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Sport

Conte eyes squad rotation to tackle tough fixtures ahead

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Rotation
London, Feb. 16, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Chelsea manager Antonio Conte will rotate his squad, starting from Friday’s English FA Cup clash with Hull City.

The London side are faced with a tough run of fixtures ahead, but the coach said a strong Cup run was high on his list of priorities for the rest of the season.

After the fifth round meeting with Championship side Hull, Chelsea host FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 next week.

Thereafter, back-to-back English Premier League games against Manchester United and Manchester City follow.

“For sure, we have in front of us two weeks that will be tough.

“For this reason, I think it is right to have a plan to take on the two tough weeks in the right way,” Conte told a news conference on Thursday.

“At the same time, as you know very well, we want to try to go through to the next round in the FA Cup.”

Chelsea are fourth in the league and 19 points adrift of leaders Manchester City with 11 games left.

However, Conte said a good run was vital to maintain their advantage over Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal who are directly below them in the league.

“When you start a season, every competition is a priority… We want to try to fight for every competition. There are three priorities for us in the rest of the season,” he added.

Midfielders Tiemoue Bakayoko and Ross Barkley as well as defender David Luiz will miss the match against Hull with injuries.

Also, striker Olivier Giroud (calf) and defender Marcos Alonso (ankle) face a late test to be fit.

Hull come into the contest on the back of a 2-1 fourth round win over Arsenal’s conquerors Nottingham Forest.(Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh and Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

Chelsea beat West Brom to move back into EPL top 4

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Chelsea
London, Feb. 13, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Two goals from Belgian wizard Eden Hazard and another by Victor Moses earned Chelsea a 3-0 home win over struggling West Bromwich Albion in the English Premier League on Monday.

It was a result which eased pressure on coach Antonio Conte following two defeats for the champions.

The lively Hazard twisted his way goalwards in the 25th minute before playing a neat one-two with new signing Olivier Giroud.

The Frenchman held off defenders to place the ball for the Belgium international to smack it past goalkeeper Ben Foster.

Moses added Chelsea’s second after sprinting down the wing and laying the ball off to Cesc Fabregas, whose flick was deflected back into the Nigerian’s path.

Hazard’s second goal wrapped up the points as Chelsea moved back into the top four.

In the 71st minute, he received a pass from substitute Alvaro Morata, and jinked past defender Jonny Evans to lift the ball into the net.

Chelsea have 53 points from 27 games, one point ahead of London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and a point behind third-placed Liverpool in the race for UEFA Champions League qualifying spots.

A beaming Conte, whose side had lost their previous two Premier League games at home to Bournemouth and at Watford, hurried round the pitch after the whistle, shaking hands.

The Italian, who won the title in his first season in charge, has had a strained relationship with the club hierarchy since last summer after disagreements over buying players.

There have been suggestions he would leave at the end of the season.

But his players, so lacklustre against Watford, looked energised after a week’s rest.

France international Giroud, who joined last month from Arsenal, provided a target man and combined well with Hazard and Fabregas.

He left the pitch to applause in the 70th minute, his head swathed in bandages after he was kicked in a goalmouth melee in the first half.

“He is a great target man,” Hazard said later on. “Maybe one of the best in England. So, we can pass the ball and go around him.

“He is a good point of reference. We have plenty though as we have him, Alvaro and I can play striker also.”

It was a miserable night for Alan Pardew’s West Brom side, who have won once in their last 25 Premier League games.

In spite of a lively start they managed one shot on target.

The disappointment was compounded with the loss of Daniel Sturridge barely three minutes into the game.

The striker, on loan from Liverpool, limped off to be replaced by Jay Rodriguez.

The visitors also failed to convert good chances that fell to Jonny Evans, Salomon Rondon and Rodriguez.

Chelsea are still competing on three fronts.

They face Hull City in the FA Cup fifth round on Friday before meeting FC Barcelona in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League on Feb. 20.(Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

Players must take responsibility for Chelsea defeats, Cahill says

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Defeats
London, Feb. 7, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Chelsea players need to shoulder the responsibility for their “abysmal’’ English Premier League displays in recent weeks and not under-fire manager Antonio Conte, defender Gary Cahill said on Wednesday.

The defending champions have endured a turbulent period on the pitch, losing 4-1 at Watford on Monday, five days after a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth.

This has increased speculation over the future of their Italian coach.

“The players have to take responsibility. The manager has done an absolutely unbelievable job,” Cahill said.

“This is the worst I’ve felt for a while. Performance-wise, I didn’t recognise us or myself. It was abysmal.”

The defeat against Watford left Chelsea fourth in the table, 19 points adrift of runaway leaders Manchester City with a clash against basement side West Bromwich Albion coming up on Monday.

“We just need to keep strong. I’ve been here before at this club. It’s about staying calm. It hurts a lot when you come off after a performance like that.”

Fellow defender Cesar Azpilicueta said Chelsea must focus on finishing in the top four and suggested they could still salvage their season by winning a Cup competition.

Chelsea face Hull City in the fifth round of the English FA Cup and are in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

There, they have a tough task of having Spanish side FC Barcelona to take on later this month.

“I‘m sure this team will fight back. We have three targets to go for and we have a massive three or four months ahead of us,” Spaniard Azpilicueta said.

“As a player, what I want is to get back on the training field as soon as possible, work hard for Monday’s game, get the three points and get some confidence back.”(Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

EPL: Watford’s late goals stun 10-man Chelsea

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Shocker
Abuja, Feb. 6, 2018 (NAN) Watford scored three late goals on Monday to win 4-1 in Javi Gracia’s first home game in charge and increase the pressure on Chelsea counterpart Antonio Conte.

The Blues played an hour with 10 men after Tiemoue Bakayoko’s red card capped off a dreadful individual 30-minute performance — in which he gifted Watford four chances.

The Hornets — who had only won one of their previous 12 English Premier League games — led controversially as Gerard Deulofeu went down easily under goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois’ challenge.

Troy Deeney went on to score the penalty kick.

Chelsea, who brought on Olivier Giroud for a debut in the second half, scored an undeserved equaliser when Eden Hazard curled home brilliantly from 25 yards.

Two minutes later, Daryl Janmaat scored a fantastic goal of his own when he played a one-two with Roberto Pereyra.

He went on to beat another couple of defenders before scoring with his weaker left foot.

Deulofeu added another when he ran from halfway before his shot was deflected home by Gary Cahill — and then Pereyra scored a fourth from Abdoulaye Doucoure’s through ball.

It was Chelsea’s second consecutive defeat by three goals in the Premier League, following their 3-0 home reverse by Bournemouth.

Deulofeu later said “we are happy for these three points. The team fought too much at the beginning and we are worth this win. I’m so happy for my first game at home.’’

On the penalty kick he won in the first half, he said “Daryl Janmaat gave me a good ball and I think it’s a clear penalty kick. He (Courtois) touched me… I think.”

On his part, Janmaat said: “I know I can score goals, I did it in the past last year against Chelsea as well. It is really good

“I am happy for the team and it is a really important win. We pressed them well. We won a lot of second balls.

“Last week in Stoke we had a good result, a point there, and three points today. We have to build on from here because we want to be safe as soon as possible.”

Watford boss Javi Gracia could not hide his joy, saying “you always work for nights like today. But today has been an unforgettable night. I am very proud of my players and very happy for our fans.”

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, when asked about his future with the club after two successive defeats, retorted: “My position? It is the same. I stay here, try to work and put all myself in the work.

“The pressure? Which pressure? What is the pressure? I work — if this is enough it is, OK. Otherwise the club has to take another decision.”(Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

EPL: Everton hold out for goalless draw at home to Chelsea

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Draw
Abuja, Dec, 23, 2017 (Reuters/NAN) Chelsea found no chink in Everton’s defensive armour as the English Premier League (EPL) champions were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Goodison Park on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Antonio Conte’s side, missing suspended top scorer Alvaro Morata, played most of the game in Everton’s half.

They had 25 attempts on goal to the hosts’ five.

However, the closest they came was when home defender Ashley Williams headed against his own bar trying to clear a cross.

Home skipper Phil Jagielka made two vital blocks to deny Tiemoue Bakayoko and Willian in quick succession in the first half, while goalkeeper Jordan Pickford tipped a Pedro effort over.

Pickford made further important saves after the break as Chelsea poured forward, but Everton did have a late chance for a smash-and-grab raid when Michael Keane headed over.

Conte after the match said that the Blues deserved to get the three points against Everton.

“For sure we must be disappointed, because we deserve to get three points,” said Conte.

“Everton are the best team in this league outside the top six. We played this way with great personality, intensity and concentration.

“If you want to win this game, you must score. You need to be more,” he said.

At the halfway point of the season Chelsea are third with 39 points, two points behind Manchester United and 13 behind runaway leaders Manchester City, both of whom play later.

Everton remain in ninth spot and are unbeaten in the five games since new manager Sam Allardyce took charge.

Allardyce said he was pleased with his team’s effort against the defending champions, but expressed disappointment his side did not threaten their goal.

He however admitted that there were plenty of positives to Everton’s play as they shut out the Blues at Goodison Park.

“Hard-earned is certainly right, in terms of effort, commitment and organisation. We have played a hugely talented front five and have had a bit of luck, but rolled up our sleeves to get a result.

“It keeps the undefeated run going, and you have to respect a point against the big boys.

“It is disappointing that we did not really threaten their goal apart from Michael Keane’s header at the end.

“The quality of the ball was disappointing today, but the effort was top class and we are well satisfied with a point.

“We want to be better in possession, but when we dominated Swansea, that is what we will be like against other teams,” Allardyce said.(Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Chelsea hit 4 past West Brom

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Chelsea
Abuja, Nov. 18, 2017 (Reuters/NAN) Antonio Conte celebrated his 50th English Premier League game as manager by watching his Chelsea side hammer West Bromwich Albion 4-0 at the Hawthorns on Saturday.

The result made it four straight league defeats for the Baggies, in spite of starting well and having an early goal ruled out for offside.

But once Alvaro Morata drilled home the rebound from an Eden Hazard shot to give the Blues the lead in the 17th minute, they never looked back.

Morata turned provider six minutes later, his slick backheel putting Eden Hazard on to round Foster and make it 2-0.

An unmarked Marcos Alonso deftly volleyed home a Cesc Fabregas free kick to make it 3-0 before halftime.

Hazard drifted in from the left to hammer home his second in the 62nd minute to cap a dominant Chelsea performance.

The result heaped the pressure on West Brom manager Tony Pulis, who has not seen his side win since a 1-0 victory at Burnley in August.(Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)