Champions League

CHELSEA are currently on a fine run of form, but you get the sense that things could be even better than they are right now if it wasn’t for missed chances. 
Naturally you are not going to take all your opportunities, but there have been a couple of games where Chelsea will feel they should have registered even more goals. 

Billy Gilmour was a key link-player for Chelsea, suggesting he should soon be a first-choice regular despite Frank Lampard’s many midfield optionsCredit: Reuters

Attacker Faustino Anjorin had a highly promising full debut for Chelsea Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Tuesday’s 1-1 Champions League draw with Krasnodar will certainly be marked down as one of those occasions. 
Tammy Abraham was one of the most guilty parties tonight, missing a few reasonable chances.
And Kai Havertz and a few others will also feel they could have and probably should have got on the scoresheet. 
⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

Frank Lampard spoke about the importance of continuing the winning momentum before the game, and although he didn’t pick his strongest side tonight, you could see he wanted to win badly, and so he should.  
Chelsea want to win every match they play, and Lampard will be unhappy that they didn’t, and unhappy with the missed chances.
At this level you have to take your chances otherwise it can be a totally different story. 
Luckily Chelsea had already qualified for the next round of the competition topping the group, so they only had momentum to lose.

But that momentum can be all so important for morale and confidence.  
There were many positives, though, the main two being teenagers Billy Gilmour and Faustino Anjorin. 
Gilmour has just returned from a long-term injury and he was bossing the game as if he was never away.  
The young Scot looked a real menace constantly and was pinnacle to the majority of everything that Chelsea did well.

Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham is felled for the penalty leveller from Jorginho on 28 minutesCredit: PA:Press Association

Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga foils Krasnodar’s Brazilian winger Wanderson Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
It will be very hard for Lampard to keep him out of the team for the next match, and you would think that he just has to find a space for Gilmour in his all-star Chelsea line up. 
Anjorin was equally very good on his first senior start for Chelsea.
The young attacker came in and looked very comfortable and confident on the ball, even managing a couple of beautiful little back heels, the cheek of it! 
But it was a dream come true for him tonight making his first start for the club he has been at since 2008 working his way up through the youth ranks.

He was busy and his work rate off the ball will really please Lampard. 
Anjorin will be another player knocking hard on Lampard’s door in the next few months. 
It was a game that Lampard wanted to win, and there will be a few red faces tonight knowing they should have won it for them. Still, they didn’t lose and that’s the main thing. 

Chelsea handed transfer boost as Dortmund star and Manchester United target Jadon Sancho reveals he grew up a Blues fan More

HAVE no doubt Paul Pogba played his part in this result. 
On the pitch Pogba gave Manchester United a lifeline with his late header. Off it, however, he had already damaged them.

Paul Pogba played his part on and off the pitch in Man Utd’s Champions League exitCredit: Reuters

Mino Raiola couldn’t keep his thoughts to himself ahead of the crunch tie against RB LeipzigCredit: Getty – Contributor

The player who blames Covid for his early season form popped Manchester United’s bubble on the eve of this game by allowing his agents mouth to run riot again.
United were up and pumping and confident as they looked ahead to facing Leipzig. On the back of another comeback victory away from home they flew out to Germany full of confidence.
Then the narrative changed. Suddenly it was all about Pogba.
The player sat amongst his friends and team-mates on the plane to Leipzig had already planted a seed of destruction.

His agent Mino Raiola was being quoted in Italy about how Pogba’s time at Old Trafford was over, he was unhappy,  the tactics did not suit him etc etc..
Of course we have heard all this whinging before from Raiola. But the timing of this ahead of United’s biggest game of the season was disgusting.
Big games like this require big names putting in big performances. Yet while Pogba’s name might resonate his performances certainly do not.
What his name should not then do is become a sideshow that affects the main event.

It may surprise people that Pogba is a popular guy in the dressing room, not just a virus bringing people down like Alexis Sanchez was.
That in a way makes things worse because it will affect teammates more if he is rocking the boat.
Ole Solskjaer has been at pains to defend him again and again. Credit to him for that, but the credit has run out.
It was right Pogba was not in the starting line-up in Leipzig last night. He should not have been on the bench either.
He should have been sent home on the next plane back to Manchester as soon as Solskjaer became aware of what Raiola had said.
If Pogba was unaware of what was coming then he should have publicly denounced it when it hit the online headlines.
No doubt when he does next speak he will claim he still loves United and wants to win things with them blah blah blah.. Don’t bother.
Rarely have I known such anger amongst United fans against one of their own as there was in the run-up to this game. His goal will not have tempered that.
They have already grown sick of his pathetic performances in a United shirt. He was awful again on Saturday before he scored at West Ham, barely breaking sweat.

Man Utd’s biggest transfers ever, both in and out, including Ronaldo
Compare what he puts into a game with the likes of Scott McTominay. It is little wonder he gets the nod ahead of him.
Goodness me does he put a shift in every time he pulls the United shirt on.
Roy Keane will tell you that is the least you should expect, but his high standards have dropped considerably in recent years
People may draw comparisons to his own stance when he refused to sign a new contract because he wasn’t being offered enough.
He was trying to break the £50,000 a week barrier for United players and was within his rights.
As was Wayne Rooney when he threatened to leave because he felt the Glazers were not investing enough in the team.
On both occasions these were players doing it on the pitch. Pogba doesn’t.
Solskjaer claimed it was tactical that Pogba did not start last night. I don’t doubt he was always going to start McTominay and Nemanja Matic, which tells it’s own story where Pogab is concerned.
He did bring him on after 60 minutes more in hope than anything else with the game already wandering away from United.
He couldn’t pull it round. They had lost this in the opening 13 minutes and maybe before even a ball had been kicked.

Solskjaer says Man Utd didn’t perform well enough as a team against RB Leipzig
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JORGINHO’S penalty earned Chelsea a 1-1 Champions League draw at home to Krasnodar – as Kai Havertz and two teenagers boosted their chances of more regular starts.
Here’s how Frank Lampard’s Blues rated on a night where they had already qualified for the KO stage.

Striker Tammy Abraham rues a miss for Chelsea and was one of three established players not to make a decent impactCredit: PA:Press Association

Blues’ midfielder Jorgino strokes home the penalty leveller in a 1-1 drawCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6

Largely untested but might have got closer to Krasnodar’s first half goal.
Made a comfortable save in the second half and largely came through unscathed. 
Cesar Azpilicueta – 6
Sluggish on a few occasions and sometimes wasteful in attack.
Put in a few decent tackles and blocks at the back when Chelsea were under pressure.

Emerson Palmieri – 5
Caught out at the back with lack of concentration on occasions, and he was very wasteful going forward.
Did nothing to push Ben Chilwell for his starting place.
Antonio Rudiger – 7
Pretty solid performance from him at the heart of the Chelsea defence.
He was good in the air and calm on the ball.

Andreas Christensen – 7
Decent showing from Christensen who was even putting himself about in the air.
Ddidn’t come under too much pressure from the visitors but he did a good job at the back.
Jorginho – 5
As always, very good on the ball but doesn’t bring the same defensive stability as N’Golo Kante does.
Gave away a few tired passes and was wasteful on some attacks.
Billy Gilmour – 8
Slotted comfortably straight back into the Chelsea starting eleven and picked up where he left off, absolutely superb.
Full of energy and his work on the ball was always progressive. 
Mateo Kovacic – 7
Lack of intensity to get back and help Azpilicueta out on Krasnodar’s first half goal, and he was also rather poor in front of goal.
Linked up well with Kai Havertz on a number of occasions and was a driving force behind many Chelsea attacks and pockets of good play.
Faustino Anjorin – 8
Some really nice touches and passes from him, especially a couple of beautiful backheels proving the confidence he has.
It was a great outing for him on his first senior start and he looked a constant threat on the ball.
Tammy Abraham – 5
Had a chance to score in the first half that he should have done better with, but he did very well to win the penalty.
Pretty disappointing on the night missing a few chances and not being strong enough in the air.
Kai Havertz – 8
Looked like he was enjoying himself out there in the first half with some beautiful little touches and looked to create a lot from wide.
Dropped off a bit in the second half and looked rather tired as he was taken off just after 70 minutes.

Midfielder Mateo Kovacic slots the ball across for the Blues, who had already won their Champions League groupCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

SUBS
N’Golo Kante for Kovacic (74 mins) – 7
Provided real direct energy and drive alongside Werner and deserved more for his efforts.
Timo Werner for Havertz (74 mins) – 7
Instant impact driving forward with the ball creating chances that should have been finished by his team mates.
Olivier Giroud for Anjorin (80 mins) -N/A

Chelsea centre-back Andreas Christensen is up to the task of challenging Krasnodar’s Tonny Vilhena at Stamford BridgeCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Chelsea handed transfer boost as Dortmund star and Manchester United target Jadon Sancho reveals he grew up a Blues fan More

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER loves to talk about restoring the glory, glorydays when Manchester United used to snatch victory from the jaws ofdefeat.
Well, despite all their recent domestic comebacks, this ChampionsLeague campaign has been the polar opposite of all that.

Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League on TuesdayCredit: Rex Features

The Red Devils fell to defeat in Germany in their final group gameCredit: Getty Images

United appeared to be cruising into the group stages after winning inParis and demolishing Leipzig at Old Trafford in their opening twofixtures.
But what followed has been a weapons-grade balls-up, as Solskjaer’smen were condemned to the Europa League by defeat in Germany.
What a shambling mess United were in defence, for the third time intheir last four European outings.
They needed only a point. They fielded more than £200 million worth ofdefenders. And they couldn’t defend for toffee.

They attempted their usual Lazarus routine and almost pulled it offbut it was too little, too late.
Even before Saturday’s Manchester derby they were tormented by a Cityplayer – left-back Angelino, on loan in Leipzig from Pep Guardiola’smen, providing a goal and an assist inside 13 minutes.
United have got away with shocking starts so often but their tendencyto sleepwalk into matches was always going to catch up with themsooner or later.
And questions must be asked of a manager who sends out sides whichstart matches so badly, so often.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men will play Europa League football after ChristmasCredit: EPA

Wow… RB Leipzig took the lead inside two minutes against Man Utd 😮Angelino, a left-back on loan from Man City, bags his seventh goal of the season! pic.twitter.com/LFFyfk4x3E
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 8, 2020

This is a nightmare for Man Utd 😬59 seconds after Bruno Fernandes clatters the bar, RB Leipzig go up the other end and compile the misery with a third goal…And it’s not pretty 👀 pic.twitter.com/bxAHsTyu8i
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 8, 2020

Nobody knows what to make of Solskjaer’s wildly unpredictable reign.
But having been dumped into the junior European competition, the oldOle swingometer has veered back into crisis territory.
Should they lose touch with the top four in the Premier League anytime soon, he will surely have to go.
It is now a full decade since United reached a Champions Leaguesemi-final.
They simply aren’t a European power in anything other than commercial terms.
No wonder Paul Pogba wants out. However dreadful the timing of hisagent Mino Raiola’s outburst, on the eve of this crunch fixture, youcannot blame the World Cup winner for looking elsewhere.
Solskjaer claimed Raila verbal Molotov from the former pizza waiterwas irrelevant to his team selection but it was widely suspected thatPogba would start until that intervention.

Man City loanee Angelino scored inside two minutes for LeipzigCredit: AFP

Amadou Haidara scored Red Bull’s second to leave Man Utd with a mountain to climbCredit: PA:Press Association
Pogba arrived on the hour and headed the second as United almostpulled off an extraordinary draw.
It is widely claimed that the Champions League group stages arepredictable and boring but United are out and Real Madrid could followthem tonight.
Two of the three richest clubs in the world. No wonder they want toturn this competition into a private members’ club with moreguaranteed fixtures for the established elite.
It was a cautious line-up from Solskjaer, whose side only needed a point.
Yet you can set up a team as defensively as you like. If yourdefenders don’t mark, you are in trouble.
And so it proved within 110 seconds of kick-off when a sweeping passfrom Marcel Sabitzer caught United kipping – Aaron Wan-Bissaka seemedunaware of the presence of Angelino, who thumped home a first-timeleft-footed shot.
Track-and-trace on the blink, the story of the year.
Initially, United made a positive response, a counter-attack leavingLeipzig short-handed, but Mason Greenwood’s shot comfortably saved byPeter Gulacsi.
But soon it was 2-0, United’s defence pulled apart by Leipzig’s swiftpassing, Sabitzer feeding Angelino, who crossed to the far post forAmadou Haidara to volley home.
United claimed a foul by Emil Forsberg on Alex Telles but it wasn’t astrong enough touch to worry an elite defender. It all smacked ofweakness.

Patrick Kluivert scored a third to have Leipzig cruisingCredit: EPA

The German side celebrate what looked to be a comfortable evening at 3-0 upCredit: EPA
Solskjaer’s men looked shell-shocked now and they should have beenthree-down inside 17 minutes when the socially-distanced Angelino wasallowed space again, centring for Forsberg who brought the ball downbut stabbed wide.
Leipzig had the ball in the net for the third time before thehalf-hour mark – yet after Ibrahima Konate had headed against thepost, Willi Orban prodded in only to be judged offside by VAR.
The decision was correct but again United’s defence had looked a shambling mess.
One of the few United players gaining credit was Scott McTominay, whowon possession and sent Marcus Rashford clean through only for theforward to hesitate and lose possession.
Solskjaer sent on Donny Van de Beek at half-time and the Dutchmanimmediately livened things up in a concerted spell of United pressure.

Bruno Fernandes gave Man Utd a lifeline with a late penaltyCredit: AFP

And Paul Pogba’s header gave Man Utd real hope of a miraculous fightback – but they fell shortCredit: Getty Images
And the Norwegian sent for Pogba on the hour – an admission of hisdesperation, made in hope rather than expectation.
Yet Pogba had scored a peach at West Ham on Saturday and United neededsomething similar.
Bruno Fernandes had a stinging long-ranger turned around the post byGulacsi,then crashed a free-kick against the bar.
But just as United were threatening another revival, more defensive chaos.

Solskjaer says Man Utd didn’t perform well enough as a team against RB Leipzig

Angelino’s deflected cross seemed to bewilder Harry Maguire, who leftit for David De Gea but hadn’t reckoned for Justin Kluivert – son ofPatrick – to stab it past the dithering keeper.
Gulacsi made fine saves from McTominay, Greenwood and Fernandes beforehe was finally beaten by a Fernandes spot-kick after Konate washarshly penalised after a coming together with Greenwood.
Pogba then got in on the act with a towering header that went in offKonate and survived a VAR review.
There was still plenty of time for an equaliser but, for once, themiracle would not arrive. More

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER’S tactical change backfired as Manchester United exited the Champions League tonight.
The Red Devils switched to a five-man defence before losing 3-2 to RB Leipzig in Germany.

Man Utd crashed out of the Champions League as they lost 3-2 to RB LeipzigCredit: Reuters

But did anyone play well during the heartbreaking defeat?
Or were all the performances deserving of a demotion to the Europa League?
Here are the Manchester United player ratings from SunSport’s Anthony Chapman…
DAVID DE GEA – 4

Beaten twice in the opening 13 minutes, it was never going to be an easy night for the Spaniard.
Never looked close to saving either effort and his body language suggested he’s seen too many of these collapses over the years.
Fell asleep for Leipzig’s third goal which killed off the game.
AARON WAN-BISSAKA – 4

Was at fault for Leipzig’s opener as he switched off when a ball was swung over his head from the opposite flank.
Looked uncomfortable as United’s right wing-back in a five-man defence as Angelino ran riot down Leipzig’s left.
But he fared little better when it changed to a back four after the break and was taken off with ten minutes left.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka had a poor game as the right wing-backCredit: Getty Images – Getty

VICTOR LINDELOF – 4
Did not appear confident and kept tight to Maguire instead of pushing out wide to force Wan-Bissaka up the pitch.
Found some self-belief after the break but was caught out for third goal with his body at a wrong angle.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 5
Had a very vocal night but all shouts were mainly directed at the referee rather than his team-mates.
Missed a sitter of a header with about 35 minutes left and will be wondering what could have been if he made contact.
Was then guilty of some shocking defending as United conceded a shambolic third.
LUKE SHAW – 5
Position was muddled as he drifted from left centre-back to midfield to the wing without clear intent or purpose.
Got a run at left-back in the second half and looked sharper but still couldn’t force a breakthrough.

Alex Telles was taken off at the break after struggling on the left flankCredit: Getty Images – Getty
ALEX TELLES – 4
Failed to track his man for Leipzig’s second after tucking in too much.
Ended first half playing high like a left winger but was given little support and was mostly forced into backwards passes rather than threatening crosses.
Solskjaer clearly wasn’t impressed and hooked him at half-time.
SCOTT McTOMINAY – 5
Put some work in as he chased the ball up and down the field.
Refused to give up as he tried going toe-to-toe with his midfield counterparts but was found lacking when it came to passing and pressing forward.
NEMANJA MATIC – 4
Watched the game pass him by in midfield as Leipzig cut off channels in the centre of the pitch.
Was a mile behind his team-mates trying to play the offside trap from defending a set piece when Leipzig broke clear to score a third.
But Matic had a very lucky escape as one man was fractionally offside, resulting in the strike being disallowed.

Bruno Fernandes pulled United back into the game with a penaltyCredit: Reuters
BRUNO FERNANDES – 6
Booked after four minutes but was United’s main outlet for any potential attacks.
Leipzig recognised this by giving Fernandes constant bodychecks whenever he was on the ball.
Hit the bar from a free-kick in the 68th minute and netted a late consolation penalty but failed to work his usual magic to make a real impact on the game.
MASON GREENWOOD – 4
Missed an early chance to equalise and get United back into the game.
Was sloppy with his passes too and failed to fill in for injured duo Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 6
Looked isolated despite playing in a front two as United struggled to feed their forwards with passes.
Found confidence to embark on mazy dribbles in the second half but was missing a like-minded striker to help turn the runs into real threats.

Paul Pogba came off the bench to score a consolation secondCredit: AFP
SUBS
DONNY VAN DE BEEK – 6
Came on at half-time for Telles and made an immediate impact as he provided an extra body for United in the final third.
BRANDON WILLIAMS – 5
Replaced Shaw in the 60th minute but found the pace of the game too much to make an impact.
PAUL POGBA – 6
Was given 30 minutes in place of Matic and managed to pull back a second goal for United to give them a glimmer of hope late on.
AXEL TUANZEBE – N/A
Replaced Lindelof in the 80th minute but it was too little, too late for the centre-back.
TIMOTHY FOSU-MENSAH – N/A
On for Wan-Bissaka but didn’t have enough time to do anything.
⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer speaks about Paul Pogba transfer rumours after Man Utd’s Champions League exit at Leipzig More

CRISTIANO RONALDO won the Battle of the Ballon D’Ors after leading Juventus to victory over Lionel Messi’s Barcelona.
The Portuguese superstar’s penalties either side of half time earned the Old Lady an impressive win at the Nou Camp – enough to top Group G.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice on his return to the Nou CampCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS

The Juve star got the better of his fellow great Lionel Messi on Tuesday nightCredit: AFP or licensors

Always great to return to Spain and to Catalunya, always hard to play in Camp Nou against one of the best teams I ever faced. Today we were a team of Champions! A true, strong and united family! Playing like this, we have nothing to fear until the end of the season… Let’s go! pic.twitter.com/PivPpJ3SLh
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) December 8, 2020

But six-time Ballon D’Or winner Ronaldo will be happy to end an unwanted record of never scoring against a side that included his old rival Messi – who has the five Ballon D’ors.
American wonderkid Weston McKennie also netted to hand Ronald Koeman’s Barca a third loss in four games in all competitions.
But this clash was all about the two best players in the world going head-to-head for the first time since May 2018.
On that day, as Barca drew 2-2 with eventual La Liga champions Real Madrid, both Messi and Ronaldo found the net.

But two years and seven months later, this was the Ronaldo show on his 36th meeting with Catalan’s creator Messi.
Heading into this one, Messi led in the stats department. More goals scored and more wins when facing Ronaldo.
In particular in the Champions League. In their five meetings in Europe’s elite competition, Ronaldo’s only win has come in the 2007/08 campaign with Manchester United.
But that has all changed now 12 years later, as the 35-year-old showed he still has what it takes to mix it with his old El Clasico foe with Juventus.

Ronaldo won and scored the penalty to give Juventus the leadCredit: AFP or licensors
Ronaldo was missing from the first group stage clash between these two Euro heavyweights after contracting coronavirus while on international duty with Portugal.
That night saw Messi score a late penalty as Barca claimed a comfortable 2-0 win away in Turin to edge towards the knock-out stages.
But upon his return to the grand stage, Ronaldo made his presence known early on – much to the delight of newbee manager Andrea Pirlo.
Ronaldo’s first chance came as Barca were caught playing out from the back – Juan Cuadrado’s square ball teeing up Ronaldo but for a toe-poked effort at Marc Ter Stegen.

And he scored from the spot for a second time in a big win for JuventusCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Juventus stole top spot from Barcelona in Group GCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
But he found a net-bulging connection in the 12th minute as a driving run into the box saw him bundled over by Ronadl Araujo as the referee pointed to the spot.
A calm finish down the middle from 12-yards followed, as well as his trademark celebration.
More joy followed eight minutes later with Cuadrado at the heat of things again with a neat chip into the box and McKennie’s acrobatic bicycle kick flying past Ter Stegen.
Messi’s first chance was a tame effort straight at Gianluigi Buffon in the 35th minute.

Weston McKinnie celebrates his strike for Juventus at the Nou CampCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS

But Ronaldo was handed the chance to double his tally just after half time in the 49th minute after Clement Lenglet’s handball in the area – a similar finish and celebration ensued.
It could have been a greater scoreline but for Leonardo Bonucci’s disallowed goal in the 75th minute thanks to VAR.
But no video technology could take away Ronaldo finally hitting the net to get one past Messi. More