Champions League

RIO FERDINAND hailed Graham Potter for fielding “seven young English” stars in Chelsea’s win over AC Milan – although one of them is 27. The new Blues boss secured back-to-back victories with three unanswered goals at Stamford Bridge.
Graham Potter fielded seven English players against AC MilanCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Raheem Sterling started the Champions League clashCredit: Alamy
In-form Reece James, 22, rounded off the victory after another stunning performance at right-back.
He linked up well with Mason Mount, 23, and Raheem Sterling, a relative veteran at 27, as Chelsea outplayed the Italian champions.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 26, and Ben Chilwell, 25, started and played the full 90 minutes.
And then Potter sent on Conor Gallagher, 22, and Trevoh Chalobah, 23, from the Blues bench to see out the game.
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Ex-Manchester United and England defender Ferdinand was buoyed to see so many of Gareth Southgate’s potential World Cup aces in action – with just seven weeks before the Three Lions’ opener in Qatar against Iran.
He said: “There is a lot of pressure as they haven’t started well. At home you have to get the points and they were even able to make subs.
“Potter has seven young English players on the pitch which bodes well and all the right buttons are being pressed.
“Momentum is key and there is something in the crowd right now. It’s a step in the right direction.
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“There is a connection between players and fans again. The manager or captain may have seen something.
“The gulf in class between Italian and English football, it goes in cycles.”
Fellow BT Sport pundit Joe Cole added: “The number of English players with an English coach at a top side bodes well.
“That was so routine. To do that to them shows it’s the right direction.”
Potter has made a strong start to life as Blues bossCredit: PA
Rio Ferdinand is happy with what he is seeing at Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty More

WESLEY FOFANA is breathing a sigh of relief after learning his latest injury is not serious and he may be back within just three weeks.The defender hobbled out of Chelsea’s 3-0 win over AC Milan on Wednesday on crutches and wearing a protective knee brace.
Wesley Fofana was forced off in Chelsea’s 3-0 win over AC MilanCredit: AP
Fofana injured his knee in a challenge with Rafael LeaoCredit: Getty
Fofana broke his leg with former club Leicester last year which led to concerns he may have suffered a similar serious knock.
He was sent for a scan to assess the scale of the problem which occurred while chasing back against Milan striker Rafael Leao in the first half and forced him off after 38 minutes.
But it now appears the damage may be as limited as a sprain on his knee and while he is expected to miss Saturday’s home game with Wolves he will not be out long term.
He also appears set to miss the return fixture against AC Milan, as well as games against Aston Villa, Brentford, and Manchester United.
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Fofana’s Chelsea team-mates were left praying his injury wasn’t a serious one after watching the defender hobble off the field.
After posting a picture to Instagram vowing to return stronger, Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount and Trevoh Chalobah responded with heart and prayer emojis.
There were fears Fofana’s injury was a serious one when the defender appeared to be in tears as he made his way off the field.
The £70million summer signing was then spotted walking with a pair of crutches as he left the stadium.
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Fofana opened the scoring for the Blues last night – his first goal for the club.
But he was forced off just minutes later following his coming together with Leao.
Chelsea boss Graham Potter said after the game on Fofana’s injury: “That’s the one disappointing thing about the evening.
“We need to scan tomorrow and fingers crossed. I wouldn’t want to speculate on it now. But we’re concerned and we just need to wait until tomorrow and get it scanned and hope for the best.
“These things happen. He’s a young guy, he’s a strong guy, we’ll help him and support him.
“At the moment there’s not too much to report. Fingers crossed and we’re hoping for the best.” More

ERLING HAALAND can’t stop scoring at the moment, and it seems he’s started to do extra things to spice up the monotony of it The Manchester City striker was spotted picking up the referee’s spray canister, giving it back to him, and then charging into the penalty area in search for another goal.
Last night Haaland left the attack, came back to pick up the ref’s spray and gave it to him, and then rejoined the attack casually. This guy kiIIs me 😂 pic.twitter.com/Vlthn9f8X8— Rk (@RkFutbol) October 6, 2022

Erling Haaland picks up the referee’s spray canister
He then throws it back to him before charging into the box to join the attack
And eagled-eyed fans were quick to pick up on his ref spray antics.
“He’s doing side quests now,” quipped one fan.
“Football is too easy for him,” said a second user online.
Another said: “He’s taking the mick now…”
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One City fan said: “Biggest forward I (have) ever seen. Doing (side) quest, make a score and good person. We are so lucky, cause he’s playing in our team. ”
Meanwhile, a rival fan said: “I actually hate the fact that I can’t hate this man.”
After his third hat-trick of the season in the 6-3 demolition of Manchester United, Haaland then went on to score two goals in 45 minutes against FC Copenhagen.
And an interesting caveat to know is his second goal of the game came just a minute after his exploits seen in the video.
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However, he was ultimately denied another hat-trick after being hauled off at half-time with City already three goals to the good.
Jack Grealish revealed Copenhagen goalkeeper Kamil Grabara told him Haaland was “not human” after netting his 18th and 19th goals of the campaign in just 12 games.
On top of his already record-breaking season, the 22-year-old has now been revealed to have scored one per cent of goals in Man City’s Premier League and Champions League history.
However, while it might seem impossible to stop him, SunSport analysts have given their view on how to stop the suitably nicknamed “Terminator,” although his Man City team-mates crowned him with a different name. More