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      Chelsea boss Hayes promises Blues bounceback from heavy Champions League final loss to Barcelona

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      EMMA HAYES paid a touching tribute to Chelsea fans and vowed her beaten Blues will bounce back from Champions League heartbreak.And the Kingsmeadow boss described her team’s loss to Barcelona as another step in their journey after revealing her players’ post-match chat with club owner Roman Abramovich. 
      Emma Hayes says Chelsea will work hard on the training pitch after losing their first Champions League final clashCredit: Getty
      Barcelona Women won their first Women’s Champions League trophy after losing 4-1 to Lyon in the 2019 finalCredit: AFP
      Chelsea succumbed to a 4-0 defeat to Spain’s title winners in their first final in Europe’s elite club contest.
      And Hayes believes the performance of her side – who face Everton in the Women’s FA Cup – did not reflect the physical edge  of the WSL.
      Hayes said: “I think the physicality in our league that we have, we didn’t show that. So we’re disappointed. 
      “The realities are, if you don’t dominate enough of the first and second balls in any football match,  you don’t deserve to win it, and I don’t think we did that.
      “I think that’s what our dressing is most upset about. 
      “We’re a classy team and we behave I think as you should do when you’ve been beaten by a better team and that’s one that acknowledges what we need to do to improve. 
      “Our owner came in to see us. All the girls were very quick to tell him we’ll be back here and we’ll work hard on the training pitch to make sure we do that. 
      “If I know this group well enough I know they mean these words. 
      “And this is just another step in our journey, because – we talk about the disappointment – but we’re the second best team in Europe.”
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      Chelsea will face Everton in the Women’s FA Cup fifth round in their final game of the seasonCredit: PA
      Hayes’ players told Blues owner Roman Abramovich they plan to reach another Champions League finalCredit: AP

      Barcelona made history by being crowned as Spain’s first Women’s Champions League winners two years on from a 4-1 finals drubbing they endured against Lyon. 
      And the club’s victory entailed some standout displays including impressive wing play by Caroline Graham Hansen and Lieke Martens. 
      We wanted to be European champions and now we can say that we areLluis Cortes
      The result was the highlight of an outstanding season for the Lluis Cortes’s Catalan side who retained their LaLiga Women’s Crown
      And the Blaugranes did so after winning all 26 games they have played in Spain’s top tier with a match against ninth-placed Athletic up next.
      Lieke Martens and her Barca team-mates have won the LaLiga Women’s title as well as the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty

      Asisat Oshoala and her Barca team-mates will play Athletic in Spain’s top tier nextCredit: Getty
      Barca boss Cortes said: “It’s incredible, in Budapest last time (when we lost 4-1 to Lyon) we were like Chelsea were. 
      “There has been a lot of work since that day. That day we promised ourselves we would work a lot to be European champions. 
      “Behind us, there are many, many people and everyone has worked really hard for this goal. 
      “We wanted to be European champions and now we can say that we are.”
      Lluis Cortes says Barca have been working hard to achieve their first major trophy win in Europe.Credit: Getty
      Emma Hayes responds to Chelsea’s devastating 4-0 loss to Barcelona More

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      Chelsea 0-4 Barcelona LIVE RESULT: Barca win Women’s Champions League after routing Blues in first half

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      CHELSEA were beaten 4-0 by Barcelona after a first half nightmare in Gothenburg.The Catalans hit the bar after 30 seconds before going ahead with a freak own goal in the resulting melee afterwards.
      And the advantage was doubled after a controversial penalty 12 minutes before third and fourth goals inside 35 minutes as the Chelsea defence crumbled.
      HOPEFUL HAYES
      Emma Hayes was hopeful for the future after her Chelsea’s side 4-0 loss to Barcelona.
      She was confident her team will learn from the experience and do better the next time round.
      Hayes said: “I think it’s something we will learn from because this is the next step.
      The Blues boss tipped her hat to Barca and said they were worthy winners of the tie.
      Hayes added: “They’re a wonderful team and deserving winners and I will be gracious in defeat.”
      She also took pride in being the second best team in Europe.
      Hayes quipped: “And we’re the second best team in Europe, I’ll take that.”
      GIVE US A KISS
      Asistat Oshoala shows her love for the Champions League trophy by planting a big kiss on it.
      She didn’t start today but has been influential for the Catalan side in the competition.
      The striker scored four times this season, just two behind Kirby and Hermoso.

      LOSADA LAUGHS
      Barca captain Vicky Losada is all smiles as she lifts the trophy for her club.
      They thoroughly deserve their win tonight.

      LET’S STAY TOGETHER
      Emma Haye’s consoles her side after their loss with a speech at the end of the game.
      They’ll have to put today’s nightmare behind them for the season ahead.

      RUNNERS UP
      The Blues go up took collect their runners-up medals.
      They came so close this season, the disappointment is too much to bear for Fran Kirby who refuses to put on the medal.
      NEW RECORD
      Melanie Leupolz scored the fastest own goal in the Women’s Champions League this season.
      34 – Barcelona’s opener from Melanie Leupolz’ own goal is the fastest goal scored in the Women’s UEFA Champions League this season, with Chelsea conceding after just 34 seconds. Stunned. #UWCLfinal— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 16, 2021

      CHELSEA 0-4 BARCELONA
      Barca become the first Spanish team to win the Champions League

      CHELSEA 0-4 BARCELONA
      Chelsea look utterly distraught at the final whistle. The players are consoling each other as Barca celebrate.
      But the Blues can still win the treble if they lift the FA Cup.
      FT: CHELSEA 0-4 BARCELONA
      Barcelona have been crowned Champions of Europe!!
      They were just too strong for Chelsea on the night!
      The Spanish giants won the game in the first half and put the game out of the Blues reach.
      Lluis Cortes side have avenged their 2019 final loss against Lyon where they had lost 4-0 themselves.
      For Emma Hayes’ side it’s back to the drawing board and eyes on the prize again next season.
      PEEEPPPPPPPP!!!!! BARCA HAVE WON THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL!!!!
      CHELSEA 0-4 BARCELONA
      90. Barca just scored another through Asistat Oshoala but her strike was ruled offside.
      CHELSEA 0-4 BARCELONA
      90. The Barca bench have already started celebrating, the Blues looked distraught.
      CHELSEA 0-4 BARCELONA
      89. One minute left of normal time, Lluis Cortes’ side can’t wait for the final whistle.
      CHELSEA 0-4 BARCELONA
      85. Barca have had to show their defensive strength in the second half to keep the Blues at bay.
      CHELSEA 0-4 BARCELONA
      83. Chelsea are in desperate search of a goal as the game draws closer to its end.
      Barca have one hand on the trophy.
      CHELSEA 0-4 BARCELONA
      80. Barca have a corner with ten minutes left of the game.
      CHELSEA 0-4 BARCELONA
      77. Barca give away a throw-in, they’re looking a-bit tired now.
      CHELSEA 0-4 BARCELONA
      75. Despite the score-line the Blues have had 12 shots on target compared to Barca’s nine.
      CHELSEA 0-4 BARCELONA
      73. SUBSTITION
      Chelsea make a double sub as the minutes tick on. Ji So-yun and Sam Kerr are off as Erin Cuthbert and Beth England come on.
      CHELSEA 0-4 BARCELONA
      69. Kerr, Kirby and Harder link up in the Barca penalty area but fail to make it count.
      It doesn’t seem to be their night.
      CHELSEA 0-4 BARCELONA
      69. Carter puts in a strong tackle to stop Caldentey on the left flank.
      CHELSEA 0-4 BARCELONA
      67. Harder gets her head on a Chelsea free kick in a dangerous position but Panos saves it comfortably.
      CHELSEA 0-4 BARCELONA
      64. Hermoso attacks for the first time in the second half for Barca but puts it wide.
      Her and Kirby are still level in the race for the Golden Boot.
      CHELSEA 0-4 BARCELONA
      63. Charles whips it into the box, Kerr and Kirby were both waiting to pounce but Barca clear.
      Load more entries… More

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      Chelsea 0 Barcelona 4: Blues’ Champions League dream crumbles as Catalans smash FOUR in blistering first-half display

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      CAROLINE GRAHAM HANSEN helped brilliant Barcelona tear Chelsea to shreds consigning the Blues to European heartbreak in a four-goal blitz.A Hansen tap-in was among the efforts that saw Emma Hayes’ aces trounced 4-0 with Spain’s football queens winning their first Champions League trophy.
      Barcelona romped past Chelsea with a stunning first-half displayCredit: Getty
      The Catalans celebrated their first-ever Women’s Champions League titleCredit: Getty
      And it was the biggest winning margin for a side in the history of the contest.
      The Gamla Ullevi Stadium, the home of Sweden women’s national side, played host to the duel between the top dogs of the game in England and Spain.
      And it was fitting that the venue, just a stone’s throw from where Pele propelled Brazil to a famous 1958 World Cup quarter-final win, served as the backdrop for the four-goal thriller.
      For the first time in seven years the final for the elite prize of women’s European club football did not feature the tournament’s record winners, Lyon.
      Instead, all eyes were on two juggernauts seeking to become the new dominant club football force in Europe.
      And it was Barca who came out on top brushing their opponents aside with a devastating attacking display.
      Coming into this game, Lluis Cortes’ players had won ALL 26 matches they have played in Spain’s top-flight, scoring a mammoth 128 goals.
      And within a minute the team that dispatched Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain took the fight to the WSL champs.
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      What a start from Barcelona! 😲A rocket of a shot from Lieke Martens 💥Rattles the bar!Then the clearance hits Leupolz and loops over and into the back of the net 😖#UWCLfinal Live on Youtube & BT Sport 2 HD 💻/📺 pic.twitter.com/qchG8a5mJ5— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 16, 2021

      It took just 33 seconds for the LaLiga giants to get on the scoresheet stunning their rivals in the process.
      The Catalan team hit the crossbar with a ferocious drive off the edge of the box which found its way into the back of the net after rebounding off Melanie Leupolz.
      The Blues – shocked by that opener – attempted to work their way back into the game and saw a ninth-minute Pernille Harder shot saved before Magdalena Eriksson went close with a header.
      And Hayes’ aces had little time to regroup before their rivals doubled their lead.
      It was danger woman Graham Hansen who swept past Jess Carter to cut back a pass for Jenni Hermoso.
      And Spain’s all-time leading top scorer was brought down by Carter with Alexia Putellas converting from the spot in the 14th minute.
      Barcelona scored four goals in 36 minutes on Sunday nightCredit: AP
      The Blues were left heartbroken by the four-goal blitzCredit: PA
      The WSL winners watched on as Barcelona lifted the trophyCredit: AFP
      A Spanish side won the title for the first time after years of French dominanceCredit: Getty
      And there was little respite for the Blues with Spain’s top-flight champions tearing their defence open moments later.
      This time it was Lieke Martens jinking down the left to tee up Hermoso, who set up Aitana Bonmati to score Barca’s third.
      And the Catalan giants completed a 4-0 first-half demolition.
      Martens made another dangerous run into the box before shrugging off Niamh Charles to set up a Hansen tap in moments after the half-hour mark.
      The second spell saw a re-energised Chelsea attempt to battle their way into the game with Barcelona content to sit back and hit their rivals on the counter.
      Fran Kirby saw her 51st-minute shot blocked before a Niamh Charles’ cross narrowly missed the head of the leaping Sam Kerr.
      And Pernille Harder saw her 68th-minute effort – off the back of a Guro Reiten pass – find its way into the palms of keeper Sandra Panos.
      The Spaniards had a couple of late half-chances before wrapping up a memorable win.
      Emma Hayes’ side enjoyed a fantastic run to the finalCredit: Getty
      Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich attended the showdown in SwedenCredit: AP
      What. A. Start! 🔥 Excellent through ball from Hermoso to find Bonmati 👏 who finds the back of the net! Barcelona are on fire in the first half 👊#UWCLfinal Live on Youtube & BT Sport 2 HD 💻/📺 pic.twitter.com/iw7cxRQbud— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 16, 2021

      The result capped off an unlucky week of cup final losses for Chelsea with the Blues’ Premier League side falling 1-0 to Leicester in the FA Cup.
      But having reached their first final in fine fashion Emma Hayes will be proud of her sides’ achievements.
      And the WSL juggernauts are still on target for the treble with an end of season fifth-round Women’s FA Cup clash with Everton to come this month.
      Penalty! 😯Hermoso is clipped in the box as she goes to shoot 👀Alexia steps up and puts it in the bottom corner for Barcelona ⚽#UWCLfinal Live on Youtube & BT Sport 2 HD 💻/📺 pic.twitter.com/fXb8vOPFMh— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 16, 2021

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      Leicester celebrate with the trophy after they win the FA Cup More

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      Chelsea vs Barcelona: FREE live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for Women’s Champions League final 2021

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      CHELSEA can do the Super League and Champions League double this season if they beat Barcelona in the biggest game in European football.Emma Hayes’ side have been superb this season and after crushing Bayern Munich 4-1 in the second leg of their semi-final, take to the pitch at Gamla Ullevi in Sweden.
      Both Chelsea and Barcelona can win the Women’s Champions League for the first time
      But they face formidable opponents in Barcelona, who finished their domestic Spanish season with a 100 PER CENT record, picking up 78 points from 26 games.
      However, neither of these two clubs has ever lifted the trophy.
      Here is all you need to know about the showpiece final.
      When is Chelsea vs Barcelona and what time does the Women’s Champions League final kick off?

      Chelsea face Barcelona on Sunday, May 16.
      The Women’s Champions League final kicks off at 8pm UK time.
      There will be no fans at the Gamla Ullevi stadium in Gothenburg.

      What TV channel is the final on and can I live stream it for free?
      The match is being broadcast on BT Sport 2 in the UK.
      Coverage begins at 7.15pm from the broadcaster.
      You can live stream the match on BT Sport’s website and on the BT Sport app for mobile and smart TV.
      Can I get a BT Sport subscription for FREE?

      EE customers can get BT Sport INCLUDED to their plan at no extra cost if they are on a plan with Smart Benefits – simply log in to EE and choose BT Sport app.
      And then get it on the big screen by texting SPORT to 150 to get a FREE three-month trial of large screen so you can cast all the action on your TV.
      At the end of the three months you will automatically roll onto the £15 per month subscription unless cancelled.

      What is the team news?
      Chelsea have no suspensions but right back Maren Mjelde is injured for the Blues.
      Barcelona will be without defender Andrea Pereira who is suspended, while Andrea Falcon is injured. More

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      Chelsea ace Harder says playing in Champions League final alongside partner Eriksson is a ‘dream’

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      PERNILLE HARDER says vying for Champions League glory alongside her partner Magda Eriksson is a dream come true. The inspirational Chelsea couple hope to win their first European trophy by helping the Blues topple Barcelona in Sweden. 
      Pernille Harder would love to see Magda Eriksson lift the Champions League trophy if Chelsea beat BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      Blues skipper Eriksson hopes to lead Chelsea to their first European trophy winCredit: PA
      The Denmark superstar and Blues captain Eriksson –  who are popular role models in the LGBTQ community – became a couple whilst playing for  Swedish outfit Linkoping in 2014.
      And Harder will be aiming to triumph in a Blues vest having twice suffered defeat in the 2018 and 2020 finals with former club Wolfsburg. 
      Harder, 28, said: “We talked about it the other day.
      “If we would have thought six years ago when we were at Linkoping that we would eventually play a Champions League final together, this would have been the biggest dream for us.  
      “And now we get to do it and it’s amazing. The biggest thing would be to see Magda lift the trophy. That would be a very proud moment for her and me also.
       “On and off the pitch, no matter what we are competing in, we both have a winning mentality.
      “It’s not the end if we win the Champions League this season, because we want to win the title and the Champions League again. 
      “For me it’s about the memories and feelings that football brings. 
      “The good thing is that we are super honest with each other on the pitch and we always leave football stuff on the pitch when the game is done.” 
      Eriksson, Harder and their Chelsea team-mates won the 2020-21 WSL titleCredit: Prime Media

      All eyes will be on the WSL champs fearsome attacking trio of Fran Kirby, Sam Kerr and Harder who have netted 13 times in the contest so far.
      Against Bayern Munich, in the semi-finals, Harder demonstrated why Chelsea broke the women’s football transfer record to sign her from Wolfsburg for £250,000 in September 2020. 
      The midfielder’s bullet header helped Chelsea demolish Bayern 4-1 in a dramatic second leg battle.
      And the Uefa Women’s Player of the Year says the pressure of being the world’s most expensive women’s signing is something she takes in her stride. 
      Harder added: “Everyone thinks you can do everything on the pitch when you have that price. 
      “It puts some pressure, or some expectations at least. 
      “But handling expectations is something I’ve been working with in the last five or six years.
      “I knew how to handle it and to focus on my game and adapt to the team.” 
      Harder’s semi-final bullet header against Bayern Munich helped Chelsea reach their first Women’s Champions League finalCredit: Getty
      Emma Hayes’ aces will face a Barcelona side who stormed their way to a sixth domestic league title following a 26-game unbeaten run and a tally of 126 goals. 
      The teams will go head-to-head in the Gamla Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg, the home of Sweden’s women’s team whose players include Blues skipper Eriksson.
      And Harder is confident Chelsea – who won their fourth WSL title – can defeat the queens of the women’s game in Spain. 
      It will be a tough game for sure, but we are also a great team so I think it will be a good finalPernille Harder
      The Dane ace was part of the Wolfsburg side that knocked Barca out in 2020.
      The Blues star said: “I played against them last year and I think they did really good. They have a lot of great players and are a good possession team. 
      “It will be a tough game for sure, but we are also a great team so I think it will be a good final.”
      Harder reckons the quality and depth of Chelsea’s squad has been one of the biggest advantages for the team who have won a league cup and WSL title this term
      And the Denmark midfielder – who is her country’s joint all-time top scorer with 65 international goals – said she had been monitoring Chelsea’s progress for a long period before joining the side.
      Harder added: “I’ve been following the team for a long time. Obviously, with Magda playing here, I saw the development of the team. 
      “I felt like it was so interesting to see what happens, and I just felt like I wanted to be a part of it, and also be in the English league. 
      Chelsea may have to contend with ex-Arsenal aces Asisat Oshoala and Vicky Losada when they play BarcelonaCredit: EPA
      “That was what mostly was my motivation to come to Chelsea, but obviously I’d also heard a lot about Emma. 
      “Even though sometimes in games we might not have played the best football, we always find a way to win. 
      “That’s because we have so many players who can be the game-changer. 
      “If someone has a bad day, there is someone else who is stepping up. That’s really something, I think, that has made us come so far this season.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Emma Hayes and her players hope to win the quadrupleCredit: PA
      Emma Hayes gets stuck into Chelsea training More

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      Uefa confirm Champions League final will now take place in Porto with Chelsea and Man City allowed 6,000 fans EACH

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      CHELSEA and Manchester City will each have 6,000 fans at the Champions League Final after Uefa finally confirmed the match has been switched to Portugal.After nearly a week of negotiations, Euro chiefs announced the game would be moved from Istanbul as a result of the latest Covid wave in Turkey.
      Chelsea and City will each have 6,000 fans at the Champions League Final after UefaCredit: AP
      Uefa finally confirmed the match has been switched to PortugalCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail
      Uefa had hoped to move the game to Wembley but that plan was scuppered because of UK border regulation controls and the number of broadcasters, VIPs and guests required to have access to the game.
      But 48 hours of intensive negotiations with the Portuguese authorities were completed as Uefa confirmed Porto’s Estadio do Dragao will be the venue for European football’s showpiece event.
      As a result of fierce lobbying by Uefa, the Portuguese Government agreed to raise it’s initial 10 per cent stadium capacity cap to allow up to 20,000 inside the 50,000-capacity venue.
      And Uefa gave City and Chelsea supporters good news as it confirmed the allocations.
      Uefa said: “Staging the final in Istanbul would have meant none of the clubs’ domestic fans would be able to travel to the game.
      “After a year of fans being locked out of stadiums, Uefa thought that everything needed to be done to ensure the supporters of the two finalist teams could attend.
      “Uefa discussed moving the match to England but, despite exhaustive efforts on the part of the Football Association and the authorities, it was not possible to achieve the necessary exemptions from UK quarantine arrangements.
      “The Portuguese authorities and the FPF stepped in and worked quickly and seamlessly with UEFA to offer a fitting venue for the final.

      “As Portugal is a green list destination for England, fans and players attending the final will not have to quarantine on their return home.”
      Thanking the Portuguese authorities, and also the Turkish Government for allowing the istanbul Final to be moved for the second year running, Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin added: “After the year that fans have endured, it is not right that they don’t have the chance to watch their teams in the biggest game of the season.
      “Fans have had to suffer more than twelve months without the ability to see their teams live and reaching a Champions League final is the pinnacle of club football.
      “To deprive those supporters of the chance to see the match in person was not an option and I am delighted that this compromise has been found.
      “We accept that the decision of the British Government to place Turkey on the red list for travel was taken in good faith and in the best interests of protecting its citizens from the spread of the virus.
      “But it also presented us with a major challenge in staging a final featuring two English teams.
      “The difficulties of moving the final are great and the FA and the authorities made every effort to try to stage the match in England and I would like to thank them for their work in trying to make it happen.”
      Champions League final chaos for Chelsea and Man City fans as Turkey added to UK travel red list More

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      Chelsea and Man City fans could face Champions League final heartache with just 1,000 each set to be allowed to Portugal

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      THOUSANDS of Chelsea and Manchester City fans could get the green light to see the Champions League Final – if Uefa gets the Portuguese authorities to back down.Euro chiefs are ready to confirm the May 29 clash will be played at Porto’s Estadio do Dragao after failing to get agreement with the UK Government over guest and sponsor numbers being allowed into the country if the game was played at Wembley.
      Manchester City and Chelsea will battle for the Champions League trophy on May 29Credit: Reuters
      Porto’s Estadio do Dragao will host the Champions League finalCredit: Reuters
      But while Portugal will lift its nationwide ban on crowds for the final weekend of the domestic season on May 19, numbers will be capped at 10 per cent of capacity.
      With the Dragao holding a maximum of just over 50,000 fans, that would mean a mere 5,000 spectators for European football’s showpiece occasion.
      In turn, it would likely result in barely 1,000 fans of each of the two Premier League clubs being sold tickets, with others going to local spectators and the “Uefa family”.
      But Uefa is putting pressure on the Portuguese to allow up to 40 per cent of the Dragao capacity to be used.
      That would mean around 20,000 in Porto, with the two clubs each receiving between between 4,000 and 6,000 tickets.
      Such a number is far below the potential 9,000 per club allocation had the game been played at Wembley but still significantly better than if the cap remains at 10 per cent.
      Robert Lewandowski lifts the Champions League in 2020Credit: Reuters
      Fans’ groups from the two clubs met virtually with Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin to plead their case yesterday  ahead of the final decision, now expected today.
      Dom Rosso of the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust explained: “Uefa said it will ‘take care’ that supporters will be able to attend the final with priority given to Chelsea and Manchester City.
      “I emphasised that allocation/prices for loyal supporters must be reasonable and fair. 

      “Uefa confirmed that they must honour sponsor contracts and added that lots of football supporters (worldwide) will also want to attend and that this must be taken into account. 
      “The CST stated that sponsor allocations must be kept to a minimum.”
      Just seven players have managed to score a hat-tricks of CL hat-tricks
      Wembley welcomes 8,000 fans for Spurs vs Man City in Carabao Cup final More

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      Thomas Tuchel claims ‘amazing’ Chelsea predecessor Frank Lampard ‘laid the foundations’ of his success with Blues

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      THOMAS TUCHEL has paid tribute to Frank Lampard for ‘laying the foundations’ for his successful start to life at Chelsea.Less than six months into the job, the German has already secured a pair of major cup finals for the Blues and a top-four finish is well within his grasp.
      Thomas Tuchel has praised the work of predecessor Frank LampardCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail
      Chelsea icon Frank Lampard was sacked from the dugout earlier this yearCredit: AFP
      Tuchel took over from Lampard in late January with the club ninth in the Premier League, five points off a Champions League place.
      But the Blues’ midfield legend had finished fourth last season despite a transfer ban, while bedding in an number of young players.
      And Lampard was credited by his successor with the groundwork that has led to a strong end to the campaign.
      Tuchel told reporters: “Frank had an amazing record in the group stage of the Champions League, won all the FA Cup games.
      “He’s laid the foundation to get us to finals and we don’t feel ashamed or have any fear to say that out loud. It felt like that on the first day.
      “I am aware Frank created his own legacy as a player and made it bigger as a coach.
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      “We stepped in halfway through the season and tried to fulfil the job he had begun.”
      The pair spoke couple of days after Lampard was replaced by the ex-Paris Saint-Germain boss, sending a message which Tuchel also praised.
      He added: “Frank resembles everything you think about Chelsea.
      “You think about Frank Lampard, the way he is, how he played football… This shows his character and the message he sent was a pleasure to receive.”
      Chelsea face Arsenal on Wednesday night knowing a win will put them on the verge of a guaranteed top-four finish.
      Tuchel has demanded his stars maintain their effort levels in the fixture despite the weekend’s FA Cup final sitting on the horizon, as well the Champions League showdown with Manchester City.

      The coach stated: “We are in the middle of the race for top four, we have two finals to come and you can only achieve it if you are on a consistently high level mentally and physically, with a good atmosphere, and this is what we try to keep now.
      “Nobody is allowed now to drop one per cent, because that’s what makes it special right now.
      “But now is not finished. It is not the time for praise, not the time for reflection, it is the time to continue and finish the job.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Thomas Tuchel admits his personal sacrifice has been worth it now Chelsea are in the Champions League final More