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MANCHESTER UNITED are masters of their Champions League fate, while Chelsea are already assured of a last 16 place. SunSport goes through the scenarios facing the English teams in the world’s most lucrative and prestigious competition. Manchester United The 4-1 win over Istanbul Basaksehir keeps United top of Group H, with nine points. It means […] More
A TV presenter was forced to apologise after Jamie Carragher shouted ‘oh f***’ live on air. The Liverpool legend was working as a pundit alongside Alex Scott for CBS for the Champions League on Tuesday. But after being corrected for a gaffe about Scott’s career, he let out the expletive under his breath as he […] More
THE Champions League group stage continues with all eyes on Europe’s elite competition this season. But what happens if teams finish on the same number of points in the group? We’ve got you covered. How are teams that finish level on points sorted in the Champions League? Teams that finish level on points in the […] More
CRISTIANO RONALDO edged closer to becoming the highest goalscorer of all time last night. His long range, left-footed strike in the first-half of Juventus’ 2-1 Champions League win against Ferencvaros put the Portuguese mega-star on 749 OFFICIAL total goals. Pele is arguably the best footballer ever to play the game and he sits on 767 […] More
CHELSEA boss Frank Lampard has told critics to lay off Mason Mount and focus on his talent instead. The 21-year-old has copped abuse online and from a section of Blues fans for his performances this season. And there are calls for him to be dropped from England’s first team with Jack Grealish waiting in the […] More
RIO FERDINAND has called for Donny van de Beek to be given a chance in the Premier League.
The Dutch midfielder arrived at Manchester United for £40million in the summer from Ajax.
Three Man United legends have called for Donny van de Beek to start in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford
Despite that hefty price tag, boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has rarely used him in the top-flight so far, restricting the playmaker mainly to outings in Europe.
Van de Beek, 23, was handed an opportunity to shine on Tuesday night as the Red Devils hosted Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League.
And he took his chance with both hands by producing a brilliant display against the Turkish title holders as United ran out 4-1 winners.
Following his display at Old Trafford, three former United Champions League winners all agreed they wanted to see him given a shot by Solskjaer in the Prem.
Speaking on BT Sport, Ferdinand said: “I was very impressed. You spend £40m on a player and you want to see him make more than just cameos here and there.
“I think he is the one player in this squad who is happy playing one-touch, two-touch, keeping it simple… sacrificing parts of his game to help other people flourish.
“In any great team you need players like that and he’s one player who will make other players tick, and make them play better.”
Fellow United legend Paul Scholes added: “Some of the one-touch, two-touch play in the first-half was excellent.”
“He showed why he’s so highly thought of in European football.””He will make other players tick and perform better.”@rioferdy5 and Paul Scholes liked what they saw as Donny van de Beek ran the show in midfield for Man Utd 👏 pic.twitter.com/bAJpaQPW5l
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 24, 2020
And Owen Hargreaves added: “I thought Van de Beek was close to perfect.
“He is so unselfish, he can just fit in and play the right balls everywhere.”
United only need a point from their final two group matches to secure qualification to the knockout stages.
They face Paris Saint-Germain at home next week before travelling to Germany to take on RB Leipzig a week later.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils head to Southampton on Sunday in the Premier League.
Solskjaer reacts to Man Utd’s win over Istanbul Basaksehir More
UNSETTLED Olivier Giroud’s stoppage time winner put Chelsea into the knock-out stages and left Frank Lampard admitting: He’s given me a problem.
Giroud’s late header secured the win over Rennes to ensure qualification for the last-16 days after cast doubts over his Blues future because of a lack of game time.
Frank Lampard admits he has a selection dilemma after Olivier Giroud’s winner at RennesCredit: EPA
Lampard has preferred to use Tammy Abraham up front with Timo Werner on the wing in recent gamesCredit: AFP
The 34-year-old could seek a move from Stamford Bridge unless his opportunities improve and boss Lampard said: “I have a problem.
“I have Tammy who is playing well, and we know what he did last year. Oli, who always contributes in that way with that professionalism.
“That problem’s always been there, it’s not a fresh problem and when I say that it’s probably the wrong word because it’s selection issues for me and I need that.
⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge
“We need it with the fact that we’re playing every three days, maybe at Christmas we’re playing every two days unless the scheduling get sorted out.
“It’s hard to say I won’t have to prove to him because all I have to do myself really is look at game by game myself and try and plan to get the best for us.
“At the moment Tammy’s in great form as well. So, I have to pick on face value what I see is the best for us.
“I have two players in a similar position that are fighting for a place – that is a good problem. Oli will get his minutes because we have a busy schedule.
“I think everybody kind of feels, from the outside as well, what a great professional he is and how highly regarded he is by his teammates and by myself.
“Her is so professional in how he trains and looks after himself. Age isn’t even a factor in him – I think he’s getting better with age if anything because of how well he looks after himself, so he offers a lot for us.”
Chelsea still need to finish the job by topping Group E to ensure they are in the seeded pot by the time the knock-out stage draw is made.
But the got the job done in France with Giroud’s late winner having been pegged back four minutes from time after leading through an excellent first-half striker from Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Lampard added: “I’m very happy to qualify with two games to spare. It was a really tough match, they’re a very good team.
“Their recent form doesn’t reflect how good they are, it was a tough hard-fought win.”
Chelsea fans in hysterics as Joe Cole tells Frank Lampard to give players a ‘smacked bum’ at half-time vs Rennes More
CHELSEA have qualified for the Champions League knockout stages with two games to spare after Olivier Giroud’s last-minute winner at Rennes.
The Blues needed Krasnodar to lose and to grab all three points to get through — and they did so in thrilling style after Giroud’s 91st-minute header.
Callum Hudson-Odoi had earlier given Frank Lampard’s side the lead with a cool finish from Mason Mount’s lovely through ball, before Sehrou Girassy headed in what appeared to be a body blow for the Blues.
THAT’S A WRAP
That’s all from me this evening, but there’s a match report courtesy of Andy Dillon for you to read.
There are other Champions League blogs on the go too; Manchester United v Basaksehir, Juve v Ferencvaros and Dynamo Kiev v Barca.
TO BE FRANK
Frank Lampard said he had been thinking of his side’s upcoming meeting with Tottenham for the last few days.
But that won’t be their only difficult game.
Chelsea top Group E on goal difference but have showdown in Sevilla next week.
NICE PROBLEM TO HAVE
Lampard was asked what he can do to keep Olivier Giroud at Chelsea when the striker is keen for minutes.
The Chelsea boss says: “He does things like he did tonight, which is great for him. His hold up play and his physicality when he came on was great.
“I have a problem because Tammy is playing well, and we know what he did last year, and there’s also Oli who always plays that way and is incredible.
“So I have two players in a similar position that are fighting for a place- that’s a good problem to have.
“Oli will get his minutes as we have plenty of games, we play every few days, I made plenty of changes today to keep freshness in the team.
“I think the reason you see such a reaction after he scored the goal is not just because it was a late minute winner but also it shows what Oli means to the team.”
BOSS SPEAKS
Speaking on BT Sport Frank Lampard says “I’m very happy to qualify with two games to spare.
“It was a really tough match for us to come here, they’re probably an underrated team with their recent result and we found that out tonight.
“But we also played well for big spells of the game ourselves, it was a tough, hard fought win.”
ALL IN A NIGHT’S WORK
Safe to say Mason Mount had a good night….
Mason Mount’s display tonight 🔥
– 100% shot accuracy– 100% cross accuracy– 100% take-ons completed– 1 assist
The first assist he’s made in the Champions League too 👏 pic.twitter.com/cwEOjPRnCk
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 24, 2020
CALLUM SPEAKS
Mason Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi have played together since their academy days.
Speaking of their good football relationship that resulted in the first goal, Hudson-Odoi says: “I know Mason and he works so hard and presses well in the middle.
“As soon as he got to the ball I knew to take off as I was in front of the fullback and that he would find me,
“His vision is amazing so I got in there and he found me straight away, which I was happy about and then of course I scored which I was happy about too.”
HEADING IT HOME
Here’s the goal the gifted Chelsea a spot in the knockout round..
Beast mode 🔛
Olivier Giroud only had his eyes on the ball there, and powered his header home! 💪
Chelsea are into the Champions League knockouts! pic.twitter.com/v8ksViwe6m
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 24, 2020
FRENCH FANCY
That’s ten matches now that Chelsea have gone unbeaten across all competitions.
Tonight’s result books them a spot in the knockout stages and it’s all thanks to this man…
FT: RENNES 1-2 CHELSEA
RENNES 1-2 CHELSEA
91. Now they will qualify with two games to spare…
RENNES 1-2 CHELSEA
90. Three extra minutes..
90. Lovely run by Ziyech who lays it to Werner on the left, who fires it low but it’s straight at the keeper.
As Gomis clears it, the ball spins out of control towards Giroud on the right of the box.
The Frenchman reacts quickly and jumps high to header it into the back of the net – an athletic leap from Gomis still can’t stop it.
RENNES 1-2 CHELSEA
GOOOOOAL
Giroud picks up the pieces and gives Chelsea two
RENNES 1-1 CHELSEA
89. Chelsea won’t qualify with two games to spare if it stays like this..
RENNES 1-1 CHELSEA
88. Substitution for Rennes; Maouassa replaces Truffert .
RENNES 1-1 CHELSEA
87. Freekick to Chelsea.
Ziyech plays it in behind the wall as Chilwell makes a brilliant run, around the wall, to jump to greet it.
It’s not a great header from Chilwell who nods it down with little power allowing Gomis to collect with relative ease.
RENNES 1-1 CHELSEA
85. Substitution for Rennes; Guirassy is replaced by Niang (just after scoring!)
It was a long time coming!
Another corner for Rennes is sent in to the centre of the six-yard box.
Guirassy peels off as he’s given too much space and leaps impressively high.
He nods it over Mendy’s head into the roof of the net.
RENNES 1-1 CHELSEA
RENNES 0-1 CHELSEA
84. Thiago Silva once again puts out the fire as he pokes the ball away from Nzonzi’s feet on the byline.
RENNES 0-1 CHELSEA
83. Traore tries to whip the ball in from the right, but Thiago Silva gets up to greet it and heads it clear.
RENNES 0-1 CHELSEA
82. The clearance from Rennes was right at Azpilicueta’s crotch – he’s down on the floor grimacing.
RENNES 0-1 CHELSEA
81. Ziyech is dispossessed on the edge of the area, just as he tries to whip the ball in.
RENNES 0-1 CHELSEA
79. Kante races forward and tries to slip the ball through Giroud, but he can’t get onto the end of the pass, it’s too quick and too far for him.
Giroud frustrated.
RENNES 0-1 CHELSEA
76. Substitution for Rennes; Camavinga is replaced by Grenier.
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