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      Bruno Fernandes gave ball away 34 times as Man Utd were humbled in Istanbul – FOUR TIMES more than Van de Beek

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      BRUNO FERNANDES struggled yet again for Manchester United on Wednesday as he gave the ball away a staggering 34 TIMES against Istanbul Basaksehir.
      The 26-year-old played the whole game in Turkey as his side lost 2-1, while team-mate Donny van de Beek was hauled off after 61 minutes despite impressing.

      Fernandes how now flattered to deceive against Chelsea, Arsenal and Istanbul, with the player arguably going through his worst spell at United.
      ⚠️ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford
      So it came as a surprise to many Red Devils fans that it was Van de Beek who went off despite being more influential in Turkey.
      The Dutch midfielder – who is yet to start in the Premier League – had an impressive pass accuracy of 93 per cent.

      His team-mate Fernandes completed just 73.8 per cent of his passes, and he also had a lower pass completion in the final third of the pitch.
      Just 63.5 per cent of his passes were successful, with Van de Beek’s rate considerable higher at 84.2 per cent.
      Fernandes also lost possession a whopping 34 times – more than four times the amount that Van de Beek gave the ball away.
      The ex-Ajax midfielder lost possession just eight times, while he created one chance during the disappointing defeat.

      That is one more than what Fernandes achieved, as he failed to create anything despite being on the pitch for half an hour longer.

      In addition to that, the former Sporting Lisbon maestro registered just one shot on target out of four attempts – a free-kick that was easily parries away.
      None of his six crosses found a team-mate, while just seven out of his 14 long passes were successful.
      Pressure is mounting on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and he knows he must beat Everton on Saturday to ease speculation over his future.
      When asked about his position after United’s defeat to Istanbul, he said: “I decline to comment.
      “It is early and opinions are out there all the time. I have got to stay strong.
      “I am employed by the club to do a job and will do it to the best of my ability.”

      Man Utd boss Solskjaer refuses to comment on future after ‘unforgivable’ defending in Istanbul humbling More

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      Champions League 2021 winner predicted after just three games.. and Man Utd’s chances aren’t good after shock loss

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S chances of winning the 2021 Champions League aren’t looking too clever after a shock 2-1 defeat away to Istanbul Basaksehir.
      But who are the runners and riders three games into this season’s European competition?

      ⚠️ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Manchester United suffered a shock defeat to IstanbulCredit: Rex Features

      Bayern Munich lifted last season’s Champions League and are favourites to do so againCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Data crunched by FiveThirtyEight has reigning champs Bayern Munich as the hot favourites to be crowned kings of Europe again.
      Hansi Flick’s side have a 26 per cent chance of winning the final at this stage.
      After Wednesday night’s blip, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils can only lay claim to a three per cent chance of going all the way for the first time since 2008.

      United had made a very assured start to their Champions League campaign, winning 2-1 away at Paris Saint-Germain.
      Before super sub Marcus Rashford rattled in a hat-trick off the bench to help his side to a 5-0 thumping of RB Leipzig at Old Trafford last time out.
      But former Chelsea man Demba Ba haunted United out in Turkey as he raced through all alone to score and get the upset underway after just 12 minutes.
      Edin Visca doubled things after 40 minutes and the Turkish side held on despite Anthony Martial reducing the deficit just before half-time.

      Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are second favourites to bag their first ever Champions League title.

      The Citizens saw off Olympiacos 3-0 on Tuesday to continue their flawless record at the top of Group C.
      Raheem Sterling and Co are in with a 17 per cent chance of finally going all the way to European glory.
      Lionel Messi’s Barcelona have a ten per cent shot at glory with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, 2019 winners and 2018 runners-up, a seven per cent chance.
      Diogo Jota’s hat-trick helped the Reds punish an out of sorts Atalanta 5-0 win which maintained their 100 per cent start in Group D.
      Frank Lampard’s Chelsea are unbeaten in Group E but sit level on points with Sevilla and after Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Edouard Mendy’s old side Rennes, the Blues are considered four per cent outsiders.

      Andre Villas-Boas admits Marseille are ‘s***’ after losing twelfth consecutive Champions League game in 3-0 Porto defeat More

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      Watch Dortmund star Haaland get asked if he’s taking a girlfriend home in ‘weirdest interview’ that baffles Carragher

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND star Erling Haaland was seemingly quizzed about his sex life in an awkward post-match interview last night.
      The striker scored two as his team defeated Club Brugge 3-0 in the Champions League.

      Erling Haaland was involved in another bizarre interview last night

      Jamie Carragher and his fellow pundits were left stunned after the awkward post-match interview

      However, after failing to score a third and claim the matchball, the Norwegian was asked some unusual questions by a CBS reporter.
      The journalist asked: “Are you going to sleep lonely tonight?”
      Haaland replied: “Erm… yeah.”
      The interviewer then followed up by asking: “You’re not taking a girlfriend home right now, you didn’t score a hat-trick.”

      The hotshot responded: “Didn’t score, no.” 
      And that led to the reporter finishing up by saying: “That was it, thank you.”

      As the camera panned back to the studio, Jamie Carragher and his fellow pundits could not contain their amusement.
      The ex-Liverpool defender said: “Jesus Christ, I thought we were all getting sacked!”

      Former Manchester City star Micah Richards added: “I had no idea where that was going!”
      However, maybe the interviewer’s questioning was not as weird as first thought.
      Haaland said in November 2019 that he sleeps alongside his hat-trick match balls and described them as his ‘girlfriends’.
      He said: “I sleep with the five balls for each hat-trick I have scored. I lie in bed and I feel good with them.
      “I look at them every day. They are my girlfriends.”
      His latest Champions League brace took his tally in the competition to 14 goals in 11 matches.

      How the PL’s best transfer XI for this summer line up More

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      Sergio Ramos screamed ‘Get up you son of a b****’ at ex-Real Madrid team-mate Achraf Hakimi during win over Inter Milan

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      SERGIO RAMOS is alleged to have launched a foul-mouthed tirade at a former Real Madrid team-mate this week.
      The incident involving the 34-year-old defender occurred during his side’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan.

      Sergio Ramos was furious with his former team-mate Achraf Hakimi during Madrid’s win over InterCredit: AP

      The Real legend allegedly called him a ‘Son of a b****’ after he tried to win a penalty

      Real defeated the Serie A side 3-2 but Ramos was furious when opposition defender Achraf Hakimi, who came through the ranks at the Bernabeu, went down claiming a penalty.
      The Madrid captain lost it with the Moroccan and he did not hold back in voicing his displeasure.
      Spanish media claim he shouted: “’Get up you son of a b***h, get up! Stop screaming like a rat.”
      Ramos then attempted to haul Hakimi, 22, back to his feet.

      The pair were team-mates during the 2017-18 season, when Hakimi made 17 appearances for Real Madrid alongside Ramos.
      However, the defender was packed off on loan and then eventually sold to Inter Milan.
      100 CLUB
      Spain international Ramos had earlier scored his 100th goal for Los Blancos with a header to put his team two up.
      After reaching a century, he said: “It’s not bad.

      “Individual records are secondary, but you like hitting them and as long as they keep on helping the side win, hopefully I can get a few more.”
      Ramos joined the Galacticos back in 2005 and has won 22 trophies during his time there.

      He is out of contract at the end of the season but boss Zinedine Zidane believes he will remain in Madrid and add further honours to his CV.
      ZZ said: “As always, he is our captain, our leader.
      “We want him here forever.
      “I have no doubt that he will stay and continue to make history.”

      Watch Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema’s disallowed cheeky penalty routine More

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      Chelsea star Kai Havertz misses Champions League win over Rennes after testing positive for coronavirus

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      KAI HAVERTZ missed Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Rennes after the £70million star tested positive for coronavirus.
      The Blues ran out comfortable winners after two Timo Werner penalties and a third from Tammy Abraham.

      ⚠️ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Kai Havertz missed the win over Rennes after testing positive for coronavirusCredit: Reuters
      But Havertz missed the match after being diagnosed with Covid-19.
      Before kick-off at Stamford Bridge, a club statement confirmed: “Frank Lampard has confirmed Kai Havertz has tested positive for Covid-19.
      “As a consequence the player is now undergoing a period of self-isolation and is not involved in tonight’s Champions League game versus Rennes.”

      Chelsea have not confirmed Havertz’s condition or if he is suffering any symptoms of the illness.
      But he will also miss Saturday’s game with Sheffield United and the subsequent Nations League fixtures for Germany unless he can satisfy authorities that he is no longer infectious.

      The attacking midfielder, 21, had only missed one game for his new team since signing for an initial £62million in September.
      Blues boss Lampard had started Havertz in every game of the club’s campaign, bar the Carabao Cup clash with Tottenham.

      Although he had managed just one goal in league and Europe, netting in last month’s draw with Southampton.

      Chelsea vs Rennes FREE – Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and odds for Champions League match More

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      Chelsea 3 Rennes 0 LIVE REACTION: Werner and Abraham on target for Blues as ten-man Rennes swept aside at Bridge

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      CHELSEA cruised to a Champions League victory thanks to a brace from Timo Werner and a second-half strike from Tammy Abraham.
      Final score: Chelsea 3-0 Rennes
      Follow ALL the updates below…

      GOODNIGHT FROM THE BRIDGE
      Another game, another clean sheet and another win for Chelsea.
      The Londoners were in complete control from the off against Rennes as they eased their way to a 3-0 success that keeps them at the top of Group E.
      They were given a helping hand, if not by defender Dalbert, then by German referee Felix Zwayer and his officials.
      Dalbert had already conceded one penalty – won and scored by Timo Werner – when he was adjudged to have handled Tammy Abraham’s shot.
      The decision to award another spotkick following a VAR review was harsh, and the red card that came with it for a second booking was even harsher.
      Not that Werner showed any sympathy, slamming home from 12 yards for a second time, and, when Tammy Abraham converted shortly after the break, the contest was all but over.
      Most impressively, tonight’s victory came with a fifth consecutive clean sheet for Chelsea, and a sixth in a row for their new goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
      The former Rennes stopper had little to do against the club he left in September, but he stayed alert enough to show his class in denying Clement Grenier’s 84th minute effort.
      A flurry of second half substitutions gave Frank Lampard the opportunity to rest key players ahead of Saturday’s visit of Sheffield United. If his side are able to keep this form up, perhaps Champions League Group E won’t be the only table that Chelsea are troubling the top of.
      Thanks for being with us this evening and goodnight.

      FRANK TALKING
      A delighted Frank Lampard has been speaking post match about his players’ professionalism, and why Timo Werner is Chelsea’s new spotkick king.
      “I think we deserved the win in the way we played.
      “The red card and penalty at 2-0 makes it more comfortable, but I think we dealt with the early parts of the second half really well.
      “It’s not always easy against ten men when they’ve had time to talk and arrange themselves, but we kept the ball moving so the professional elements of our game were really good and against a good opposition as well.
      “We saw at 11 against 11, they’re a good, physical, technical team and we won pretty well.
      “[The new penalty taker] wasn’t an easy decision because Jorginho has been pretty faultless for us, but he’s missed two recently and Timo came in to score one.
      “I had a conversation with Jorginho and his answer was perfect for a professional. He doesn’t care who takes them, he just wants the team to score.”

      RENNES RUE REFEREE’S DECISION
      The BT Sport pundits have been discussing the controversial decision to not only award Chelsea a second first half penalty, but to show Dalbert a second yellow card.

      MEND REUNITED
      Edouard Mendy catches up with his former coach and teammates at full time.

      HOT OFF THE PRESS
      Read all about it! Dave Kidd has filed his match report following the final whistle at Stamford Bridge.

      BLUES ATTACK FROM THE BACK
      Chelsea full-backs Ben Chilwell and Reece James continue to prove the attacking threat they possess when patrolling their respective flanks..
      This heatmap shows just how much ground the pair covered on each wing this evening.

      IF IT’S BROKE
      Edouard Mendy it.

      Edouard Mendy has now kept six consecutive clean sheets for Chelsea across all competitions.
      ⛔️ vs. Crystal Palace⛔️ vs. Sevilla⛔️ vs. Man Utd⛔️ vs. FK Krasnodar⛔️ vs. Burnley⛔️ vs. Rennes
      You shall not pass. 🧙‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/aprS26jlAw
      — Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 4, 2020

      E-ASY DOES IT
      Chelsea and Sevilla are clear at the top of Group E after their victories this evening, and it means the pair could sew up qualification as early as matchday four with similar results later this month.
      The La Liga side recovered from 2-0 down to beat Krasnodar 3-2 in Spain tonight.

      FT: CHELSEA 3-0 RENNES
      A comfortable victory for Chelsea in Group E.
      Tammy Abraham’s early second half strike added to two Timo Werner penalties in the first half, and ensured the Blues hold on to top spot.
      Rennes remain bottom, having played 50 minutes with ten men after Dalbert’s ridiculously harsh red card.

      CHELSEA 3-0 RENNES
      90+3. Giroud should have scored!
      Unmarked at the back stick, the Frenchman headed down Hudson-Odoi’s cross but was uncharacteristically off target with his effort.
      That could have been the biggest blue success since Michigan.

      CHELSEA 3-0 RENNES
      90. There will be three minutes of added time before we can all get ourselves a cup of tea and enjoy another moan about the new handball interpretations.

      CHELSEA 3-0 RENNES
      88. Yellow card alert!
      Del Castillo is the latest player cautioned for two swipes at Werner, catching him on the achilles with the second after failing to make contact with his first.

      CHELSEA 3-0 RENNES
      84. Edouard Mendy is on the verge of a sixth consecutive clean sheet, and he’s finally had to work for it.
      The visitors broke quickly down the right, where the ball was pulled back perfectly for Grenier.
      The substitute has never scored for Rennes, but he met the cross well, powering a shot towards goal that the Chelsea custodian was equal to in palming away.
      The loose ball was eventually turned in by Doku, but the Rennes man was well offside when he scored.

      SHUTTING UP SHOP
      The last five minutes show that the Chelsea players have both eyes on the weekend’s game with Sheffield United.
      This game has been over for a long time so let the ten men play with the ball.

      CHELSEA 3-0 RENNES
      79. If it’s not a substitution to report, it’s a yellow card.
      Kovacic goes into the book for waving an arm in the face of Grenier.

      CHELSEA 3-0 RENNES
      76. That miss brings about another two – and thankfully final – substitutions.
      Callum Hudson-Odoi, fresh from his goal at Krasnodar, is on for Ziyech.
      Guirassy hasn’t had a sniff for Rennes all night, and he’s replaced by Adrien Hunou.

      CHELSEA 3-0 RENNES
      74. That said, that was a golden opportunity for Olivier Giroud to make it four.
      The substitute was sent clear by Ziyech, but his attempted dink over Gomis was cut out by the Rennes goalkeeper.

      CHELSEA 3-0 RENNES
      72. It’s the visiting side that are tidily keeping possession at the moment, which makes you think both sides have settled for 3-0.

      CHELSEA 3-0 RENNES
      68. For heaven’s sake, it’s another substitute.
      Antonio Rudiger – remember him? – is on for Thiago Silva.
      These multiple subs are worse than the mess they’ve made of the handball rule.

      CHELSEA 3-0 RENNES
      67. This must be the hat-trick for Werner… No!
      A brilliant move from Chelsea starts with Thiago Silva’s wonderful 40-yard pass into the path of Reece James.
      The full-back is on to it like a flash, and delivers another pass on the plate across the face of Gomis’ goal.
      Coming on to it at the far post, Werner looks a certainty to net but fails to make contact after a desperate defensive lunge at the last.

      CHELSEA 3-0 RENNES
      65. Jorginho goes into the book for bringing down Del Castillo.

      CHELSEA 3-0 RENNES
      63. Both sides make triple changes..
      Clement Grenier, Jeremy Doku and Romain Del Castillo are on for Rennes with Martin Terrier, Steven Nzonzi and Yann Gboho going off.
      Meanwhile, Frank Lampard throws on Emerson, Mateo Kovacic and Olivier Giroud, and gives N’Golo Kante, Ben Chilwell and Tammy Abraham a rest.
      That was like a testimonial game.

      CHELSEA 3-0 RENNES
      59. Chilwell comfortably heads away a Rennes corner at the near post.
      When you’re 3-0 down and a man light, the last thing you want to do is send a rare set-piece into the first man.

      CHELSEA 3-0 RENNES
      57. It has the feel of a training game now as Chelsea make use of their one-man advantage.
      On the touchline, a whole host of home substitutes are warming up, hoping to get in on the action.

      CHELSEA 3-0 RENNES
      53. Some rare respite for the Rennes defenders as one – Nayef Aguerd – gets on the end of a free-kick to head over Mendy’s crossbar.
      It will be back to desperately tracking Chelsea forwards shortly for the centre-back, and you fear that the home side could rack up as many as they like this evening.

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      VAR under spotlight again as Chelsea cruise past Rennes with help from officials

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      THROUGHOUT the season there are always going to be moments where teams get the swing of the pendulum in terms of VAR decisions – and other games when it will go against them.
      In Chelsea’s Champions League win over Rennes, the pendulum swung heavily in the direction of Frank Lampard’s side.

      ⚠️ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Chelsea could thank a major VAR decision going their way in the 3-0 win over RennesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      The Blues were narrowly winning the Group E tie thanks to Timo Werner’s tenth-minute penalty after he was fouled in the box by Rennes defender Dalbert.
      Chelsea were not playing badly by any stretch, but after the goal Rennes started to get back into the game and actually edged Chelsea slightly in terms of possession.
      The game had a feel of being on a knife’s edge and Rennes looked like threatening the Chelsea goal as things went on.

      But Lampard’s side were about to be handed the game on a plate before the half-time whistle sounded.
      Dalbert was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the penalty area, which was picked up by VAR.
      The German referee Felix Zwayer then checked the monitor at the side of the pitch and gave the penalty to Chelsea, and duly sent Dalbert off for an early shower.
      Werner scored his second penalty of the night for Chelsea and put them two goals clear, with one extra man on the pitch.

      Chelsea didn’t even need to get out of second gear and were very much gifted a massive Champions League victory in what looked like a pair of very harsh decisions from tonight’s officials.

      German referee Felix Zwayer penalised Dalbert for his handball after the ball bounced up off his legCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      He also showed the Rennes defender a second yellow card to send him for an early bathCredit: Reuters

      They went on to score their third goal despite not really playing amazingly well, but Lampard’s team did the job and came away with yet another clean sheet – their fifth in a row, the first time they have done this since 2010.
      Edouard Mendy now has six shoutouts in his first seven games for Chelsea, another incredible stat, and Chelsea have gone seven-and-a-half hours now without conceding.
      But Rennes can feel aggrieved, Chelsea will take that with open arms knowing full well that it has been before, and will be again, themselves on the back of some poor VAR decisions and officiating.
      It also begs the question once more, is VAR really helping or hindering the game?
      Many have their strong views on the subject and it always manages to split opinions, but when you see decisions like this tonight, it really does throw VAR under the bus.
      Many believe it is ruining the beautiful game but Chelsea will take it.
      It’s put them in a fine position to qualify for the knockout stages of Europe’s most prestigious competition.
      Chelsea fans certainly won’t mind and a chance to see their team advance in the competition once more is a big appeal.
      To do it without their players hardly having to put their foot on the gas at all can only be a good thing.
      But we shall sign out with the words of Rio Ferdinand at half-time when describing the penalty and sending off incident: “It’s a disgrace, it’s ruining football.”

      The definition of putting it on a plate 🍽Reece James with the perfect assist for Tammy Abraham! 👌Chelsea are in control at the Bridge… pic.twitter.com/2wwh0ImqMD
      — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 4, 2020

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      Man Utd boss Solskjaer refuses to comment on future after ‘unforgivable’ defending in Istanbul humbling

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER refused to say if he feared for his job after a defensive horror show in Turkey saw Manchester United go down 2-1 to Istanbul Basaksehir.
      That is their second consecutive defeat after losing a third home league game on Sunday to Arsenal, which left them 15th in the Premier League.

      ⚠️ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rued Manchester United’s defending on Wednesday nightCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Demba Ba popped up to strike a surprise opener in IstanbulCredit: Reuters
      When asked about his position, Solskjaer said: “I decline to comment.
      “It is early and opinions are out there all the time.
      “I have got to stay strong. I am employed by the club to do a job and will do it to the best of my ability.”

      Solskjaer described his team’s defending as ‘unforgiveable’ as they went behind to Demba Ba’s 12th minute opener having left the veteran striker completely free on the break.
      Edin Visca added a second on 40 minutes before Anthony Martial got one back three minutes later – but United had only one more effort on target.
      Manager Solskjaer said: “The performance was not good enough against a team that worked and ran.

      “The first goal when you play a short corner and forget about the man up top, that is unforgivable.

      “We have not done our duties there and it is my responsibility. We have played a short corner but forgot our defensive duties.
      “For the second one we were not very organised to counter press.
      “They were two soft goals we gave away and then there was not enough to come back in the second-half.”
      Solskjaer now has to pick his team up for a lunchtime kick-off away to Everton on Saturday.
      He said: “Of course the last two results have been a punch in the stomach.

      “The only way I know to respond, and I hope the players do as well, is to get your act together together for the Everton game.
      “I am glad we have got a game already on Saturday.”
      It was United’s first defeat in Group H after victories over Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig.

      Man Utd legends van Persie and Scholes tears into the defence during Istanbul Basaksehir Champions League tie More