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Jack Grealish's agent Jonathan Barnett has responded to rumours linking the Aston Villa playmaker with a move to Manchester United.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been trying to assemble a squad of young, homegrown talent at Old Trafford since being handed a three-year contract in March 2019.

Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James were all brought in last summer, before a slight shift in the Norwegian's transfer policy saw Portuguese star Bruno Fernandes join the club from Sporting CP in January.

United are beginning to emerge as a major force again after the successful integration of recent signings, but more reinforcements are expected to walk through the door at the end of the season.

Grealish is reportedly top of Solskjaer's list of summer targets, with the 24-year-old currently plying his trade with Dean Smith's struggling Villa side.

Villa look destined for relegation at the moment, having slipped four points adrift of safety with only five fixtures left to play, the latest of which will see them come up against Solskjaer's in-form Red Devils on Thursday.

It has been suggested that United will snap up Grealish if Villa fail to avoid the drop, but Barnett insists his client is not yet thinking about his future.

Asked if the midfielder is closing in on a big-money transfer away from Villa Park, his agent told Stretty News: “Absolutely no deal has been done with anybody.

“I don’t think they’re [Aston Villa] looking at the Championship themselves, they believe that, hopefully, they’ll get out of the trouble they’re in.

“Jack believes it, he’s fighting hard, as hard as he can to stop that. That’s all that is on his mind at the moment.

“He’s not interested in anything else other than fighting to get Aston Villa out of any trouble.”

Barnett did, however, concede that Grealish would benefit from playing Champions League football whenever he does embark on the next stage of his fledgling career.

He added: “On the other hand, I think as far as his career is concerned, it would be great for him to play in the Champions League and develop his great skills and I’m not sure in which country or where that will be.

“But that conversation won’t happen now because all he wants to do is fight and help Aston Villa.”

Kagera Sugar coach Mecky Maxime has sensationally claimed they have what it takes to complete a Mainland Premier League double over Young Africans (Yanga SC) on Wednesday.

The two clubs will square off in the second-round meeting at the Kaitaba Stadium in Bukoba and Maxime believes his side have the ability to repeat what they did in the reverse fixture when they won 3-0 at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

“My charges are in top form and have been training hard for the match,” Maxime is quoted by Daily News.

“We are well prepared to face Yanga. Football fans should turn up in thousands to cheer our team. “We promise them to see a well-balanced match.

“We expect it will be a tough match but we are confident of emerging victorious. Our target is to finish among the best three teams at the end of the league season.”

Despite winning the first-round match, the two sides met in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup where Yanga managed to turn the tables and beat Kagera 2-1 to reach the semis, where they have been drawn to face rivals Simba SC on Sunday.

The first-round defeat somewhat hurt Yanga coach Luc Eymael, who had just arrived to take over at the club and he has also promised to go for revenge in the reverse fixture.

“We play against Kagera next, a side which beat us 3-0 in the first round fixture, it was my first match in charge of Yanga and they showed me no mercy,” Eymael told Goal on Wednesday.

“I will definitely want my players to revenge again for me, we beat them a week ago in the domestic Cup and we must make sure we get maximum points from them, they are a good side, with a solid display but we managed to beat them in the FA Cup and we can also beat them in the league.”

Yanga will miss the services of midfielder Haruna Niyonzima, who was stretchered off during the match against Biashara United after twisting his ankle.

“[Niyonzima] will definitely not play, he is currently under the care of the doctors and we don’t know when he can return, I also think he will not be able to play against Simba on Sunday, it is very painful for him to use his leg for now.”

Yanga are third on the 20-team log with 60 points while Azam FC are second on 61 points.

Wout Weghorst has suggested he could leave Wolfsburg this summer by saying he has "ambitions" to play and succeed at the "highest level".

The 27-year-old Dutch striker impressed in the 2019-20 season, with a one-in-two strike rate in the Bundesliga as he scored 16 goals in 32 league appearances.

He helped the club qualify for the Europa League next season with a seventh-place league finish, but feels he has shown that he is capable of reaching even bigger goals in the future.

Weghorst told Sport Bild: "Nobody has to be afraid. It's good for a club to get a lot of money again after investing in a player. 

"I have ambitions and I want to achieve at the highest level. In the past two years I have been able to show that I can deliver at that level and that there is more to come from me."

The target man, standing at 6'5", said there had been plans for him to sit down with the Wolfsburg management and talk about his future, but the disruption caused by coronavirus had put those plans on hold.

Weghorst, while he is ambitious and would be open to a move, admitted he is nevertheless happy in Wolfsburg and settled in his private life, while also appreciating his position as a key player and talisman for his current club.

He said: “We discussed that we should sit down if something exciting came up for me, but because of corona, we have a strange market.

"I get a lot of recognition in Wolfsburg, I play an important role in sport and in human terms. I feel good, my family too. It is also important to me whether Wolfsburg will do everything possible to win titles in the future, but I have confidence in the sporting leadership.”

He has recently been linked with Arsenal and Newcastle, however, Weghorst himself is a Liverpool fan who admits to getting goosebumps whenever he hears the signature song performed by fans of the Premier League champions before every game.

“I always found Liverpool very special,” he told Goal and DAZN in an exclusive interview last May. “I still get goosebumps from ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. There are other great English clubs too, and I always liked Milan because so many Dutchmen played there.

“I am ambitious and want to get ahead. Maybe at some point play at another club, whether in Germany or in England? At the moment it is still far away. I feel good and will try to achieve the maximum here.”

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are future world stars, according to Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who has described the talented duo as "different class".

Saka graduated to Arsenal's senior squad in 2018 after making his way through the club's academy ranks, but was made to wait for his chance to shine.

Unai Emery began including the 18-year-old in his starting line up at the start of the 2019-20 campaign, and he has since been able to retain a place in the team under the Spaniard's successor Mikel Arteta.

Saka has contributed four goals to Arsenal's cause in 36 appearances this term, along with an impressive total of 11 assists, the latest of which came as he set up Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang to score in a 1-1 draw with Leicester on Tuesday.

The Gunners tied the English winger down to a new four-year contract last week in light of his recent performances, and he looks set for a key role in Arteta's set-up in the coming years.

Martinelli, meanwhile, arrived at Emirates Stadium from Brazilian outfit Ituano for a fee of £8 million ($10m) last summer, with a view to continuing his development in the reserves before competing for a place in Arsenal's starting XI.

However the 19-year-old has seized every opportunity to prove himself with both hands, scoring 10 goals in 26 outings to establish himself as a more than capable backup striker behind Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.

Martinelli also committed his long-term future to Arsenal after Saka's fresh terms were confirmed, and Martinez thinks that both men are destined to reach the very top of the game if they continue on their current trajectory.

“I’m telling you, Saka and Martinelli are the future stars, not just for the Arsenal, but in the Premier League and in the world,” the Gunners shot-stopper told Talksport.

“They’re willing to listen, they do extra work away from the training ground, they get on with everyone in the club and when they’re on the field they do different stuff.

“They are different class. If they put it in their mind that they can be the best, they can reach that."

Martinez added on how quickly Saka is progressing at the Emirates: “Saka can be in the England team already, he’s the kind of player you need in your team. It’s not just about how much he gives you [on the pitch], he’s very positive and even with the top, experienced players that have been around, there are not many players like him.

“He’s a team player. I could give him my gloves and he would perform in goal, that’s Saka. I’m a bit worried, actually!”

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is decentralising youth leagues by handing over the responsibility to the state associations from the 2020-21 season. 

In a set of new directives to the state associations, the apex governing body of football in India has instructed them to set up a league committee which will be responsible for conducting the various youth leagues. The body will formulate the regulations for the league, deliberate and oversee the day to day operations and decide on any relevant issues.

The federation has also allowed unaccredited clubs/academies to participate in the preliminary rounds, which will result in an increase in the number of participating teams. Given the situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it must be noted that getting your accreditation done in time for the upcoming season might be a challenge.

Until the last season, the AIFF organised the preliminary round of the Sub-Junior, Junior, and Elite League by dividing the participating teams into various groups according to their state or city as it deemed fit. Subsequently, the group champions would qualify for the final round which would then be played at a central venue.

As per the new move, the onus will also be on the state associations to ensure and be a part of grassroots development - something that has been a concern in the recent few years.

With the implementation of the new guidelines, it would see each states organising their respective age-group leagues in a format decided by the newly formed league committee in every state. Each of the state champions will lock horns in a final round which will then be conducted by the Indian FA. 

"This is an extremely well thought-out move by the federation. You need to spread the sport across the length and breadth of the country. With unaccredited clubs also being allowed to participate in the league, the number of players getting competitive match time will also increase manifold," said an official of a state association. 

Only AIFF accredited teams can qualify for the final round, with the exception that should an unaccredited club/academy qualify for the final round on merit, a one-time exemption will be given to that team. But this exemption will not be applicable to any such participant who has any financial or de facto link to an existing club/academy already accredited with AIFF previously.

The guidelines also direct the associations to establish a Disciplinary Committee to deal with all matters related to the discipline on and off the field of play based on the association’s disciplinary code.

An Appeals Committee shall also be formed by the state association to hear appeals lodged against decisions passed by the state association’s disciplinary committee.

An additional slot may further be provided to the runner-up team of the state leagues based on the availability of slots in the play-offs to the final round of the concerned AIFF youth league.

Overseas players in youth leagues

A team participating in state youth leagues can register a maximum of three foreign/PIO (Players of Indian Origin) /OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) players.

It has also been made mandatory for all teams to register a minimum of six ‘home grown’ players out of their total list of thirty players in each category. A home grown player is defined as any player whose place of birth (State/UT, as per the birth certificate/passport) is the same as the location of the club/academy. If the participant fails to sign six players it will not be allowed to take part in the competition. 

Physically strong, tall and committed - retired Indian national team centre back Muttath Suresh left a lasting legacy in Kolkata with his performances for East Bengal. 

During a stint that lasted seven years, Suresh has been part of several memorable Kolkata derbies, success stories and emotional moments with the Red and Golds. He is part of a long list of talented footballers from Kerala to have done well at a place that is famously known as the 'Mecca of Indian Football'. 

The footballer, who grew up with the sport that his father also played, was vital for the defence of the India national team as well. Alongside his medals for National Football Championship (NFL), ASEAN Cup and Federation Cup wins with East Bengal is the proud honour of a South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup victory with India in 2005. 

Throughout his professional career, Suresh was a rock-solid wall that strikers ran into. He was an imposing figure and knew how to lead his team from the back. He was one of those footballers who knew how to play out from the back. He also possessed a good left-foot.

His special traits were spotted early on by coaches when he played for the Calicut University team and then later for the state team in the Santosh Trophy. It didn't take long for the defender to get a call from Mohun Bagan, one of the oldest clubs in India. 

"I had only heard about how famous footballers who I liked spoke on how it is special to play in Kolkata. I was very happy when I got the chance to play there," Suresh, who is currently working in Kerala's health department, told Goal . 

The defender from Kasargod left Bagan after he received a better offer from Mahindra United but destiny took him straight back to Kolkata, this time to a region that boasted of different colours - the Red and Golds. After all these years, he still remembers how football is talked about in Kolkata and that is a result of undying passion and support for regional clubs that are not seen anywhere else in India. 

"I switched from Mohun Bagan to Mahindra (United). The fan atmosphere was different, we can really feel it. The people in Kolkata know you when you go outside. We didn't have mobiles back then but then they took autographs from you. 

"I played for EB in 7 years. When we play well, the reaction is great and they love you. But if we lose, they abuse and throw stones. It is like that," the defender said. 

One of the most anticipated showdowns in Indian football is the Kolkata derby, a fixture that Suresh has been fortunate enough to be a regular part of during his playing career. Suresh loved the derbies and enjoyed playing under pressure, thanks to his experience of playing Sevens football in Kerala. 

"The Salt Lake stadium is special and it adds to the atmosphere of a Kolkata derby. Only those who feel it will understand. I was amazed when I played in the derby for the first time. But playing Sevens football in Malappuram helped me deal with the pressure. It was easier to play in derbies for me. The atmosphere is electrifying, and it is an unforgettable moment in my life."

Suresh has been blessed with a lot of emotional and successful moments in his career but there were a few iconic moments that stood out. He captained East Bengal as they won the Federation Cup in 2007 and was part of the team that became ASEAN Cup champions in 2003. 

He was selected for the India national team after he performed well for the U-21 team and senior players were rested as the Blue Tigers travelled to the Maldives to play the MFF Golden Jubilee tournament in 2000. The centre-back scored a goal for the country in the Afro-Asian games in 2003 as hosts India defeated Rwanda 3-1 in the group stage.

Suresh reminisced, "I used to play for the U-21 India national team. I was selected for the senior team after the Santosh Trophy in Thrissur when senior players were rested for a tournament (MFF Golden Jubilee Tournament in 2000) in the Maldives. The moment when I scored for the national team is special for me. To score a goal for your country is a dream for all players."

Having played a lot of derbies with East Bengal, Suresh is hopeful that the long-standing tradition can continue despite Bagan merging with Indian Super League (ISL) club ATK to form a new entity ATK Mohun Bagan. A Kolkata derby in the ISL is what Suresh wants to watch.

"I wish to see East Bengal play in the ISL. We will miss Kolkata derby. People in Kolkata seem to be confident that East Bengal will play in the ISL. It will be good for the atmosphere."

The Coronavirus pandemic has kept Suresh busy in recent months as he continues to work for the health department in Thrikkarippur but he remains as committed to football as he was when his first took the field. 

Former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton has backed John Terry to be a “fantastic” manager but doubts the former Chelsea captain will be interested in taking over as Bristol City boss.

The ex-England star has been linked taking over at the Championship side since Lee Johnson was sacked from the role on Saturday following their fourth consecutive defeat.

Bristol’s hopes of competing in the playoffs for a place in the Premier League are over as a result of their recent form, as they sit 12th in the table and nine points behind sixth-placed Cardiff City.

Terry has been working as assistant manager at Villa since October 2018, having ended his playing career at the club when they earned promotion back to the top-flight.

Hutton played alongside the Champions League winner that season and saw enough to convince him of Terry’s potential as a coach.

However, he remains unsure if the 39-year-old would be interested in beginning his coaching career with the Robins.

“I’m not so sure – until he comes out and physically says it, I wouldn’t really believe it,” the former Tottenham and Scotland player told Football Insider.

“He’s going to make a fantastic manager, I’ve obviously worked with him up close at Villa and seen how meticulous he is in certain aspects of the game, I know what kind of guy he is.

“Whether that’s the first one he would fancy, they are a decent side, mid-table in the Championship, I don’t know if that’s the first one he would want to take but he will want to step out on his own two feet at some point in the foreseeable future. Whether that’s the first one he’d choose, I’m not sure.”

Hutton is not the first figure to tip Terry to become a top coach in the future, as ex-Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is convinced he will impress just as his old team-mate Frank Lampard did.

“I'm waiting now for Terry as a manager, now he's an assistant, but I think they both have the qualities to be a good manager. Of course, Frank is doing really well at Chelsea now,” the Italian said in May.

Juventus missed the chance to move 10 points clear at the top of Serie A as they incredibly let a two-goal lead slip to lose 4-2 at Milan after a remarkable second half on Tuesday. 

At the start of a crucial week in which Juve also face in-form Atalanta, the leaders had been boosted ahead of kick-off by news of another defeat for second-placed Lazio. 

However, the Bianconeri could not take full advantage despite a sensational opener from Adrien Rabiot and Cristiano Ronaldo's swift second. 

All six goals came after the interval as Milan staged a rapid recovery, scoring through Zlatan Ibrahimovic from the penalty spot, Franck Kessie, substitute Rafael Leao and Ante Rebic. 

Missing the suspended Paulo Dybala, Maurizio Sarri's side could not rally and so remain seven points ahead of Lazio, while rampant Milan climb to fifth. 

Few could have imagined such a chaotic second period when an offside flag against Ibrahimovic ensured the sides went into the break scoreless after a first half of precious little action. 

But Rabiot then required only 74 seconds from the kick-off to break the deadlock in magnificent fashion. 

The midfielder collected the ball just inside his own half and brushed off Kessie before advancing, nutmegging Theo Hernandez and then, 20 yards from goal, arrowing a left-footed shot into the top-right corner. 

There was little the Milan defence could do to deny Rabiot, but Alessio Romagnoli and Simon Kjaer would be well advised to avoid replays of Juve's second, the pair colliding to give Ronaldo time and space to beat Gianluigi Donnarumma. 

Just as Juve looked set to coast to victory, a VAR review spotted a handball from Leonardo Bonucci inside the area, allowing Ibrahimovic to convert from 12 yards. 

The momentum swung and suddenly Milan were in the ascendancy. A wonderful team move created space for Kessie to shoot inside the area, a deflection deceiving Wojciech Szczesny, while Leao drove a low strike through the goalkeeper for a third goal in six minutes to turn the match around. 

Juve threatened to battle back as Donnarumma saved superbly from Daniele Rugani, but Rebic - earlier denied by Szczesny - lashed in Milan's fourth to clinch the points. Ronaldo thought he had netted again in stoppage time, only to be ruled offside.

What does it mean? Title tussle still on 

The Scudetto race appeared to have been run with an hour played. Juve were 2-0 up, having seemingly dealt with the absence of key man Dybala, and heading for a double-digit lead at the summit.

But Milan, who so harmed Lazio's title bid last weekend with a 3-0 triumph, were determined to influence another twist in the tale, roaring back in astonishing fashion.  

Rebic gets his revenge 

Rebic has found his feet in 2020, netting 10 times since the turn of the year heading into Tuesday's match. His low point, however, had been a red card at Juve in the Coppa Italia that contributed to a semi-final exit. 

The forward was in top form against the Bianconeri this time, though, winning the penalty with a flick onto Bonucci's arm - picking up a booking for his pre-VAR review protests in the process - before teeing up Leao's goal and then netting the fourth himself. 

Complete collapse 

Poor Rabiot. The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder will likely never top his outrageous opener, yet this game will not be remembered for a brief period of glorious attacking flair. 

Instead, the focus will rest on the spectacular fashion in which Sarri's side imploded. The penalty call was perhaps harsh, but one of Europe's sturdiest defences - admittedly missing Matthijs de Ligt - lost all composure and subsequently all three points.

Key Opta Facts

- Milan have scored four Serie A goals against Juventus for their first time since March 1989 (4-0).
- Prior to this match, the last time Juventus lost a Serie A game after leading by a two-goal margin was in October 2013, against Fiorentina.
- Milan have won a Serie A match after going two goals behind for the first time since October 2016 (4-3 against Sassuolo).
- The Rossoneri have scored two goals in five consecutive Serie A games for their first time since January 2013.
- Rebic has both scored and delivered an assist in the same match for the first time in Serie A.

What's next? 

Both sides face significant tests this weekend. Milan are at Napoli on Sunday, 24 hours after Juve host Atalanta. Sarri will have to hope there is no hangover. 

Alvaro Morata scored the fastest goal of the LaLiga season after just 51 seconds but Atletico Madrid had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Celta Vigo.

Morata followed up his double in the win over Real Mallorca last Friday by striking in the first minute at Estadio de Balaidos.

Fran Beltran deservedly levelled early in the second half with his first goal of the season to move Celta seven points clear of the relegation zone with three matches to play, although third-bottom Mallorca have a game in hand.

Third-placed Atleti are unbeaten in 15 games and a draw keeps them on course to secure a Champions League spot.

Atleti could not have wished for a better start, Angel Correa taking a pass from Santiago Arias and picking out Morata for a tap in with less than a minute on the clock.

Celta responded to that early blow and Brais Mendez's deflected strike went into the side-netting before the midfielder curled a shot wide of the far post.

Diego Simeone's side could have doubled their lead late in the first half, but Correa was unable to apply the finish as he charged into the penalty area.

Celta were level just four minutes after the restart, Beltran not getting a clean contact on Mendez's cross but seeing his volley loop into the far corner with Jan Oblak helpless.

Oscar Garcia's men did not look like a side in danger of the drop and Mendez was denied by the busy Oblak, who then palmed Santi Mina's strike away for a corner.

Ivan Villar came on to replace injured Celta goalkeeper Ruben Blanco with nine minutes to play and he denied Thomas Lemar, with the home side also having a penalty appeal dismissed following a VAR check late on.

What does it mean? Atleti a step closer to Champions League spot

Atleti lead Sevilla, who have a game in hand, by three points and are nine better off than fifth-placed Villarreal in the battle for Champions League spots.

On the evidence of this showing, in which they could have secured a surprise win, Celta ought to have enough to avoid relegation.

Morata on a roll

Striker Morata led the line well for Atleti and was in the right place at the right time to score his third goal in two games right in a dream start.

He now has 16 goals for the season in all competitions and it looks like there will be more to come.

Llorente stifled

It was certainly not one of the Marcos Llorente's better nights as he struggled to stamp his authority on the game before being withdrawn midway through the second half.

What's next?

Atleti entertain Real Betis on Saturday, when Celta travel to mid-table Osasuna.

Jurgen Klopp lauded Adam Lallana as a Liverpool "legend" after conceding the midfielder has probably played his last game for the Premier League champions.

Lallana penned an extended contract at Anfield to cover the conclusion of the prolonged 2019-20 season but will depart when the campaign concludes.

The 32-year-old has not been in any of Klopp's four matchday squads since the restart and the Reds boss explained he is looking at the bigger picture of the player's prospective next move. He does not want to risk a recurrence of the injury problems that have dogged the England international's time on Merseyside.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's Premier League trip to Brighton and Hove Albion, Klopp praised Lallana's service throughout his time at the club - the ex-Southampton playmaker's familiarity with Mauricio Pochettino's high-pressing style making him a valuable presence during those transitional early months.

More recently, Lallana's diligence on the training ground was citied as an important factor in Liverpool's march to European, world and, finally, Premier League glory.

"Adam is, oh my God… it's clear that Adam will leave the club," Klopp said. "If you know ask me now, I miss already everything about him and he's still here.

"He is an outstanding player, one of the most influential players in training quality I've had in my life. He's an incredible professional.

"Now we have a difficult situation, I respect that a lot. Everything with Adam is sorted – he's top fit, he's training, everything is fine.

"But the future is his future. If we need his help on the pitch, we can get it. He's there and trains 100 per cent.

"As long as we don't need it, he will just train. That's the normal thing. There were a lot of discussions with players about ending contracts. Here it was not even a discussion. It was clear for Adam, we extend his contract. He wanted to do that as well.

"But we will not put any risk on his future. That is absolutely clear. He is one of the most important players of the time since I'm here.

"I wish him only the best for the future and, from my point of view, he is already a legend here.

"He can now start being a legend somewhere else from next season on."

Liverpool's five remaining Premier League matches could prove more significant for those others who serve as back-up to a dominant first XI.

The likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Divock Origi could enjoy increased game time but, much like Lallana, Klopp is keen not to have such players overlooked when it comes to considering their role in a glorious period.

"We played against Barcelona, for example, made a lot of changes in this game, played an outstanding game – one of the best games this team ever played," he said of last season's logic-defying 4-0 win over the Catalan giants the Champions League semi-finals, with Origi's brace sealing a 4-3 aggregate triumph.

"Whatever your first XI is – I don't know exactly, but I think I have an idea – these boys all did the job.

"Oxlade-Chamberlain, if he's not in your first XI, has played incredible games for this club. He won pretty much alone against City a year or so ago. He's not a worse footballer since then."

A satisfaction with his back-up option does not mean Klopp will not look to bolster his title-winning pack, even if he acknowledges the uncertainty of the wider global climate might have an influence.

"Are there players out there on the market who can help us? Probably, yes," he added. "This is the challenge for us, to improve a really good football team. But these times are a challenge as well.

"It goes back to how nobody knows what the future will hold for all of us. So how can we make really expensive decisions for how we will deal with it?

"This team is really good. That doesn't mean we don't want to strengthen. If we have the opportunity and have the financial resources then it will always happen and we will always try."

Tammy Abraham's decisive goal against Crystal Palace will be a huge boost to his confidence, says Chelsea boss Frank Lampard.

Chelsea won a Selhurst Park thriller 3-2 on Tuesday, the 22-year-old scoring what proved to be a pivotal third goal for the visitors, his first strike since the Premier League's resumption.

Ahead of the match, Lampard had urged Abraham to focus on his faltering form as opposed to a new contract, amid speculation over where he fits in the club's long-term plans ahead of Timo Werner's arrival.

The striker had not scored since January 11 and lost his starting place upon the post-coronavirus restart, but Lampard was buoyed by his cool 71st-minute finish shortly after coming on for Olivier Giroud.

"It will be really important for Tammy because he is desperate for goals," Lampard told the media.

"He hadn't scored for a while. It helps his confidence and it is good for me. It gives me other options.

"He came on late in the game, he scores the winning goal and I'm pleased for my strikers."

Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who tipped Scott Dann's last-gasp header onto the post, was praised by Lampard, along with defender Kurt Zouma after his last-ditch tackle in a dramatic finish to proceedings.

Palace made it an uncomfortable outing for Chelsea with Wilfried Zaha scoring a wonder-strike, leaving Lampard to concede his team should have managed the game better.

"We should have had the game done at 2-0," he said. "We should have controlled the game better and then at 3-2 we had good chances to finish off.

"With some slight wrong decisions maybe in the final third or final shot, and then it invites pressure.

"Kepa makes a great save, Kurt makes a great tackle. But in those last moments it was nervous for us."

The win increased Chelsea's chances of earning a top-four finish in the Premier League. With Leicester City drawing at Arsenal, the Blues move up to third in the table.

Chelsea are set to face Sheffield United on Saturday before then hosting Norwich City at Stamford Bridge three days later.

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta has admitted he is unsure of the rules regarding VAR after Eddie Nketiah was sent off during the 1-1 draw against Leicester on Tuesday.

Nketiah was shown a red card while the hosts were leading 1-0 and just four minutes after he came off the bench.

Referee Chris Kavanagh consulted VAR before dismissing the forward for a rough challenge on James Justin with just 15 minutes left in the Premier League encounter and the Foxes came back to rescue a point through a late Jamie Vardy goal.

VAR’s role in the decision perplexed the Gunners boss, who was proud of his side despite the draw. 

"I don't understand the rules. I never see a referee check any of the images. But I can do nothing now, it is the rules," he told Sky Sports.

"We lost two points, we lost Eddie and we will see now for how many games. But we go to Spurs now and try to win three points."

He added: "I am extremely proud of our team, the way we played against this kind of opposition. We should have been three or four-nil up. With the red card you have to know he is a young kid. Leicester should play with 10 men after 42 minutes. For a challenge between the 40th and 45th minute.

"They played tremendously well. The recovery time is difficult but you can see the effort the players are putting in. I am extremely proud of the players. We have to learn as well. When you have this kind of opposition and you are on top you have to kill them when you can."

Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez says the incident was the turning point in the game, as he believes his side should have taken the three points.

"100% [we should have won],” he told BBC Sport. “Before Eddie Nketiah got sent off we played an outstanding game and should have scored two or three goals. We defended well and we’ll have to be happy with a draw, we wanted to win.

"I know Eddie, he is not an aggressive player. He slipped and did not want to injure him and the red card is harsh. We know Eddie and we know he is a nice guy,

"Somtimes you score, sometimes you don't. Before the red card we looked solid and I did not have to make a save in the second half.

"I know I am going to concede goals but hopefully I can keep more clean sheets for this club. That is one thing we have to work on and disappointed to concede at the end."

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers, meanwhile, defended the Arsenal forward regarding the incident, telling BBC Sport: “It was a red card. I don't think the kid meant it, he was stretching for it but the studs were up. I think they made the right decision.”

Eddie Nketiah set an unwanted Arsenal Premier League record on Tuesday night as the Gunners played a 1-1 draw with Leicester City on Tuesday.

With the Gunners leading 1-0 thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s first half-strike, the Anglo-Ghanaian was introduced for Alexandre Lacazette in the 71st minute, nevertheless, he was sent off four minutes later by referee Chris Kavanagh.

He was punished for a reckless tackle on James Justin with referee consulting VAR to confirm the youngster’s tackle worthy of expulsion. And that earned him a place in an undesirable Arsenal history book.

At 21, years and 38 days, Nketiah became the youngest player from the club to be expelled during an English topflight encounter since Konstantinos Mavropanos also against the Foxes in 2018.

Before the game against Brendan Rodgers’ men, the forward had featured in nine games with two goals to his credit so far.

With this dismissal, he will not be available for manager Mikel Arteta when they head to the London Stadium for Sunday’s derby with Tottenham Hotspur.

Meanwhile, manager Arteta is perplexed with the referee’s decision claiming he was uncertain of the rules regarding VAR, albeit, he is proud of his team’s performance.

"I don't understand the rules. I never see a referee check any of the images. But I can do nothing now, it is the rules," he told Sky Sports.

"We lost two points, we lost Eddie and we will see now for how many games. But we go to Spurs now and try to win three points."

"I am extremely proud of our team, the way we played against this kind of opposition,” he continued.

“We should have been three or four-nil up. With the red card, you have to know he is a young kid. Leicester should play with 10 men after 42 minutes. For a challenge between the 40th and 45th minute.”

In the same vein, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez stated the red card incident was the game’s turning point.

"100% [we should have won],” he told BBC Sport. “Before Eddie Nketiah got sent off we played an outstanding game and should have scored two or three goals. We defended well and we’ll have to be happy with a draw, we wanted to win.

"I know Eddie, he is not an aggressive player. He slipped and did not want to injure him and the red card is harsh. We know Eddie and we know he is a nice guy,

"Sometimes you score, sometimes you don't. Before the red card, we looked solid and I did not have to make a save in the second half.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic cheekily claimed Milan would have won Serie A had he signed at the start of the season as their upturn in form continued with a remarkable 4-2 win over Juventus.

Ibrahimovic returned to Milan – where he previously won the Scudetto in 2011 – as a free agent in January after leaving MLS and the LA Galaxy.

The 38-year-old striker is still having an impact in Italy's top flight and took his goal tally in his latest Milan stint to six when he scored from the penalty spot against Juve on Tuesday.

That strike halved a two-goal deficit after efforts from Adrien Rabiot and Cristiano Ronaldo and improbably propelled Milan to a come-from-behind success, with Franck Kessie, Rafael Leao and Ante Rebic also on target.

A three-goal flurry within five minutes helped shrink that deficit, with Rebic scoring the game's final goal to seal an 18-minute span of dominance for Milan.

With the victory, Milan are up to fifth and have beaten title rivals Lazio and Juve in consecutive matches, leading a grinning star veteran Ibrahimovic to make a typically outlandish declaration.

Ibrahimovic told DAZN: "If I was here from the beginning of the season, we would have won the Scudetto!"

Ibrahimovic has been hailed as a role model for his Milan team-mates and added: "I am president, coach and player, but they only pay me as a footballer."

The former Sweden international is out of contract at the end of the season, however, and he acknowledges he may not appear in front of a full San Siro again.

"There is still a month, so let's see," Ibrahimovic said amid growing speculation head coach Stefano Pioli will be replaced by Ralf Rangnick. "There are things that we cannot in control.

"Playing without fans is a pity, a strange situation. We do our job, we are professionals. It could have been the last time they have seen me live in San Siro." 

The forward's first stint with Milan came between 2011-12, where he scored 56 goals in 85 appearances before making the move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Up next for Milan is a visit to Napoli on Sunday.

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Bernard Parker is drawing inspiration from the club Real Madrid, as well Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo.

This is in the hope of a successful 2019/20 Premier Soccer League (PSL) season restart. The Soweto giants are back in training in preparation for the resumption of the current season which was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

If the season is to be completed, Chiefs have eight matches to preserve their PSL lead in their quest for a first league title since 2015.

They are four points ahead of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns who however enjoy a game in hand.

Parker has stressed on Chiefs adopting the kind of attitude shown by Spanish giants Real Madrid who have put together a seven-match winning streak since La Liga restarted, to topple Barcelona from the top of the table where they are now four points clear.

Also inspiring Parker is Ronaldo’s mentality.

“It’s also noteworthy to see that especially the top sides, who have the best players, seem to perform the best,” Parker told the Kaizer Chiefs official website.

“That says a lot about their mental approach to the game. Look at Real Madrid, who have really been doing great since the restart, thanks to the players’ mental strength.

“It’s nice to see how he [Ronaldo] takes his leadership role seriously. Ronaldo has that winning mentality and it rubs off on his teammates. It’s a lesson for us as well. To be able keep our momentum, we need to be strong mentally. That’s going to be crucial when the league resumes.”

Chiefs have started training at Naturena ahead of their closest title challengers Sundowns and Parker describes it as “a breath of fresh air.”

“It really feels good to be back at training,” said Parker.

“It’s also great to be with your teammates again. It’s like a breath of fresh air... However, we will take it one step at a time. At present, I am just happy to be back on the field.”

Former Black Leopards and Baroka FC midfielder Khunadi Nkoana has sadly passed away on Tuesday.

The attacking midfielder was on the books of the National First Division (NFD) side Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila during the 2018/19 season.

His uncle Moses Nkoana confirmed the news and revealed the 28-year-old had been hospitalized at the Polokwane Hospital.

“Yes it is true that Khunadi has passed away, I received this news around 14:00 this afternoon,” Moses Nkoana told Far Post.

“He was in Polokwane Hospital. I received a call yesterday (Monday) informing me that Khunadi was at the Polokwane Hospital.

"He was complaining of stomach pains so the doctor had suggested that he should be operated."

“But today when I called his mother in the morning I was told the operation did not go on as the doctor did not see the necessity to continue with the operation," he added.

"So, he was about to be discharged anyway and those were positive news. But later in the day, we received the sad news that he has passed so we are still very shocked."

Nkoana made his name during his first stint with Baroka and he is best remembered for inspiring Bakgaga to a shock win over Kaizer Chiefs in the 2011 Nedbank Cup.

Baroka, who were campaigning in the Vodacom League (now known as the ABC Motsepe League) at the time, secured a 2-1 win over the Amakhosi side in a quarter-final clash in Polokwane.

Nicknamed Kaka, Nkoana was named man of the match and he was heavily linked with SuperSport United, Maritzburg United and Ajax Cape Town, who were campaigning in the PSL at the time.

However, Kaka stayed put at Bakgaga and he helped the team secure promotion to the NFD from the Vodacom League at the end of the 2012/13 season.

Leopards signed him ahead of the 2015/16 NFD season, but he rejoined Baroka in September 2016 and he spent one campaign with the club in the PSL.

The nomadic player then left Baroka for Tshakhuma at the end of the 2016/17 campaign and he spent two seasons with the Limpopo side.

He was currently playing for ABC Motsepe League side Magesi FC before the season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Eddie Nketiah's red card proved costly for Arsenal as Jamie Vardy's late goal salvaged a 1-1 draw for Leicester City in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta's side looked set to make it four league wins on the spin on Tuesday, thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's 21st-minute goal.

Yet, just four minutes after coming on, substitute Nketiah received his marching orders for a rash tackle on James Justin – referee Chris Kavanagh consulting VAR to deem the youngster's tackle worthy of a straight red.

And Leicester made their numerical advantage count with six minutes remaining – Vardy's goal standing after a long VAR check for offside as the Foxes claimed a valuable point.

Leicester started brightly, yet they were behind when the impressive Bukayo Saka fooled Jonny Evans and teed up Aubameyang for a simple finish.

Aubameyang would have returned the favour if not for Caglar Soyuncu's intervention soon after, before Kasper Schmeichel denied Alexandre Lacazette.

Kelechi Iheanacho had a goal disallowed due to a foul, while Lacazette should have done better with a header at the other end.

Schmeichel again had to be alert to prevent David Luiz extending Arsenal's lead after the break, with Iheanacho then directing a close-range volley at Emiliano Martinez.

Lacazette thought he had nudged in Arsenal's second with 22 minutes remaining, only for the offside flag to cut short his celebrations, and his replacement Nketiah lasted just a matter of minutes before he was sent off.

Leicester made Nketiah's mistake count nine minutes later – Vardy tucking in from Demarai Gray's cross, with VAR unable to confirm whether Ayoze Perez got a touch on the way through, which would likely have led to the goal being ruled out for offside.

What does it mean? Arsenal's Champions League hopes dealt a blow

Arsenal would have been heading into sixth place, just three points behind Manchester United and six adrift of Leicester, had they held on, but as it is they stay seventh, with Wolves able to move five points clear of the Gunners should they beat Sheffield United on Wednesday.

Leicester, meanwhile, stay fourth, with Chelsea having gone above them thanks to an earlier win over Crystal Palace.

Saka answers Arteta's call

While one Arsenal youngster – Matteo Guendouzi – finds himself out in the cold, Saka is thriving. Arteta asked the teenager to improve his all-round game after scoring his first league goal in the win over Wolves on Saturday, and on Tuesday the winger was in superb form in the first half, combining brilliantly with Lacazette and Aubameyang in the final third.

Nketiah's nightmare cameo

Arsenal’s second-half display left a lot to be desired, though they did look comfortable until Nketiah lunged in recklessly on Justin and put his side on the back foot – a mistake the Gunners ultimately paid for.

Key Opta Facts

- Arsenal remain unbeaten in 23 home league games against Leicester (W19 D4).
- Leicester City have scored 18 goals in the final 15 minutes of their Premier League games this season, more than any other side.
- Aubameyang is just the second Arsenal player to score 20+ Premier League goals in consecutive seasons, after Thierry Henry (five in a row between 2001-02 and 2005-06).
- Only Kevin De Bruyne (19) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (14) have provided more assists among Premier League players in all competitions this season than Saka (12). 
- Only Aubameyang has been involved in more goals for Arsenal this season in all competitions (25) than Saka (16 - 4 goals, 12 assists). 

What's next?

It is the small matter of the north London derby up next for Arsenal, with a win potentially crucial in their bid for Europe. Leicester, meanwhile, face relegation-threatened Bournemouth.

Simba SC coach Sven Vandenbroeck has called on his player to crown the title ceremony by beating Namungo FC in a Mainland Premier League match on Wednesday.

The much-awaited league match at Majaliwa Stadium in Ruangwa, Lindi, will see the Wekundu wa Mzimbazi presented with the trophy for winning a third straight title a week ago after their 80 points proved difficult for challengers Azam FC and Young Africans to reach them with six matches to spare.

Vandenbroeck has challenged his players not to underrate Namungo, who are sitting fourth on the 20-team log with 59 points and are keen to finish the season among the top three teams.

“I want us to win and then get presented with the trophy in style, it will be good to get the trophy with a win,” Vandenbroeck is quoted by the club’s official website.

“We dropped points against Ndanda FC in the last draw but we must now wake up and do a good job against Namungo, it will be a good match for us, our fans will come in large numbers to see us get crowned and it will be good if we give them a win from the fixture.”

Simba captain John Bocco has admitted they respect Namungo going into the fixture and has promised their fans they will strive to get a win.

“We respect Namungo because they have done well so far this season, to sit fourth on the log is not an easy task, we don’t want to underrate them, we know it will be a very difficult game but I can assure fans our main target is to carry maximum points.”

In a previous interview, Namungo chairman Hassan Zadadu warned Simba they will spoil their party with a shock win.

“We know Simba are coming here with a joyful mood to be presented their title but, they will leave behind maximum points to us so we should continue to get closer to the top two places on the ladder,” Zadadu is quoted by Daily News.

Zadadu further said their main aim is to make sure they finish the season in a better position so that they can attract sponsors ahead of the new season.

“In short, I can say we are 100 percent ready to get crucial points from Simba to keep us moving forward in the league,” Zadadu continued.

Namungo coach Thiery Hitimana also said their main aim is to finish in a better position and also took his time to congratulate Simba for winning a third straight league title.

Simba are looking forward to the match against Namungo as they will be presented with the trophy after Ndanda FC gave them a guard of honour in their last league match.