..::Football IV::..

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Mourinho confirms Mkhitaryan out of EFL Cup final

Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not be fit enough to feature in the EFL Cup final against Southampton on Sunday.Wayne Rooney will, however, be in the matchday squad, with the England captain insisting that he wants to stay at Old Trafford in a statement made on Thursday.

Michael Carrick, meanwhile, is also fit enough to be involved, handing the United boss a boost ahead of the clash at Wembley."Michael [Carrick] is available. He left the pitch in the right moment. Mkhitaryan is out," said Mourinho. "[Phil] Jones - let's see and decide tomorrow."

Mkhitaryan picked up a hamstring injury in United's Europa League last-32 clash against Saint-Etienne on Wednesday, a game in which he scored the only goal, and there were question marks surrounding his fitness to participate in the final.The Red Devils take on the Saints on Sunday, February 26 as they look to clinch their second piece of silverware this season.

 

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Get well soon Mkhi!​

 

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Mourinho in further tribute to Ranieri as he wears 'CR' shirt in press conference

Jose Mourinho has once again paid tribute to Claudio Ranieri, wearing a 'CR' initialled polo shirt during his press conference on Friday afternoon.

The Manchester United manager had taken to Instagram on Thursday night to express his support for Ranieri, who was sacked by Leicester City after the 2-1 defeat to Sevilla.

The Foxes find themselves in 17th place in the table, with the Italian having overseen the worst title defence, in terms of points on the board, in Premier League history after 25 matches.

But Mourinho, who himself was sacked after winning the title during his second spell with Chelsea, continued to back Ranieri, and even wore a 'CR' shirt in tribute to the former Roma manager.

He said: "My words is my shirt with his name. It’s my little homage to somebody that wrote the most beautiful history of the Premier League."Somebody who would probably deserve the Leicester stadium to be named ‘Claudio Ranieri', and he’s sacked.

"So I think Leicester made history two years in a row. One year because they did the most beautiful thing in the Premier League and one of the most beautiful histories in football history."And now they’re also in the highlights with a decision that I think has everyone in football united because it's something very, very difficult to accept.

“But at the same time it’s good for all of us to realise how football is now.
"I thought last season when I was sacked as a champion it was a giant negative thing, now I realise that it was peanuts compared to what happened to Claudio.

"So my Instagram is a little homage, my shirt is another one and I don’t think he needs more homages because nobody can delete what he did."

 

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Ranieri did not lose Leicester dressing room, insists Shakespeare

Craig Shakespeare insists Claudio Ranieri had not lost the dressing room at Leicester City but feels it is "irrelevant" to discuss whether it was right to sack him.

The 65-year-old was controversially sacked as manager on Thursday - under a year after winning the Premier League at odds of 5,000-1 - with the club sitting just one point clear of the relegation zone.

Caretaker manager Shakespeare - assistant under Ranieri - reportedly fell out with the Italian this season, but insists their relationship was always fine.

He also stressed he has had no problems with the attitude of the club's players ahead of Monday's pivotal match with Liverpool, saying while there was "frustration" in the squad, he did not feel Ranieri had lost their confidence, nor had they revolted against him."I think whether it is the right decision is irrelevant and we all know results have not been good enough," Shakespeare said at his pre-match media conference.

"We have to respect the owners' decision. We haven't been good enough this season. We know people lose jobs for results and that's what seems to have happened here.

"It is very sad. The players are hurt and frustrated. I have not had one problem with them - there was frustration but he [Ranieri] had not lost the dressing room. I am not aware of any senior players going to the owners.

"We all know these things happen in football but everyone at the club will have to remember him and have the utmost respect for what has achieved. "My relationship with Claudio has been perfectly fine all the way along. A lot of the talk of unrest within the dressing room has been speculation. "I spoke to him last night and he thanked me for my support throughout. It was not brief and we exchanged views. A lot of what we said will stay private.

"Claudio seemed fine. He was a bit shocked as we all were but he is very level headed and knows this is just football. His tone was fine."

Shakespeare wants to see an improvement at both ends of the pitch against Liverpool.

"I want to see my teams play with flair, but I like clean sheets as well," he said. "I'm totally convinced that we have enough talent in that dressing room. Come Monday, we will be ready.

"We flew back from Seville. There were problems with landing in the storm. I arrived home and the director of football told me what was happening and asked me to be caretaker for the next game."I always feel sorry when people lose their jobs. I'm not aware of the club having spoken to any candidates.

"Do I think I can do the job? Yes. Does it faze me? No. I have been a caretaker before. I've never been in a press conference quite as big as this! But I'm ready for the challenge.

 

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'You don't owe anyone' - Henry tells Rooney to make China move if it makes him happy

Thierry Henry says Wayne Rooney should not let critics stop him from moving to China if that is what he wants to do at the end of the season.

The Manchester United captain this week revealed he is staying at Old Trafford having been heavily linked with a move to the lucrative Chinese Super League, where the transfer window is open until the end of February.

But Rooney's future will again be debated at the end of the campaign and he has been connected with a possible return to Everton, whose manager Ronald Koeman has said he would welcome the England international.

Henry - who like Rooney is in the top-five scorers in Premier League history - feels the 31-year-old does not owe anyone anything and should pursue the China option if that is what he wants.

"I would advise him to do what he wants to do - stop listening to everybody and be happy," the former Arsenal striker said to Sky Sports ."You have been a great servant and if he wants to go to China, then go to China if that's what is going to make you happy and your family happy.

"I know people say he is going there too early and should go back to Everton - but if he goes there and things are not going well they will say he should have gone to China.

"Be happy, you gave a lot to the game. You don't owe anyone anything. You gave a lot not only to English football but football in general, so think about it with your family, your coach and your team and do what you have to do."We all have an opinion of where he should go, but let him choose and let him be him. I think he deserves that."

Rooney, who is preparing for Sunday's EFL Cup final against Southampton, has struggled for regular action under Jose Mourinho this season and started only eight top-flight games, but Henry believes the United boss has handled the situation impressively.

"Jose Mourinho assessed it very well," said Henry. "The way he is managing this team this season is, for me, very good. They are coming back extremely well and he dealt with the Rooney situation well.

"You have Jose Mourinho saying, 'It is his decision and whatever he is going to do we have to respect it because he gave a lot to that club'."The fact Mourinho understands he has to leave it to him, that is a sign, as we all know, of a great coach."

 

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'My dream died' - Ranieri speaks for first time after Leicester sacking

Claudio Ranieri has spoken for the first time since being sacked as Leicester City boss, claiming the club will forever hold a place in his heart.

The Italian was sacked on Thursday, less than 10 months after guiding the Foxes to a historic Premier League title, with the club's board expressing their concern at the possibility of relegation from the top-flight.Ranieri initially remained quiet on his dismissal, though released a statement on Friday evening stating that his "dream had died", and thanked those that helped him achieve the impossible last season.

“Yesterday my dream died,” the statement read. "After the euphoria of last season and being crowned Premier League Champions all I dreamt of was staying with Leicester City, the club I love, for always."Sadly this was not to be.

"I wish to thank my wife Rosanna and all my family for their never ending support during my time at Leicester. "My thanks go to Paolo and Andrea who accompanied me on this wonderful journey. To Steve Kutner and Franco Granello for bringing me the opportunity to become a champion.

"Mostly I have to thank Leicester City Football Club. The adventure was amazing and will live with me forever."Thank you to all the journalists and the media who came with us and enjoyed reporting on the greatest story in football.

"My heartfelt thanks to everybody at the club, all the players, the staff, everybody who was there and was part of what we achieved.
"But mostly to the supporters. You took me into your hearts from day one and loved me. I love you too. No one can ever take away what we together have achieved, and I hope you think about it and smile every day the way I always will.

"It was a time of wonderfulness and happiness that I will never forget. It's been a pleasure and an honour to be a Champion with all of you.

 

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Mkhitaryan absence gives Rooney hope of EFL Cup final start, admits Mourinho

After a week of intense speculation linking him with a move to the Chinese Super League, Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney could yet start the EFL Cup final against Southampton on Sunday.

The 31-year-old England forward, skipper for both club and country, had been tipped in many quarters to leave the Premier League ahead of the transfer window closing in China on Tuesday.

He reiterated his commitment to United in a statement on Thursday and, with fellow attacker Henrikh Mkhitaryan ruled out due to injury, the club's record goalscorer might find himself in the starting XI at Wembley Stadium, despite having fallen down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho."I have to make a decision," the Portuguese manager told a news conference when quizzed on Rooney's possible inclusion from kick-off.

"You know that we normally play two different systems. Sometimes we play with two midfield players and a number 10. Sometimes we play with a number six and two midfield players in front.
"Without Mkhitaryan, if we want to play with a number 10, obviously Wayne, this is his position. This is where he was playing many matches with us. So he is an option for me. A final is a special match and he's an option for me."

 

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Manchester United draw Rostov in Europa League last 16

Manchester United have been drawn against Russian club Rostov in the last 16 of the Europa League.

Jose Mourinho's men reached the knockout stage with a 4-0 aggregate victory over Saint-Etienne, having finished runners up in their group, and they are the only Premier League club remaining in the competition after Tottenham were eliminated on Thursday.

Elsewhere, Serie A outfit Roma have been drawn against Ligue 1 side Lyon, while there is an all-Bundesliga clash as Schalke take on Borussia Monchengladbach.

Belgian rivals Gent and Genk will face off in a last-16 local affair, but their fellow First Division side Anderlecht must travel to Cyprus to take on APOEL. La Liga side Celta Vigo have been tasked with a trip to Russia to take on Krasnodar.

Dutch giants Ajax will have to make a short trip north to Denmark after being drawn against Kobenhavn, while Greece and Turkey meet when Olympiacos take on Besiktas.

Europa League last 16 draw in full

Celta Vigo vs Krasnodar
APOEL vs Anderlecht
Schalke vs Borussia Monchengladbach
Lyon vs Roma
Rostov vs Manchester United
Olympiacos vs Besiktas
Gent vs Genk
Kobenhavn vs Ajax

 

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Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.02.25

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.02.25

Chelsea Vs Swansea

Crystal Palace Vs Middlebrough

Everton Vs Sunderland

Hull City Vs Burnley

WBA Vs Bournemouth

Watford Vs West Ham

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LA Liga Fixtures 2017.02.25

LA Liga Fixtures 2017.02.25

Alaves Vs Valencia

Real Betis Vs Sevilla

Leganes Vs Deportivo

Eibar Vs Malaga​

 

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Serie A Fixtures 2017.02.25

Serie A Fixtures 2017.02.25

Napoli Vs Atalanta

Juventus Vs Empoli​

 

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Bundesliga Fixtures 2017.02.25

Bundesliga Fixtures 2017.02.25

Leverkusen Vs Mainz

Bayern Vs Hamburg

Leipzig Vs Cologne

Freiburg Vs Dortmund

Darmstadt Vs Augsburg

Hertha Berlina Vs Frankfurt​

 

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‘Everything is wrong’ – Henry slams Ranieri sacking

Thierry Henry has hit out at Leicester for sacking manager Claudio Ranieri.

The Italian famously guided the Foxes to a fairytale Premier League win in season 2015-16, but with the champions now flirting with the relegation zone, he has been relieved of his duties at the King Power Stadium.It is a decision that Arsenal great Henry does not understand.“Everything is wrong. Is he not allowed to have a bad moment?” the Frenchman told Sky Sports.

“I hear that his signings weren’t good enough or there are problems with the coaching staff. Behind closed doors, a lot of stuff must be happening. It doesn’t mean he has to go. “The easiest thing to do is to sack the manager, because you can’t clear the whole team out. But he’s just won the league with Leicester.

“I saw the tweet of Roberto Mancini, saying he will remain in the history of Leicester. He will stay in the history of football, not only in England, but in the world – he won the league with Leicester.“Six months after, he’s gone. That’s crazy.”

Henry continued: “Like everybody else, I’m shocked, disappointed for the man. It seems that winning doesn’t secure you anything anymore. It’s a weird one. He won manager of the year with FIFA and now he’s out of a job.

“He won the league, he’s gone. Pellegrini won the League Cup last year, he’s gone. Van Gaal won the FA Cup last year, he’s gone. What’s that all about?“We can talk about Mourinho, who won the league with Chelsea and then got the sack the year after.

“Back in the day, that would have secured you a bit of time. OK he’s having a bad season in the league, but it’s not good enough.

“We all know what we would like to see, a bit of consistency and to keep your manager, especially if he’s won at a club.“It’s still a sad day for me, for football and especially for Ranieri.”

 

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'He is a Man Utd player because he is exciting' - Giggs hails Rashford potential

On February 25 2016, Marcus Rashford was handed his Manchester United debut.With Louis van Gaal’s options depleted by injury, the talented teenager was thrust into a Europa League clash with Midtjylland by the Red Devils manager.

Any fears that the stage may be too big for a relatively untested academy graduate were eased over the course of 90 impressive minutes as Rashford netted a deadly double.Twelve months on and the 19-year-old is now an established first team star at Old Trafford and a senior international who graced Euro 2016 with England.

He has found the going a little tougher this term, with the surprise element having been eliminated from his game, but he remains a player of considerable promise and one United legend Ryan Giggs always believed would reach the top at a club set up to embrace his ability.

Giggs told PA Sport: "I remember watching him the week before [his debut], it may have even been three or four days before that game, training with the reserves.
"He obviously stood out and he looked sharp but, little did we know that three or four days later, he would be starring and ending the season so well and then going onto the Euros with England.

"He is an exciting prospect. He's just so quick and direct. His best position, really, is through the middle, coming up with the goods and he is just an exciting player."I always say he is a Man United player because he is exciting, he has got a good mentality and he is tough. I think he'll do well at United for a long, long time."

Giggs also progressed through the youth ranks at United to become one of the most decorated players in the clubs history, and he admits it is vital for that production line to continue churning out home-grown talent.

The former Wales international added: "It is important - someone who the fans see has come through the ranks, someone who is one of their own, someone who grew up in the area.

"It's important and it is important at most clubs, but obviously United, when they've got that great history of young players coming through, there's that added pressure as well.

"I think the fans always get behind the young players that come through, even if they make mistakes they still get behind them.“The best thing of all is that Marcus is a good kid. He wants to improve, wants to be the best and to come through as a centre-forward at United is not easy."

 

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'We don't have any problem' - Evra says he is 'good' with Suarez

Patrice Evra claims to be “good with Luis Suarez” following an infamous clash between the pair during a Premier League meeting between Manchester United and Liverpool.

A fiery encounter in 2011 saw former Liverpool forward Suarez found guilty by the Football Association of racially abusing the French defender.The next time their paths crossed, Suarez refused to shake Evra’s hand.

It was, however, to be the United defender who had the last laugh as a Wayne Rooney double saw the Red Devils to a 2-1 win.Evra took the opportunity to celebrate in front of Suarez at the final whistle, with tensions running high at Old Trafford.

He is, however, prepared to put the episode behind him and move on.Evra, who is now on the books at Marseille, told beIN Sports: "There are a lot of memories. Of course when we had this problem with Suarez.

"We won 2-1 and all the players played for me and it was amazing with my celebration in front of him."But now I'm happy, I'm good with Suarez. We don't have any problem."

Evra enjoyed plenty of battles with Liverpool during eight-and-a-half years in Manchester and admits that he always relished encounters between two old adversaries.He added: "My first Manchester United v Liverpool game was at Old Trafford.

"I won the foul, we did the free kick and Rio Ferdinand scored the winning goal.
"Before those games the fans were just crazy. The atmosphere in Anfield, you can feel they hate Man United."It gives you so much energy to play that kind of game."

 

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La Liga teams raise their game against Real Madrid, claims Zidane

Zinedine Zidane believes Real Madrid face a tough battle to win La Liga because opponents will always produce their best performance against them.The leaders suffered a 2-1 defeat to Valencia on Wednesday that has given some hope to Barcelona and Sevilla in the race for the title.

Sevilla can go top if they win the derby against Real Betis on Saturday, while defending champions Barca will take their place if they beat Atletico Madrid on Sunday before Madrid meet Villarreal.Madrid still have the advantage of a game in hand over their closest rivals, but Zidane has called on his players to expect teams to be fired up to face them.

"It's getting more difficult," he told a news conference. "They're a very good opponent, well organised defensively. It's good for us to play [on Sunday], after the defeat on Wednesday, so we can try to put it behind us.

"It was an opportunity that we let slip, but you shouldn't keep coming back to it, it's not something that can be fixed any more. We just have to think about the next game. What happened, happened.

"We know that we can and should improve, always. For the teams who play against Real Madrid, it's the game of the year. And that's normal, it's an extra motivation, it's something we have to take into account."

Barca's clash with Atletico could give Madrid a boost in terms of their advantage at the top, but Zidane is refusing to focus on anything other than beating Villarreal.
"We can't control that game. We're only looking at ours. The only thing we can control is what we do on the pitch," the coach said.

"Until the end of the season, nobody knows what will happen. We had a big disadvantage last year and at the end we had a chance. You never know what will happen in football."Sergio Ramos rejected the assertion that Madrid were punished for a poor attitude at Mestalla and Zidane backed his captain's comments.

"There was no lack of attitude," he said. "We had two mistakes that cost us two goals, but the attitude was very good. You have to analyse and think about what happened and be more focused in key moments."It's difficult to maintain concentration thinking that the opposition can score at any moment."

Gareth Bale has been tipped to return to the starting line-up at Estadio de la Ceramica, with Zidane confirming that he has recovered full fitness since his return to training following an ankle injury.He also suggested that Marco Asensio will be given some time on the pitch, having sat out the last three league matches.

"Apart from [Raphael] Varane and Danilo, everyone is okay," the former midfielder explained. "Bale has had a few days training with us, he's at 100 per cent."I'm very happy with Asensio's work. But everyone knows that, when there are only 18 places in the squad, someone has to be left out.

"I'm happy with Asensio; he'll get some minutes."
Madrid confirmed this week that Varane has suffered a hamstring strain, and although he does not think the injury is too serious, Zidane acknowledged that the centre-back's absence is a big blow.

"It's a very tough loss," he added. "He's played a lot of matches, he's a very important player, as he has shown with his form. He's out for an indefinite period.
"With a grade two injury, it's normally not too long, but there are other players who are ready to play in his position. We're not happy with the injury but there's nothing we can do.

 

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Ibrahimovic better than ever and could play until he turns 40, says Man Utd boss Mourinho

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has backed Zlatan Ibrahimovic to keep playing at the highest level until he turns 40 and believes the former Sweden star is even better than when he first worked with him at Inter.

Ibrahimovic has been in impressive form since joining United from Paris Saint-Germain, scoring 24 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions, and Mourinho is hugely impressed with the 35-year-old's performances."I think he is even better than when I worked with him at Inter," Mourinho told Sky Sports.

"He is more collected, more intelligent and understands the game even better. He is not just a finisher, but is also important when it comes to creating goals."He is a leader. He has a special feeling, a special care with the younger guys.

"I think he could play on until he is 40 from a physical point of view. "But is not only about the physical point of view. It is also about a mental point of view. One day he will make his decision and the world of football will have to accept it. What he has been doing is phenomenal. But one day he will wake up and decide enough is enough."

Mourinho, who is preparing his side for an EFL Cup final showdown with Southampton on Sunday, is not the first to suggest that Ibrahimovic has many years left in him yet.

The coach who helped to launch the striker’s career at Malmo, Michael Andersson, said in January: Zlatan’s skills fit United very well. He always adapts to whatever league he is in. I don’t think him playing until he’s 40 is impossible.

“He has been lucky not to have any serious injuries in his career. “But it’s not impossible he can play for United for another three or five years.”

 

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Freiburg 0-3 Borussia Dortmund: Aubameyang double helps Tuchel's men to victory

Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang ended a four-game scoreless streak with a double as Borussia Dortmund ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at Freiburg on Saturday.The Gabon international suffered a nightmare at Benfica in the Champions League last week, missing a penalty as well as spurning two more clear-cut opportunities.

And it looked as though his struggles were set to continue on Saturday as he was guilty of two more glaring misses after Sokratis Papastathopoulos had given the visitors an early lead.

But he ended his own personal drought 10 minutes into the second half, tapping home from three yards after stunning work from Marco Reus.

His second arrived with 20 minutes to play - another straightforward tap-in thanks to superb approach play involving Ousmane Dembele and Erik Durm.

The victory, Dortmund's 12th successive Bundesliga win over Freiburg, allowed Thomas Tuchel's side to cement their position in third with fourth-placed Hoffenheim three points behind before their trip to Schalke on Sunday.

Dortmund made three changes from last weekend's 3-0 win over Wolfsburg and it was two of those, Sokratis and Raphael Guerreiro, who combined to open the scoring in the 13th minute.Sokratis looked to be offside as Guerreiro swung in a free-kick from the right, which the Greece defender met with a header planted inside the right-hand post.

Aubameyang missed his kick when presented with a gilt-edged chance five minutes later following good work from Gonzalo Castro and Guerreiro, the Gabonese then thumping a shot straight at Alexander Schwolow as Dortmund sought a second.

Freiburg somehow survived on the half-hour as Schwolow superbly denied Guerreiro before Aubameyang and the Portuguese both failed to get a telling touch in the frantic scramble that ensued.

The hosts were breached early after the restart, however, as Reus nutmegged Caglar Soyuncu down the left and squared for Aubameyang who could not miss an empty net.

Freiburg's first real threat to Dortmund's goal came through substitute Florian Niederlechner, who was thwarted at close quarters by Roman Burki in the 65th minute.

And the importance of that stop was underlined shortly afterwards as Dembele's slide-rule pass released Durm, who selflessly teed up Aubameyang for another simple tap-in.


Substitutes Andre Schurrle and Shinji Kagawa combined late on, only for the latter to head wastefully wide, but it mattered little as Dortmund cruised to a comfortable success.

 

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Chelsea 3-1 Swansea: Blues move further clear at the top

Lukasz Fabianski's costly error allowed Chelsea to go 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 home win over Swansea on Saturday.

Cesc Fabregas gave the Blues the lead on his 300th Premier League appearance - the former Arsenal man producing a fine performance on a day that saw legendary Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard honoured at half-time following his retirement.

But Chelsea were pegged back by Fernando Llorente's excellent header on the stroke of half-time at Stamford Bridge, with Fabianski then looking very difficult to beat for a second time.

Fabregas was denied a brace by the crossbar but Chelsea were able to restore their lead in fortuitous circumstances.

The visitors' Polish goalkeeper produced a mistake that belied his strong showing as he somehow let a seemingly innocuous Pedro effort evade his grasp before Diego Costa took his individual tally against Swansea to eight with a late third.

Chelsea's advantage at the summit is now into double figures and Tottenham will take over as their closest challengers should they pull within 10 points by beating Stoke City on Sunday.

Antonio Conte's side started with purpose, Pedro curling over from the edge of the area inside the first minute, but Chelsea struggled to break down Swansea following that early opening.Indeed, it took an excellently worked move for Fabregas to open the scoring in the 19th minute.

Eden Hazard started the attack and linked up superbly with Costa before the ball was worked out to Pedro, who centred for Fabregas to stab into the bottom-left corner.

Only the fantastic reflexes of Fabianski denied Fabregas a second, the Swansea goalkeeper diving to his right to keep out the Spaniard's volley into the ground from a Victor Moses cross.

Chelsea continued to enjoy the better of the play but Conte saw his side pegged back on the stroke of half-time as Llorente provided a reminder of what they could have bought in January.

Sigurdsson lofted a free-kick from just inside the Chelsea half into the box and Llorente, who had been linked with the Blues last month, met the delivery with a thumping header that flew beyond the grasp of Thibaut Courtois.

Fabianski was required to preserve parity with a low stop down to his right to thwart the instrumental Hazard, and it was the Belgian who supplied the cross as Fabregas was cruelly denied by the woodwork.

Fabregas met Hazard's pull back with a thunderous drive that clattered off the crossbar with Fabianski beaten.

Swansea had a huge appeal for a penalty turned down despite Cesar Azpilicueta appearing to handle in the area, and there was more misfortune for the visitors as Chelsea regained the lead.

Pedro's low effort from outside the box appeared tame enough for Fabianski to handle, but the Pole somehow allowed it to creep under him and into the bottom-left corner.

Costa added gloss to the scoreline by volleying in Hazard's clever cross from close range to halt Swansea's resurgence under Paul Clement and take another step towards regaining the title, while also equalling a club record by securing their 12th successive home victory in all competitions.

 

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Everton 2-0 Sunderland: Toffees extend unbeaten run

It was an unhappy return to Goodison Park for David Moyes as Romelu Lukaku wrapped up Sunderland's 2-0 defeat at Everton on Saturday and prevented them from lifting themselves off the bottom of the Premier League table.

Moyes, who spent 11 and a half years managing Everton, found himself back at Goodison for the first time since a 2-0 defeat in April 2014 resulted in his Manchester United dismissal, but his current charges rarely looked capable of recording an upset and their lack of luck was summed up by Jermain Defoe striking the crossbar just before Lukaku's late clincher.

Everton controlled what was a one-sided first half and, although Sunderland did improve as it progressed, the hosts deservedly led at the break thanks to Idrissa Gueye's fine strike.

The visitors looked a greater attacking threat after half-time, though their lack of creativity meant Everton remained relatively comfortable at the back – Joel Robles rarely finding himself involved.The previously anonymous Defoe was finally presented with an opening 12 minutes from time, only to see his effort come back off the frame of the goal.

And Lukaku took full advantage of that let-off, finding the net on the break shortly after to secure an Everton win with his 17th league goal of the season and keep the pressure on in the race to finish in the European places.

It took a purposeful Everton seven minutes to craft their first chance, as Ademola Lookman met Leighton Baines' pass just inside the area and saw his effort spilled by Jordan Pickford, but the goalkeeper – back after two months out – recovered and stopped it on the line.

Pickford was called into action again 13 minutes later and he was rather more assertive this time as he kept Gueye out from a tight angle after the midfielder robbed Billy Jones and darted into the left side of the box.Sunderland finally found a foothold with Adnan Januzaj looking lively down the right, but they failed to test Robles and left themselves open to counter-attacks.

And Everton eventually broke their resolve on the break five minutes before half-time – Gueye latching on to Seamus Coleman's cut-back and applying an emphatic finish from 16 yards.

They almost added a second at the end of the half, but Tom Davies' 20-yard drive came back off the right-hand post.

Sunderland's improvement continued after the break as they looked to put Everton under more meaningful pressure.They kept plugging away and at no stage of the second period did Sunderland find themselves clinging on at the back.

And they went agonisingly close to securing a potentially vital equaliser, Sunderland catching Everton short of numbers at the back only for Defoe's 16-yard effort to crash back off the underside of the crossbar.

That escape gave Everton the jolt they needed to finish things off.Lukaku charged through after being played into the Sunderland half by Kevin Mirallas and the striker held off Bryan Oviedo before slotting past Pickford.


Substitute Enner Valencia was then denied when one-on-one with Pickford as Everton looked to further crush Sunderland's morale, but it mattered little for the hosts, who extended their unbeaten run to nine league games.