Philippa Kaur

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    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta surprises Laura Woods with heartwarming present as TNT Sports host says ‘this was amazing’

    ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta surprised Gunners superfan Laura Woods with an early Christmas present.TNT Sports presenter Woods, 37, is a well known Gooner and covered her favourite club’s Champions League clash with Monaco on Wednesday at the Emirates.Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta surprised Laura Woods with a giftArteta and Woods met after Arsenal’s Champions League win over MonacoArteta gave Woods a baby onesie as she expects her first childWoods announced her pregnancy back in JulyArteta, 42, led the North Londoners to a dominant 3-0 victory over the Ligue 1 giants with a brace by Bukayo Saka and a goal by Kai Havertz.And the Spanish tactician met with Woods after full-time where he offered her a heartwarming present as she prepares to welcome her first child with Love Island alumni Adam Collard.The Arsenal boss offered the TV star a baby onesie straight from the club’s official store.The reporter was left with a big smile on her face as she shared pics on Instagram thanking the Spaniard.Read More on ArsenalWoods issued the following caption: “This was amazing, thank you.”And she followed it with: “My club.”Woods broke the news that she was pregnant back in July.The journalist managed to keep her pregnancy a secret throughout the entirety of Euro 2024.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSShe made the announcement before jetting off to Paris to cover the Olympics.Woods and Collard broke the news of their engagement back in September.Watch hilarious moment Laura Woods cracks cheeky joke live on TNT Sports leaving Ferdinand and Crouch in stitchesThe couple started dating last year and the reality TV personality got down on one knee on the beach in Cornwall to pop the big question.Woods covered Arsenal’s clash with Monaco and spoke to Arteta at full-timeCredit: GettyArsenal ratings vs Monaco as Lewis-Skelly gets standing ovation but Merino is heavy and slowBUKAYO SAKA scored twice as Arsenal saw off Monaco 3-0 in the Champions League.Here is how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the players’ performances.DAVID RAYA – 7/10Rarely troubled throughout the game, but did what he had to do.Commanding in the box, and pretty good distribution-wise, with only a few mistakes on that front.THOMAS PARTEY – 6A mixed bag from Partey tonight, with a few nice passes creating dangerous attacks, and a few going wildly astray.Wasn’t caused an awful lot of trouble by Monaco’s left side.WILLIAM SALIBA – 7Solid at the back as per usual. Always gives you a seven out of ten.JAKUB KIWIOR – 7A capable deputy in Gabriel’s absence, sharp on the ball and dependable off of it. Equally as good as Saliba next to him.MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 9Playing as a left-back, Lewis-Skelly became the latest Hale End academy graduate to make his full Champions League debut vs Monaco.A sensational bit of play to beat Monaco’s press allowed him to slot an inch-perfect ball into Jesus who set up Saka for Arsenal’s opener.Given a standing ovation by the home support when he left the pitch after 64 minutes.DECLAN RICE – 7Broke up play nicely as he always does, often sliding in to shut down Monaco attacks.Not as threatening as we have seen him be previously going forward, but that wasn’t his job this evening with Merino alongside him.MIKEL MERINO – 4I wasn’t moved.Arsenal fans might be left slightly disappointed by the Odegaard – Merino – Rice midfield they were excited about. Looked heavy and slow, and got booked.MARTIN ODEGAARD – 5Not his usual elegant self in midfield for Arsenal.Unfortunately let down by his end product tonight, as he missed two huge chances to double their lead either side of half-time.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 4A threat down the left side in the first half, he should’ve had an assist were it not for Arsenal’s number nine.While he showed some bright sparks, his end product in general was not good enough.BUKAYO SAKA – 8In the right place at the right time as he so often is to open the scoring after a great ball across the box by Jesus.Reacted quickly to a goalkeeper mistake and finished into the far corner for what was his seventh home Champions League goal in seven home Champions League games – clinical.GABRIEL JESUS – 5Could’ve had a first-half brace, but for his lack of composure, as he missed TWO huge 1v1 chances early on in the tie.What he lacked in finishing however, he made up for with a quality assist to set up Saka for the opening goal.SUBS:LEANDRO TROSSARD (GABRIEL MARTINELLI, 64) – 5Much the same story as the man whom he replaced.JORGINHO (DECLAN RICE, 64) – 6A calming presence in the Arsenal midfield, helped to settle the ball when he got on it.JURRIEN TIMBER (MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY, 64) – 6Replaced the best player on the pitch and Arsenal’s level didn’t drop much.KAI HAVERTZ (GABRIEL JESUS, 73) – 8Put the goalkeeper under plenty of pressure to force the mistake for Saka’s second.Got the faintest of nicks for the Gunners’ third.ETHAN NWANERI (MARTIN ODEGAARD, 79) – 5Another good few minutes in the tank for the Arsenal starlet with a very bright future.Some good touches to get the home fans excited. 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    Transfer recommendations for Gameweek 15: Revert to Liverpool stars, consider in-form Isak

    DREAM TEAM managers have until 1:30pm on Saturday to confirm their transfers for Gameweek 15.Nine teams are set to pull double duty thanks to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, with Chelsea being the odd side out on account of their Conference League meeting with Shamrock Rovers (expect heavy rotation).Transfer tips for Gameweek 15Credit: Dream TeamLIVERPOOL STARSThe decision to postpone an eagerly-anticipated Merseyside derby sent Dream Team bosses into meltdown on Saturday morning.As gaffers scrambled for alternative strategies, both Luis Diaz (£4.1m) and Mohamed Salah (£7.6m) ended up among the five most transferred-out players come the Gameweek 14 deadline.Those who ditched Liverpool players in a hurry should strongly consider bringing them back in ahead of a double header that will see the Reds play Fulham and Southampton.A reminder, as if it’s needed, that Anfield’s Egyptian hero is the game’s outright top performer having amassed 229 points in total.Alisson (£5.1m) returned from injury against Girona in midweek and marked his comeback with a ten-point haul – Caoimhin Kelleher’s (£2.8m) minutes are about to nosedive.Premium defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.7m) and Virgil van Dijk (£5.5m) come at a cost but they’re the leading assets in their position.Joe Gomez (£3.3m) and Andy Robertson (£4.2m) are cheaper variations on a theme.Most read in FootballAlisson impressed upon his return from injuryCredit: GettyALEXANDER ISAK (£5.2m)Now that the European competitions have essentially been put on hold for the festive period, Dream Team managers have many more viable options to consider.Newcastle’s No14 is a prime example having scored six goals in his last eight outings.If he can stay fit, Isak is an excellent option from now until mid-January but Gameweek 15 is particularly appealing with the Magpies set to host both Leicester and Brentford at St James’ Park.That has to be regarded as a favourable double header given the Bees’ struggles on the road this season.Isak averages just shy of seven points-per-game this term and is therefore well placed to provide healthy returns this coming Gameweek – fingers crossed Eddie Howe doesn’t rotate too much in midweek.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOWWILLIAM SALIBA (£5.2m)It may sound counterintuitive to target Arsenal clean sheets at a time when several defenders are sidelined with injury but Wednesday night’s 3-0 win over Monaco showed they can get the job done without Gabriel (£5.3m), Riccardo Calafiori (£3.7m), Ben White (£4.1m) and others.Saliba is still standing strong and a 17-point haul in Gameweek 14 has propelled him up to third in the rankings among assets in his position.The France international has even stepped up to replace Gabriel’s threat at set-pieces – he’s scored in each of his last two league games.Clean sheets, goals… Saliba is a dual threat right nowCredit: ReutersEven accounting for missing personnel, the Gunners have strong hopes of at least one clean sheet this coming Gameweek with Everton and Crystal Palace due to visit the Emirates.READ MORE SUN STORIESBoth the Toffees and the Eagles are among the lowest scorers in the Premier League this season and so it’s perfectly reasonable to expect Saliba to extend his fine form.There were question marks over Jurrien Timber’s (£4.3m) availability in the week but he came off the bench against Monaco and looked sprightly enough so he should be set for his fair share of minutes in Gameweek 15 too.BetMGM sign up offerBetMGM: Get £40 in free bets — HERE**New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org More

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    Footballer handed Bart Simpson-style punishment after disrespectful comments towards rivals

    BRIGHTON’S sister club have humiliated an errant player – by putting him through a Bart Simpson-style punishment.The Seagulls have close links with Union SG, with club owner Tony Bloom the Belgian outfit’s majority shareholder since 2018.Union SG midfielder Loic Lapoussin was forced to undergo a Simpsons-style punishmentCredit: Instagram @rusg.brussels and @lapoussin_94The punishment was inspired by the TV show’s introLapoussin caused a row at the weekend by criticising Cercle Brugge’s stadiumCredit: AFPUnion midfielder Loic Lapoussin caused a row at the weekend by criticising rivals Cercle Brugge’s stadium.So the Brussels club compelled him to make a video in which he had to write lines on a board while in detention.Entitled The Lapoussins, the social-media clip mirrors the start of numerous episodes of The Simpsons.Schoolboy Bart each time scrawls a series of lines on a chalkboard before racing out of the classroom when the bell rings.Read More in FootballUnion’s version sees Lapoussin, 28, writing: “Union – Cercle” dozens of times before running off to join team training.The France-born player had sparked fury with his comments after Union’s 0-0 draw at Cercle on Sunday.He said: “With all due respect to Cercle, these surroundings really don’t make me want to play football.”It’s no fun for our supporters to come here either. There is a world of difference between playing at Club Brugge’s stadium and playing here.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSMadagascar international Lapoussin issued a grovelling apology alongside the video.He said: “I want to apologise to our friends from Cercle Brugge, and to the Unionists, for my comments after the game on the stadium and the fans.”Football teams that controversially changed their badgeUnion declared: “Loic learned his lesson the Bart Simpson way.” More

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    Former England star was left stunned when magician Paul Daniels accidentally smashed his £40k watch

    ENGLAND ace James Beattie once had a £40,000 designer watch smashed to pieces by Paul Daniels – after a ‘magic trick’ went wrong.The ex-Everton, Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United ace was left horrified when the legendary magician brought a hammer down on his Frank Muller timepiece.James Beattie had his watch smashed by Paul Daniels in a trick gone wrongCredit: Getty – ContributorDaniels invited Beattie round to his house to make up for itCredit: Rex FeaturesAt first he thought it was a prank – but it soon became clear the late TV star had made an almighty mess of his trick.Details of the story were revealed in a new Undr The Cosh podcast with Matthew Kilgallon, who played with Beattie at Sheffield United.He explained how Daniels arrived at a players’ Christmas Party only for carnage to unfold leaving the retired player, now director of football at AFC Totton, stunned.He said “We’d been out Saturday night or Sunday drinking, drinking. I was up at the bar and [the boss] said, ‘come here.” I said, ‘what’s up?’ He went, ‘we’ve got Paul Daniels coming in here to do a magic trick. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“This is what he’s doing now, you can hire him out to do a thing. He’ll come out and I’ve paid him’.“So we’re sat in there, we’re up Covent Garden, a proper tight pub, and we’re bevvying, just topping up from Saturday night, all p***ed as a fart, as you can imagine, I get a nudge, and…he’s here. “He’s come in and everyone’s gone berserk, legend…he’s come in, and he must have been an 80-year-old man. “He’s not like, you know when he’s on telly, so he came in and did a few tricks, and everyone’s buzzing. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“He’s pulling things from your leg and everything like that. Then he says ‘who’s got a watch?’ because we’re all buzzing, there’s 20 lads, rowdy football players.“So Beats, James Beattie…loves his watches, hundreds of them. He’s got a proper collection of them, every one you could think of. Roy Keane tells his side of story on furious Ipswich fan confrontation and reveals he did wait for supporter in car park “He’s got this Franck Muller. It’s got diamonds all around it.“So Paul Daniels has gone to Beats. Pass your watch there’ -and he’s said: ‘Nah, not this watch, it’s about 40 grand, nah, nah’. “We’re like, Beats, give him your watch mate, it’s Paul Daniels, chill out.” Kilgallon continued: “He’s taken his watch off like that, and gives it to Paul Daniels. “So, we’re all around the table. Paul put a serviette on it, and pulled out like this little hammer thing, and he’s gone boom, like this, and everyone’s gone quiet, and Paul Daniels’ face is just drained mate. “Debbie McGee has gone, ‘err’, and he’s taken the cloth off like that and he’s smashed the full f***ing watch. The watch has gone.“Beats has gone, ‘that’s 40…you know how much this watch is?’ “So, Debbie McGee came over and said to Beattie after him, ‘listen, he’s not what he used to be.’“His watch was in tatters, mate.”READ MORE SUN STORIESKilgalon said Daniels, who died in 2016, later invited Beattie and his girlfriend to dinner at his house – an offer the retired striker accepted.Kilgallon added: “Beattie expected him to pull a new watch out of the bowl, but Paul just tucked in and started eating!” More

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    Kyle Walker victim of sickening racist abuse as Man City slam ‘disgusting treatment’ of defender

    KYLE WALKER was subject to disgusting racist abuse after Manchester City’s defeat to Juventus.The defender was targeted by online trolls following the 2-0 loss.Kyle Walker was subject to sickening racism onlineCredit: AlamyWalker shared the abusive message he receivedCredit: X/ kylewalker2Walker shared the horrible message he received in his Instagram DMs, which he strongly condemned.He called for racist abuse to be clamped down on by Instagram, declaring it “never acceptable.”Walker wrote: “No one should ever be subject to the sort of vile, racist and threatening abuse I have received online since last night’s match.”Instagram and the authorities need to stop this happening for the sake of all who are suffering this abuse. It is never acceptable.”To our fans, we will continue to work as a team to do better, to improve, and to turn the corner together.”City have responded to Walker’s message by showing support for their right-back.A club statement read: “Manchester City strongly condemns the racist abuse that Kyle Walker was subject to online following last night’s fixture.”We refuse to tolerate discrimination of any kind, regardless of whether that be in stadiums or online.Most read in Football”We will be offering Kyle our full support following the disgusting treatment he has received.”England also showed support for the 93-cap star.Pep Guardiola does a Jose Mourinho with gesture to Liverpool crowd as fans convinced Man City boss has ‘lost his mind’A statement read: “We are incredibly disappointed that Kyle has been subject to such abhorrent abuse on social media.”Discrimination of any kind is completely unacceptable. We support strong action by the authorities and social media companies. More

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    Former Premier League star with 272 appearances lands first coaching job four years after retiring

    FORMER Premier League midfielder Lee Cattermole has landed his first permanent coaching job.The ex-Sunderland star has joined Bristol Rovers as a first team coach, focusing on the development and implementation of set pieces.Lee Cattermole has landed his first permanent job in coachingCredit: Getty – ContributorDiscussing his new position, Cattermole said: “I am delighted to join the coaching team at Bristol Rovers.”Having spoken to the guys here and George Friend, I very quickly got excited about the project being developed here at the Club.”Everything I’ve heard about Bristol Rovers tells me it’s an exciting time to be part of things here, and I’m looking forward to getting going.”Cattermole called time on his playing career four years ago following a brief spell with Dutch side VVV-Venlo.Read More in FootballPrior to that he spent a decade with Sunderland and made 262 appearances.The midfielder has also played for Middlesbrough and Wigan.After hanging up his boots, Cattermole revealed his intention to move into coaching.He returned to Boro to work in the academy and took charge of the U23s before leaving in February last year.Most read in EFLFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe ex-midfielder was also part of the interim management team that took control at the Riverside for five games when Chris Wilder was sacked in October 2022.Bristol Rovers currently sit 18th in the League One table with 21 points from 18 games.Football teams that controversially changed their badgeThey travel to face title-chasing Birmingham City on Saturday. More

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    Former FA Cup finalist, 48, begins new career as assistant kit man after suddenly quitting Red Bull job

    FORMER FA Cup finalist Brett Ormerod has begun his new job as Bolton’s assistant kit man.SunSport revealed last month that the ex-striker would be linking up with former Blackpool team-mates Ian Evatt, Stephen Crainey and Matt Gilks with the League One side.Brett Ormerod has taken up his new role as a kit man at BoltonCredit: RexThe former striker previously excelled at BlackpoolCredit: Mark Robinson – The SunOrmerod, 48, had only recently taken up a new job with Red Bull.But after speaking with old pal Evatt, he decided to move to Bolton.Writing in his Blackpool Gazette column, Ormerod explained how things came together.He admitted: “It’s good to be back in football, especially alongside the manager (Evatt), Matt Gilks and Stephen Crainey – it’s been like old times.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Andy Taylor is also here – he was at Fylde at the same time as me. There’s a lot of people I know, so it’s been a smooth transition into the role.”I’d only just started a new job with Red Bull before handing my notice in. It all happened very quickly.”I met up with Evo and we had a good conversation. I knew if I didn’t take it now, then I might not get another like it, and it would’ve been a decision I regretted for the rest of my life.”Ormerod began his career at Accrington Stanley in the 1990s, before moving to Blackpool for his first stint Bloomfield Road stint in 1997.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOrmerod played in the 2003 FA Cup final for SouthamptonCredit: AFPHe subsequently went to Southampton in 2001 and spent five years at St Mary’s, playing in the 2003 FA Cup final for Saints.Via stints at Leeds, Wigan, Preston, Nottingham Forest and Oldham he eventually returned to Blackpool in 2009, where he would play alongside Evatt, Crainey and Gilks.Football’s weirdest contract clauses revealed including non-Arsenal agreement and a private jet promiseFollowing spells in non-league, Ormerod went on to coach at AFC Fylde.On what he intends to bring to his new role at Bolton, he added: “I am a kit man, but I will also be on the training field, joining in and taking some shooting practice.”Hopefully I can give them a bit of luck to get promoted, as they got as far as they could last season without going up.”I think they’re getting more than a kit man. If I can play a small role in making the players better then I’ll be a very happy man.”Bolton are seventh in the League One table, 10 points off leaders Wycombe with a game in hand.This Saturday the Trotters host Wigan Athletic, before a trip to Wycombe on December 20.Ormerod is hoping to assist Bolton’s promotion chaseCredit: Rex More

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    Astana 0-2 Chelsea LIVE SCORE: Marc Guiu on the double for Blues in sub-zero Europa Conference clash – latest

    CHELSEA are in Kazakhstan to take on Astana in huge Conference League clash on RIGHT NOW in freezing conditions.The Blues have enjoyed a perfect run in Europe so far as Enzo Maresca’s fringe players look to stake a claim as a first-team regular.Chelsea beat Heidenheim 2-0 in their last Conference League outing, with Christopher Nkunku and Mykhailo Mudryk firing the Blues to victory in Germany.Astana will be looking to climb the table as they eye their first win since their European opener back in October.Conditions at the Almaty Ortalyk Stadium are expected to be extreme, with the temperature potentially dropping well below zero.Kick off time: 3.30pm GMTTV channel: TNT Sports 2Live stream: discovery+Astana team: Seisen; Bartolec, Kazukolovas, Kalaica, Vorogovskiy; Marochkin, Amanovic; Ebong, Chinedu, Camara; TomasovChelsea team: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Disasi, Tosin, Renato Veiga; Rak-Sakyi, Dewsbury-Hall; George, Chukwuemeka, Pedro Neto; Marc GuiuFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollow our live blog below…Astana 0-2 Chelsea35. Every fixture is pitting Chelsea against teams that they have never played before.Not sure whether that says more about these European competitions or The Blues’ fall from grace over recent years,Astan a come forward and the ball is laid off to Geoffrey but it is an easy save for Jorgensen at his near post.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-2 Chelsea33. Chelsea are trying their luck from all angles now.Renata Veiga shoots from the edge of the box but the keeper saves.Astana come forward but lose possession quickly.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-2 Chelsea31. Maresca’s side look like scoring whenever they come forward.This time Guiu uses his strength to get between the defender and the ball.He tries a shot from a tight angle but smashes it over the target.Credit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedAstana 0-2 Chelsea29. The hardest part of this game for Chelsea will be the temperature.Since conceding, Astana have offered very little going forward.This could be like a training match for The Blues, in arctic conditions.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-2 Chelsea27. Guiu is down receiving some treatment.He seemed to get a knock to the knee.Fortunately for Maresca, he is back to his feet and seemingly able to continue.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-2 Chelsea25. This could be a long evening for the hosts.They will just be grateful that The Blues didn’t bring a first team.Neto puts a teasing cross into the back post but Renato Veiga cannot make anything of it.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-2 Chelsea23. Almost another goal from the visitors.A shot from the edge of the box is parried by the keeper.He does well to get to his feet and retrieve the ball before any Chelsea player can react.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-2 Chelsea21. It seems they have put that last one down as an own goal.Looking at the replays it is a tough one to call as to who got the last touch.Either way, Maresca will be pleased with the start his side have made.Credit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedAstana 0-2 Chelsea19. Great play from Pedro Neto in the build-up. The change of pace out wide left his marker for dead.As he whipped the ball into the box, Guiu bundled it over the line to double the visitors lead.Copy linkCopiedGoal – Marc Guiu (Chelsea)Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-1 Chelsea17. It was all too easy that goal.Like watching a football match in the school playground.Astana have the highest XG in this competition for goals against.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-1 Chelsea15. That was some good play from the Chelsea striker.He picked the ball up out wide and beat his man, making beeline for goal.Once he had the goal in sight, he slotted it past the Astana keeper with ease.Copy linkCopiedGoal – Marc Guiu (Chelsea)Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-0 Chelsea13. Astana clip a high-ball into the edge of the box.Jorgensen comes steaming out his goal to punch it but misses.Not convincing goalkeeping from the Chelsea man.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-0 Chelsea11. The Blues will be wanting a win this evening.They have won their last five games and will want to keep that run going.Completely different side, Maresca will want the same mentality.Credit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedAstana 0-0 Chelsea9. It has been a scrappy start to this game.Both sides are trying to find their feet in this one.VAR is checking for a potential penalty for Chelsea during the melee of the corner.Check complete, nothing doing.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-0 Chelsea7. Both sides are gifting possession away here.Rak-Sakyi is bundled over in the middle of the park and wins a foul.Chelsea are patiently passing the ball around, Neto picks it up out wide and cuts inside onto his left foot.He gets a shot off but the keeper gets down well to parry behind for a corner.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-0 Chelsea5. The hosts look to clip a ball over the top to break the Chelsea offside trap.No such luck as the linesman flags.Both sides are looking to get forward when the chance presents itself.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-0 Chelsea3. The visitors win a free kick in a dangerous position.Chance for Enzo Maresca’s side to work the keeper.They play it short and George tries his luck from the edge of the box but it is well wide of the target.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-0 Chelsea1. It is usually the winter break in Kazakhstan now.Astana are having to play to due to these European commitments.The Blues are looking to get their foot on the balll and pass it around in the early stages here.Copy linkCopiedKick-off: Astana vs ChelseaWe are underway in Kazakhstan.It is a cold evening for the visitors to get used to.Chelsea get the game started.Copy linkCopiedNew opponent for West London sideThis is the first-ever match between Chelsea and any club from Kazakhstan. Astana’s only match-up with English opponents, meanwhile, came in the 2019 Europa League group stage against Manchester United.They lost 1-0 at Old Trafford but came from behind on their own 4G pitch to beat a very young Red Devils side 2-1.Copy linkCopiedMaresca making most out of sizeWhile the Chelsea manager has moaned about the amount of travelling his side have had to do for this match, only two of the entire squad are every likely to be involved in the Premier League.Pedro Neto and Axel Disasi start this evening for The Blues.Enzo Maresca is probably glad now that Chelsea have a squad bigger than a lot of countries’ armies now.Copy linkCopiedFormer Fox gets some game timeWhen Kiernan Deewsbury-Hall chose to switch the King Power for Stamford Bridge, he would have expected to see much more game time.The former Leicester midfielder has seen more of the Chelsea bench than he has the pitch in West London.He will be hoping to impress this evening to get more of a glimpse of first-team action.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedBlues firm favourites for winThe bookies cannot see anything but an away victory in Kazakhstan this afternoon:Astana – 6/1Draw – 15/4Chelsea – 3/8All match odds brought to you by Betway.Copy linkCopied More