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Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker says striker Iqraam Rayners cannot wait to join his new club SuperSport United, since the player has a desire to start a new chapter in his career.

Barker also confirmed they have released former Kaizer Chiefs defender Morgan Gould.

The former AmaZulu manager backed the 24-year-old Rayners to do well under coach Kaitano Tembo's guidance, and that they have given him their blessings.

Rayners has signed a pre-contract with the reigning MTN8 champions but he will have to wait to join the Tshane giants because if the coronavirus pandemic.

“The desire for the boy to join SuperSport was just too big. He really wants to go to Pretoria and join his new club and decided that he was going as he was looking forward to starting a new chapter with them,” Barker told the DailySun.

“We give him our blessing to go although he was supposed to wait until we finish playing the remaining six games.”

On the other hand, the former University of Pretoria boss has confirmed they have parted ways with the former Amakhosi player who signed a one-year contract at the beginning of the current campaign.

“We have four other centre-backs in our team and can cope in that department," he added.

"When counting Gould we have five central defenders and I felt we have more than enough in one position."

Looking at the former Cape Town Santos forward, Rayners has featured in 24 matches for the Cape Winelands side across all competitions and has netted five goals whilst chipping in with six assists so far.

For the former Amakhosi centre-back, Gould has been used sparingly but his experience has been vital for the former National First Division (NFD) champions in the top-flight.

According to the publication, the former Wits University midfielder did not see the need to keep the former Jomo Cosmos, Matsatsantsa, and Bafana Bafana defender until the end of the season.

As things stand, Stellies occupy the 11th place on the log with 27 points from 24 matches and the PSL rookies still have six matches to play before completing their debut season in the elite division.

Polish Ekstraliga side Sportis KKP Bydgoszcz have completed the signing of Nigeria international Alice Ogebe on a one-year contract, Goal can exclusively report.

The Bydgoszcz-based outfit secured the Super Falcons striker as a free agent after she parted ways with Spanish Primera Iberdrola side Real Betis following the expiration of her one-year contract.

Ogebe, who arrived from Nigerian side Rivers Angels last September, made eight appearances for the B team, scoring five goals in seven starts before being promoted to the A team in January.

With the A team, the 25-year-old only featured twice, against Deportivo La Coruna and Madrid CFF, before suffering an injury in January and she was unable to return due to the coronavirus cancellation.

Ogebe's exit means four Nigerians have left Spanish top-flight outfits this summer after Osinachi Ohale, Peach Efih and Uchenna Kanu quit Real Madrid, Sporting Huelva and Sevilla, respectively. 

After finishing 11th with just four points from 12 matches before the coronavirus cancellation last season, they will seek to challenge for domestic glory in their 2020-21 Polish Ekstraliga campaign.

She could prove to be a huge bargain with experience, having enjoyed a brief stint with Red Star Belgrade in Serbia and also featured at the 2019 Women's World Cup in France last summer.

Having arrived from Spain in the Polish city on Saturday, Bydgoszcz has made the Nigerian striker their first major signing since the renaming and merger of the Polish outfit early last month.

Ogebe is expected to be unveiled by Bydgoszcz on Monday and will likely make her debut against Medyk Konin in a pre-season warm-up match at Sielska Stadium on July 8.

Che Adams ended his wait for a first Premier League goal with an incredible long-range strike to see Southampton to a shock 1-0 win over Manchester City.

Adams was making his 25th top-flight appearance for Saints since his £15million signing just over a year ago, but he picked a fine time to break his duck.

City rested Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden, among others, after crushing champions Liverpool in midweek and lacked fluency from the outset at St Mary's, although Adams' wonderful finish preceded a flurry of chances for Pep Guardiola's men.

Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy was in inspired form, however, and the hosts held on to hand City their ninth league defeat of the season and their third in a row away from home.

The second-placed side were made to pay for their sloppy start when Stuart Armstrong stole possession from Oleksandr Zinchenko on halfway and the ball ran for Adams – without a goal since April 2019 – to sweep a stunning 40-yard effort over the stranded Ederson and into a gaping net.

Pressure subsequently built on the Southampton goal, where McCarthy watched Gabriel Jesus miss the target from close range before getting to work.

In a frantic spell, McCarthy parried from Raheem Sterling, dived after a Fernandinho shot that bounced away off the post and then sprang back to his feet to brilliantly repel David Silva's header.

Riyad Mahrez was next to find the insoured keeper blocking his path, before a stretching Danny Ings volleyed over when he might have doubled Saints' lead just before half-time.

McCarthy was at it again following the interval, keeping out Jesus' header and then smothering from Silva after a pinpoint Zinchenko pass.

De Bruyne and Foden soon arrived from the bench, but the withdrawals of Mahrez and Sterling only seemed to hurt City further and Ederson had to stop an Armstrong blast as his side stuttered to a surprise loss despite applying plenty of late pressure.

What does it mean? City miss key men

All 20 teams in the Premier League are adapting to a packed schedule that ensures a number of star players must be rested regularly. This time, it was the turn of City pair De Bruyne and Foden.

But with Sergio Aguero also out through injury, City lacked a cutting edge in the final third. Guardiola will hope to have all three fit and firing by the time the Champions League rolls around again.

McCarthy makes amends

In Southampton's previous home game, their hopes of beating Arsenal were hindered by a poor McCarthy error that allowed Eddie Nketiah to net the opener. The goalkeeper's display on Sunday ensured that mistake will be quickly forgotten.

While the energy of the hosts' outfield players forged opportunities in attack, they were grateful to McCarthy for save after save to improbably keep City at bay.

Defensive difficulties

Many have highlighted frailties in the centre of the City back line as the root cause of their failed title defence, but Aymeric Laporte has usually avoided criticism.

The Frenchman was uncharacteristically shaky on the south coast, though, hastily hacking at two mistimed clearances, while partner Eric Garcia almost played in Adams to net again midway through the second period.

Key Opta Facts

- Southampton have ended a run of six consecutive Premier League defeats against City, with this their first victory against the Citizens in the competition since May 2016 (4-2).
- Guardiola has lost three consecutive away league games for the first time in his managerial career.
- City have lost nine Premier League games this season, last losing more in a single campaign back in 2015-16 under Manuel Pellegrini (10).
- Adams' goal for Southampton was the longest-range Premier League strike so far this season (39 yards).

What's next?

In-form Everton lie in wait for Southampton at Goodison Park on Thursday, by which point City will have faced Newcastle United in Manchester.

Mohamed Salah’s feat of getting his 100th Premier League goal involvement makes him the joint-second fastest player in the championship’s history to reach that milestone.

The Egyptian assisted substitute Curtis Jones, who sealed Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over relegation-threatened Aston Villa at Anfield.

That contribution ensured he has now been involved in 73 goals and 27 assists after 116th appearances in the English elite division, to accompany his accuracy in front of goal since he joined from Serie A.

With this, Salah has equalled Manchester United’s Eric Cantona, who managed the feat in the same number of matches. Nevertheless, he is behind Alan Shearer who attained that mark in just 100 appearances.

Salah's achievement is accentuated by the fact that he is Liverpool’s top scorer in the competition this season, and he is on course for a third Golden Boot diadem.

Currently, he is behind Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Southampton’s Danny Ings and Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy in the race for the 2019-20 individual prize.

Having struggled to make his mark in English football at Chelsea, his stint at Anfield has proved to be a contrasting time.

Salah joined Jurgen Klopp’s men for £36.7 million ($45m) in the summer of 2017 on the back of two impressive seasons with Roma in Serie A, having been let go by the Stamford Bridge giants.

That show of faith saw the 28-year-old become a key part in the Reds’ attacking setup, with his prolific presence bettering the returns of club legendary figures like Fernando Torres and Luiz Suarez.

That form also saw him help Liverpool win the Premier League, Champions League, Super Cup, and Fifa World Club as well as claim a PFA Player of the Year award.

With Sunday’s victory, Klopp’s men now boast of 89 points in 33 league appearances as they are hoping to break the Premier League record of most points in a season.

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City holds that record after they accumulated 100 points two seasons ago. That Man City side also holds the record for the most wins in the campaign with 32, another record Klopp's side - currently on 29 - could break.

Liverpool head to the south coast on Wednesday to face Brighton and Hove Albion, while Villa must defeat red-hot Manchester United on Thursday.

Ghanaian prodigy Matthew Anim Cudjoe could make a return to Asante Kotoko next season, despite media speculation about an imminent move abroad.

The 16-year-old spent last season on loan with the Porcupine Warriors, joining from lower division outfit Young Apostles.

Nicknamed the Ghanaian Messi because of his diminutive nature and dribbling ability, the national U17 star has been linked to Bayern Munich after a trial stint with the German giants in February.

“Honestly, in the interest of the boy if he wants to play any team in Ghana again then it should be Asante Kotoko, it’s Kotoko’s chance to lose him if they want it that way,” Cudjoe's agent Samuel Anim Addo told Wontumi Radio.

“If there should be a foreign contract then he will leave but if not then he’s for Asante and everyone knows what my stand is so if Asante doesn’t do the right thing and lose him, I can’t be blamed because it is clear if he wants to play in Ghana again then it is Asante Kotoko.

“Currently there is no management rather the board and I have not received any call from anyone after the expiration of his contract, so far the only person in Kotoko who keeps in touch is coach Maxwell Konadu.

"I am sure they know what to do because they already know what the boy can bring on board and I am open to renegotiating with them.

“If he is to return to the club, we wouldn’t do politics like he’d travel abroad so we won’t let him play certain games or because of his age. This is what gave Maxwell the chance because he assured me he will hand him enough playing time.

"We will consider a lot of things like his diet, building, development etc before we will think of extending his contract with Kotoko."

Cudjoe made six league appearances and scored once during the recently cancelled Ghana Premier League (GPL) season.

He was the toast of fans as Kotoko beat arch-rivals Hearts of Oak in matchweek six of the championship after coming on as a second-half substitute in Accra.

The Prestea-born is a member of Ghana's U17 side.

Kaizer Chiefs team doctor Jerome Mampane has admitted that he is scared for his life as the country battles the coronavirus pandemic.

The Soweto giants have several of their staff serving patients at various health facilities in South Africa including their doctors, Mampane and Mohammed Moosajee.

“It has been an eye-opening experience. It is scary at the same time, posing a challenge. Beyond the everyday medical stuff, we are called upon to add value with our voices," Mampane told the club's official website.

"We are required to help the people interpret and understand the information they are consuming from media outlets and social media. We need to also debunk the myths and false ideas which are fed by fear and misinterpretation.

“People are scared – so are we. These are uncertain times, but we can beat this if we follow good plans and actually apply the measures we have been advised to apply to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. As clinicians, we are concerned about this situation. People’s attitudes need to change. We need to make the effort to educate more and more people.”

There have been seven positive tests for coronavirus at four PSL clubs including Chiefs and Moosajee urged the public to be more responsible as the country continues to witness an increase in the number of infections every day.

“We are living in unprecedented and extraordinary times indeed. Covid-19 pandemic looks to peak in South Africa over the next month or two; and has raised anxiety and fear within our communities," he said.

"This is mainly attributed to many uncertainties over the novel coronavirus, including how contagious it is, the role of asymptomatic cases, transmission methods, and the unpredictable course of the disease. Unfortunately, these factors are also fuelling harmful stereotypes.

“This has been a challenging and demanding time for all Health Care Workers, with mental and physical fatigue setting in. A significant number of medical practitioners have also contracted the virus during the selfless efforts of fulfilling their duties."

The PSL has also been affected as the 2019/20 season was suspended in March due to the pandemic, but the campaign will resume soon behind closed doors.

“Now more than ever, the South African public needs to guard against complacency," Moosajee added.

"There should be a fine balance between remaining vigilant, but avoiding becoming paranoid, as we look towards a change in social behaviour, which remains the primary mode to halt the increased spread of the virus."

" We should remain mindful of the absolute importance of physical distancing, avoiding unnecessary social interactions, adequate hand hygiene and the wearing of facial masks. Remember, the virus does not move, but people do. Saving lives starts with you and I, and ends with all of us.”

Manchester City’s defeat at Southampton set an unwanted career milestone for boss Pep Guardiola, who has now lost three consecutive away league games for the first time as a manager.

Guardiola’s side had 74 per cent possession and the better of the chances on the south coast, managing 26 shots at goal and winning 13 corners, but came up against a well-marshalled Southampton rearguard.

Even when they broke through the Saints backline they found goalkeeper Alex McCarthy in inspired form, meaning Che Adams’ long-range lob over Ederson in the first half was enough to give Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side all three points.

The result completes an unhappy hat-trick of defeats for former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Guardiola, taking in March’s 2-0 Manchester derby defeat at Old Trafford and last month’s 2-1 reverse against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The defeat in west London also relinquished the Premier League trophy to Liverpool after back-to-back title successes at the Etihad Stadium, with Jurgen Klopp’s side now 23 points clear at the summit.

City sent out a message with a 4-0 victory over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday, their fourth successive home win without conceding a goal, but this latest defeat on the road means they have now lost nine Premier League games this season, the most they have lost in a single campaign since losing 10 matches under Manuel Pellegrini in 2015-16.

City finished in fourth place that year with 66 points, the same as their current tally, with Guardiola succeeding the Argentine in the Etihad hot seat that summer.

Though the league has proven to be a disappointment for City, they could still end the campaign with three trophies. Having retained the Carabao Cup in March, Guardiola’s side beat Newcastle at St James’ Park last month to set up an FA Cup semi-final date with Arsenal at Wembley.

They also hold a 2-1 lead over Real Madrid after the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash, with the second leg scheduled to take place when European football returns next month.

Seko Fofana was on target as Udinese played out a 2-2 draw with Genoa in Sunday’s Serie A encounter.

Having made a substitute appearance in the Little Zebras' 2-0 win at AS Roma on Thursday, the 25-year-old was handed a starter’s role by manager Luca Gotti alongside Nigeria international William Troost-Ekong.

He justified his inclusion by handing the hosts a 44th-minute lead courtesy of Rodrigo De Paul’s assist. Paul received a pass from Ilija Nestorovski before finding the Cote d’Ivoire international, who headed past Mattia Perin after beating his markers.

In the 73rd minute, Fofana turned provider after helping captain Kevin Lasagna for his team’s second goal when he unleashed an unstoppable left-footed drive that flew into the roof of the net.

When it looked like the hosts were cruising home to secure all points at stake, the visitors launched an impressive comeback.

First, it was substitute Goran Pandev who got the ball rolling before Andrea Pinamonti levelled matters after scoring from the rebound of his missed penalty kick.

Fofana, who once featured for Premier League giants Manchester City, was replaced in the 83rd minute by Brazil’s Walace. The strike was his first since his last effort against Cagliari on December 21, 2019.

Nigeria’s Troost-Ekong was on parade for the duration for his 25th appearance in Serie A so far this term.

Thanks to this draw, Udinese moved up to 15th in the Italian top-flight log having garnered 32 points from 30 games – seven points above the relegation zone. For Genoa, they are 17th with 27 points from the same number of games.

Fofana will be hoping to add to his goal tally when Gotti’s team visit SPAL who are at the base of the log.

After completing loan spells at Fulham and Bastia, the midfielder joined the Stadio Friuli giants on a five-deal worth £2.5 million.

Despite featuring for France at U16, U17 and U19 levels, Fofana pledged his allegiance to Cote d’Ivoire – the country of his parents.

He made his debut in the Elephants’ 2-0 loss to Morocco on November 11, 2017 in a 2018 Fifa World Cup qualification game.

Nigeria international Halimatu Ayinde is delighted after being named the Player of the Match (POTM) in Eskilstuna United's 1-1 draw with Goteborg on Saturday.

The Super Falcons star has been a standout for Eskilstuna this season, having helped the Swedish side to a fourth-place finish last term in her first term since arrival from Asarums early in 2019.

Over the last four matches, she has won three Player of the Match awards for her influential showings, including in her side's Damallsvenskan’s 3-3 opener against KIF Orebro a week ago.

Julia Roddar's 42nd minute strike gave Goteborg the lead at Tunavallen but a last-gasp equaliser from Loretta Kullashi ensured Eskilstuna avoid defeat against the last season's runners-up.
 
Having bagged another POTM award, the 25-year-old vows to continue to impress in her position for her side's success, while lauding her teammates' showing against Goteborg.

"It wasn't a bad result against Goteborg, they are a good side with nine national team players," Ayinde told Goal. 

"We knew we have to give everything to win and the draw with them was a product of our good teamwork and a huge result for us.

"As a defensive midfielder, I was just doing what the coach instructed me to do and making sure I helped my team get the best possible result as well. 

"I am happy to receive all the accolades and glad my hard work on the pitch is paying off, even though I believe we can do better."

So far, Mangus Karlsson's side have failed to record a win after two outings this season, having played out a 3-3 opener with Orebro before 1-1 against Goteborg this week.

And Ayinde, who lasted the duration in the two away ties, has assured her side will continue to fight to garner victories in their coming games.

"At this point, it doesn't matter which side scores first but scoreline at the end of the match should judge the performance of the teams," she continued. 

"I know we are struggling now to get victories but also understand it will not last as we are all working hard as a team to get better.

"It's football, it's either you get a win, draw or lose but as a team, we just have push ourselves and go for the wins."

Ayinde will be keen to build on her fine form when Eskilstuna hosts Linkopings, who boasts of Nigerian trio of Ebere Orji, Chinaza Uchendu and Uchenna Kanu, on July 14.

Musa Juwara arrived in Italy in 2016 on a boat as an unaccompanied minor, and since then, a new family and football have changed his life.

The 18-year-old Gambian striker equalised for Bologna in the 74th minute against Internazionale on Sunday, following Romelu Lukaku’s opener, before his compatriot Musa Barrow netted a winner six minutes later to secure an unlikely victory over Antonio Conte’s Serie A title hopefuls.

It was an ill-tempered contest, with both sides having a player sent off, but that will matter little for Juwara, who has enjoyed a remarkable rise to prominence in recent years, having first set foot in Europe four years and one month ago.

Born in 2001, he arrived in Italy when he was just 15, landing on the coasts of Sicily after crossing the Mediterranean on a boat.

The teenager had been orphaned at a young age, and was raised by his grandfather before deciding to travel to Europe in search of a brighter future.

He spent time in Ruoti, in the province of Potenza, before discovering his passion for football with Virtus Avigliano, where coach Vitantonio Summa took him under his wing and also acted as a legal guardian.

Summa, along with his wife, eventually became Juwara’s custodial parents.

The first club to bet on Juwara's youthful promise was Chievo Verona, although he truly caught the eye with Torino at the 2019 Torneo di Viareggio, an annual youth tournament held in Tuscany.

Here, he scored three goals in as many games, demonstrating the potential that had seen him named in The Guardian’s Next Generation 2018 list.

Last summer, Bologna took a punt on Juwara, and he initially joined their U-19 squad.

He made his debut in an Italian Cup game against Udinese in December, and made his first Serie A appearance two months later against AS Roma, coming on for his fellow Gambian Barrow.

The teenager caught the eye in a brief cameo against Juventus after being brought on for the final eight minutes of the 2-0 defeat on June 22, making an impression with his speed and movement.

Bologna coach and former Lazio defender Sinisa Mihajlovic firmly believes in Juwara’s talents, despite having used him sparingly so far this term.

The Yugoslavia great gave the 18-year-old a longer run-out against Inter, introducing him with 25 minutes to play as Bologna looked to overcome the deficit.

"Sinisa told us at the interval that, with a goal, we would win the game,” Juwara told journalists after the victory.

And so it proved, as Juwara equalised after capitalising on Roberto Gagliardini’s mis-kick, nine minutes after his introduction, before Barrow, who had earlier struck the woodwork, secured an outstanding victory and further dented Inter’s faint title aspirations.

Four years and one month after first arriving in the country on a boat, following a dangerous and treacherous journey, Juwara is the name on Italy's lips.

Ross Barkley believes Chelsea team-mate Christian Pulisic has benefited from the three-month break in play due to the coronavirus outbreak, as he used the time to get fit.

The 21-year-old US Men's national team star has been in scintillating form since the restart for Chelsea after scoring twice and winning two penalties in his side's first five matches since the return to action.

The Blues pair were heavily involved in the 3-0 win over Watford on Saturday night and Barkley has seen a different side to Pulisic after he got himself fit during the stoppage in play.

“Since he came back from lockdown he has been on fire," Barkley told reporters at Stamford Bridge. "He had a couple of little niggles earlier in the season - and he didn’t have much of a break last summer before he joined us. So maybe this break has done him a world of good.

"Since he came back he has been blazing. He has been scoring great goals in training and now he has been doing it in matches.

"He is such a difficult player to defend against because he is so direct. He is also so confident. He is always ready to try and take a player on. He is a real problem for defenders.”

Chelsea had a blip in their recent run of form after losing 3-2 away at West Ham in midweek but they have generally found a good rhythm since coming back and have won four of their five games.

Barkley has enjoyed regular action himself having got a goal and an assist against Watford to make it three goals and five assists in his last 10 starts.

It is quite the turnaround for a player who had injury problems earlier in the season, while he made headlines for the wrong reasons due to his off-field conduct.

However, manager Frank Lampard has put the incidents behind him to lean heavily on the former Everton star and Barkley himself has admitted he has done wrong.

"We are all humans, we make mistakes and I am no exception. But it was not taking any attention away from my football for me. It never did. I am a professional and I always work hard," he said before discussing his recent run of games under his former England team-mate and current manager.

"I’ve been feeling fit and I worked really hard during the lockdown to make sure I was ready. I feel that is paying off now because I feel really fit and really good. I just want to carry this on now. It is great that the goals are going in as well.

"You are always pleased when there is an end product to your play. We have been working on that in training and it is great when it pays off in matches. With the players we have like Mason [Mount] and Christian in the team, we are always going to get goals."

Chelsea's ambition this season centres around qualifying for next season's Champions League and they will have to finish in the top four to do so.

The win at the weekend put them back into fourth, two points ahead of Manchester United and five ahead of Wolves. Meanwhile, Leicester are a point ahead of Chelsea in third as four teams battle for two spots.

“We were not at our best at West Ham," he concluded about the run-in. "We needed to get back to winning ways. It was important that we performed tonight and we did. It was a good all-round performance, and we needed it.

“It was important because teams were gaining on us in the chase for Champions League places and we need to put some space in between them and us. We have got so much to play for now - with the FA Cup as well.”

Ross Barkley has cemented his place in Frank Lampard's thoughts and is rewarding Chelsea and his manager with goals and assists, after notching both in the 3-0 win over Watford on Saturday night.

The 26-year-old set up Olivier Giroud's opening goal and then rounded off the scoring by hitting a left-footed shot past Ben Foster at the near post to see his side reclaim fourth spot, after Manchester United jumped over them earlier in the day.

Lampard has been selecting Barkley regularly since just before the lockdown, and he now has three goals and five assists in his last 10 starts.

With the Blues battling for Champions League football against Manchester United, Leicester City and Wolves, Lampard has been impressed with the complete nature of the performances of his midfielder.

"I don’t think it is a new level for Ross. I played with him for England and against him. He has got great quality and I knew that. I think what he is doing is he is playing a very complete role," Lampard told reporters on Zoom at Stamford Bridge.

"His work rate, for instance, is great, recovering, jumping out to defend at times from midfield areas. Obviously, he always has that goal threat with his technical qualities: right and left foot, great strikes. I have seen that and Ross has been absolutely dedicated to the cause.

"In lockdown, just before lockdown against Everton and Liverpool. I am delighted with him and he just needs to keep those levels. There is more to come, there is more to come and his attitude has been first class.

"Competition earlier in the season was tough. In certain games, you decide whether you want to be more offensive or not. That effected it and players have to fight their way into the team.

"[Barkley and Mount] were key [against Watford, I think that was always going to be the case. I think when you pick the team, you look at the opposition and you know they want to defend in big numbers and are a counter-attacking threat but the onus is on us to break them down.

"We struggled just before Christmas in games doing that. With the technical abilities of Ross and Mason, I thought they were really positive today, it changed our game to get the ball through the lines for Willian and Christian. For themselves, they got higher up. It is absolutely key in these sorts of games."

Chelsea have won six of their last seven games, with a 3-2 defeat away at West Ham as the club's only black mark on their recent run.

Another challenge for Chelsea is the loss of N'Golo Kante to a minor hamstring injury, while Mateo Kovacic has already been ruled out of the upcoming Crystal Palace game with an Achilles problem.

Still, Chelsea's squad can handle the rigours of post-lockdown football which sees clubs playing three games a week. The likes of Jorginho and Michy Batshuayi haven't featured at all since the return to action following the coronavirus enforced stoppage in play.

Meanwhile, there are a host of others who have only featured infrequently. Lampard sent a message to those players on the fringes of his squad as he closes out his side's season in the league and cups.

"In terms of the changes, I have to make the calls where I see it," Lampard added. "We have a squad here that we can use. If I feel like we can improve it or change it; then there’s that element of freshness because we are playing so many games which is key.

"There’s also always a tactical element of how I want us to look, what the opposition look like, so yes, I am happy to change around the squad. The important thing from my part then is the players who change, are on the bench, and may have to train in the morning, stay really positive with the group so the spirit stays strong.

"I can’t pick all the players for the 20 man squad. If I make changes then they have to come in and do well or better and tonight was a good example of players coming in and contributing really well."

Having signed both RB Leipzig's Timo Werner and Ajax's Hakim Ziyech already, Chelsea have designs on competing with England's two best teams Liverpool and Manchester City in the near future.

However, they are stuck in a top-four battle and Lampard admits that his side will have to deal with pressure better than their rivals to achieve Champions League football next season.

"We are talking about top four being a success and for us as a club it is this year," he concluded. "We know we want to bridge the gap and challenge right at the top but those are the pressures that come with it. Where you are a younger group, the position that we are in is one we can improve on.

"In terms of how you deal with those pressures, sometimes maybe you can have individuals who slip or don’t quite perform so the rest of the group have to pull them through and fight for a result. There will be moments like that this season.

"I think it is a similar pressure now for all the games. No matter whether you play last or first, we are aware of the teams around us. You have to block that out and focus on ourselves. I thought we did that really well today."

Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City's 1-0 defeat at Southampton on Sunday told the story of their Premier League season.

Just three days after thrashing champions Liverpool 4-0 in a stunning response to the failure of their title defence, City could find no way past Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.

McCarthy made a series of superb saves, while Che Adams pounced on an Oleksandr Zinchenko error to score from 40 yards and pinch the points for Southampton.

The result – a third consecutive away league defeat – left City 23 points behind Liverpool again, with manager Guardiola bemused as he reflected on a largely positive display.

"It was a little bit our season," the Spanish boss said. "We played really well but allowed mistakes in our box and they punished us a lot.

"Afterwards, we created a lot and we could not score. It was a little bit today resuming what happened this season in the Premier League.

"We must improve, but in terms of performance, in terms of the way we played, there's nothing to say. We attacked incredibly well and had 10 guys in the box.

"They scored a goal and they had one chance at the end, but no more than this. We played really, really well."

Reflecting on the season, Guardiola added: "This season, in the Premier League, we've lost a lot of games - but not for a lack of [good] games.

"In general, I think we've played really well in most of the games. But when you have 20 shots and 10 players in the box, you have to score goals.

"When one team has a lot of chances and they beat us and we don't create enough chances, it can happen. But it happened very few times in all competitions.

"We create a lot, but we struggle. In a few they do, they score a goal. We do a lot and we cannot score."

But Guardiola was hopeful City could take a lesson from their setbacks as they prepare for key FA Cup and Champions League ties against Arsenal and Real Madrid respectively.

"Maybe it's going to help us, this situation, to arrive in key moments a little bit better," he said. "But we have to get better.

"The first goal in Chelsea [a 2-1 defeat] was our present to them. In a lot of games, always we give them a chance. When an opponent does a good thing and scores a good goal, it's okay. But that didn't happen."

Bernardo Silva accepts Manchester City cannot afford to drop points away from home with such regularity if they are to compete for the Premier League title again next season.

Deposed champions City thrashed title-winners Liverpool 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium in midweek but came unstuck on the road at Southampton, losing 1-0 to a stunning Che Adams goal on Sunday.

It was a third consecutive defeat away from home in the league for City, manager Pep Guardiola's worst such run of his coaching career.

City star Silva could not explain the disappointing streak but recognised the team must improve before the 2020-21 campaign.

"I don't know. I don't have the answer to that," the Portugal international said. "Of course, it's always better to play at home, a place where we're used to being.

"But there's no excuse for that. We need to improve next season if we want to win again the Premier League."

However, after mustering 26 shots and forcing Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy into six stunning saves, Silva felt City had performed well in defeat.

"I honestly think we played well today," explained Silva, whose City are second and 23 points behind Liverpool with five games remaining. "We created plenty of chances but couldn't score them. Then little mistakes cost us the game.

"Overall, I think 88 minutes of the 90 of this game were spent in the Southampton half of the match. But congratulations to them.

"We didn't play a bad game. I thought we started well in the second half especially - we put a lot of pressure onto them - but we couldn't finish our chances.

"I think we need to improve. We need to check the mistakes that we made today, the little mistakes that, for example, cost us the goal and the few chances they had.

"But overall, the way we played, I honestly thought it was good."

Guardiola's side next face Newcastle at home on Wednesday before facing Brighton away as City are given a chance to end their losing streak on the road. 

City are currently 23 points shy of league leaders Liverpool but eight points clear of third-place Leicester City with six games remaining. 

Sergio Ramos revealed he enjoys the responsibility of taking crucial penalties for Real Madrid, although he claimed he would be playing tennis if he was looking for individual recognition.

For the second time in four days, Ramos grabbed the only goal from 12 yards for Madrid, this time to secure a 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao at San Mames on Sunday.

A seventh straight victory moved the Liga leaders seven points clear, at least until Barcelona take on Villarreal later in the day.

Ramos is focused on ensuring Madrid keep winning, having been flawless since the season's restart – a period in which the captain has now scored five times, including from the spot against Getafe on Thursday.

"All I think about is the three points," he said. "But those moments of doubt [when taking penalties], that's when I feel most comfortable.

"I just wanted to take that responsibility. What matters most is the overall result. The only thing that matters is that it helps the team win."

On his personal exploits, Ramos added: "The individual recognition is second for me.

"What matters is that the team get the objectives we want and manage to get the three points in every game we play. Luckily, for the moment, we are getting those results.

"I would have probably played tennis if I were more interested in individual recognition. This is a very beautiful sport, a team sport, and it's very nice to win as a team."

Having also overcome Getafe this week and with relatively kinder fixtures to come, Ramos acknowledged the magnitude of Madrid's latest victory.

"It was very important for us. We knew today was going to be one of the most important games of those that are left for us," he said. "It's a very difficult game always, travelling away to Bilbao.

"We just organised it like that: we had 11 finals left coming back from lockdown and we just had to go game by game, getting the three points.

"I believe today, again, the team proved that against a team like this, you always have to be at it. We're very happy with the three points. That was our objective.

"It's three very important points to put more pressure on Barcelona, who play later today.

"We just want that league title. From the first minute, you could see how we wanted to go for that game and get the result today.

"We knew we weren't going to win 3-0 or 4-0 today – it was going to be a very tough game – but it was important."

Glasgow City general manager Laura Montgomery has praised a philanthropic contribution that she says has saved the club’s Champions League dreams.

James Anderson will pay for the club’s travel and Covid-19 testing, enabling the Scottish side to compete in the latter stages of the European competition.

The women’s Champions League will take place over the course of 10 days in San Sebastian, Spain, in August but with UEFA instructing clubs to charter their own flights, there was a very real threat that costs would prove too much for Montgomery’s outfit until Anderson stepped in.

“He has been amazing,” Montgomery said. “Mr Anderson was aware of our financial implications on our club in getting back to train and to play in the Champions League, and I have been discussing these with him over the past week as he was keen to help us. 

“Covid-19 has brought unprecedented financial pressures.

“The stark reality is if James hadn't come forward then I don't know how we could ever have played this game.

“He is now taking care of testing and our means to travel, because UEFA want teams to go on their own plane.

“It was the most amazing news when he told me he would cover that. He is an incredibly generous man.

“His generosity is unmatched in anything I have ever seen in Scottish women's football. We cannot say thank you enough.”

Montgomery revealed that after overcoming Chertanovo and Brondby, it would have been a bitter blow not to be able to continue their quest for glory.

“Our players were absolutely magnificent in defeating Brondby to, unbelievably, get to the quarter-finals and it would have been a tragedy for our game if we would have been unable to take our place,” she said.

“Thankfully, with the biggest act of kindness we have known in our 22 years as a club, this is something we now no longer need to worry about.”

Anderson, meanwhile, has otherwise pledged £250,000 ($306,000) to the women’s game in Scotland, as well as providing a donation of £3 million ($4m) to SPFL clubs.

Former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness has criticised the contribution of Jack Grealish to Aston Villa, claiming that he does not read the game well enough to be a top player.

Though regarded as one of the Villans’ top performers and a reported summer transfer target for Manchester United, Souness is not a fan.

The 54-time capped Scotland international claimed that there is one statistic that is particularly damning of the 28-year-old.

“I would not want to have been the most fouled player in the Premier League. That means I’m holding onto the ball too long, I’m taking extra touches when I don’t need to,” he told Sky Sports.

“It means you’re not seeing the picture quickly enough. There’s no doubt about it. He’s easy on the eye, he’s silky on the eye, but I’m yet to be convinced by him.”

While fellow pundit Emile Heskey argued that Grealish takes so many touches because of a lack of intelligent movement ahead of him, Souness dismissed the claim. 

“When I was being coached at Liverpool, I was told, I make the striker’s mind up, with my body movement, with the way I get the ball out of my feet, with my body movement. I make them run where I’m looking like I’m going to kick the ball,” Souness retorted.

“I just think that anyone who gets that many fouls, is not seeing the picture quickly enough. 

“As an old midfield player, I always think: ‘Would I like to have played against him?’ I’d have loved to have played against him because he allows me to get to him, to get physical with him.

"Do I want to play against Paul Scholes, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, who pop it off one or two touch? I want to play against people like him because I know he’s going to let me mess him around.”

Villa currently find themselves in the teeth of the relegation battle in the Premier League. Prior to their Sunday kick-off against champions Liverpool at Anfield, Dean Smith’s side lay 18th in the standings, though a single point behind Watford, who are currently in the 17th spot, which signifies safety.

Zinedine Zidane feels his Real Madrid players deserve more respect as he is "tired" of their victories being attributed to refereeing decisions.

Madrid celebrated a seventh straight win on Sunday as they prevailed 1-0 at Athletic Club, moving seven points clear of rivals Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

However, their goal came courtesy of a Sergio Ramos penalty, awarded only after a VAR review highlighted Dani Garcia's trip on Marcelo.

Iker Muniain revealed his frustration at the call after the match, echoing comments from Barca's Gerard Pique, who suggested the officials were making it difficult to stop Madrid winning the title.

Zidane bristled at the accusations, though, telling a news conference: "I am tired of being told that we won because of the referees.

"This is not going to change. But the players deserve respect. Nothing is going to take away from our goal."

The head coach accepted Madrid were not at their best at San Mames, yet he pointed to a tough schedule which saw the leaders in action against Getafe as recently as Thursday.

"Our strength is what I like the most. We are showing our strength and our balance when we lose the ball," Zidane said. "We are doing very well.

"We have lacked brilliance in attack and we can improve, but most important is our defensive strength.

"[The problems in attack are due to] a little bit of everything. It can be something physical, too. We play every three days.

"But I don't think it is our own thing; I think it is something for all the teams. There is a lot of difference between the beginning and the end."

Talk is turning towards when Madrid might clinch the title, with just four games to play and Barca struggling for form.

But Zidane is not getting ahead of himself, adding: "Until it is mathematically won, we cannot relax and think about the title.

"We have shown our strength and our solidity, but I am not going to talk about it, even if you ask me every day, because I already have a lot of experience in my career, also as a player, and all the games are difficult.

"What I can say is that winning seven games out of seven is impressive."

Inter chief executive Beppe Marotta says Lautaro Martinez has shown no desire to leave and remains hopeful the club can fend off any interest in the Argentina striker this summer.

Barcelona are believed to be frontrunners to sign the 22-year-old, who has scored 17 goals for Antonio Conte’s side this season.

The deal would see him link up with international team-mate Lionel Messi at Camp Nou, with the Barca skipper reportedly a big fan of Lautaro’s talents and keen to play alongside him at club level.

As reported by Goal in April, Barca are willing to offer the Argentine a contract worth €10 million (£9m/$11m) a year. But the main issue appears to be the transfer fee.

Lautaro has a €111m (£97m$121m) buyout clause that expires on in July. But such a fee is out of reach for Barca at present, with the Catalan side still needing to offload players just to meet their budgetary requirements for 2019-20. The club may therefore wait for the clause to expire before making a lower bid for his services.

Lautaro, meanwhile, has seen his form decline in recent months, scoring just once in 10 matches, and he also missed a penalty in Sunday's game against Bologna. That has led to accusations his head had been turned by Barcelona and he had already begun to look ahead to life at Camp Nou.

Marotta, though, remains defiant and says the striker is not agitating for a move, which significantly strengthens Inter’s hand in any negotiations that may be taking place with the Spanish giants.

“Lautaro has not shown the slightest desire to leave,” Marotta told DAZN.

“Aside from dates and deadlines, the clearest situation is that Inter do not want to sell their champions or interesting young talents. If the player were to ask to leave, we would evaluate that together, but so far, that request has not arrived.

“I believe that, being a young player, it can boost his career to continue playing for a while longer at Inter. Being an Inter player means being part of a big club and that ought to be reason enough for him to feel proud.”