EFL

Subterms

    More stories

    • 200 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Wayne Rooney’s Derby hit with 21-POINT deduction after admitting to breaches of Football League’s financial rules

      by

      DERBY COUNTY will have another NINE points deducted from their Championship tally. It follows the 12-point deduction from September after the club entered administration, taking the total tally of deducted points this season to TWENTY-ONE.
      Rooney and co are already bottom of the Championship after the first points deductionCredit: Getty
      Derby are EIGHTEEN points off safety
      The latest deduction has a further three points suspended and is for breaching the League’s Profitability and Sustainability (P&S) rules.
      Those historical financial breaches at Derby came while former owner Mel Morris was at the club.
      It all but confirms Wayne Rooney’s side will be relegated to League One at the end of the campaign.
      Rooney’s side are marooned to the bottom of the table on -3 points, EIGHTEEN off safety.
      Like in September the deduction will be applied with immediate effect.
      But the club also face the suspended three points being applied too if they don’t follow the correct terms of their budget set out for the rest of this season.
      If that did come into effect their tally of deducted points would increase once again to a whopping 24.
      Derby’s official website published the news in a statement on Tuesday morning.

      It’s after the club and Championship bosses determined under an ‘agreed decision,’ ratified by an Independent Disciplinary Commission Chair that they would take the punishment.
      Last week Derby decided to drop their appeal against the 12-point deduction for going into administration in September.
      On the latest deduction Trevor Birch, EFL Chief Executive said: “The EFL’s objective throughout this ongoing process has been to ensure that the principles of the Regulations were upheld on behalf of all Clubs.
      “In order to assess the sporting sanction that was applicable to apply to these breaches, previous P&S cases have been carefully reviewed and guidance taken from them.
      “The EFL has also considered the P&S sanction guidelines as well as mitigation put forward by the Club.
      “Given the complex circumstances of the case and the various outstanding regulatory issues between the EFL and Derby County, the League is satisfied at the agreed outcome and the sensible approach taken by both parties in negotiating this outcome and in respect of the appeal withdrawal.
      “Our focus is to continue to work with the Joint Administrators to assist them in securing a long-term future for the Club.”
      Meanwhile Carl Jackson, from Derby’s administrators Quantuma, said: “This has been a difficult matter to navigate bearing in mind the various issues concerned.

      “Whilst point deductions are never ideal for any Club, it was critical to the Club’s future that all matters were concluded between the EFL and the Club in relation to historical issues.
      “This conclusion allows us to proceed with our restructuring strategy for the Club with prospective interested parties.”

      Wayne Rooney’s Derby enter administration and deducted 12 points by EFL amid financial crisis More

    • 238 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Wayne Rooney, Scott Parker and Steve Cooper lead EFL’s rising managers aiming to follow Graham Potter to the top

      by

      I WAS scoffed at a couple of years ago when boldly suggesting Graham Potter could be a future England manager.“What has he won?” asked one. “He’s only managed Swansea and some team in Sweden that no-one has heard of,” suggested another.
      Graham Potter used the EFL as a springboard into the Premier League when managing Swansea
      In fact, barely anyone in Sweden had heard of Ostersund, never mind here, until Potter took them from the fourth tier to the top division and beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates in the Europa League. By the way, they beat Galatasaray en route.
      And he was also twice named manager of the year in Sweden.
      Then, at Swansea, he took over a club in disarray – relegated, under huge financial restraints and losing most of their stars players to balance the books.
      Potter almost got a young Swans squad, against the odds, into the play-offs.
      And at Brighton he continues to impress – first keeping the Seagulls in the Premier League and this season has them flying high.
      So much so that Potter is now being more widely tipped to become a future Three Lions coach.
      Nineteen players in Gareth Southgate’s squad have played in the EFL. Even the England boss himself briefly managed Middlesbrough in the Championship, after relegation from the Prem, and was controversially sacked in October 2009 with the club fourth, just one point off the top.
      But there is also a rich array of managerial talent in the EFL right now – and here are some of my picks to keep an eye out for the future.
      STEVE COOPER (Nottingham Forest)
      Steve Cooper has transformed Nottingham Forest’s fortunes this season since taking over
      FOR me, the Welshman is an outstanding manager.
      Like Potter, he did an unbelievable job at Swansea – even better than his predecessor.
      Taking the Swans to back-to-back play-offs, losing to Brentford both times in the semi-final (2020) and final (2021), was no mean feat.
      And now he has had an instant impact at Forest, with the team having won five of his nine games in charge, losing only one, since he replaced Chris Hughton.
      Cooper has the honour of already leading England to World Cup glory as well – taking charge of the Under-17s in 2017.
      I certainly can see the Welshman being a future Wales manager.
      SCOTT PARKER (Bournemouth)
      FORMER West Ham, Tottenham and Chelsea ace has the Cherries on top in the Championship.
      I saw them ruthlessly swat aside Swansea 4-0 at the Vitality on Saturday and can’t see past them for a return to the Premier League.
      Bournemouth are topping the table under boss Scott Parker
      He led Fulham into the top flight in his first full season as a manager and although they were relegated they didn’t exactly get battered.
      You have to remember Sean Dyche got relegated in his first Prem season with Burnley yet he got them back up and performed miracles since.
      Still only 41 and into his third full season. He was a leader on the pitch as a player and most definitely is a leader off it.
      RUSSELL MARTIN (Swansea)
      Russell Martin is impressing as manager of Swansea CIty
      AGED 35, he is the youngest manager in the top four divisions.
      In just two short years, Martin is proving to be one of the outstanding young coaches in the game.
      During his first job at MK Dons, his team set a new British record for scoring after a 56-man move against Gillingham in March.
      The Dons last season enjoyed the third-best possession stats in Europe – only beaten by Manchester City and Barcelona.
      And after a sticky start in South Wales, the team have started climbing the table with four wins from their last six games.
      WAYNE ROONEY (Derby)
      STILL very young at 36 with a lot to learn but he is doing an excellent job with Derby despite the circumstances and is learning all the time.
      Kept the club up last season and has a fighting chance of doing so again – despite a 12-point deduction and transfer embargo.
      Wayne Rooney has had to deal with so much during his first managerial job at Derby
      He is a real people’s person with good man-management skills – popular with players, staff, fans and even the media because he doesn’t duck questions.
      Rooney is also not afraid to try new things out tactically. I expect him to climb the ladder regardless of what happens to the Rams this season.
      RYAN LOWE (Plymouth)
      Plymouth boss Ryan Lowe is aiming for his third promotion this season
      THE 43-year-old Scouser has already won promotion at Bury from League Two before they were booted out of the EFL – and taken Plymouth into League One too.
      The Pilgrims are punching above their weight in English football’s third tier now, sitting second, and I wouldn’t rule him out getting them into the Championship.
      If he performs well at that level, what a springboard he will have then.
      MATT GRAY (Sutton)
      Matt Gray got Sutton promoted into the EFL and now is eyeing a spot in League One
      THE 40-year-old won an historic promotion for “little old Sutton” into the EFL and now has them hovering near the play-off spots in League Two.
      Great recruiter, coach and man-manager.
      LIAM MANNING (MK Dons)
      Liam Manning is hoping to make a name for himself with MK Dons
      NOT many people outside of Milton Keynes will have heard of him.
      But aged 36 he is in charge of the Dons and doing well stepping into the departed Russell Martin’s shoes.
      Never broke through as a player at Ipswich but coached their youth teams and worked at West Ham, as well as in the States and Belgium.
      Derek’s ambition jibe
      BRADFORD boss Derek Adams missed the irony when he stated that Saturday’s FA Cup opponents Exeter don’t have the ambition to get promoted from League Two.
      This is the same Derek Adams who brilliantly led Morecambe to an historic promotion through the play-offs to League One in May – only to jump ship to take over Bradford in, er, League Two!
      Derek Adams left promoted Morecambe to take over at Bradford
      Winner Warnock is such old hat
      FRESH from breaking the record for most English league games managed, Neil Warnock got rewarded with the sack at Middlesbrough.
      He is 72 and, with 1,603 games under his belt, they say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
      I mean that party piece of his – winning promotion eight times – is so old hat (rolling eyes emoji).
      Good to have Chris Wilder back, though, in management.
      He was also unfairly sacked at Sheffield United and will be busting a gut to get back into the Premier League.
      Neil Warnock may have eight promotions to his name but got the boot by BoroCredit: Getty More

    • 163 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      English footie clubs racked up tax debts worth over £140 million since pandemic

      by

      FOOTBALL clubs in England have racked up tax debts of £140million-plus in the pandemic.Sixty clubs in the Premier League and English Football League have the debt, figures obtained by The Sun show.
      Footie clubs in England have racked up tax debts worth over £140 million since the start of the pandemicCredit: Alamy
      Premier League clubs owe £49.5million in unpaid taxes including VAT.
      EFL clubs owe £91.8million in accrued taxes, with £64million in the Championship, £24.9million in League One and £2.9million in League Two.
      The taxman would not identify any of the clubs involved but it is understood that Wayne Rooney’s Derby County owes £28million.
      HMRC confirmed that repayment agreements have been struck so clubs are not in arrears.

      It is understood that Wayne Rooney’s Championship outfit Derby County owe £28million to HMRCCredit: Getty
      Ninety-three footballers, nine clubs and 23 agents to be investigated over £56 million of unpaid tax More

    • 250 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Refs Michael Salisbury and Andy Davies make great cases for VAR being used in Championship after QPR and Fulham shockers

      by

      REFEREES Michael Salisbury and Andy Davies made great cases for VAR to be introduced into the Championship after their shockers.But the emphasis should not be on bringing in the technology to the EFL.I love the fact the Championship, League One and Two are VAR-free zones.
      Referee Michael Salisbury showed West Brom’s Kyle Bartley the red card at Fulham
      Ref Andy Davies had a bad night in charge of QPR vs Nottingham Forest on Friday night
      And, in any case, there are not enough officials to have two of them dedicated to video-assisting each game.
      In the Championship alone, you would lose 24 referees out on the park every series of games and 72 if you did it across the entire EFL.
      What would be good, however, is to up the ante by training good officials.
      There is a lot written and spoken about skills shortages in this country. We don’t have enough nurses, doctors, teachers, plumbers, and so on.
      There is also a shortage in quality referees.
      I was at Loftus Road on Friday as Davies waved away two stonewall Nottingham Forest penalties at QPR.
      Fortunately, for Forest, Jack Colback managed to snatch an injury-time point because defeat would have been harsh on Steve Cooper’s men.

      And I was also at Craven Cottage as Salisbury produced one of the most inept refereeing displays I’ve witnessed at elite level.
      First he awarded Fulham a penalty when West Brom’s Kyle Bartley fairly TACKLED Aleksandar Mitrovic.
      And then he sent off Baggies defender Darnell Furlong after he managed to make contact with the ball as Harry Wilson was sent sprawling.
      He had clear intent to play the ball – and you can argue if it was a foul or not. Yet, at worst, it’s a yellow card, at best a foul.
      Salisbury correctly sent off Tosin Adarabioyo – so at least he got one out of three right.
      But last time I checked 33 per cent is a fail in any worthwhile exam – so he failed miserably.
      In just seven games he has officiated this season, Salisbury has produced FIVE red cards and 20 bookings.
      The one thing that riles a lot of people is the lack of accountability referees are under.
      Managers and players are expected to talk to the media and answer questions after a heavy defeat, yet referees are not put under that scrutiny at all.
      Why can Salisbury not be allowed to explain to the public why he has made a particular decision?
      First, of all, even if you agree or disagree with his judgement, he immediately will win respect for fronting up questions.
      And, dare I say, if referees are allowed to speak, they might actually change people’s minds that they got the wrong call.
      Certainly they will educate the public about the challenges referees face and maybe inspire more a better generation of officials.
      ADDICKS CHRISTMAS PRESENT
      THOMAS SANDGAARD will wait until Christmas time to appoint a new manager at Charlton.
      But the way caretaker Johnnie Jackson is going at the moment, he might already have the man he needs.
      Charlton boss Johnnie Jackson has won both his games in caretaker charge
      The League One Addicks owner revealed he has received more than 100 applicants to replace sacked Nigel Adkins – but rather than rush into recruiting someone he wants time to find the right man.
      Jackson has, in two games, seen Charlton become the first team to win at Sunderland this season, destroying their 100 per cent home record, and smashed Doncaster on Saturday 4-0.
      The American-based Danish businessman told me: “I’m not in a hurry and have told Johnnie that. So it’ll be 60 days before I make a decision.
      “He gets a chance to stake a claim and it gives me a chance to see what is out there. And then we’ll see what’s right.
      Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard is in no rush to make his next managerial appointment
      “Johnnie has had two great results. The team has been well prepared and the lads have certainly fought more than they had done in previous games, pressing high and working hard.”
      Sandgaard revealed he has been inundated with applications and explained exactly the sort of person he is looking for.
      He said: “It’s over 100 applicants now. We’ve had some good ones and hopefuls that wish the spotlight to fall upon them.
      “We’ve had high-quality managers in touch who have been successful at different levels.
      “The person who gets the job must be someone who knows how to play modern-day football and what a high press means.
      “You can play a high press but if you don’t do it in a co-ordinated manner, you’re going to get into trouble.
      “It has to be someone who understands League One and the level above.
      “A manager must understand what may seem really good in games, like mixing it up, isn’t necessarily a good thing because we should be consistent in what we’re trying to do.
      “It has to be someone who is a good people’s man too. We have a lot of players who need development so it must be someone who is good at managing that side of things too.”
      BEER WE GO
      IT was a case of roll out the barrel for Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper at QPR on Friday.
      As he started to answer a question in the post-match press conference, he was rudely interrupted by an army of Loftus Road staff loudly entering the room rolling across the floor beer barrels!
      After asking them, “Is this some sort of wind up?”, half-expecting a Jeremy Beadle character to pop up with a camera and microphone, he laughed: “I want a beer now!”
      Sorry, Steve, the almost 3,000-strong Forest away support had drunk the bar dry.
      Steve Cooper swigs water at Loftus Road but by the end of the night he was craving beer
      ‘WE HAVE A BIG DICKIE’
      CHANT of the week has to be QPR fans on Friday.
      They were heard yelling, “We have a big Dickie” in homage to defender Robert Dickie.
      REMEMBRANCE DAY MORONS
      THIS is a special time of year when clubs remember those who have fallen in conflicts during their last home games before Remembrance Day.
      I was at Loftus Road on Friday and Craven Cottage on Saturday and at both stadiums 99 per cent of the crowd impeccably observed the minute while the buglar played.
      But what is it about the small minority of morons who decide to chant out stuff.
      These people are as bad as the racist lowlifes who abuse black footballers and should be banned.
      Show some respect, you utter imbeciles.
      Shocking moment Michigan vs Michigan State football game descends into chaos as fans smash windscreen of overturned car More

    • 200 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Carabao Cup quarter-final draw simulated with Chelsea landing Tottenham and Arsenal facing Sunderland after Johnson jibe

      by

      THE DRAW for the Carabao Cup quarter-finals will take place on Saturday – and SunSport’s simulated one in preparation threw up some bumper ties.Arsenal, Chelsea and Sunderland all booked their spot in the last eight on Tuesday.
      A new name will be on the Carabao Cup after Pep Guardiola’s Man City were knocked outCredit: Reuters
      The Gunners romped past Leeds while the Blues and Black Cats both needed penalties to advance past Southampton and QPR respectively.
      A day later they were joined by Brentford, Tottenham, West Ham, Liverpool and Leicester City.
      It was the Hammers who ensured that a new name will be on the trophy for the first time since 2017 after they dumped holders Manchester City out.
      That left all eight dreaming of cup glory, but each club still has plenty of work to do before they can even think of Wembley.
      And they will all have to wait until Soccer AM airs on Sky Sports for the 10.30am Carabao Cup draw to discover who they will play in the week commencing December 20.
      There will be no seeding – meaning anyone can draw anyone – and that means that the prospect of some blockbuster clashes is very real.

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      In anticipation of it, SunSport used a knockout stage simulator to take a look at what the potential ties could be.
      And the results were brilliant: 
      ARSENAL VS SUNDERLAND
      The first one out of our pretend hat was Arsenal landing a home tie against League One Sunderland.
      And you can bet the Gunners would not only fancy their chances of advancing but of silencing Black Cats boss Lee Johnson aswell.
      Johnson poked fun at Arsenal and Tottenham in midweek by claiming the North London pair were not the ‘big guns’ left in the competition.
      Speaking to Sunderland club reporters on who he wanted in the next round, Johnson joked: “I’d love to have Arsenal away or Tottenham away if not that. And then we’ll wait for the really big guns when it’s two legs.”
      Arsenal fans quickly picked up on the comment and would be desperate to see Mikel Arteta’s men dish out a thrashing and advance to the semi.
      BRENTFORD vs WEST HAM
      A London Derby that both clubs would fancy their chances of winning.
      The Bees are looking to go one step further than last season’s semi-finals while David Moyes would love to follow-up on European qualification by delivering a trophy for the Hammers.
      Throw in Said Benrahma returning to Brentford as well, the potential clash would certainly be a belting cup tie.
      CHELSEA vs TOTTENHAM
      Another all-London showdown that would have the nation wanting to tune in.
      Chelsea vs Tottenham is always a must-see and this would be no different with the added spice of a place in the last four at stake.
      Spurs were beaten in last season’s final by City but if they could knock the Blues off at Stamford Bridge then they would fancy their chances of going all the way.
      LIVERPOOL vs LEICESTER
      Jurgen Klopp has been giving his fringe men a chance in the competition this year and would likely do so again after they downed Preston this week.
      Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers has been doing the same with his team also battling in Europe as well as in the Premier League.
      After guiding Leicester to the FA Cup last term, he would love nothing more than to bring more silverware to the King Power this season.
      Throw in the added incentive of potentially knocking out his old club, then this showdown would also have all the makings of being a cup classic. More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Preston 0 Liverpool 2: Watch Divock Origi’s amazing flick as he and Takumi Minamino send Reds into Carabao Cup QFs

      by

      DIVOCK ORIGI just loves the League Cup.With a moment of supreme skill as he flicked the ball back over his head and in, he finished this tie and booked Liverpool’s place in the quarter-finals.
      What a finish?! 😮Improvisation at its best from Divock Origi to double #LFC’s lead! 👌Preston 0-2 Liverpool 📺 Watch live on Sky Sports Football pic.twitter.com/x9sNjCuwRF— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 27, 2021

      Divock Origi scored an outrageous goal in Liverpool’s win at PrestonCredit: Rex
      The Reds striker celebrates his brilliant goal at DeepdaleCredit: AP
      Origi’s 11th goal in 15 League Cup appearances came in the 84th minute at Deepdale after Takumi Minamino had finally given the visitors the lead on the hour against their Championship opposition.
      The Japanese striker likes a swig of Carabao Cup action too. He got a couple against Lincoln last season, another two in the last round against Norwich and was on target again here.
      So even without Roberto Firmino, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane the Liverpool goalscoring machine goes on.
      That’s 43 now in 14 matches in all competitions, with 32 of them coming in their nine away games.
      Liverpool fans filled the away end still giddy from their trip to Old Trafford had still more to celebrate.
      There were 5,611 of them here fittingly filling one end of the ground.
      They did not take long to start chanting ‘Ole’s at the wheel’ which they had mocked the Manchester United boss with on Sunday.
      Manager Jurgen Klopp changed his full eleven from that team, but having played a second string at Norwich in the previous round and still won they were expecting big things again.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

      Preston changed nine, mind you their fans would have been happy to see all 11 go after their woeful performance in losing their big one away to Blackpool at the weekend.
      They have now won one of their last nine in the Championship to sit 19th.
      But the ground was full and the second string did not let their fans down and should have been ahead by the break wasting golden chances.
      Manager Frankie McAvoy set his side up to sit back, nip the ball and be decisive on the break and it was working they just couldn’t finish.
      Brad Potts will wake up wondering why his name was not in the headlines given the chances he had.
      It was the 24th minute and Sean Maguire, who grew a Liverpool fan, put through a lovely weight pass and Potts was away.
      Perhaps the enormity of the moment got to him as he bore down on goal. With just Adrian to beat he scooped his shot in the air rather than tuck it low into a corner and the Liverpool goalkeeper saved.
      A chance for redemption came four minutes later.. and went.
      Takumi Minamino celebrates his goal just after the hour mark at DeepdaleCredit: Getty
      Liverpool celebrate after booking a spot in the quarter-finalsCredit: AP
      Ali McCann on the right found Maguire and his point blank shot was saved.
      Ryan Ledson followed up and beat the ‘keeper but Neco Williams somehow blocked it on the line.
      The ball broke free to Potts but he blazed it over the bar.
      You sensed they would pay for it and they did.
      Just past the hour good work by Neco Williams saw him pull the ball back for Minamino to turn the ball home from the edge of the six yard box.
      His movement was brilliant as he snuck across the front of his closest marker and stuck out a boot.
      Williams pushed forward from his full back position to cause chaos again for the second.
      Kostas Tsimikas floated over a cross that hit the bar.
      Williams picked it up shuffled one way then the other got off a shot which was blocked and flipped behind Origi.
      What a moment of skill it was as he flicked a boot back and hooked a shot back over his head and in.
      Game over.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stopped to sign autographs for Man Utd fans after being thrashed by Liverpool More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal fans baffled after Bernd Leno bizarrely wears outfield away strip against Leeds despite no kit clash

      by

      ARSENAL fans were left baffled after Bernd Leno wore an outfield players’ strip for the Gunners’ Carabao Cup win over Leeds.The German was man-of-the-match at the Emirates on Tuesday night but fans couldn’t help notice the bizarre change when there was no potential kit clash.
      Bernd Leno wore Arsenal’s away kit against Leeds despite there being no potential kit clashCredit: Getty
      It’s not the first time the Gunners’ No 2 has done it.
      In fact the 29-year-old has worn the yellow strip on two occasions in the past.
      The first time was a fixture against Wolves last season which was to ensure he didn’t clash with Rui Patricio’s strip – per Premier League rules.
      And he also did it again as Arsenal lost to London rivals Chelsea at the Emirates earlier this season.
      However, his choice to do so against Leeds in the 2-0 win left fans confused as Arsenal’s home goalkeeper kit is green and Leno’s opposite number Illan Meslier was in Orange.
      Leeds’ outfield players also had dark blue kits on so there was no chance of a clash anywhere.

      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)

      As soon as it became clear the German was going to rock the yellow, Gooners took to social media to react.
      Smess wrote: “Why does Leno always play in our away kit?”
      Will added: “Leno wearing the away kit is a nonsense.”
      And Cristian chipped in with: “Omg I’m sick of seeing Leno in our away kit man. Adidas really couldn’t provide us with enough GK kit colors?”
      SunSport’s reporter at the Emirates on Tuesday gave Leno a 9/10 as he proved competition is still high between the sticks.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates
      He stood up well to thwart Dan James as the former Manchester United star was played through over the top shortly before the 20 minute mark.
      A superb near-post save from Jack Harrison’s back-post volley followed soon after.
      And he generally kept Arsenal in the game and proved he’s breathing down Aaron Ramsdale’s neck for the No 1 spot which can only be good for Mikel Arteta.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      Arsenal boss Arteta says Ben White, Kieran Tierney and Martin Odegaard set to return at Leicester More

    • 225 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Kepa Arrizabalaga hailed as MIND-READER as Chelsea keeper wins THIRD penalty shootout this season… in four games played

      by

      KEPA ARRIZBALAGA was hailed as a mind-reader after more penalty heroics.The keeper helped seal Chelsea’s Carabao Cup fifth-round spot by saving Theo Walcott’s effort and seeing Will Smallbone’s attempt fly way over the bar.
      Chelsea stopper Kepa was hailed as a mind-reader after more penalty heroicsCredit: Reuters
      Team-mate Ben Chilwell, who scored his kick, tweeted: “I think Kepa can read minds.”
      Kepa, 27, has twice been the shootout hero already this season, winning Chelsea the Super Cup and then helping the Blues in the previous round of the Carabao Cup against Aston Villa.
      After two brilliant late saves to kep the Blues in the tie against Southampton, he again came up trumps from the spot – for the third time in four matches this campaign – and won the praise of his manager Thomas Tuchel.
      Tuchel said: “When everyone thinks about stoppage time and penalties it is a dangerous moment, you can lose concentration.
      “It was important that Kepa kept us in the game with the double header save from the set pieces.”
      The Spaniard came into the game in replacement of in-form No1 Edouard Mendy, 29, to take up his role as cup keeper.

      BETTING SPECIAL – GET £50 IN FREE BETS WITH WILLIAM HILL
      Kai Havertz, 21, put the Blues ahead just before half-time with a header.
      But only two minutes after the break Che Adams levelled – with a goal from which Kepa really should have done better as the ball went under him.
      Despite both teams knocking on the door, the deadlock was not broken as the tie went to penalties.
      Chelsea prevailed 4-3, with Reece James, hammering home the decisive penalty.
      Chelsea will now turn their attention on a trip to Newcastle on Saturday.
      Tuchel added: “I just said that now we have nine or 10 games in December. That’s our own fault but we hate to lose.
      “We go out and play to win. All credit to the guys, they gave everything.
      “We have one day off mentally and physically then two days to prepare for Newcastle.”
      Chelsea legend Didier Drogba lands World Health Organisation ambassador job to promote sports for children More