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Frank Lampard has admitted his side weren't good enough during their 1-0 defeat to Everton, and feels it was a reality check for those who have said Chelsea have the best squad in the division and are Premier League title favourites.

The Blues fell behind to a Gylfi Sigurdsson penalty at Goodison Park on Saturday and were unable to fashion a response.

Lampard says his side did not stand up to the physical challenge posed by Everton, and feels lessons will be learned from the performance.

The defeat is their first in any competition since the loss to Liverpool on September 20, and Lampard says it is an indicator that his side should not be classed as title favourites – as Reds manager Jurgen Klopp said recently.

“It is a long season,” Lampard told BT Sport. “If it makes people who are talking about us, saying we are going to win the league, we have got the best squad in the league. It is ridiculous stuff. 

"When you talk about best squads, you have to look at the teams who have won it in the last two, three, four years. Their squads are full of strikers and wingers who score 30 or 40 goals a season and midfield players who have won multiple league titles all over the place. 

“We have some, but we have young players and as a squad we are not there.

“In two or three years if I am still here and have a couple of leagues in our pocket and you ask me if we are title contenders I will say yes, but at the moment people want to look at our squad and talk about it. 

“It is very quick that it has gone from after West Brom and Southampton and we were nowhere near good enough, rubbish, useless. Now last week we have the best squad in the league and are going to win it. 

“We are probably somewhere in the middle and that’s the reality of it.”

Commenting on his side's display, Lampard said: “We were not at our best. The first 20 minutes were key. I knew it was coming, longer balls, second balls, a team desperate for a win and with capabilities to make it really difficult.

“When you go 1-0 down it absolutely is their game plan which is to make it difficult. They did it well and we did not have enough. For our levels, for what we have been recently, it’s not good enough.

“The lads are gutted in there as we have been on a good run. It was a big test and we did not pass the test, but we will in the future.”

Everton’s winning goal from the spot came after goalkeeper Edouard Mendy raced off his line and fouled Dominic Calvert-Lewin. 

It was not a great decision from Mendy, but Lampard said he had been outstanding since his arrival from Rennes.

“I don’t think he was just culpable,” Lampard said. “He has been outstanding since he’s been here, so I'll take that one.”

Chelsea missed the chance to move top of the Premier League table as Gylfi Sigurdsson's penalty secured Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti a 1-0 win over his former club. 

Ancelotti endured a miserable return to Stamford Bridge last season with his current employers, Everton going down 4-0 in the capital. 

However, he came out on top in a second meeting with Frank Lampard, who was part of the Chelsea squad who secured a domestic double under the Italian coach in the 2009-10 season. 

The only goal of the game arrived in the 22nd minute thanks to an early Christmas gift from Edouard Mendy, the goalkeeper needlessly charging into Dominic Calvert-Lewin as the striker attempted to get on the end of his own flick-on from Jordan Pickford's long punt. 

Sigurdsson calmly rolled in his attempt from the spot for his first league goal in 17 games, much to the delight of the 2,000-strong crowd inside Goodison Park. 

Chelsea responded brightly to the setback of falling behind, Reece James striking a post with a low drive that Pickford appeared to get a slight touch to, while Kurt Zouma – who spent a season on loan at Everton earlier in his career – planted a close-range attempt straight at the England goalkeeper. 

Richarlison failed to capitalise on a clear shooting opportunity before the break for the hosts, slipping as he struck the ball with his left foot to make Mendy's life easier. 

Sigurdsson went close with a free-kick early in the second half and was then denied the chance to take another penalty when a VAR check found Calvert-Lewin offside prior to being bundled over by Ben Chilwell. 

Still, one goal proved enough as Chelsea failed to find an equaliser, despite Lampard sending on Tammy Abraham in place of the ineffective Kai Havertz to partner Olivier Giroud up top.

Mason Mount saw a free-kick kept out by a post as Everton held firm, in the process securing a third successive home win over their opponents as they moved into the top half.

Everton had stuttered after an excellent start to the 2020-21 season, winning just once in their previous seven league outings after opening up with four wins on the spin.

Their cause was not helped by a shortage of full-backs - Mason Holgate and Ben Godfrey did an admirable job either side of the excellent Michael Keane and Yerry Mina - in what was a battling display, as shown by them having just 28 per cent possession. Indeed, Chelsea failed to manage an on-target attempt in the entire second half.

Sigurdsson pulls the strings

The Iceland international has managed more Premier League goals against Chelsea than any other side in the competition, also scoring twice against them while playing for Tottenham and Swansea.

Everton's captain created six chances for his team-mates before making way in the closing minutes, while no one else on the pitch created more than two.

In it for keeps?

Mendy had seemingly solved the keeper conundrum at Chelsea, conceding just twice in seven league games prior to the trip to Merseyside. However, Lampard will have every reason to question why the signing from Rennes felt the need to rush out and confront Calvert-Lewin when the situation was under control.

What's next?

Chelsea are back on the road again during a full round of midweek Premier League fixtures, travelling to Wolves on Tuesday. Everton have an extra day to recover before they visit Leicester City.

Real Madrid beat LaLiga pacesetters Atletico Madrid 2-0 in the derby on Saturday to close to within three points of the leaders and cap a brilliant week.

Pressure was building on Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane before his side won at Sevilla last weekend and then progressed in the Champions League by seeing off Borussia Monchengladbach.

The Spanish champions therefore headed into the clash with Atleti in high spirits and quickly established another lead through Casemiro's header.

Atleti had won their prior seven LaLiga matches and were unbeaten this term, but their record against Madrid is rather less impressive and Jan Oblak's unfortunate second-half own goal ensured a ninth consecutive league meeting with their neighbours without victory.

Madrid had the visitors on the back foot from the outset and only a vital fingertip touch from Oblak denied Karim Benzema as he cracked a 20-yard drive against the upright.

The opener arrived soon enough as Casemiro rose to head Toni Kroos' corner inside the near post, unimpeded following marker Hector Herrera's slip, although the game slowed thereafter.

Atleti had to wait until the 55th minute for their first effort of note but should have drawn level as Thomas Lemar ghosted in at the far post after Raphael Varane failed to cut out a low cross, only to stab a tame effort into the side-netting.

They were made to pay eight minutes later when Dani Carvajal rifled in a low shot from outside the area and the ball bounced off the post, against a prone Oblak and into the net.

A recovery from Diego Simeone's men always appeared unlikely and Thibaut Courtois saved well from Saul Niguez's close-range header to allow Madrid to coast home, almost netting a third as Oblak turned Lucas Vazquez's blast over the top.

What does it mean? Blancos back on track

Madrid had lost two of their previous three home league games coming into this contest, but the tide already appeared to have turned earlier in the week.

A vital victory at Sevilla was followed by the most accomplished display of the season so far as they leapfrogged Gladbach, setting the stage for a third win and a third clean sheet.

Atleti did not even have a shot before half-time - the first such instance in this fixture since Opta records began in 2003-04.

Madrid inspired by spine

Since Cristiano Ronaldo departed for Juventus, Madrid have relied heavily on the key men through the centre of their side: Courtois, Sergio Ramos, Casemiro and Benzema.

Six times this season that quartet have started together in LaLiga, six times they have won. Only one of the other half-dozen matches have ended in victory.

While Casemiro grabbed a goal, this was a particularly special outing for Benzema, who surpassed Roberto Carlos for the most Madrid appearances by a foreign player (528).

Atleti lament Lemar miss

Lemar last week netted his first club goal since April 2019, but Saturday brought a return to his frustrating prior form in LaLiga.

The France international came off the bench at half-time yet failed to create a single chance and passed up Atleti's clearest opportunity with one of his two shots.

What's next?

Madrid are quickly back in action at home to Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday, while Atletico have Copa del Rey duty against Cardassar the following day.

Nigeria have failed in their bid to qualify for the 2021 U20 Africa Cup of Nations following Ghana’s inability to defeat Cote d’Ivoire in Saturday’s Wafu U20 Zone B fixture.

The Flying Eagles began their campaign on an uninspiring note following their 1-1 draw versus the Young Elephants at the Charles De Gaulle Stadium.

Despite needing a win against the Black Satellites in their last preliminary game – the seven-time African kings bowed 1-0 to the 2009 world youth champions thanks to Precious Boah’s stunning free-kick that was unstoppable for goalkeeper Kolawole Oladipo.

With that result, their only hope of progressing was seeing coach Abdul Karim Zito’s boys defeat the Ivorians by at least a two-goal margin.

Nevertheless, that was not the case as Ghana lost 1-0 to Cote d’Ivoire owing to a second-half strike.

Fofana Datro who was a torn in the flesh of the Ghanaian backline won a free-kick very close to the 18-yeard box on the hour mark, and Issouf Dosso curved the ensuing kick past goalkeeper Ibrahim Danlad.

That result saw Nigeria bow out of the competition having finished third in Group B with just one point from two games, while the Black Satellites finished as runners-up with three points from the same number of games.

With four points, the Ivorians won the group and will now face Burkina Faso in the last four. Elsewhere, Zito’s team will try Niger Republic for size for a place in the final.

The 2021 U20 Afcon serves as qualifiers for next year’s Fifa U20 World Cup to be staged in Indonesia.

Nigeria finished fourth at the 2019 Afcon U20 staged in Niger Republic. At the global fiesta held in Poland, the team led by Paul Aigbogun crashed out after the Round of 16 following their 2-1 defeat to Senegal.

The Flying Eagles are the most successful country in Africa at this level of competition having won the championship for a record seven times. Their last triumph was achieved at the 2015 edition when they defeated hosts Senegal 1-0 in the final.

NorthEast United are set to take on Chennaiyin FC who have lost their last two matches, in the first of Sunday's double header in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco.

TV CHANNELS & LIVE STREAM

The Star Sports Network have the exclusive broadcasting rights of the ISL in India.

Commentary will also be available in vernacular languages across India.

TEAM NEWS

NorthEast United Possible XI:

Injured - None
Doubtful - None
Suspended - None

Key Players - Luis Machado, Kwesi Appiah   

Chennaiyin FC Possible XI: 

Injured - Enes Sipovic, Isma Goncalves
Doubtful - None
Suspended - None

Key Players - Anirudh Thapa, Rafael Crivellaro

Orlando Pirates captain Thulani Hlatshwayo couldn't have asked for a better start to his time with the Buccaneers, having led them to the 2020 MTN8 title just a few months after arriving at the club.

Pirates beat Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1 in a captivating final at a rainy Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday evening, thanks to goals from Deon Hotto and Thembinkosi Lorch.

Bucs had found themselves on the back foot after conceding as early as the fourth minute. But they bounced back and showed great character to end the club's six-year wait for a trophy.

Hlatshwayo made his name in South African soccer after graduating through the Ajax Cape Town ranks and then later enjoyed great success with Bidvest Wits.

Now 30-years-old, for the boyhood Orlando Pirates fan who hails from Soweto, it was a dream come true to win silverware as skipper of the Sea Robbers.

"It's overwhelming, in my first season, first cup," he told SuperSport TV after the game. "And now hoping for more, and obviously now the focus goes back to the league because we haven't really got into the momentum of the league - so the focus goes there now.

"We know how big this team is, and obviously the questions were asked, ‘What are you going to change?’. We kept saying 'success', and we are happy to have the first trophy of the season," the Bafana Bafana captain concluded.

Apart from the early Celtic goal, Hlatshwayo and his central defensive partner Ntsikelelo Nyauza were solid on the night and made some vital tackles and blocks.

Nyauza paid tribute to the Pirates supporters with the victory.

"I'm happy, very happy for the organization, for the technical team, for the management, we needed this more than anything. It's more than a trophy - it's for the supporters, it's for the new players who came in," said the 30-year-old.

"And you know, this year wasn't an easy year. The Covid and all that, we must just bring happiness to the people out there, thank you very much."

Dominic Solanke scored a brace as AFC Bournemouth romped to a 5-0 triumph over Huddersfield Town in a Championship match on Saturday.

The Nigerian descent returned to the scoresheet at Vitality Stadium after the Cherries' goalless draw against Swansea City on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old striker opened the scoring at Vitality Stadium in the eighth minute and five minutes later, he doubled the hosts' lead before laying an assist for David Brooks who made it 3-0 in the 21st minute.

Goals from Junior Stanislas and Sam Surridge after the restart completed the rout for Jason Tindall's side who bounced to victory at home, after their 3-2 loss to Preston North End a fortnight ago.

Saturday's brace stretched Solanke's tally to eight goals in the second division this season, seven goals behind top scorer Brentford's Ivan Toney.

The former Chelsea forward surpassed his best record of seven goals in 25 Eredivisie matches with Vitesse in 2015-16 and he is currently enjoying his best return in a league campaign this term.

Solanke was later replaced by Rodrigo Riquelme in the 71st minute while Zimbabwe's Jordan Zemura made his Championship debut as an 87th-minute substitute and Nigeria's Nnamdi Ofoborh was an unused substitute.

Meanwhile, the victory boosted Bournemouth's quest for promotion to the Premier League as they sit second in the Championship table with 34 points from 18 matches, three points behind leaders Norwich City.

Solanke will aim to maintain his goalscoring form when the Cherries welcome Adebayo Akinfenwa’s Wycombe Wanderers to Vitality Stadium for their next league match on Tuesday.

Wycombe are enduring an eight-game winless streak in the Championship with their last victory dating back to November 4 when they defeated Birmingham City 2-1.

Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard has said he couldn't afford to take a chance with Christian Pulisic after he was omitted from his side for Saturday's trip to Everton.

Pulisic has struggled with injuries this season and with Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi currently out, Lampard said he wasn't going to risk the U.S. international for the game at Goodison Park. 

He did express some hope, however, that Pulisic could return for Tuesday night's Premier League clash against Wolves. 

"Christian has a bit of awareness in his hamstring," Lampard said to reporters prior to the game. "He’s been training through the week but he felt some awareness and we simply can’t risk him.

"We have seen two wingers go down recently, Ziyech last week and Callum in training. We are coming up to a busy period in the season. As we keep saying, players are getting a lot of muscle injuries.

"Christian wasn’t quite ready, but hopefully for Tuesday night, we will find out next week."

Pulisic has endured an injury-hit season, as he's been limited to just eight total appearances for the Blues. He missed several games at the beginning of the campaign while recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered in last term's FA Cup final, while he then missed more time in October and November with another hamstring problem.

The U.S. international played 60 minutes against Leeds last weekend after entering the match in the first half for an injured Ziyech. He would go on to score in the second half as the Blues won 3-1.

Following that match he was left on the bench for Chelsea's midweek draw against Krasnodar in the Champions League.

After the Krasnodar match, Lampard said that Pulisic's hamstring had again become an issue, though he refrained from calling it an injury while insisting he would be ready to face Everton.

"Christian is a work in progress," Lampard said ahead of the trip to Goodison Park. "I don't want to call this an injury that he had in midweek. If the game had been a different type of game, then maybe I would have used him.

"We know his abilities and that's very clear. He showed them when he came on against Leeds in midweek. I just have to find the best way of getting it out of him consistently. Christian had a tiny bit of awareness off the back of the Leeds game on one of his hamstrings but he's training normally, so we should be as we were."

Ahmed El Messaoudi found the net as FC Groningen overpowered RKC Waalwijk 2-0 in Saturday’s Dutch Eredivisie clash.

The Morocco international came into this clash having found the net thrice in his last two games for Danny Buijs’ men.

Against the visitors, he continued with his impressive form in front of goal as Groningen sealed all points at stake.

The hosts had more ball possession in the first half, albeit, were unable to get past RKC who seem comfortable with their defensive approach. They were almost punished after 20 minutes as goalkeeper Sergio Padt was forced to make a save as Melle Meulensteen shot a rebound dangerously towards the left corner after a free-kick.

Groningen came out blazing in the second half, and it was El Messaoudi who handed them a 54th-minute lead.

The 25-year-old profited from a corner kick taken by Jorgen Strand Larsen before unleashing a shot past goalkeeper Kostas Lamprou.

Fourteen minutes before the end of the game, they got their second goal through Daniel an Kaam.

Both teams created opportunities but were poor in the final third – missing several clear-cut opportunities.

While El Messaoudi who has now garnered four goals in 12 top-flight outings was on parade from start to finish, his compatriot Mohamed El Hankouri was not listed for the encounter by manager Buijs.

For visiting Fred Grim's team, Morocco’s Anas Tahiri, Comoros Said Bakari and Belgium winger of DR Congo descent Cyril Ngonge saw every minute of action. Tahiri’s countryman Ayman Azhil who is on loan from Bayer Leverkusen was not listed for the tie.

Owing to the outcome of Saturday’s game, Groningen have now moved to fifth in the Eredivisie table with 23 points from 12 games, while Waalwijk dropped to 12th after accruing 12 points from the same number of matches.

El Messaoudi would be hoping to make it five goals from four games when his team visits struggling Emmen on December 15 at De Oude Meerdijk.

After completing a season-long loan move to Fortuna Sittard in the 2018-19 season, the Atlas Lions man joined Groningen on a three-year contract from KV Mechelen for an undisclosed fee.

He had previously featured for Lierse and Standard Liege after begging his career at the JMG Academy Lier.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has described Manchester United’s 0-0 draw with Manchester City as his side's best performance against their city rivals during his tenure.

In a derby match of few chances and little thrust or drama, United bounced back from the disappointment of being dumped out of the Champions League in midweek to claim a point at Old Trafford on Saturday.

City showed little by way of attacking threat and sorely missed the injured Sergio Aguero, with United comfortable for long spells of the game. 

United also created little, aside from the penalty won by Marcus Rashford which was subsequently overturned due to the forward being offside.

Solskjaer was happy with how his side battled back from the loss to RB Leipzig, and felt it was their best effort against City on his watch.

“In my time against City, that is the best performance we’ve had,” Solskjaer, whose side did the double over City last term, told Sky Sports . “Not the best result, but the best performance.

“I know we beat them a few times last season, but these were different games. This is the most we have been in the game, as in possession-wise and control and we kept them away from our box more.

"They had a few big moments. David [De Gea] a great save, standing up, and Harry [Maguire] a good block so that’s two big chances they had and maybe a foot offside for Marcus.

“Tactically, we knew they were going to give us some problems and I thought we were excellent defensively.”

Reflecting on the defeat to Leipzig and response against City, Solskjaer said: “It is a big disappointment, a big setback and a mental challenge for everyone when that happens. 

“We knew today was going to be a big game so everyone was up for it.”

Paul Pogba was a surprise selection in light of the recent comments from the France international's agent, but Solskjaer said he wanted players in the team who are comfortable on the ball under pressure.

“We did well on the ball and that is the reason behind the selection,” he said. “We wanted players out there who could alleviate pressure on the ball and I thought we did that well.”

Orlando Pirates head coach Josef Zinnbauer was impressed by his side's hunger and performance in the 2020 MTN8 final on Saturday evening.

The Buccaneers came back to defeat Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1 in the final with first-half substitute Thembinkosi Lorch scoring the winning goal. 

Ben Motshwari was named Man of the Match after producing a solid performance in midfield in a match which was played at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

"I think [it was a] difficult game. It's not easy when you concede in the second minute or first minute but we came back quickly," Zinnbauer told SuperSport TV.

"We had a good first half, had chances. Second half we were in control, then you saw Lorch, Ben, were top today, it was a team effort today. 

"Then we scored a second goal and we defended which is normal, but also we had a lot of counter-attacks. We had a little bit of luck in the last minute, [Richard] Ofori made a good save," he continued. 

"It was a good game. We have a title. Thank you to the chairman, thank you to Irvin [Khoza and] Floyd [Mbele]. Thank you to the team."

Lorch replaced Thabang Monare, who had picked up an injury six minutes before the half-hour mark and Zinnbauer explained why the central midfielder started the match. 

"We had a lot of different games and today we deserved to win this game. Monare is an experienced player and we wanted his experience," he said. 

"Lorch came in and brought more offence into the game. I hope Monare doesn't have such a serious problem with his knee.

"I've learnt a lot since being here. It's a good experience for both me and the team. We are happy. We have a title. It's important for us. It's important for the supporters."

The German tactician dedicated the win to his son Fabio Zinnbauer, who was reportedly involved in a car accident last month and he also praised his charges' hunger. 

"They were so hungry for a title and I think nine years ago we last won the MTN8 and now we have done it again," he added. 

"This is for my son, Fabio. I thank God for this game, but I hope you give me my son back."

Pirates will face Chippa United in a PSL match at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday.

Bucs suffered an early setback when the Free State team took the lead through Siphelele Luthuli after just three minutes played in Durban.

Then, after 23 minutes, there was another blow for the Soweto side when holding midfielder Thabang Monare was forced off injured.

He was replaced by Thembinkosi Lorch, who proved to be the difference as he got Bucs back on the front foot; the Sea Robbers equalising in the 33rd minute through Deon Hotto before Lorch got the winner from the penalty spot early in the second half.

"I said that if Orlando Pirates win the game it's going to be off the bench," Modise, a winner of the two MTN8 finals, one with Pirates and one with Cape Town City, stated in the SuperSport TV studio after the match.

"It's unfortunate that Monare got injured, but Lorch came in and did the business for them. He changed the game for them," Modise elaborated.

"They changed positions as [Fortune] Makaringe went back to his normal position (in the centre of midfield) and that became a problem for Celtic, how to deal with that."

The former Bafana Bafana midfielder believes Bucs should now be able to build momentum and challenge for more honours, having ended a six-year wait for a trophy.

"With Orlando Pirates, they've got no business today not winning the trophy, with the kind of players that they have, the team that they have assembled," he said.

"And congratulations to them - its high time that Orlando Pirates have a trophy and I foresee a good season for them because of the confidence that he will bring to the squad after this win."

Modise also paid tribute to Phunya Sele Sele and feels they have provided inspiration to the minnows of the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

"I think also credit must go to Bloemfontein Celtic," he said. "It gives courage to so-called small [clubs] that you can do the best with the players that you have. Having been in two finals in a short space of time, that should encourage the smaller teams with a smaller budget."

Chiamaka Nnadozie scored an own goal as Paris FC edged Dijon to a 3-2 victory in Saturday's French D1 Arkema encounter.

Nnadozie was handed her fourth league start since teaming up with the Parisian in January but her error did not halt her side's quest for a fourth win of the season at the expense of their visitors.

Nigeria's Desire Oparanozie was absent due to a hamstring picked up last month. Morocco's Salma Amani was given her 11th outing of the season but could not save Dijon from defeat.

With a run of three games without a win, the hosts aimed to end their winless form as Evelyne Viens' header beat Dijon goalkeeper Mylene Chavas off Camille Catala's fine cross in the fourth minute.

Sandrine Soubeyrand's team doubled their lead in the 16th minute after Clara Mateo fired past goalkeeper Chavas from six metres.

Dijon, however, pulled one back in the 28th minute when Lea Khelifi's effort from eight metres hit the left post before bouncing off the head of Nnadozie into the back of the net for an own-goal.

After the break, Viens started another attack for the hosts before only having defender Lena Goetsch to beat for her second of the match and third for Paris 10 minutes into the second half.

10 minutes from time, Mylaine Tarrieu beat an offside trap to reduce the deficit for the visitors but her effort was not enough to help them avoid their sixth defeat of the season at Stade Robert Bobin.

Despite scoring an own-goal, Nnadozie lasted the entire duration of the match and helped her side preserve their fourth win of the term.

On the other hand, Morocco's Amani featured for 72 minutes of the game on her 10th outing before she was replaced by Ines Barrier.

The result saw Paris head into the Christmas break in sixth position with 15 points from 11 matches while Dijon were left in eighth from the same number of games.

Roy Keane has questioned the lack of passion in modern Manchester derbies, with the United legend savaging those who indulged in hugs and “wanting to be mates” at the end of a drab goalless draw at Old Trafford.

Two arch-rivals cancelled each other out on Saturday, with the points shared in a contest which produced few incidents of note.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Pep Guardiola reined in any attacking adventure in their latest meeting, with defences on top as both sides sought to ensure that they did not lose.

The flashpoints of days gone by were notable by their absence, with only two yellow cards handed out in a fixture that has delivered plenty of reds down the years.

Keane was quick to pick up on that afterwards, with the former Red Devils captain also taking issue with the post-match pleasantries that saw international colleagues embrace one another while indulging in idle chit chat.

He told Sky Sports: “You can make a lot of excuses. Just on today’s game, it’s really poor at the end of the game, with the quality they have, the lack of desire to go and win a game of football.

“Two bookings in a derby game, I have never seen so many hugs and chats after a derby game.

“I’m scratching my head and I’m really frustrated because I think you have to try and find a way to win a game of football.

“City, as we expected, had loads of possession but were predictable – sideways, backwards, no intensity and a real lack of quality given the players they had on the pitch.

“United, credit to them, defensively they did well. But the lack of quality and end product from both teams was really poor.”

Keane added: “I said at half-time, both of these clubs have had success over the last few years from going to win football matches.

“There is an element that you have to gamble a little bit. I’m not saying you have to put seven or eight people in the box but you have to try and win.

“We’ve been in teams that don’t settle for draws. It’s the derby and John Stones is talking about clean sheets and blah, blah, blah, you’ve got to go and win football matches.

“There is a long way to go in the season but when the game is there for you, with the quality on the pitch, I never felt City were going to score goals.”

Keane conceded that the subdued atmosphere created by a lack of supporters in stadiums makes it difficult to generate intensity, but he still feels that players should be able to raise their game for the biggest of occasions and put any personal friendships to one side.

The Irishman went on to say: “The fans is a big issue for derby games but still the quality on the pitch, go and find a way.

“And, like I said, at the end of the game with the staff smiling and hugging, the players chatting – just get down the tunnel. I don’t get it. Everyone wants to be pals with each other.

“You are playing for these clubs, particularly Man Utd, win football matches not to be mates with everybody.”

Tom Barkhuizen’s presence could not help Preston North End from falling to a 3-0 defeat to Luton Town in a Championship match on Saturday.

The 27-year-old attacking midfielder was in action for 57 minutes as Jamie Collins' hat-trick secured all three points for the hosts.

During the encounter, the South African descent managed just a shot with one dribble completed and the joint-highest pass accuracy (83.3 per cent) for Preston North End.

Saturday’s outing was Barkhuizens’ 17th appearance in the Championship but he could not add to his tally of four goals.

The result at Kenilworth Road came as a disappointment for Preston North End after their 3-0 victory over Middlesbrough in a midweek fixture.

The defeat dropped Alex Neil's side to 15th in the league table with 23 points after 18 matches while Luton Town rose to 11th with 26 points.

Captain Alan Browne, in his reaction, claimed the 3-0 loss was 'embarrassing' for the Lilywhites after maintaining an unbeaten run of three games in the second division while manager Neil described it as 'unacceptable'.

“It’s embarrassing, it’s inexcusable and it’s embarrassing to come off the pitch after a performance like that. Not one of us played well today, the only positive is it can’t get any worse,” Browne said.

Next up for Preston North End is a trip to Barnsley and Barkhuizen will be hoping to inspire Neil's side back to winning ways and their eighth league victory of the season on Wednesday.