Europa Conference League

HARVEY BARNES didn’t take long to rock Randers as he swiftly stamped Leicester City’s passport into the last 16 of the Conference League.The lightning quick winger took just 101 seconds to kill Danish hopes stone dead as he recorded the Foxes’ fastest ever goal in Europe.
Leicester enjoyed a rout at RandersCredit: Getty
However it was James Maddison who stole the show as he took time out from his new business venture selling designer jewellery, to remind the world just what a gem of a footballer he is.
The 25-year-old midfield maverick produced a couple of pearlers which would have fitted in perfectly to his new range of silver and pearl accessories, as he sparkled in Europe.
Maddison scored twice in four second-half minutes as he bent a free-kick past Patrik Calgren from 20 yards, then left the Swedish international stunned and rooted to the spot with an expertly placed curler into the far corner.  
It was more than enough to book Leicester’s place in today’s last 16 draw – although Kasper Schmeichel cursed his luck after Jannick Vestergaard’s passback bobbled over his foot to present Stephen Odey with a late consolation.
However even that blip couldn’t wipe out the memory of some world class moments from the Dane, who was otherwise outstanding on his return to his homeland.
Randers were caught cold inside two minutes when they surrendered possession and Wilfred Ndidi swiftly sent Barnes scampering into acres of space on the left.
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The 24-year-old couldn’t believe his good fortune as he looked up to find Randers goalie Patrik Calgren was the only man barring his way.
Barnes opened up his hips and expertly beat the exposed goalie, to join Patson Daka as Leicester’s leading European scorer of all time, on six goals.
Brendan Rodgers’ side had done the bulk of the heavy lifting at the King Power Stadium last week, winning 4-1 to set themselves up for a routine jaunt to Jutland.
The fired-up locals sliced through the visitors’ defence at regular intervals but lacked a cutting edge.
And when they did hit the target Schmeichel defied Stephen Odey and Jakob Ankersen at point blank range to deny Randers a swift equaliser.
But he topped the lot three minutes into the second half with a stunning reflex save to flip Odey’s attempt from nine yards over, when the ball was hurtling towards the roof of his net.
Luke Thomas then came to Leicester’s rescue to clear another Odey attempt off the line before Maddison took charge to send 620 travelling Foxes fans home happy.
Brendan Rodgers watches on during Leicester’s winCredit: Getty More

TOTTENHAM have drawn Rapid Vienna in the Europa Conference League but still await clarification from Uefa. Spurs’ final European group tie with Rennes was cancelled due to the Londoners’ coronavirus outbreak.
Spurs drew Rapid Vienna in the Europa Conference League but await clarification from UefaCredit: Getty
They still face being awarded a 3-0 defeat for failing to fulfil the fixture, which would dump them out of the competition.
But SunSport understands Uefa’s Control Ethics and Disciplinary Body could decide to change the rules to allow the match to be played after the December 31 deadline.
With the potential of Tottenham still being able to play their final match, which they need to win, the club were included in the subsequent knockout draw.
Spurs drew Austrian’s Vienna, with the two-legged ties due to be played on February 17, with the return fixture a week later.
The winners then go through to the last-16 to play the Conference League group stage winners. 
Uefa’s statement appeared to condemn Antonio Conte’s team to a KO when it confirmed: “A solution that could work for both clubs could not be found.
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“The match can no longer be played and the matter will, be referred to the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body for a decision.”
During the pandemic, the CEDB has awarded 3-0 victories to clubs whose opponents were unable to fulfil fixtures because of Covid infections — and the Court of Arbitration for Sport has upheld that.
But if the CEDB rule that Rennes had not been flexible enough in trying to arrange another date for the game, then they could be punished instead.
The CEDB could also grant an exception to the December 31 deadline to allow the Group G match to be played in the new year — before the competition resumes in February.
An added complication is that France has a winter break that lasts from December 22 to January 7. More