Premier League
AM GLAD TOP-4 CHASE IS IN CHELSEA’S HANDS, SAYS LAMPARD
With Chelsea in an intense battle for a Champions League spot for next season, manager Frank Lampard has warned his team that it is all in their hands not to slip up at the crucial moments.
Speaking yesterday ahead of today’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace, the 42-year-old said: “It (pressure) ramps up game by game. I enjoy it. That’s what we’re in it for, what it’s all about.
“The position we’re in means a lot is in our own hands. That’s the main thing. We need to get everything right that we can control. We need to handle the pressure.”
The Blues are in fourth place on 57 points, two above Manchester United and just one behind Leicester, who travel to Arsenal today.
With five games left and all to play for, the pressure is high, especially with a tight schedule.
But the positive thing about having back-to-back matches is that teams can bounce back quickly and not risk losing momentum.
The Blues have demonstrated just that, winning 3-0 at Watford on Saturday following a surprise 3-2 defeat at West Ham last Wednesday.
Lampard’s men were on a three-match winning run in all competitions following the coronavirus hiatus, and barring the West Ham loss, they are showing the consistency they need to finish in the top four.
When asked about “bouncing back”, the Chelsea boss said: “Not sure we were off track…
“Palace are a good team, very organised defensively. I want us to approach that game in the right way.”
He also praised Christian Pulisic, 21, as one to watch after the American forward scored two goals in his last four league games. But he stopped short of comparing him to former Chelsea star Eden Hazard.
“(Hazard) had a special talent straight away of being able to receive a ball and have great balance and go past players so well. He would draw a lot of players towards him to open up space for others,” he said. “Christian is more direct at times, which I like. He has an ability to break the line and run forward.
“In terms of comparison, I stay away because Eden has been here and done it. Christian has it in his hands to make a real impact over time.”
Palace, in 14th, have lost their last three games without scoring. This comes after a run of four wins without conceding.
“Chelsea looked good before the break and continued that after,” said manager Roy Hodgson.
“It would be a very difficult game. All we can do is prepare. We’ll do our best to make life difficult for them.”
Palace have no fresh injuries while Chelsea are missing Mateo Kovacic, Fikayo Tomori and N’Golo Kante, who picked up a hamstring injury in the Watford game.
Jorginho, who was on the bench for Chelsea’s past four games, could take Kante’s place today.
Lampard said: “He has been professional, he wants to play, he always trains well. We’ll see about my selection tomorrow.”
-The Straits Times
England and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been handed a 15-month suspended prison sentence by a Greek court over a 2020 incident in Mykonos, Sky Sports reported on Wednesday.
In 2020, Maguire was found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery and violence against public employees after his arrest in a brawl in which two police officers were assaulted.
Maguire, who was detained for two days following the incident and denied any wrongdoing, was handed a suspended prison sentence of 21 months and 10 days but was granted a full retrial after appealing against Greek court convictions on multiple charges.
In accordance with the Greek judicial process, the filing nullified Maguire’s conviction before a full retrial in a more senior court. His retrial was postponed many times.
Maguire faced allegations of non-serious assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery. The 32-year-old was convicted on all three counts but will face no prison time. His legal team will appeal against the guilty verdict, Sky Sports reported.
Maguire’s brother Joe and friend Christopher Sharman were also found guilty of offences related to the incident and received suspended prison sentences in 2020. They also denied any wrongdoing.
-Reuters
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Arsenal maintained control of the Premier League title race as they chiselled out a nervy 2-1 win over London rivals Chelsea to open up a five-point lead at the top of the table on Sunday.
Jurrien Timber’s 66th-minute header from a Declan Rice corner ensured Arsenal took three precious points, but it was a nervy afternoon in north London.
Mikel Arteta’s side moved to 64 points from 29 games, with Manchester City, who have played a game fewer, on 59.
Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber celebrates scoring their second goal with Gabriel Magalhaes REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Defender William Saliba had given Arsenal the lead in the 21st minute from a trademark corner routine.
But it had looked as though an own goal by Piero Hincapie just before halftime would prove costly for the hosts until Timber came to their rescue.
Chelsea, whose six-match unbeaten league sequence under new manager Liam Rosenior was halted, ended the match with 10 men after Pedro Neto was sent off for a second yellow card.
-Reuters
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Premier League
Manchester United climb to third in Premier League table with come-from-behind win over Palace
Manchester United produced a stirring second-half comeback to defeat Crystal Palace 2–1 at Old Trafford on Sunday, with captain Bruno Fernandes inspiring the turnaround that lifted the hosts into third place in the Premier League standings.
Trailing inside four minutes after a dominant start by Palace, United responded through a Fernandes penalty before his pinpoint free-kick was headed home by Benjamin Sesko to seal victory against the 10-man visitors.
The win extended interim manager Michael Carrick’s unbeaten run to seven matches since taking charge in mid-January. United now have 51 points from 28 games and are unbeaten since the January 5 dismissal of Ruben Amorim, climbing into third for the first time since May 2023. Palace remain 14th on 35 points.
“It feels like a big result, we were behind and had to show some character,” Fernandes told Sky Sports. “There are a lot of games to go still, and it is important that we don’t feel that we are in the position that we need to be. We need to make as many points as we can.”
Palace, under Oliver Glasner, were electric in the opening half hour, capitalising on sluggish United play. Defender Maxence Lacroix powered home a header from a corner after muscling past Leny Yoro, scoring the earliest goal United have conceded this season.
The visitors nearly doubled their advantage when Daniel Munoz latched onto an Ismaila Sarr through ball, but goalkeeper Senne Lammens produced a crucial save.
United gradually found their rhythm before the break. Sesko forced Dean Henderson into action with a header from a Fernandes cross, and the Palace keeper also tipped a Fernandes free kick over the bar.
The turning point arrived in the 57th minute when Fernandes converted from the penalty spot after Matheus Cunha was dragged down by Lacroix. Following a lengthy VAR review, Lacroix was shown a red card, reducing Palace to 10 men.
Eight minutes later, Fernandes’ delivery again proved decisive as Sesko rose highest to nod home the winning goal.
United pushed for a third, with Casemiro’s volley drawing a diving save from Henderson and substitute Amad Diallo testing the keeper from distance in stoppage time. Joshua Zirkzee saw efforts blocked, while Kobbie Mainoo’s fierce strike drifted narrowly wide.
Carrick praised his team’s resilience. “The biggest thing for us to take from the game is really the first time that we have been in that situation going in at halftime,” he said. “Being in that position and how we react and showing that personality and belief… to then come back as we did in the second half is the biggest thing for me today.”
Palace pressed late but could not find an equaliser. Glasner admitted his side had let the game slip. “It feels like there was more possible today. A great first 30 minutes, but the red card changed it completely. The second goal just happened too quickly.”
For United, the victory reinforces growing belief under Carrick that a top-four finish—and a return to Europe’s elite competition—is firmly within reach.
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