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      Chelsea player ratings: Cole Palmer looks a snip at £40m but don’t be fooled by Robert Sanchez’s clean sheet

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      CHELSEA punched their ticket to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after beating Brighton 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.The Blues really needed a victory after a run of poor results that saw them losing three out of all seven matches, of which they won only two, across all competitions this season.
      Chelsea made it to the fourth round of the Carabao after beating BrightonCredit: Getty
      Nicolas Jackson scored the winner following a lovely attack from an otherwise nervous Chelsea side.
      Ian Maatsen found Cole Palmer on the edge of the box and the ex-Manchester City ace passed to Jackson who beat Bart Verbruggen with a fine finish on 50 minutes.
      The Senegal international also scored the West Londoners’ first goal of the month.
      Jackson and Palmer thought they got another goal and assist respectively but the former was caught offside.
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      Here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rates the performance of Mauricio Pochettino’s players:
      Robert Sanchez – 5
      Gave the ball away horrendously in the first half twice, to give Brighton two or three golden opportunities. He was very poor with his feet, but made a few good saves with his hands. Somehow kept a clean sheet, but still the weakest Chelsea player on the field. 
      Axel Disasi – 5
      Didn’t do anything too wrong or too right either. Bang average.
      Levi Colwill – 8
      Solid at the back against his old side, and played some really classy passes out from the back. Definitely the best at the back for Chelsea and his best showing under manager Mauricio Pochettino so far. 
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      Marc Cucurella – 6
      Got caught in possession a few times and looked nervous as he played his first minutes under Mauricio Pochettino. Improved massively in the second half and looked far more comfortable from the 50th minute onwards. 
      Ian Maatsen – 6 
      Did well to close down Kaoru Mitoma and to deal with Pervis Estupinian for large parts of the game, but failed to impact the game in an attacking sense as we saw him do in pre-season. 
      Ben Chilwell – 5
      Showed some signs of danger on the left hand side, but failed to create anything serious for the Blues. Not a captain’s showing.
      Moises Caicedo – 6
      Disruptive in midfield and looked better than his ‘replacement’ Carlos Baleba in the Brighton midfield. Was industrious and looked like he had a point to prove to Mauricio Pochettino. 
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      Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson scored the winner against BrightonCredit: Getty
      Robert Sanchez didn’t have his best performance against his former teamCredit: Getty
      Lesley Ugochukwu – 6
      Good in patches, but went missing for chunks of the game and failed to be too involved in the midfield at times. Fortunate to escape a red card for a lunging tackle. Definitely potential there, as for most of this Chelsea side, but looks raw and undeveloped at this point. 
      Cole Palmer – 8
      Creative and direct for Chelsea, had his side’s best chance of the first half just before the whistle went and played some nice passes too, none better than his brilliant play to assist Nicolas Jackson’s opener. 
      Mykhailo Mudryk – 7 
      Caused lots of problems for the Brighton defence and won a number of free kicks for the Blues. Clearly a very talented player who is just yet to be unleashed or reach his full potential. Another good showing from the start, and received a standing ovation when he was subbed for Raheem Sterling. 
      Nicolas Jackson – 7
      Ice in his veins for the Chelsea opener. Was fairly poor in the first half, but seemed a different player in the second period and much more lively. Could have had a hat-trick on another day, as he missed a 1v1 and had a second goal ruled out for offside. 
      Cole Palmer stood out for Chelsea at Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty
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      Raheem Sterling – 5  (For Mykhailo Mudryk, 69′) Decent performance after coming off the bench, saw the game out nicely for Chelsea and used his experience well. 
      Conor Gallagher – 5 (For Cole Palmer, 76′) – Didn’t have much time to make a real impact, worked hard as usual. 
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      Enzo Fernandez – 5 (For Ian Maatsen, 76′) – Saw the game out nicely for Chelsea, but didn’t have many minutes to impact the game too much. 
      Armando Broja – 5 (For Nicolas Jackson, 87′) – Didn’t have enough time to impact the game.  More

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      Arsenal star facing months out as he posts Instagram message after being forced off with nasty injury

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      LUTON’s Albert Sambi Lokonga is facing months out with a hamstring injury.The Belgium midfielder on loan from Arsenal was withdrawn in the 57th minute as the struggling Premier League new boys drew 1-1 at home to Wolves on Saturday.
      Albert Sambi Lokonga is gutted to be injured after joining promoted Luton from Arsenal for the season to get regular gamesCredit: PA
      Lokonga, 23, said on Instagram: “Unfortunately, an injury has come and delayed everything. I will be focused on my recovery.”
      Luton boss Rob Edwards added: “It is really disappointing because he really wants to play and was excellent [in his first couple of games].”
      Lokonga has played twice for Luton since arriving in the summer,
      And Edwards is reeling as he believed the former Anderlecht starlet could play a key role in the Hatters’ fight to rise out of the bottom three.
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      The ex-Watford manager said: “Sambi made a real positive start to his life at Luton Town – two really good performances.
      “So it’s a real shame for him first and foremost as he wanted to come and perform, play games.
      “‘He was going to have the opportunity to do that with us.”
      Lokonga is tipped to sit out at least two months.
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      And Edwards added: “It could be a while, we’ll have to see.
      “We’re disappointed for him as he made a great start and he’s a really good player.”
      Luton have bagged just one poInt from their five games back in the top flight.
      But the Hatters’ next Prem clash on Tuesday is high up their target list for wins.
      Luton host Championship winners Burnley, who are one of only three other clubs without a victory so far this term. More

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      Man Utd legend who turned to Le Mans racing tries hand at RUGBY as he links up with France squad for World Cup

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      FORMER Manchester United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez has tried his hand at rugby – with the French national team.Barthez, 52, was filmed training with France kicking coach Vlok Cilliers.
      Fabien Barthez joined the France national rugby team in trainingCredit: Twitter @Vlokskop10
      The ex-goalkeeper was filmed kicking a conversionCredit: Twitter @Vlokskop10
      The World Cup winner left coaches stunned after kicking a perfect conversion.
      Posting the short clip on social media, Cilliers wrote: “Fabien Barthez – world class goalkeeper for France and Manchester United was in camp.
      “I help him with a few pointers and look at the outcome!!!”
      Barthez joined Man Utd from Monaco in 2000 and spent four years with the Red Devils.
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      During his time at Old Trafford he won two Premier League titles.
      He went on to play for Marseille and Nantes before retiring in 2007.
      One year later, the ex-goalkeeper pursued a career in Motorsport, competing in events such as the French GT Championship, Bioracing Series and the Caterham Sigma Cup France.
      He also entered the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 2014, finishing 29th overall and ninth in the LMGTE Am class driving Team Sofrev ASP’s Ferrari 458.
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      Barthez joined the French rugby team during their Rugby World Cup preparations.
      Les Bleus face Italy on Friday.
      Barthez pursued a career in Motorsport after retiring from fotballCredit: AFP More

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      Chelsea bizarrely name player from Premier League RIVALS on team sheet in fresh humiliation for out of form side

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      THERE have been so many comings and goings from Chelsea’s bloated squad following Todd Boehly’s £1billion splurge that even those printing the team sheets are losing track.One Blues bod accidentally listed Andrey Santos in place of new boy Cole Palmer on the printed sheets handed to media and corporate boxes ahead of the game.
      Andrey Santos was named in the starting XICredit: X.com / @AndyNaylorBHAFC
      Cole Palmer was replaced in the line-up by on-loan SantosCredit: Getty
      Santos is currently on loan at Nottingham ForestCredit: Getty
      It’s embarrassing enough to list two Chelsea players the wrong way around, but gets all the more worrying when you remember that Brazilian Santos is on loan at Nottingham Forest.
      Santos, 19, was signed from Vasco da Gama for £11million and has never played a game for the Blues.
      The midfielder, who has made just one appearance for Forest so far, was listed accidentally alongside Palmer’s No20.
      Though the England Under-21 man signed from Manchester City was named in the team Chelsea tweeted out and, more importantly, the list handed to match officials by Mauricio Pochettino’s coaching staff.
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      Baffled fans took to social media to react to the error, with one person tweeting: “Well, I guess Andrey Santos isn’t getting any minutes for Nottingham Forest…”
      Another added: “To be fair it looks like Santos has as much chance of playing for #CFC right now as #NFFC for some reason.”

      While a third wrote: “THEY PUT ANDREY SANTOS AS THE CHELSEA HOLDER! Wasn’t he at Forest? HOW BAD THIS TEAM IS!”
      Pochettino’s side have endured a terrible start to the season.
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      The Blues currently sit 14th in the Premier League table with five points from six games.
      But Poch has insisted that his team just needs a boost in confidence.
      Following Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa, he said: “Work, trust in them, confidence.
      “We have the squad we have, we need try to build the confidence and give them all of the support they need because they need to perform on the pitch.
      “The performance is good, not excellent but we are missing goals.” More

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      Man Utd to keep Antony on indefinite leave as he arrives in UK for voluntary police interview on domestic abuse claims

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      ANTONY will remain on indefinite leave from Manchester United – despite flying back into the UK last night.The Brazilian winger has been back in his homeland since the beginning of this month when allegations of domestic abuse surfaced.
      Man Utd ace Antony has returned to England from BrazilCredit: The Sun
      The winger says he is innocent of all allegationsCredit: PA
      Three different women have made accusations about the £85 million former Ajax ace – but he has strongly denied them all.
      Now, Antony will voluntarily take questions from Greater Manchester Police and has agreed to hand over his phone for examination.
      Officers in Brazil allowed him to return to England after he fully co-operated with their enquiries and stated they do not require any more information from him.
      On September 10, United announced that the player was being granted time away from the club on full pay to focus on clearing his name.
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      That process will now remain on-going so the 23-year-old will not be available to Erik ten Hag for the Red Devils’ forthcoming fixtures.
      A total of four alleged attacks are described in a police report seen by ESPN.
      Last night, Antony returned to Manchester from Brazil’s Sao Paulo airport as he prepares to face police over allegations that he attacked a former lover.
      A source said: “Antony is adamant he has done nothing wrong and wants to sit down with officers and let them ask him questions.
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      “He has nothing to hide and will hand over anything they want to see including his mobile phone.
      “He wants to be exonerated as quickly as possible so he can get on with his football career again without any distractions.”
      He is accused by his ex Gabriela Cavallin of attacking her on January 15 in a Manchester hotel.
      She alleged that he headbutted and punched her, damaging a breast implant when she was carrying Antony’s child around 16 weeks into her pregnancy.
      Last week, Cavallin posted an emotional tribute to the baby she lost with the footballer.
      In an Instagram story, the 22-year-old DJ insisted she’s “stronger” after having a miscarriage just over a year ago.
      Gabriela’s heartbreaking tribute came shortly after her chauffeur spoke to Brazilian cops as part of the probe into the winger’s domestic abuse allegations.
      The driver claimed he received a phone call from the social media influencer who told him: “Antony is hitting me,” according to Extra.
      Earlier this month, Gabriela urged Old Trafford bosses to ban Antony from playing while investigations take place in Sao Paulo and Manchester.
      Cavallin says she dated the Brazil World Cup ace on and off for two years and lived with him in Amsterdam while he played for Ajax.
      Antony denies any wrongdoing and recently gave a tearful TV interview in which he said: “I know the truth and it will come out.
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      “I’m 100 per cent sure I never touched a woman and I’ll come up with the evidence.
      “I’m sure I’ve never committed physical violence.”
      Gabriela Cavallin has accused Antony of attacking herCredit: instagram
      The tearful TV interview in which Antony vowed to clear his name
      The winger is now on indefinite leave from Man UtdCredit: Getty More

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      How new Man Utd star Hannibal Mejbri moved to club at 16 after ‘trauma’ and would have been doctor if dad got his way

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      HANNIBAL MEJBRI is Manchester United’s new cult hero – after shrugging off “trauma” at his old club aged 16 and family pressure to become a doctor.The midfielder, 20, is now treating fans when he could easily have been treating patients in what he hopes is a breakthrough season.
      Hard-working Hannibal Mejbri is popular with Man Utd fansCredit: Getty
      The French-born starlet hopes his fine start to the season will turn into more regular appearances for Erik ten Hag’s Red DevilsCredit: PA
      And despite being a playmaker, he has an astonishing stat to back up his terrier-like reputation with Old Trafford supporters.
      He averages 100 pressures per 90 minutes – 21.3 more than anyone else in the Premier League.
      But it could have been so different – both on and off the field.
      Hannibal’s father Lotfi Mejbri has explained how the French-born player’s spell at his previous team, Monaco, turned sour.
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      Mejbri Senior told Le Parisien: “Something bad happened. For our family, it was very hard to live. It’s a real shock, a trauma. 
      “There were mistakes made and, from there, I consider the relationship of trust between the club and our family destroyed.”
      And it’s also the starlet’s dad who admits to playing the lead role in hoping his son had switched careers to train as a doctor or lawyer.
      He said: “Even if he does [make it as a footballer], I do not want him to have a chickpea for a brain in his head.”
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      There’s no sign of that as Mejbri Jnr has built on the success of his loan spell with Championship side Birmingham last season.
      He’s only made five Premier League appearances so far.
      And although he’s certainly not got a chickpea for a brain, he might hope to emulate the success United enjoyed when they had a Little Pea for a striker.
      Mexico legend Javier Hernandez – nicknamed “Chicharito”, meaning Little Pea – won two Prem titles at Old Trafford from 2010-15.
      Mejbri’s spell with Monaco from 2018-19 ended in ‘trauma’Credit: Getty – Contributor More

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      Injured Chelsea star Reece James facing BAN for ‘abusing match official in tunnel’ after match he didn’t play in

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      CHELSEA captain Reece James has been charged by the FA for abusing a match official after the defeat to Aston Villa.The incident took place in the tunnel after the match and the defender has until Friday to respond to the charge.
      Reece James has been charged by the FA for abusing a match officialCredit: Rex
      James played no part in the match as he is sidelined with a hamstring injury he picked up against Liverpool last month.
      But that did not prevent him from allegedly confronting referee Jarred Gillett after the game to abuse him.
      An FA statement read: “Reece James has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3 following Chelsea’s Premier League game against Aston Villa on Sunday, 24 September.
      “It’s alleged that the defender used improper and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards a match official in the tunnel after the game,
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      “Reece James has until Friday, 29 September, to provide a response to this charge.”
      The right-back now faces a possible ban, though he is not expected to be back from injury until late October.
      James was appointed Chelsea captain by Mauricio Pochettino before the start of the new season.
      The England international was delighted with the responsibility given to him but so far his influence has been limited.
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      After being given the armband, James said: “I’m so happy to take on the role and responsibility.
      “I know I’ve got big shoes to fill because we have had huge captains here in the past, but I am excited.
      “I have been at Chelsea pretty much my whole life. I started here when I was six and to come through the Academy is tough.
      “But to go on and become captain, it’s a great feeling for me and my family.” More

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      Ex-Premier League Wag and ‘world’s most beautiful woman’ sends fans wild in ‘dreamy’ plunging satin dress

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      VIKTORIA VARGA has sent fans wild after posing in a satin dress that left little to the imagination.The plunging pink outfit allowed Viktoria to look stunning.
      Viktoria Varga looked classy in a pink satin dressCredit: Instagram
      She paired her looked with a white clutch bagCredit: Instagram
      The model was complimented on her appearance by adoring fansCredit: Instagram
      Viktoria boasts 610,000 Instagram followersCredit: Instagram @vikyvarga
      She is the owner of Vama SwimCredit: INSTAGRAM / Viktoria Varga
      Viktoria regularly advertises her products onlineCredit: Instagram @vikyvarga
      She accessorised her look with a white clutch bag as she posed in an empty street at twilight.
      Viktoria, 32, posed candidly for a few shots she shared on Instagram, with her 610,000 followers loving the look.
      One fan responded by saying: “So beautiful my dear 😘💗”
      Another added: “How wonderful, a charm. ❤️”
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      A third wrote: “Style, elegance, beauty and a lot of cuteness ❤️”
      And another commented: “You are so so STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL!! 😍”
      Viktoria is married to former Southampton star Graziano Pelle and has been dubbed the “world’s most beautiful woman”.
      She owns swimwear company Vama Swim and can regularly be seen advertising items of clothing.
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      Earlier this month Viktoria stunned in a swimsuit as she enjoyed the final days of summer in Italy.
      And earlier this week she wowed her followers by posing in a barely-there bikini. More