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  • You’re a “little man’’, Chelsea’s Conte berates Mourinho

    You’re a “little man’’, Chelsea’s Conte berates Mourinho

    Chelsea manager Antonio Conte continued his ongoing feud with Jose Mourinho on Saturday by calling the Manchester United manager “a little man”.

    Mourinho made a pointed comment about match-fixing during the week, a reference to the four-month suspension Conte was handed in the 2012/2013 season.

    His offence was his failure to report match-fixing at his previous club Siena.

    He was later cleared by an Italian court of any wrongdoing.

    “I think when you try to hurt a person, especially if you know very well the truth of what happens, the court proved my innocence.

    “When you do this it means you are a little man,” Conte said after Chelsea’s 0-0 FA Cup third-round draw at Championship side Norwich City.

    “But this is the not the first time. He does this in the past and he continues to do this in the present.”

    Mourinho and Conte have never been friends but their relationship deteriorated this week after Mourinho spoke about some managers behaving “like a clown” on the touchline.

    This was taken as a reference to Conte and Liverpool’s Juergen Klopp.

    In response on Friday, the Chelsea manager accused the Portuguese of “senile dementia”, which led to Mourinho saying he had not mentioned any names.

    “This is his way, it is no surprise. We all know him,” Conte said. “Life will go on, I‘m not worried about him.”

    Conte refused to criticise his players after making nine changes for the match against Norwich.

    “It’s a bit frustrating. We knew the difficulty of the game. When you play away in this competition it’s not easy,” he said.

    “In the first half we had difficulty to attack but in the second half we created chances to score.

    “Norwich deserve to have another game. For us it’s not simple to add another game in the schedule. These are the rules though.”(Reuters/NAN)

  • Conte:  Top-four finish good enough for Chelsea

    Conte:  Top-four finish good enough for Chelsea

     

    Chelsea boss Antonio Conte believes finishing in the top four will mean they have had a successful season regardless of losing their Premier League title.

    The champions head into Saturday’s game with Stoke City 16 points behind league leaders Manchester City, who have left the rest of the division trailing in their wake with their sensational form this term.

    Chelsea are still involved in the EFL Cup and FA Cup and have a Champions League last-16 tie with Barcelona to come, leaving them a good chance of finishing 2017-18 with silverware.

    But Conte believes their league campaign will be a success as long as they finish in one of the three spots directly behind City.

    “I think, in this league, to finish in the top four will always be a successful season,” he told a news conference.

    “This is the only league to have six top teams to fight every season for the title. And then there are only four places for the Champions League and two for the Europa League.

    “But it’s normal when your competitors are doing so well, like Manchester City… it’s very difficult to think about fighting until the end for the title. But, at the same time, we must try to fight in every game, for the three points and to give satisfaction to the fans, and to give everything.”

    Conte has few injury problems ahead of Stoke’s visit to Stamford Bridge, meaning he could rotate his selection in order to save some players for the trip to Arsenal on January 3, while Charly Musonda and David Luiz are close to returns.

    However, although the former Juventus boss enjoys playing matches over Christmas, he admits it would be useful to have a rest period after the festive season.

    “All the players are available,” he said. “The same players from the last game are available, and about Musonda and David Luiz, they are improving a lot. The recovery is very close – I don’t know about the next game, but for sure against Norwich City [in the FA Cup].

    “I think we have a game that is very difficult against Stoke City. As you remember well, last season, in the same period, we suffered a lot to beat them at home. I remember very well the game. We must pay great attention.

    “I think we have to go game by game. It’s normal when you have to play every two days that I have to make rotations and give a bit of rest to the players playing every game. At the same time, all my players deserve credit and I trust in all my players.

    “Personally, I’m very happy to stay here and work here, to have this type of Christmas period. I think to play during the Christmas period is great, great not only for me but for the players. You live a fantastic atmosphere. I’m enjoying a lot this type of situation.

    “But, at the same time, I can tell you that, after this period, I’d like to have a little period of rest: for me, for the players. But not only for my team but for every team in England. And then to prepare for the final rush.”

    One player yet to appear for Chelsea this season is Baba Rahman, who has been sidelined since February with a knee injury, and Conte admits he is not sure whether the left-back will stay beyond next month’s transfer window.

    “This player is coming from a bad injury. A bad, bad injury. He’s struggling a bit to recover the best form,” he said.

    “I must be honest, I don’t know what will happen with Baba. For sure, about the human aspect, I’d like to give him an opportunity to come back strong like before. He is showing great patience because he’s struggled a lot but, honestly, I don’t know what will happen with Baba. If I can help him, I’m ready to help him.”

  • Isco and Morata team up in London night out

    Isco and Morata team up in London night out

     

    Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata was reunited with former Real Madrid team-mate Isco this week as the pair enjoyed time in London together during the Spanish winter break.

    After being benched for Madrid’s crunch El Clasico clash with Barcelona last weekend, Spanish midfielder Isco decided to make the trip to the English capital with his girlfriend Sara Salamo.

    Morata, who was enjoying a short break from the busy Premier League schedule, posted a photo on Instagram of himself and his newly-pregnant wife Alice Campello hanging out with Isco and his girlfriend in London.

    And it appeared that Morata very much enjoyed spending some quality downtime with his good friend following his big-money move from Madrid in the summer.

    The 25-year-old Spaniard captioned his social media post: ‘What a joy to be able to share with you for a while! Hope to repeat soon!’

    The Spanish duo are longtime friends after lifting the under-21 European Championships together in 2011, as well as being team-mates for both club and country.

    Meanwhile, Isco and his partner made the most of their trip to London by visiting Camden Town and the local restaurants, as well as listening to some live music.

    Isco’s girlfriend Salamo posted pictures and videos on her Instagram story of the loved-up pair dining together as well as listening to some music in the crisp London conditions.

    Despite the midfielder’s innocent trip to visit his friend in London, some Chelsea fans got rather excited about the prospect of Morata trying to convince him to sign for the Stamford Bridge outfit.

    Isco will soon have to turn his attentions back to football as Madrid return to action on January 4 against Numancia in the Copa del Rey before taking on Celta Vigo in La Liga just three days later.

  • Frustrations in Everton, Chelsea Stalemate

    Frustrations in Everton, Chelsea Stalemate

    Chelsea wasted a chance to move level on points with second placed Manchester United as Everton maintained their improvement under Sam Allardyce in a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park on Saturday.

    It marked a sixth game unbeaten for Everton under former England boss Allardyce, but Chelsea’s failure to convert possession into goals will not have pleased Blues manager Antonio Conte.

    Conte has already conceded his inconsistent team won’t be able to defend the Premier League title and this was another frustrating afternoon for the Italian as the Blues squandered their territorial dominance.

    Chelsea remain third and are 13 points behind leaders Manchester City, who play Bournemouth later on Saturday.

    Initially, it looked like being an encouraging day for Conte as Chelsea quickly established a pattern of complete dominance.

    It took an impressive double goal-line clearance by veteran defender Phil Jagielka to deny the visitors what would have been a deserved lead.

    The Everton captain read the situation perfectly as Marcos Alonso’s cross flew through the home area after 10 minutes, reacting sharply to block Tiemoue Bakayoko’s effort.

    Jagielka then responded even more impressively as Willian looked certain to convert the rebound, the defender positioning himself to keep out the follow-up effort in similar fashion.

    Yet for all their superiority in those opening stages, Chelsea struggled to carve out many meaningful chances to trouble home keeper Jordan Pickford.

    After 20 minutes, Cuco Martina was booked for a blatant foul on Victor Moses on the edge of the Everton area but Willian sent his free-kick sailing well over.

    And while the passing and movement of Willian, Pedro and Eden Hazard was pleasing on the eye and threatening at times, Everton stuck to their defensive duties well.

    It was easy to see the impact Allardyce has made since his arrival at Goodison Park although Everton were not helped by the pre-match loss of in-form Wayne Rooney due to illness.

    In the absence of the 10-goal forward, Everton’s attacking play was likely to be hindered and so it proved, with Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois a virtual spectator.

    – Major reshuffle –

    A promising counter-attack, just after the half-hour, ended with Morgan Schneiderlin sending away Tom Davies but his strike from 25 yards was always drifting away from goal.

    And before the interval, Dominic Calvert-Lewin showed great persistence to strip Andreas Christiansen of the ball and advance into the area where his shot was blocked by Antonio Rudiger.

    But Chelsea responded in kind when Bakayoko broke up an Everton attack on the halfway line before playing Pedro clear for a powerful shot which drew a spectacular one-handed save from Pickford.

    Allardyce made a major reshuffle at the interval, bringing on Sandro and Ashley Williams as he switched to three central defenders, a move that proved something of a gamble when he lost Idrissa Gueye to injury within five minutes of the restart and was forced to use his final substitute.

    By then, Chelsea had already threatened Pickford’s goal, with the keeper saving well from Pedro’s drive before Williams did well to block Alonso’s effort.

    There was some anxiety for the visitors when Hazard was hacked down and required lengthy treatment, with Michael Keane booked for the foul.

    But the Belgian quickly shook off the effects of the injury and was soon forcing Pickford into another fine diving save after receiving a pass from Willian.

    Williams got his head to Victor Moses’ fierce 75th minute cross, deflecting it onto the Everton bar before it flew out of harm’s way.

    There was also a late chance for substitute Cesc Fabregas when Jagielka stuck out a foot and deflected his powerful, long-range shot just wide.

  • Courtois is world’s highest-paid goalkeeper

    Courtois is world’s highest-paid goalkeeper

     

    Chelsea have offered Thibaut Courtois a new contract worth more than £200,000 a week.

    The deal on offer at Stamford Bridge, which includes bonuses, will see him overtake Manchester United’s David de Gea as the world’s highest-paid goalkeeper.

    And Chelsea are growing increasingly optimistic the 25-year-old will sign the new contract despite interest from Real Madrid.

    According to The Telegraph, the Belgian’s current £100,000-a-week deal, which runs out at the end of next season, will be extended until 2023.

    The Blues have made Courtois’ future their priority and have cooled interest in Stoke City shot-stopper Jack Butland.

    Courtois has been a long-term target of Real Madrid but the Spaniards appear increasingly likely to sign Athletic Bilbao keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in January.

    Sportsmail revealed last month that the La Liga club were looking at three goalkeepers, with Kepa going head-to-head with Premier League targets De Gea and Courtois.

    But Kepa, who was left out of the Basque derby with Real Sociedad at the weekend with a foot injury, is close to agreeing a move to Madrid and President Florentino Perez would then be unlikely to invest more in the position in the summer.

    It is understood Courtois, who spent three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid, is keen on eventually returning to Spain.

    However with Real now focusing their attention elsewhere, the former Genk keeper now looks set to stay in west London.

    And he recently suggested he is prepared to do so, despite missing his two young children who live in Spain.

    He said: ‘I love my children to death. When you miss them, you are sometimes wondering — shouldn’t I play in Spain in the next few years? That’s why I want to take time to decide how many years I want to sign up. When I sign, I want to tell Chelsea that I have been here for so many years because I am happy here.

    ‘I like playing here, it’s a nice city, but of course I’m thinking about my private situation. I do not see any reason why I shouldn’t sign, but I just want to take my time with everything. I think I will have an agreement with Chelsea before the season ends.’

     

     

     

     

     

  • Drogba dumps flowing locks for new look

    Drogba dumps flowing locks for new look

     

    Didier Drogba may have been hailed across the world for his scoring exploits in two spells at Chelsea across nine exceptional seasons — but he has also been known for his long, flowing locks — until now.

    The man who gave Premier League defenders sleepless nights at the thought of facing him for nearly a decade has now decided to shave his head.

    The former Blues marksman scored 164 goals in 381 games during a hugely successful period for the club while winning four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and one Champions League.

    But it looks as if the 39-year-old Ivorian legend decided to take the clippers to his distinctive hairstyle that served him so well in West London.

    He posted a picture of his hairless dome on his personal Twitter account to his 1.52 million followers, stating: ‘Born is the new me.’

    Eschewing the traditional ‘short, back and sides’, the midfielder opted for a ‘number one’ all-over after he chose to lop-off his long, dark locks for a back-to-basics look.

    Following a short spell at Montreal Impact after departing Stamford Bridge for a second time Drogba signed for USL side Phoenix Rising — also becoming the owner of the club, making him the first player-owner in football history.

    It is unsure what his team-mates will make of the look, but the Chelsea legend is following in the footsteps of other big football names by opting for a ‘number one’ all over.

    David Beckham famously unveiled a trend-setting trim in 2000 when he took the clippers to his long blond locks and Freddie Ljungberg got rid of his red-dyed messy hair in favour of a buzzcut in 2002.

  • Liverpool draw Everton in FA Cup 3rd round

    Liverpool draw Everton in FA Cup 3rd round

    … Arsenal meet Nottingham Forest

    Liverpool will welcome Merseyside rivals Everton in the English FA Cup third round while holders Arsenal face a trip to second-tier Nottingham Forest following Monday’s draw.

    English Premier League leaders Manchester City are at home to Burnley, 12-times winners Manchester United host second-tier Derby County while Chelsea are away at Norwich City.

    Brighton & Hove Albion were pulled out of the hat at home to arch rivals Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough entertain Sunderland in a mouth-watering north-east clash.

    The third round, to be played from January 5 to January 7, sees teams from the Premier League and second-tier Championship join the competition.

    Read also : Henderson admits Liverpool played below par

    Non-league side AFC Fylde could potentially land a lucrative encounter at top-flight Bournemouth should they upset third-tier pacesetters Wigan Athletic in their second round replay.

    Fleetwood and Hereford will battle it out in their replay to face 2016 Premier League champions Leicester City.

    Struggling West Ham United travel to Shrewsbury Town, who are currently second in England’s third tier.

    The pairings:

    Ipswich Town vs Sheffield United

    Watford vs Bristol City

    Birmingham City vs Burton Albion

    Liverpool vs Everton

    Brighton & Hove Albion vs Crystal Palace

    Aston Villa vs Woking or Peterborough United

    Bournemouth vs AFC Fylde or Wigan Athletic

    Coventry City vs Stoke City

    Newport County vs Leeds United

    Bolton Wanderers vs Huddersfield Town

    Port Vale vs Bradford City

    Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal

    Brentford vs Notts County

    Queens Park Rangers vs MK Dons

    Manchester United vs Derby County

    Forest Green Rovers vs West Bromwich Albion or Exeter City

    Doncaster Rovers vs Slough Town or Rochdale

    Tottenham Hotspur vs AFC Wimbledon

    Middlesbrough vs Sunderland

    Fleetwood or Hereford vs Leicester City

    Blackburn Rovers vs Hull City or Crewe Alexandra

    Cardiff City vs Mansfield Town

    Manchester City vs Burnley

    Shrewsbury Town vs West Ham United

    Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Swansea City

    Stevenage vs Reading

    Newcastle United vs Luton Town

    Millwall vs Barnsley

    Fulham vs Southampton

    Wycombe Wanderers vs Preston North End

    Norwich City vs Chelsea

    Gillingham vs Sheffield Wednesday or Carlisle United

    NAN

  • Moses in top shape for Athletico Madrid clash

    Moses in top shape for Athletico Madrid clash

     

    Returnee Chelsea and Super Eagles ace Victor Moses can hardly wait to show Athletico Madrid the exit door in the Champions League as both teams slug it out it out Tuesday at the Stamford Bridge.

    Antonio Conte boys had a comprehensive training Monday in readiness for showdown. Moses who was impressive in the Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat of Newcastle Saturday at the Bridge is returning to Champions league campaign after injury forced him to miss the ties against Roma and Qarabağ respectively.

    Meanwhile David Luiz will be denied a return to Chelsea’s starting XI against Atletico Madrid through injury as Antonio Conte targets the elimination of a traditional Champions League contender.

    Centre back Luiz, 30, was unable to train with his team-mates at Cobham on Monday as he continues to struggle with a knee problem.

    That will prevent him from replacing his apparent successor, Andreas Christensen, at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday as Conte considers shuffling his pack.

    Luiz worked with Chelsea’s physios away from the rest of the squad as his recovery continues – although the Premier League champions continue to refuse to put a time-frame on the issue.

    Chelsea have already guaranteed progress to the knock-out stages but a win against Atletico would secure top spot in Group C, while sending Tuesday’s opponents out.

    ‘I think this game is important because we are playing against Atletico Madrid and they have shown in the past to be an important team in this tournament,’ Conte said.

    ‘Now, there is a risk they will be eliminated, but we have to play a good game, to improve our confidence, and because we want to reach the first position in our group.’

    While Luiz was absent Eden Hazard’s brother, 22-year-old Kylian, trained with the first team on Monday along with academy star Jacob Maddox, 19.

    Bayern Munich, Juventus and Real Madrid are among the teams sitting  second in their groups as it stands, priming them as options for Chelsea to draw.

    Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Sevilla and Basle are also in the runner-up positions in their groups.

    ‘If you arrive first, you could then get teams like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Juventus,’ Conte said. ‘It doesn’t change a lot if you arrive first or second.

    ‘The most important thing is to reach the next stage, but for our mission and our confidence, it would be right to win and arrive first.’

     

     

     

  • Moses confirms super return in Chelsea win .

    Moses confirms super return in Chelsea win .

     

    The period of lamentations over Victor Moses ‘injury are over for Chelsea and Super Eagles as the former Wigan Athletic ace posted an impressive 90 minutes show against Newcastle on Saturday.

    Although Moses did not score as Chelsea ran away with a 3-1 victory over visiting Newcastle he nonetheless supplied breath taking passes that facilitated the much expected victory. His pole to pole pass to teammate and two goals hero Eden Hazard was particularly tantalizing and Chelsea manager Antonio Conte had no reservations in celebrating the technically sound and timely pass.

    The Nigerian international who is among the players expected to shine in Russia was handed a seven out of 10 performance in the players’ rating released few minutes after the match. Only five players

    Hazzard who got a nine out of ten rating, Morata, Kante, Fabregas and Christensen got slightly better rating at eight out of ten.

    Moses who had a good run in Super Eagles qualification for the World cup in Russia is tipped to be in the lineup when Nigeria open campaign against Croatia June 16, a tie which some say though will be tough Nigeria must win before taking on Iceland June 22 and rounding off with regular customers Argentina on June 26.

    Chelsea survived what could pass for a scare to claim a 3-1 win over Newcastle United who opened scoring through Dwight Gayle. It is the fifth win in six league matches for Chelsea thanks Eden Hazard double and an Alvaro Morata header.

    Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez was making his return to Stamford Bridge for the first time since winning the Europa League during a six-month interim spell in charge in 2011/12.

    And he could hardly have asked for a better start as Gayle pounced in the 12th minute after Thibaut Courtois spilt out a shot from Jacob Murphy. The result means Benitez will have to wait for next week Saturday when he hosts Leicester City to record a possible victory

  • Five things to know about Lineker – 2018 world cup draw host

    Five things to know about Lineker – 2018 world cup draw host

    Gary Lineker, who won the Golden Boot at the 1986 World Cup, was announced last week as the host and will be partnered by Russian Sports Journalists, Maria Komandnaya to coordinate together the 2018 World Cup final draw billed for Friday, December 1, 2017.

    It is less than a week for the draws that will determine the groupings of the 32 countries that had booked a ticket at next year’s World Cup in Russia, and it is pertinent to have an insight of who Lineker, the main conductor of the Draw Ceremony is.

    These 5 things about Lineker, starting with the more astonishing ones to the most jaw-dropping, are guaranteed to keep your head swirling. Carefully go through them.

    1. Was predicted not to make a living out of football:

    After leaving school with just four O’ Levels, one of Lineker’s teachers predicted that he would never make it as a footballer.

    The teacher attributed the failure to his passion for football, and he wrote on his report card that “he concentrates too much on football and that he would never make a living at that.”

    1. England’s highest goal scorer at the World Cup:

    The former striker who was capped 80 times by England is the Three Lions’ all-time scorer at the World Cup with 10 goals.

    With six goals at the 1986 World Cup, Lineker emerged as the top scorer of the tournament, one that had the likes of Jorge Valdano, Socrates and Diego Maradona as participants.

    No English player has yet to win a World Cup Golden Boot even after seven World Cups.

    1. Highest goal scorer with three different English clubs:

    The former Barcelona forward is the only player to have been the top scorer with three different clubs in England. In 1984 for Leiceser City, Lineker emerged as the joint top scorer with Chelsea’s Kerry Dixon. The duo recorded 24 goals apiece.

    In 1985, Lineker moved to Everton in a deal worth around £800,000. He scored 30 goals for Everton in his debut season and finished the season as the league’s top scorer for the second time in a row.

    In the 1989 season, he emerged again as the English league’s top division highest scorer– scoring 24 goals for Tottenham Hotspur.

    1. Presented a show in 2016 with shorts:

    Lineker, who is BT Sport’s lead presenter for Champions League back in 2016, appeared in the first BBC Match of the Day for the 2016/2017 season in boxer shorts.

    The 57-year-old had promised in a tweet in 2015 that, if his former club, Leicester, should win the 2015/2016 Premier League, he would appear on the BBC match of the day in his undies. And appear he did!

    1. Had zero yellow card in his entire playing career:

    With a 16-year playing career that saw him had spells with the likes of Barcelona, Tottenham, Leicester City, Everton and Nagoya Grampus Eight, Lineker went his entire career without receiving neither a yellow card nor a red. This feat earned him the FIFA Fair Play Award in 1990.

    Hope Lineker has a great day on Friday like he did during his playing days.