Established 1961 15 Wednesday, December 30, 2020 Sports Chelsea fail to lift mounting pressure on Frank Lampard COVID’s spike causes Man City postponement LONDON: Chelsea failed to ease the mounting believer in you want to play every game and if pressure on manager Frank Lampard as Aston they are doing well keep playing them.” Villa came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Monday, as a coronavirus COVID outbreak at Man City outbreak at Manchester City caused their clash For just the second time since the 2019/20 at Everton to be postponed. Lampard’s men have Premier League match season resumed in June, a now won just one of their last five league games match was postponed due to coronavirus infections to fall six points behind leaders Liverpool in after a spike at City. The Manchester giants sixth and having played a game more than the announced on Christmas Day there had been posi- champions. Chelsea also trail Villa on goal differ- tive tests at the club for players Kyle Walker and ence, despite Dean Smith’s men having two Gabriel Jesus and two staff members. games in hand, and the visitors were well worthy A further round of tests revealed more positives of a point. on Monday, reportedly for three players, leading to “Now it’s a tough moment and you have to the Premier League to agree to City’s request for fight through it,” said Lampard. “Nobody let me the match to be called off. “With the security of the down tonight, everyone worked, we just didn’t bubble compromised, there posed a risk that the quite get the rub of the green.” Lampard was virus could spread further amongst the squad, the able to make six changes from the side beaten at staff and potentially beyond,” City said in a state- Arsenal 48 hours ago. Olivier Giroud was one of ment. “Based on strong medical advice the Premier LONDON: Aston Villa’s Dutch striker Anwar El Ghazi (2nd left) shoots to score the equalizing goal those drafted into the side and the French inter- League, in consultation with both clubs, have decid- past Chelsea’s French-born Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy (right) during the English national proved his worth with a precise near ed to postpone the fixture.” Premier League football match between Chelsea and Aston Villa on December 28, 2020. —AFP post header from Ben Chilwell’s cross to open The club’s training ground will now close for an the scoring with his ninth of the season. “indeterminate period” with further testing on play- By contrast, Smith made just one enforced ers and staff to take place before it can reopen. City Leicester pay penalty without Vardy Vardy in particular was missed as Kelechi change from the team that played for 45 minutes are due to face Chelsea away in the Premier League Earlier, a much-changed Leicester moved up to Iheanacho had a first-half penalty saved by Vicente with 10 men in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Crystal on Sunday and Manchester United in the League second thanks to Harvey Barnes’ late equalizer in a Guaita. Wilfried Zaha’s stunning near post volley Palace. But Villa showed no signs of fatigue in the Cup semi-finals on January 6. “The Premier League 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace. With little over 48 hours then put the Eagles in front against the run of play. second-half and leveled when Anwar El Ghazi Board received medical advice that the match rest between the Foxes’ 2-2 draw with Manchester Vardy was summoned from the bench to find a turned home his fifth goal in as many games from should be postponed,” the Premier League said in a United on Saturday and the trip to Selhurst Park, route back into the game, but instead it was the in- Matty Cash’s cross five minutes into the second- statement. “The Premier League continues to have Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers made seven form Barnes who scored an excellent equaliser as half. “I’m still yet to see a player carried off the full confidence in its protocols and rules, and the changes with Jamie Vardy, James Maddison and he wriggled clear of a number of Palace challenges pitch with exhaustion,” said Smith. “I’m a big way in which all clubs are implementing them.” Youri Tielemans among those left on the bench. before firing into the bottom corner.-—AFP Pochettino favorite to take over as PSG sack coach Tuchel Real resume Atletico PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain yesterday contributed to the club,” said PSG confirmed the sacking of coach chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi. “Thomas chase; Messi absent Thomas Tuchel, who had been at the has put a lot of energy and passion club since July 2018, but did not name into the job, and we will of course for Barcelona clash his successor. “After an in-depth analy- remember the good moments we sis of its sporting situation, Paris Saint- shared together. I wish him all the best MADRID: Real Madrid will attempt to sign off the Germain decided to terminate Thomas for the future.” Less than three months year with a sixth win on the bounce as Zinedine Tuchel’s contract,” the French giants on from the final defeat to Bayern Zidane’s in-form side continue their pursuit of La announced in a statement. Argentinean Munich in Lisbon, Tuchel has become Liga leaders and city rivals Atletico Madrid today. Mauricio Pochettino, the ex-Tottenham the first PSG coach to leave mid-sea- Defending champions Real are level on 32 points coach and a former PSG player, is son since Antoine Kombouare was DORTMUND: This file photo shows Paris Saint-Germain’s German coach with Atletico but have played two games more than widely reported to be the favorite to replaced by Carlo Ancelotti in Thomas Tuchel during a press conference. —AFP Diego Simeone’s men ahead of their trip to Elche. take over. December 2011. Karim Benzema has been the driving force Tuchel, whose axing was widely to their first ever appearance in a known as a stickler for detail, which behind Real’s excellent December run, claiming key reported but unconfirmed last week, Barca date looms Champions League final against coupled with his tactical acumen, goals in wins over Athletic Bilbao, Eibar and managed PSG 127 times in all competi- Tuchel departs the Parc des Princes Liverpool in 2019. Although he has yet devotion to an attractive style of play Granada after securing the club a spot in the tions, with 95 wins, 12 draws and 20 having secured a last 16 Champions to win any silverware the former PSG and his popularity amongst Parisian Champions League knockout phase. Eden Hazard is defeats. His trophy haul featured two League clash with Barcelona and PSG defender’s stock is high in managerial fans, makes him a potentially ideal fit as also in line to feature after recovering from his latest Ligue 1 titles (2019, 2020) as well as sitting third in Ligue 1 - a point shy of circles. The Parisians will be keen to the new occupant of the PSG dugout. injury setback. The Belgian was an unused substitute the French Cup and French League leaders Lyon-despite being plagued by complete his signing and avoid missing He would have under his wing sev- in last week’s victory over Granada and has made Cup in 2020. The 47-year-old German injuries, suspensions and coronavirus their man who has been linked to the eral compatriots such as Mauro Icardi, just three league starts this campaign. Real coach also led the Parisian club to their first infections. likes of Real Madrid, Manchester Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes. Zinedine Zidane hopes the short festive break ever Champions League final last Should Pochettino take over, his United and Barca in recent months. His anticipated arrival before the win- afforded to his players over Christmas will not inter- August, which they lost 1-0 to Bayern opening match in charge will be Importantly, Pochettino, like Tuchel, is ter transfer window will allow him to rupt the momentum built over a domestic five-game Munich. Despite appearing to be adept January 6’s trip to Saint-Etienne on at ease in man-managing a dressing bring in new faces, potentially one for- winning streak. at man-managing PSG’s squad of Ligue 1’s resumption after the winter room crammed with a galaxy of stars. mer Spurs charge, Inter Milan’s attack- “We’re going to keep working hard. We have an superstar players such as Neymar and break. Then, on February 16, the Neymar has been at the centre of ing midfielder Christian Eriksen. And awful lot of games, we should be pleased with what Kylian Mbappe, Tuchel reportedly Argentinean could face his first mas- new controversy this week after looking further ahead, given their we’re doing,” said Zidane. “We’re going to lose upset the Qatari-backed club after sive test against his compatriot Lionel Brazilian media reported that he is Argentine ties, Pochettino may be the games again, but we’re going to try to win as many complaining about an apparent lack of Messi’s Barcelona, with the return leg organising a huge New Year’s Eve par- catalyst for six-time Ballon d’Or winner as possible. From time to time it’s inevitable.” recognition at leading PSG to the on March 6. ty despite the coronavirus pandemic- Messi to start regarding PSG as Atletico have responded well to the 2-0 defeat by Champions League final.