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Frank Lampard says he has no personal issue with David Luiz after allowing him to leave Chelsea
Watch Arsenal vs Chelsea live on Sky Sports Premier League 1pm on Sunday; kick-off at 2pm.
By Husmukh Kerai
Last Updated: 28/12/19 10:32pm


0:42

Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard says he does not harbour any negative feelings towards David Luiz after he pushed to leave the club to join Arsenal
Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard says he will always respect Arsenal defender David Luiz despite making the decision to let him leave in the summer.

Luiz joined Arsenal on a two-year deal for £8m in the summer transfer window after two spells at Chelsea.

Scott McTominay: Man Utd midfielder out for 'three or four weeks', says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Solskjaer says Paul Pogba "just needed another day of recovery"
By Liam Grace
Last Updated: 28/12/19 11:38pm


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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer discusses Scott McTominay's knee injury
Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay is set to miss "three or four weeks" due to his knee injury, says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

McTominay was brought off at half-time during Thursday's 4-1 win over Newcastle - replaced by Paul Pogba, playing his second game back from injury - and was later pictured leaving Old Trafford on crutches.

Messi helps Barca past Las Palmas
Oct 01, 2017

Barcelona overcame a difficult day as they maintained their perfect start to the season with a 3-0 victory over Las Palmas inside an empty Camp Nou on Sunday.Barcelona 3 Las Palmas 0Chichizola pulls off a string of savesCalleri hits woodwork just before HTBusquets heads Barca in frontMessi brace seals win

Match Summary

Ernesto Valverde's side didn't have things all their own way, though, as the visitors played some superb one-touch football themselves and asked numerous questions of the Barca defence in the first half.

But the Catalan giants took control of proceedings after the interval and scored three goals to make it seven wins out of seven in La Liga this term.

Full Report

In a game that almost never went ahead due to trouble in the city over the Catalan referendum, the visitors seemed to revel in the occasion of playing behind closed doors.

After Borja Herrera hit a hopeful shot wide of the left post from outside the area on five minutes, Barca went close moments later when Sergi Roberto tested Leandro Chichizola from range.

The hosts enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening 21 minutes and they would threaten from a Lionel Messi free-kick from 19 yards out that Chichizola clawed away from the top-right corner, and the keeper then denied Denis Suarez on the follow-up.

Pako Ayestaran's men started to find their rhythm with some slick, one-touch passing and Oussama Tannane produced a comfortable save out of Marc-Andre ter Stegen from 25 yards out after cutting in from the right flank.

Tannane caused problems again on 28 minutes when he latched onto Alberto Aquilani's through-ball on the right and cut the ball back to Jonathan Calleri, but Sergi Roberto made a vital interception to prevent the striker from scoring.

Gerard Pique saw his header deflected over the crossbar from Denis Suarez's corner on 31 minutes and Paulinho wasted a glorious chance two minutes later when he headed wide of the left post from just eight yards out, after getting on the end of Sergi Roberto's exquisite cross on the right.

The Canary Islands club nearly broke the deadlock two minutes before half-time from a flowing move on the right as Tannane was played into space on the right and he crossed for Calleri to hit the base of the left post with a first-time shot.

The Blaugrana came out in the second half with renewed focus and Messi was denied by Chichizola once again on 47 minutes, with the keeper parrying away his compatriot's free-kick at the right post, before he tipped Ivan Rakitic's volley over two minutes later.

And their efforts were rewarded from the resulting corner as Sergio Busquets glanced a header home at the near post.

Messi went on a trademark mazy run from the right soon afterwards and forced Chichizola into another good save with a shot from inside the area, and Tannane fired just wide of the left post at the other end as Las Palmas quickly countered.

The Argentine magician should perhaps have done better on 56 minutes with a header from 12 yards out that he steered wide of the left post, after he played in Luis Suarez on the right and met his return cross.

Chichizola was well placed to keep out Messi at his near post on 65 minutes after the diminutive forward had carried the ball from one side of the box to the other, but the goal-machine finally had the beating of his fellow Argentine five minutes later as he latched onto Denis Suarez's neat reverse pass and rounded the keeper to tap home from a yard out.

Messi made the game safe on 77 minutes as he tucked the ball into the bottom-right corner of the net after being picked out inside the area by Luis Suarez.

Tannane continued to look dangerous for Las Palmas and he missed the chance to cap off a brilliant individual performance when he blasted wide of the left post from a narrow angle on the right five minutes from time.

Luis Suarez squandered the final opportunity in stoppage time after being played in on the right by Messi, with the Uruguayan striker dragging his effort wide of the left post from just inside the area.

Ancelotti defends team selection
Sep 28, 2017

Ancelotti made several changes to his lineup from last weekend’s Bundesliga fixture, leaving experienced trio Mats Hummels, Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery on the bench.

The German champions struggled to control PSG’s attacking trio of Neymar, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe, with Cavani and Neymar grabbing a goal each, while the Brazilian also set up compatriot Dani Alves for the opener after just 90 seconds.

Still, the former Chelsea and Real Madrid coach rejected suggestions that his tinkering was responsible for the defeat.

"No, I don't think so. I thought a lot to try to put out the best lineup. I am going to have criticism for this but it is no problem. I'm still convinced it was a good lineup but the situation of the game was against us," Ancelotti said afterwards..

Asked about his decision to leave Ribery on the bench, Ancelotti said: "I have the same relationship with all the other players that were on the bench. I have no problem with him - every player knows that sometimes they have to go on the bench."

Bayern fell behind when Neymar dribbled past several Bayern defenders to lay the ball across goal for Alves to fire through the legs of keeper Sven Ulreich, a goal which Ancelotti felt changed the complexion of the game.

"The reason was the first goal -- we conceded after one minute," he said. "After that, we did not have the balance to avoid counter-attacks. I think that in the first half we had good control of the game, possession and some opportunities.

"But we weren't dangerous enough and we didn't have enough balance to avoid counter-attacks. PSG played the whole game on the counter-attack and we were not able to control this."

Ancelotti also refused to blame his backup keeper.

"Ulreich did his job," he said. "We have to focus on what we can do better. As I said, it would have been better to have more balance on the pitch and avoid the counter-attack."

Mourinho hails Lukaku after big Moscow win
Sep 28, 2017

Lukaku’s brace took his tally to 10 goals in nine games so far this season, a record that even Mourinho admitted was amazing.

"He is having a great record but we know he is a very good player who will score lots of goal when surrounded by quality players," Mourinho said.

"But I have to admit he is scoring important goals in almost every game.

"It is a great achievement but it is only possible with a good team.

"Without a good team it is not possible and the team is playing well. They are amazing numbers for Romelu. He is humble and wants to learn and improve all the time.

"I think ambition is there and I trust he can keep performing for us."

"I think the performance can only be good for the team and the players," he added. "For the team confidence is good because six points in two matches in the Champions League puts us in a good position and for the players individually it is also good because we had very good performances.

"(Chris) Smalling and (Victor) Lindelof had very good performances, (Ander) Herrera has not started a match in a long time and had a good performance, so did Anthony Martial - and I am speaking about the players who are not starting matches.

"We have to keep our feet on the ground, stay humble and follow our direction because we are having a very good start to the season."

Spurs frustrated by Swans at Wembley
Sep 16, 2017

Tottenham Hotspur were held to a goalless draw by Swansea City in their Premier League clash at Wembley on Saturday evening.Tottenham Hotspur 0 Swansea City 0Alli goes closeKane hits the woodworkLlorente comes on against his former team

Match summary

Tottenham controlled large chunks of this tie but could not beat Lukasz Fabianski in the Swansea goal as they were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw.

Full report

Spurs were bright from the off with Deli Alli firing an early volley wide before Andre Ayew failed to hit the target when presented with the ball by a mis-kicked clearance from Hugo Lloris.

Fabianski made a great low save on 10 minutes to deny Harry Kane from a 30-yard free-kick before beating away a Son Heung-min shot from a tight angle.

Son then blazed over the Swansea crossbar after some super interplay from the Spurs attack as they looked to settle into this tie.

Eric Dier was off target with a 23rd minute set-piece while Swansea were restricted to swinging hopeless ball into the Tottenham area.

Federico Fernandez did well to clear ahead of Kane as Son fired in a low cross as Swansea's best chance of the half fell to Mike Van der Hoorn, but defender headed just wide from a 43rd minute corner.

But it was Jan Vertonghen with the last chance of the first 45 minutes, with a shot low to Fabianski's left that was ultimately a comfortable save for the away stopper.

Spurs remained in control at the start of the second half with Swansea struggling to get on the ball.

Son forced Fabianski into a strong save on 59 minutes before Kane picked up a Moussa Sissoko pass before smashing a shot against the crossbar.

The Swansea keeper then denied Son from a wide angle before expertly tipping over a glanced Kane header from a Christian Eriksen corner.

Fabianski tipped over an audacious Alli volley on 70 minutes before the England midfielder miscued a header from a good position as Spurs edged closer and closer to a goal.

The ball appeared to strike Martin Olsson on the arm from a Serge Aurier cross on 76 minutes although a penalty would have been a harsh decision.

Lloris then punched clear a Sam Clucas free-kick before the same player volleyed high and wide on the follow-up.

Kane fired just wide after a good turn in the box before Vertonghen smashed wide from an Eriksen corner as the match wore down.

Another penalty appeal for Spurs was turned down as Ayew appeared to clip the heels of Aurier before Kieran Trippier hit a half-volley just wide; and Aurier poked his effort off target for the last chance of this entertaining tie.

Mourinho: Pogba will be missed
Sep 16, 2017

There is still no official word from the club on the extent of their star midfielder's injury, although his manager had previously admitted that he will be sidelined for 'a few matches'.

Pogba suffered a hamstring injury on Thursday night during the Red Devils' 3-0 Champions League victory over Basel and was seen leaving the stadium on crutches.

Speaking to reporters ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Everton on Saturday, Mourinho indicated that he is still in the dark over the seriousness of the injury.

"I just know that it's a muscular injury," he told reporters. "He's out for the weekend match, that's the only match I'm thinking about, I don't think any further than that. He's not playing this weekend. I just know it's a hamstring problem.

"Squads are to try to cope with these kinds of situations and we know that in a few situations, I don't know how many, but we are going to play without Pogba for a few matches but we have other players.

"We have players and we have players waiting for an opportunity because we start the season really well with one match per week, no need for resting, changes, we were going with the same players but there are good players more than ready to play so honestly we miss Pogba, we need Pogba but we have good players.

"[Ander] Herrera, [Marouane] Fellaini, [Michael] Carrick are waiting for a real chance to start the matches and they are ready so this is also our way of thinking.

"We lost important players last season during crucial moments of the season and we were not crying or getting excuses about that."

Morata: I felt indebted to Conte
Sep 16, 2017

The former Real Madrid hitman had no idea that the Blues were interested in bringing him to Stamford Bridge, but admitted to having received a firm offer from Manchester United.

"I had various offers this summer, not only Chelsea and Manchester United but also from different leagues," Morata told the Daily Mail. "It was a good situation for me. The most important and best conversation I had was with Conte, he wanted me to come here.

"At the start of the summer, I didn't know that Chelsea were interested in me. I thought they were in for a different player, maybe Lukaku or maybe someone else, I don't know. I didn't think the option of Chelsea was open.

"But I spoke with Conte several times - and not only this summer. I felt in debt to him. He signed me for Juventus but left very quickly to manage Italy," Morata added, referring to his 2014/15 loan move to the Italian champions.

"I always wanted to play for him after that," he continued. "It was only two months with him but it felt like I'd known him forever. When I knew he wanted me this summer, I didn't think twice. I did everything I could to make the move happen."

The striker went on to reveal that he had almost joined Chelsea ahead of last season.

"Last summer it was close," he said. "Cesar Azpilicueta was a bit annoyed because he had already started house-hunting for me. We'd even got estate agents on board. This time Cesar has sorted everything.

"When I spoke to Conte last summer, I said 'If I'm going to leave Real Madrid, it will only be for Chelsea'.

"I remember I was with my wife after hearing him out and I said 'Chelsea are going to win the league this season.' And that's exactly what happened. Now we need to repeat it."

Stuttgart midfielder hails Vidal as world's best
Sep 16, 2017

The talented 20-year-old completed a move from Estudiantes in his home country to Stuttgart in late August. The player is captain of Argentina's U20 team, but it is Chile international Vidal whom he considers as the best in his position.

He told German sports daily Kicker, "Vidal? He's the most complete player in his position.There are many strong players in this position. But, he combines everything you could need in one player...my football idol is Maradona, though!"

The young destroyer, who penned a five-year deal with the newly-promoted Reds, added that making Argentina's World Cup squad for the 2018 tournament in Russia was one of his main objectives.

Ascacibar concluded, "Clearly, the World Cup in Russia is a goal. It must be my aim. Perhaps I can do it. My dedication and will to win are part of South American culture."

Lascelles wins it for Newcastle
Sep 16, 2017

Jamal Lascelles was the hero for Newcastle for the second week in a row as he grabbed the winner in a 2-1 win over Stoke City at St. James' Park on Saturday.Newcastle 2 Stoke 1Atsu opens for the MagpiesShaqiri with curling equaliserLascelles scores the winner

Match Summary

The Magpies got off to a good start when Christian Atsu opened the scoring on 19 minutes as he met a Matt Ritchie cross to put the hosts 1-0 ahead.

Xherdan Shaqiri equalised 57 minutes into the second half as he received the ball from Joe Allen and drove at the defense, curling home a goal from outside the box.

The home side grabbed the winner though when Ritchie put a good ball into the box from a corner which was met and turned home by Lascelles, with 68 minutes played.

Full Report

The hosts created the first chance of the match when Shaqiri lost the ball and Ritchie had an attempt from range but his shot was blocked by Ayoze Perez, his own player.

In the eighth minute, Stoke created their first real chance when Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting shot from range but the ball was deflected behind for a corner.

The hosts opened the scoring when Atsu snuck around the far post to turn in a Ritchie cross and score his first Premier League goal.

Lascelles came close to making to 2-0 after he met a Ritchie corner but his header drifted narrowly wide of the far post.

Rob Elliot then had to be alert as Shaqiri created a chance from nothing as he cut back on his left foot and unleashed a shot from range which was heading for the top corner. However, Elliot managed to get a hand to the ball to prevent the equaliser.

In the 28th minute Joselu came close to scoring against his former side when he was found unopposed by Chancel Mbemba. However the striker put his first-time shot just wide of the far post.

The Spanish striker went close again after DeAndre Yedlin’s shot was deflected into his path but Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland made a wonderful save to prevent a sure goal.

The second-half started as the first half ended as Joselu was found in space from Atsu but the striker again missed the target, this time flashing his shot over the bar.

In the 52nd minute, Shaqiri came close again but his shot was well parried away by Elliot.

However, Shaqiri got his goal after he cut back on his left foot and drove at the defence before shooting from outside the box, and finding the bottom left corner of the goal.

Elliot had to be sharp in the 64th minute when Shaqiri managed to find Mame Diouf who headed into the ground, but the Newcastle stopper tipped the ball away.

Atsu then had a penalty appeal turned down after he was brought down in the box by Kurt Zouma, with replays showing the defender getting the slightest of touches to the ball.

The hosts, however, put themselves back ahead in the 68th minute when Ritchie swung in a corner which was turned in by Lascelles.

In the 88th minute Long played the ball into substitute Peter Crouch who headed into the path of Choupo-Moting but he fired over from close range.

The Potters had a last minute chance to steal the draw in added time when Bruno Martins Indi’s cross was met by Diouf who managed to send his effort wide.

Guardiola: We are better than last season
Sep 17, 2017

The Spanish coach added that he was confident City would not suffer a dip in form as they did after a great start last season.

“I am delighted, so happy,” he said. “There are many things we are doing now that we didn’t do last season.”

“Last season there was new enthusiasm with a new manager and new players and everybody expecting [a lot]. Now we are more stable, we know each other better. And the new players have come to help us be better. The fundamentals of what we do are the same but the difference is we have good balance, good players and good spirit.

“Day by day I say thank you to the club – to all the people involved for buying these players. All managers have their own good ideas of how to play but without these players that we have right now, it’s more complicated.”

Guardiola also praised Sergio Aguero after his hat-trick took him to within two goals of City’s all-time record scorer Eric Brook.

“He will beat it and hopefully we will have a good celebration for him because he is a legend, part of the history of our club.”

Talking about his criticism of Aguero last season, Guardiola said: “He always had that, he just needed to get more involved a little bit in the game.”

“He’s a guy you can encourage to play, not just to score goals. I like to have defenders who do not just defend and attackers who do not just score. Everybody has to play. I like to see everybody moving and wanting the ball, not to be there waiting for a situation to come. All our strikers are involved now.”