It is one thing getting to the top. It's harder than ever to stay there, as Man City have discovered this season.

The prospect of a top six Premier League finish will be on the minds of Leicester, West Ham, Everton and others.

There could be challenges in store for Thierry Henry as he re-sets the dial and begins again, but his disastrous spell as Monaco manager could be the making of his coaching career.

United need to once again convince themselves about their stature and potential as much as they need to persuade the outside world that they can be great again.

Pearson has 13 points from the last possible 15 since becoming Watford’s third manager of the season, while Mourinho’s early progress has stagnated.

Simply by working on the likes of intensity, organisation, pressing and commitment, David Moyes has delivered an instant improvement at West Ham.

Wayne Rooney has shown by his achievements that he worked hard to overlay his natural gifts with the desire and maturity required to be a consistently major influence on matches.

The fabulous feat of a third successive league title may be beyond him now. Yet it may help Pep Guardiola join that rarefied band of double Kings of Europe come next May.

Let’s face it, any possible fights between Joshua and Wilder or Fury will not take place until 2021. If ever, writes John Dillon.

It has taken six years for them to become fully-formed and ready to join MLS, but Inter Miami are shaping up nicely for their 2020 bow.

Professional sport is about how you come back even more than it is about how you win, writes John Dillon.

Chelsea have been beaten by both Man Utd and Liverpool this season, but with City stuttering and beset by defensive problems – and the Blues’ mood so buoyant – the stage may be set for Frank Lampard’s biggest day so far in management.