for Southampton, rather than the view at the top end of the table as Manchester City closed the gap on leaders Arsenal to five points.