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    Werner and Havertz grab perfect chance to boost confidence as Chelsea hope FA Cup romp vs Morecambe sparks Prem momentum

    A FEW of Chelsea’s new signings need a confidence booster after a poor run of form, you say? Play them against League Two side Morecambe then, that will help. 
    And this is exactly what Chelsea boss Frank Lampard did, as he named a strong line up for their 4-0 FA Cup third-round win. 

    Kai Havertz rises to nod Chelsea’s fourth and final goal against battling MorecambeCredit: Reuters

    Timo Werner can’t miss as he doubles Chelsea’s lead at Stamford BridgeCredit: AP:Associated Press

    Frank Lampard saw his Chelsea side ease past League Two MorecambeCredit: Rex Features

    New German international arrivals Kai Havertz and Timo Werner have both been struggling a bit with belief and form lately, after both starting the season fairly well at their new club. 
    But as ever when players arrive in a new country to a new league, things may not always go to plan, and some players might need a bit longer to settle in than others. 
    Lampard was wise to start them both today; he knew that against a lower opposition they would both have a good chance of playing well at least and boosting their confidence going forward into a very important run of games for the Chelsea boss. 
    ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

    He has found himself under some immense pressure to now get results, or potentially face the sack at Stamford Bridge.
    So he really needs his new signings to step up now, and he cannot afford to wait. 
    Havertz started quietly but grew into the game and got an assist for his fellow German Werner in the first half, which will do wonders for both of them. 
    Werner ended his 12-game goal drought, and the relief on his face was plain to see when he put that one in. 

    Havertz went on to have a very good game and even got on the score sheet himself with a brave and good header late on to see Chelsea go 4-0 up. 
    This stayed the end result, and Lampard will be justifying his strong team selection now when hopefully this has been the kick-start that some of his players who were struggling needed. 
    Callum Hudson-Odoi has been one rare Chelsea player who can hold his head up high even through the bad form.
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    He has been a rare shining light, and he proved once again that he deserves to now become a key player and a regular starter in Lampard’s starting eleven. 
    The England international put in a man of the match performance today, in my opinion, grabbing a goal and an assist, and in general being a real menace to Morecambe all game. 
    It’s a good step in the right direction for Chelsea and Lampard, who have a long way to go to relief this pressure yet. 

    Chelsea goalscorers Mason Moun and Timo Werner celebrateCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Kai Havertz played the whole game for Chelsea and netted their fourth goalCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Midfielder Mason Mount plans Chelsea ahead after 18 minutesCredit: Reuters

    Callum Hudson Odoi fires the Blues 3-0 in front early in the second periodCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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    Chelsea ratings: Hudson-Odoi and Gilmour shine as Blues make light work of Morecambe in FA Cup

    CHELSEA breezed past Morecambe in the FA Cup on Sunday with a 4-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
    Callum Hudson-Odoi and Billy Gilmour were among the players rotated into the side by Frank Lampard – and the pair certainly impressed.

    Mason Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi combined for Chelsea’s first on SundayCredit: AFP or licensors

    But it was Mason Mount who got the scoring underway before a Timo Werner goal on the verge of half-time.
    Hudson-Odoi got his name on the scoresheet for 3-0 before Kai Havertz wrapped up the scoring late on.
    Here, SunSport’s Simon Phillips delivers his verdict on the individual performances from the third round.
    Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6
    Almost embarrassed with a cross/shot in the first-half and actually did very well to keep it out of the goal. He didn’t have anything else to do though but was tidy on the ball.

    Cesar Azpilicueta – 6
    Unfortunately, he is not looking like the player he once was anymore and he could surely have used a rest today. But he did a job and luckily wasn’t really tested at the back.
    Kurt Zouma – 6
    Did his job well but he was never under any defensive threat. Calm and tidy on the ball.

    Kurt Zouma helped the Blues see out a first clean sheet in four gamesCredit: Reuters
    Antonio Rudiger – 6
    Couple of misplaced passes and wasted chances from crosses. But he also hit a few good long passes and almost setup Ziyech for a goal with a lovely chip pass over the back line.
    Emerson Palmieri – 6
    Was oddly playing very centrally and didn’t overlap enough, but it is unclear whether that was tactical instructions or just bad movement from the left-back. He did look a threat in attack on a few occasions.

    Billy Gilmour – 8
    Tidy play from Gilmour who quietly went about his job very well. Tough on the ball and barely gave away possession, if at all.

    Billy Gilmour put in another solid display from the centre of the parkCredit: AFP or licensors
    Mason Mount – 7
    Scored a brilliant goal to put Chelsea in front in the first half. Missed a few opportunities to make key passes in the game, but he was behind a lot of the good moves that Chelsea did as well.
    Kai Havertz – 8
    Quiet start to the game but he grew into it and got a nice assist for Timo Werner to put Chelsea 2-0 up. Grew in confidence in the second-half and looked to make things happen. Scored a very good header late on.
    Callum Hudson-Odoi – 9
    Chelsea’s liveliest attacker and set up Mount for his goal in the first-half. Same story for him in the second-half as he stepped up his threat even more and got on the scoresheet himself. Man of the Match.

    Hakim Ziyech – 8
    Some very good touches and passes out wide from him, and he did well to send the cross over for Chelsea’s second goal. He looked hungry and could have got on the scoresheet himself, but he was wisely removed for Pulisic on 66 minutes.
    Timo Werner – 6
    Not a great start from him but he got the goal that he badly needed to end a 12-game drought. He didn’t play well really, but it was important for confidence to get his goal. Came off for Giroud on 66 minutes.

    Timo Werner received a confidence boost with a much-needed goal in the first-halfCredit: AP:Associated Press
    Subs:
    Olivier Giroud (for Werner, 66′) – 7
    Nice link up from him and a good physical threat in the box.
    Christian Pulisic (for Ziyech, 66′) – 7
    Instantly made a nuisance of himself and almost scored if not for a good save from the keeper.

    Tammy Abraham (for Mount, 74′) – 6
    Played close to Giroud and it looked like a nice new options for Chelsea with two up top.
    Fikayo Tomori (for Zouma, 79′) – N/A
    Tino Anjorin (for Hudson-Odoi, 79′) – N/A
    ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

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    Man City 3 Birmingham 0: Bernardo Silva at the double as City blow away Championship strugglers with ease

    BERNARDO SILVA struck his first goals of the season as Manchester City’s ominous recent form continued.
    The Portuguese international had managed only two in his last 40 club appearances – but scored twice in seven minutes to put City in round four.

    Manchester City ran riot against Championship strugglers BirminghamCredit: AFP or licensors

    Bernardo Silva fires Manchester City into the lead with a sweet eighth-minute strikeCredit: Rex Features

    Fellow midfielder Phil Foden was also on the mark as the 2019 winners effectively wrapped up the game inside the first 33 minutes.
    After a moving tribute to one of their all-time greats Colin Bell, who died last week, City began in a way that would have had the ‘King’ nodding in approval.
    They were in front within eight minutes as a long ball forward from Rodri was headed back into the danger zone by Birmingham skipper George Friend.
    It dropped for Bernardo who showed brilliant technique to get his foot high and steer a volley from the edge of the box over Andrea Prieto into the top corner.

    Gabriel Jesus saw an effort deflected wide but it was not long before Guardiola’s men scored a beautifully created second to effectively end the tie on 15 minutes.

    Bernardo Silva scores his and Manchester City’s second goal of the gameCredit: PA:Press Association
    Riyad Mahrez spotted the overlapping run of Kevin de Bruyne and the Belgian squared from the byline for Bernardo to tap home.
    The Portuguese had scored only two in his last 40 matches for City – now he had two seven minutes.
    And that was a 50th goal of the season for a team who have supposedly been struggling to score for much of the campaign. Many clubs would be delighted to have such a goal drought.

    Just after the half-hour they began the next half-century as Rodri slipped a pass to Mahrez who pushed forward before playing in Foden.

    Phil Foden celebrates scoring a screamerCredit: Rex Features

    The England youngster had plenty to do but made it look easy as he swept home a left footed effort from 20 yards.
    With a busy month ahead and the job done,  Guardiola took the chance to make some changes here.
    Birmingham improved and saw more of the ball in the second half but most of the best chances came at the other end.
    Bernardo fluffed a couple of them to complete his hat-trick while Mahrez had a goal ruled out for offside by a matter of inches.  

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    Crawley 3 Leeds 0: Mark Wright makes pro debut as Town thump Premier League side to reach FA Cup fourth round

    NO fans – but the magic is still there.
    Crawley delivered the upset of the third round with a brilliant destruction of Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds.

    Mark Wright was subbed on late on to mark his professional debut at 33Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

    Jordan Tunnicliffe celebrates making it three for Crawley against LeedsCredit: AFP or licensors

    Ashley Nadesan doubled Crawley’s lead and bagged man of the matchCredit: AP:Associated Press

    Nick Tsaroulla bagged the openerCredit: AFP or licensors

    And most embarrassingly of all for Leeds, it could have been more.
    It was a great day in the League Two club’s history and the obvious shame was that there were no fans inside the ground although there was an injury-time professional debut off the bench for 33-year-old reality TV star Mark Wright.
    Nick Tsaroulla scored a brilliant opener, Ashley Nadesan made it 2-0 three minutes later and Jordan Tunnicliffe scored to seal the tie – and there was still 20 minutes left.
    It was a proud moment for John Yems who, with his attacking tactics, beat Bielsa at his own game.

    Bielsa made seven changes from the previous game but it was still a strong team yet they were an embarrassment.
    Rodrigo attempted to claim a penalty but falling theatrically – and while there may have been some contact – clipped the boot of Tony Craig.
    Leeds keeper Kiko Casilla had little to do but kept his side level with a save before half-time.
    Tom Nichols had a surprisingly easy header from Jack Powell’s corner but the effort was straight at Casilla.

    TV’s Mark Wright made it on to the field Credit: PA:Press Association

    Celebrity Mark Wright celebrates with his team-mate and brother Josh in the crowdCredit: Rex Features

    Towie star Wright warming up before the giantkillingCredit: Alamy Live News

    Bielsa made three changes at the break with Jack Harrison, Jack Jenkins and Oliver Casey all being introduced and it hardly did the trick.
    Yet just six minutes into the second half and Tsaroulla, released by Spurs after missing a year with a car crash, produced a moment of brilliance.
    Tsaroulla avoided a half-hearted challenge from Pablo Hernandez, turned Jamie Shackleton inside out and breezed past Casey before drilling the ball past Casilla.
    Yet it got even worse for Casilla when he was beaten at his near post – the ball went through his legs – after Nadesan struck from an acute angle.
    Equally, you would have expected Casey to have blocked the shot. 
    And the humiliation was complete when Jordan Tunnicliffe hammered the ball into the net after Casilla kept out the effort from Nadesan.
    Sub Max Watters looked set to grab a fourth after rounding Casilla but took too much time to get a shot in.
    But it could not take the shine off an incredible win.

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    Chelsea 4 Morecambe 0: Werner and Mount on target as Blues cruise into FA Cup fourth round

    TIMO WERNER brought his two month goal drought to an end to seal Chelsea’s place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
    The £47.5 million striker has been defended by boss Frank Lampard despite not hitting the target since November 7.

    Timo Werner and Mason Mount were on target as Chelsea beat MorecambeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Striker Werner tapped home German compatriot Kai Havertz’s headerCredit: AP:Associated Press

    Mason Mount celebrated his 22nd birthday by opening the scoringCredit: AFP or licensors

    Mount and fellow Chelsea academy graduate Callum Hudson-Odoi both got on the scoresheetCredit: Reuters

    But he was finally in the right place at the right time to convert a header across goal from fellow German Kai Havertz a minute before half time to ease pressure on himself and his team.
    Chelsea were already leading thanks to a classy Mason Mount opener on 18 minutes but were struggling to turn their domination against League Two opposition into goals.
    ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge
    And for a team which has been expensively assembled on a recent poor run there was a growing sense of frustration until Werner popped up at the far post.

    Chelsea reached the final of last year’s FA Cup and boss Lampard takes the competition extremely seriously. He named a strong side which also included skilful Hakim Ziyech – the first of his six major signings last year.
    And it was winger Ziyech’s deep cross from the right wing that sliced open Morecambe’s defence and allowed Havertz time and space to redirect the ball across the face of goal.
    Werner was on hand to convert the cross in mid-air using the instep of his right boot. There was no way back for Morecambe after that.
    The visitors did provide one momentary scare when the score was 0-0 when winger Adam Phillips caught £72m reserve Chelsea keeper Kepa off guard with a low cross that went behind the Spaniard.

    Kepa was forced to scramble back onto his line and rescue the ball before it crossed.
    The victory is the first of any kind for Chelsea since December 21 when they beat West Ham 3-0 at Stamford Bridge.

    Hudson-Odoi continued his good FA Cup form by bagging Chelsea’s thirdCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Havertz was rewarded for an impressive showing with a late goal of his ownCredit: Reuters

    Homegrown winger Callum Hudson-Odoi was particularly dangerous on the left flank, teeing up Mount for the opener and causing constant problems.
    Hudson-Odoi made it 3-0 four minutes into the second half when he timed a run perfectly to latch onto a through ball over the defence by Ziyech before planting a shot past Morecambe keeper Mark Halstead.
    Havertz made it 4-0 five minutes from time when he converted a header this time to divert a cross from captain Cesar Azpilicueta into the net from six yards.
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    Kepa Arrizabalaga kept a clean sheet on his 100th appearance for ChelseaCredit: Rex Features

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    Mark Wright makes late cameo for Crawley vs Leeds in FA Cup after reality TV star reveals he cried over Spurs axe as kid

    MARK WRIGHT made a late cameo for Crawley in Sunday’s FA Cup clash against Leeds.
    The reality TV star climbed off the bench in injury time of his side’s 3-0 win over the stunned Premier League team.

    Mark Wright came on for Crawley against Leeds in the FA Cup on SundayCredit: Reuters

    The reality TV star came on late in the 3-0 FA Cup victoryCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

    The 33-year-old, who is married to actress Michelle Keegan, tried to make it as a footballer when he was young.
    But the Essex-born star has found success from other avenues away from football, such as TV and radio.
    But coming on for an FA Cup clash against Premier League Leeds even if just for a few minutes would’ve been a big deal for Wright.
    He told the BBC: “The day I got released from Tottenham was one of the worst days of my life. I cried my eyes out, I realised I messed up.

    Mark Wright warms up ahead of Crawley’s FA Cup clash with LeedsCredit: Rex Features

    Mark Wright was named on the bench for Crawley’s clash with LeedsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    “I didn’t want to face my family, I didn’t want to face my friends. I was embarrassed. I had it all, 18, going to clubs and I just thought, ‘It’s done.’
    “I’ve been spoiled, I played for Arsenal, West Ham and Tottenham all of my life and never had to suffer when it came to football.
    “Captain of the youth team, playing for the reserves with Jamie Redknapp, Stephen Dalmat, Helder Postiga. I had it all.
    “I went away one summer for a month, I drank alcohol for the first time, ate what I wanted every day, put on a stone and a half and came back to training pre-season and the goalkeepers were beating me. Never pulled it back.

    “Went to League One club Southend and thought, ‘What is this?’ And that is the point where I looked back at “where it all went wrong.
    “Instead of going, ‘Right, I’ve dropped the down to League One, I’ve got to get myself back up.’ I’m going to train harder, train longer. Do what I’m doing now at Crawley.
    “Staying out after with the fitness coach. On my days, I’m going to work harder to get back.”
    Wright is still haunted by how his actions cost him a place at Spurs and has urged youngsters at big club’s academies to never let their work ethic slip.
    He added: “If I could tell any young player now, don’t do what I did. The hardest working players make it. And that’s what I didn’t do.”

    The former Only Way is Essex Star signed for Crawley last month on a non-contract basis.
    Upon joining the Reds, Wright said: “My love for the game has never gone away and the fact that I never played a professional game in the Football League has always niggled away at me. If I don’t do it now, I never will.
    “When the manager, John Yems, who I played for 12 years ago here at Crawley asked me if I would like to take it further and sign for the club, of course I didn’t think twice and tonight I’m quite simply over the moon.
    “I’ve worked so hard to get fighting fit and I will continue to do so. When/if the time comes for me to make my debut, it will be a day I remember and cherish forever.”

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    Man Utd fan Tyson Fury sends support message to Crawley ahead of Leeds FA Cup clash and says he’s rooting for underdog

    TYSON FURY sent a message of support to League Two’s Crawley and said he is rooting for the underdog against Leeds.
    Crawley host the Premier League side in round three of the FA Cup and have it all to do against Marcelo Bielsa’s men.

    Tyson Fury sent his message of support to League Two’s Crawley

    Tyson Fury is a big Manchester United fan Credit: Getty – Contributor

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    But they have heavyweight backing in the form of WBC champion Fury – a Manchester United fan – who is rooting for a classic cup upset.
    He said: “This is a special message to Crawley Town.
    “Hi guys, I know you have a big game against Leeds but never underestimate the underdog.

    “I have been the underdog so many times in my career and always come out on top. Come on the boys!”
    Fury, 32, will also have an eye on his local side Morecambe who travel to Frank Lampard’s Chelsea.
    Crawley are in the FA Cup third round for the first time since 2013, when they were knocked out by Reading.
    But this time around, as well as support from unbeaten Fury, they have celebrity status with The Only Way is Essex star Mark Wright in the squad.

    The former Tottenham trainee had a loan spell at the club in 2006-07 – before his carving out a successful reality and media career.
    His return to the club has been filmed by the BBC for a new TV documentary.
    And he will also be joined by his brother Josh, after the midfielder signed from Leyton Orient.

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    Arsenal legend Ian Wright slams Willian and Nicolas Pepe performances after Mikel Arteta gave them a chance in FA Cup

    ARSENAL legend Ian Wright blasted Willian and Nicolas Pepe for their FA Cup performances.
    Gunners boss Mikel Arteta handed the attacking pair a staring berth against Newcastle in the third-round tie at the Emirates.

    Nicolas Pepe and Willian were slammed for their FA Cup performancesCredit: Reuters

    Arsenal required extra time to edge past Steve Bruce’s Magpies as goals from Emile Smith Rowe and skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang secured a 2-0 win.
    But despite the result, former striker Wright was particularly unhappy with £72million club-record signing Pepe and ex-Chelsea star Willian.
    He told BBC Sport: “Very, very poor from [Pepe] today.
    “Same with Willian. These are two players we needed a lot from, and we are just not getting it, to be honest.

    “In the end, Mikel Arteta had to bring on his best guys because the guys he brought in, just didn’t do it in the first half.
    “That was the opportunity for Newcastle to take advantage but they just didn’t have the quality.”
    Brazilian star Willian reels in a huge £220,000 a week in North London after he signed a three-year deal in the summer.
    But he has repaid the Gunners’ faith with just three assists in 18 games in all competitions and was hauled off for Bukayo Saka after 66 minutes.

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    Gunners legend Ian Wright fumed at some of the club’s current starsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Former Lille man Pepe – who Wilfried Zaha claimed Arsenal signed over him – has played just 453 minutes out of Arsenal’s 17 games in the Premier League and was sent off for a headbutt against Leeds.
    Arsenal have more forward problems after talented youngster Gabriel Martinelli injured himself in the warm-up before the Newcastle game.
    The Brazilian was ‘in tears and a lot of pain’ on the treatment table, according to Mikel Arteta.
    Wright previously warned Arsenal are in danger of turning talented Smith Rowe into another Serge Gnabry if Pepe and Willian continue to stand in the way of his progression.
    ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

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