The tributes he paid to Fernando Torres, to Pepe Reina and to the Liverpool defence were kind. His analysis went unquestioned because it was underpinned by a realistic appraisal of the events he had just witnessed.
With his generosity of spirit, disarming honesty and laid-back demeanour, Carlo Ancelotti truly is a man apart. Seeing him after the defeat at Liverpool prompted the thought that the Italian must have lowest blood pressure in Premier League management.
Perhaps equanimity comes with winning the European Cup twice as a player and the Champions League twice more as a manager. Perhaps it is genetic. But at a time when others would appear stressed, the Chelsea manager remains his amenable, reasonable self.
Amid football's tendency to over-react, perspective can be applied with a glance at the league table, showing Chelsea's two-point lead. Nevertheless, Ancelotti's side have started to stumble after an electric start.
The figures present a stark change; 19 goals were scored in the first five games but only six have been forthcoming in the last six. Ancelotti admitted Chelsea did not deserve to win at Blackburn Rovers last week, when Branislav Ivanovic pilfered the points with a late goal, or on Sunday when Liverpool were vastly the superior side in the first half.
That his side have lost at both Liverpool's Anfield and Manchester City's Eastlands means they have failed their two most severe tests on the road. Factor in a stalemate at Aston Villa and they have drawn a blank in each of their three toughest away games.
They are statistics that can suggest Chelsea are flat-track bullies, scoring a glut of goals against West Bromwich Albion, Wigan Athletic and Blackpool but lacking the same incision when it matters most.
It is pertinent, too, that Chelsea have ceded control of the midfield battleground in both of their two defeats. Ramires, their costlier summer signing, was found wanting both at City and at Liverpool (as the other, Yossi Benayoun, is a long-term absentee, there are reasons to argue that Ancelotti is working with both a weaker and a smaller squad).
While it may be harsh to fault a defence that has been breached only five times, Chelsea can be unsettled by the rapid movements of strikers, whether Carlos Tevez or Torres.
That Ricardo Carvalho, long the speediest and classiest centre-back at Stamford Bridge, has now been reunited with Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid is a factor.
But Ancelotti ignores the first unwritten commandment of management - thou shalt moan - as while many of his counterparts need no second invitation to broadcast their injury list, the Chelsea coach rarely raises the subject of his.
Frank Lampard has not featured since August, something which his manager has been reluctant to complain about, and Michael Essien, that wonderfully high-calibre enforcer, also missed the match at Liverpool. A fevered Didier Drogba was only fit to play 45 minutes in which he altered the game.
Besides habit, there are reasons why Ancelotti retains his composure. He has weathered difficult spells beforehand and a supremely calm temperament is an asset.
Moreover, while eight points have been dropped in six games, no challenger has presented a convincing claim to Chelsea's throne.
City and Arsenal have both been beaten three times already. Manchester United remain undefeated but were way below par in overcoming Wolverhampton Wanderers at home with a last-minute goal.
Interestingly, Sir Alex Ferguson claimed a few weeks ago: "Chelsea have had it easy. I think they chose the fixture list themselves."
Ancelotti is too dignified to respond in kind, but it is United who have faced only one of last season's top six and Chelsea who have played four of the top seven finishers now. So while Chelsea are not unbeatable, he can remain unflappable. The title is still theirs to lose.
>>>
Occasionally a persecution complex is justified.
Consider Stoke City's fortunes in their last three games: against Manchester United, Gary Neville should have been sent off in the first half, but was granted a reprieve, soon substituted and the 11 men proceeded to a 2-1 win.
Versus Everton, Tuncay Sanli had a goal disallowed, a decision that few agreed with, in a 1-0 defeat.
And Saturday's 2-0 setback at Sunderland included a Kenwyne Jones header that both crossed the line and was handled by Lee Cattermole, stood next to the post. Stoke can only wonder what the refereeing fraternity will do to them in tonight's match with Birmingham City.
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Besides the goals, there were two notable incidents at Old Trafford on Saturday. The first was sadly predictable, Owen Hargreaves limping off.
His first start in 26 months was officially timed at five minutes, though several of those were spent on the sidelines before Bebe could replace him, and, including a late substitute appearance last season, Hargreaves has touched the ball six times in two years.
The curiosity came later in proceedings as Wolverhampton Wanderers were hanging on to a 1-1 draw; Karl Henry, criticised for poor challenges this season, executed a superb tackle in his own penalty area and, in surely a first, Mick McCarthy punched the air to celebrate a challenge. Cruelly for Wolves, it was not enough to earn them a point.
>>>
Occupied by Bolton Wanderers for 24 hours and now Newcastle United, fifth place appears the designated spot for deserving overachievers.
sports@thenational.ae
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
LAST-16 EUROPA LEAGUE FIXTURES
Wednesday (Kick-offs UAE)
FC Copenhagen (0) v Istanbul Basaksehir (1) 8.55pm
Shakhtar Donetsk (2) v Wolfsburg (1) 8.55pm
Inter Milan v Getafe (one leg only) 11pm
Manchester United (5) v LASK (0) 11pm
Thursday
Bayer Leverkusen (3) v Rangers (1) 8.55pm
Sevilla v Roma (one leg only) 8.55pm
FC Basel (3) v Eintracht Frankfurt (0) 11pm
Wolves (1) Olympiakos (1) 11pm
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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More on Quran memorisation:
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
MATCH INFO
Liverpool 3
Sadio Man 28'
Andrew Robertson 34'
Diogo Jota 88'
Arsenal 1
Lacazette 25'
Man of the match
Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
