SPORT : Man Utd vs Man City, Why Guardiola’s men will not be thrown out of Carabao Cup

 

Manchester City will not be thrown out of the Carabao Cup if their COVID-19 crisis prevents them from playing Manchester United on Wednesday.

City’s Premier League clash with Everton on Monday was postponed four hours before kick-off, after they recorded three new positive cases.

The former champions are wary the virus has infiltrated their squad bubble, with Gabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker among five already isolating.

But Manchester United will not be handed a bye into the Wembley final, despite Leyton Orient leaving the competition at the third-round under the same circumstances.

Orient had 17 positive tests back in September when they were scheduled to face Spurs, who have reached their own semi-final against Brentford, after being ushered through to the fourth-round.

City will not receive the same treatment, with the EFL’s rules for the semi-final stating their committee will use its “reasonable endeavours” to rearrange the match as early as possible.

Responding to a tweet suggesting City should forfeit the fixture, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville commented: “Not sure they will but I think Leyton Orient will be watching closely.”

There is a small chance the fixture could still be abandoned though, only if the EFL committee decides it cannot be rearranged.

SPORT : EPL, Lampard reveals why Chelsea lost to Arsenal, drew with Aston Villa

 

Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, has admitted his team has been missing the creativity of Hakim Ziyech.

Ziyech who is currently injured, might make his return in the Blues’ next scheduled game against Manchester City on Sunday.

The Moroccan went off with a hamstring injury during Chelsea’s win over Leeds United on December 5.

Ever since, Lampard’s men have won only one of their five league fixtures since then, losing three and drawing 1-1 on Monday with Aston Villa.

“I think with Hakim, the way he was playing, he was being very effective for us in terms of assists, goal creation, chance creation and some goals,” Lampard said.

“We were very fluid at the time. You’re going to miss players at that level when they drop out and we want him back.”

Lampard said he is optimistic Ziyech might feature on Sunday if the game goes ahead – Manchester City’s game against Everton on Monday was called off due to new COVID-19 cases reported at City.

SPORT : Chelsea vs Aston Villa, What Lampard said about John Terry after EPL 1-1 draw

 

Chelsea boss, Frank Lampard, has lauded Aston Villa’s assistant manager, John Terry, as one of the greatest centre-backs to have played in the Premier League.

Lampard said this following Chelsea’s Premier League 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Monday,

According to him, Terry had an influence in Aston Villa’s draw against Chelsea as goals from Olivier Giroud and Anwar El Ghazi gave both teams a point each.

The Blues’ boss and Terry were former teammates during their time at Chelsea and also with the England national team.

“I am sure John has an influence because he is, in my opinion, one of the greatest centre-backs to have played in the Premier League and for England, and in the world for a long period of time,” Lampard said as quoted by Chelsea’s official website after the game.

“He has an absolute wealth of knowledge of the game, so his input will be invaluable to Dean Smith and all the staff.

“Their team is working hard, and you have seen a real big uplift in them, and I am sure there is a lot of work behind the scenes through John and all the staff there.”

SPORT : EPL, Tim Sherwood reveals player who cost Chelsea three points against Aston Villa

 

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager, Tim Sherwood, has identified defender, Andreas Christensen, as the player who cost Chelsea three points against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Monday.

Sherwood blamed Christensen for Aston Villa’s equalizer against Chelsea, stating that the centre-back laid down on the floor like a baby instead of getting back in position to defend against the host.

Goals from Olivier Giroud and Anwar El Ghazi ensured both Chelsea and Aston Villa played a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

“When you look at Villa, when I see their team sheet come out I can pretty much guess apart from one or two players, it’s a settled team,” Sherwood told Premier League Productions.

“It’s a complete contrast to Chelsea, you don’t know who’s going to play.

“He tried to mix it up at the back no Silva, no Zouma today and it cost him. “Because Christiansen, that is not good enough.

“I would be saying to Christiansen after the game, why were you lying on the floor? Why did you not get up and prevent that goal from being scored? You weren’t hurt, what are you laying down there for trying to feign injury to come off, you have cost us the game today.

“You have cost us three points’. ‘Yes, Villa pushed on, and they deservedly got their point. ‘But that is crucial, that’s not good enough, you are a big, strong centre-back, don’t lay down on the floor like a baby, get up and get on with it for your team. Not good enough,” he added.

SPORT : Transfer, Arteta takes final decision on signing Aouar for Arsenal

 

Arsenal will not renew their interest in Lyon midfielder, Houssem Aouar, in the January window.

The Athletic reports that the Gunners will instead pursue other targets.

Mikel Arteta’s side is short of creativity after Mesut Ozil was frozen out, with a new playmaker now top priority when the window reopens.

They had been expected to make another move for Aouar, having held extensive negotiations with Lyon over the summer.

But the Frenchman has fallen down their wishlist since then.

It is understood Arsenal will not rekindle their interest in the 22-year-old and are “prioritising other targets”.

In addition to the fee Lyon would demand, Arsenal also have some “reservations” about Aouar, while the player himself has publicly committed to remaining with the club until the end of the season at least.

The Premier League have been linked with the likes of Norwich’s Emiliano Buendia, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt and Barcelona’s Riqui Puig as alternatives.

SPORT : Brighton vs Arsenal, Arteta to be without four key players for EPL clash

 Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, will be without at least four first-team players for their trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday.

A statement on the Gunners’ official website revealed that Gabriel Magalhaes, Thomas Partey, David Luiz and Willian will be unavailable for the game.

Magalhaes, who missed the 3-1 win over Chelsea, has tested positive for COVID-19.

Luiz and Willian are recovering from symptoms and will resume training later in the week.

Partey is also on the road to recovery.

“Gabriel – Has tested positive for COVID-19 and is isolating according to UK Government and Premier League protocols. We will continue to monitor and support Gabriel, and we are hoping he will be available again after our next two matches.

“Thomas Partey – Left thigh. Thomas has progressed well since the injury on 6 December. He has started to train outside and will continue with his daily assessments and monitoring.

“David Luiz – Since feeling unwell, David has returned to outside training and is due to re-join the full squad on Thursday (31 December).

“Willian – Since feeling unwell, Willian has returned to outside training and is due to re-join the full squad on Thursday (31 December),” the statement read.

SPORT : EPL, Abramovich to sack Lampard as Chelsea manager on one condition

 

Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich, will sack manager, Frank Lampard if he doesn’t deliver a Premier League top-four finish this season.

This claim was made by former Chelsea star, Craig Burley.

Lampard’s men are currently in the 6th position on the Premier League table with 26 points from 16 matches after losing 3-1 against Arsenal on Boxing Day.

“[Lampard’s] got players out of form, he’s got players that aren’t fully fit, and that is a problem,” Burley told ESPN.

“They’ve gone from looking one of the paciest, quickest sides in the Premier League, to one of the most pedestrian.

“That is a huge issue for him because you may have noticed with this owner Roman Abramovich, he does not suffer inconsistency, bad results, no matter who it is.

“So let me be clear, Lampard is back on the chopping board currently as we speak.”

Burley added: “It’s turn-up time for Lampard and these players. This cut and thrust period can make and break you.

“I’m not suggesting Abramovich is going to sack him [Lampard] in the next couple of weeks, but there is one thing they need to remember – top four. If they don’t get in the top four, he’s probably done.

“It’s a big season for him. It looked as if it was going swimmingly and now it looks like they’re sinking a little bit. They seem to have a weight around their feet. He’s going to have to find the reason to put it right.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea played a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on Monday evening at Stamford Bridge, thanks to Olivier Giroud’s strike.