Chelsea handed major boost as star joins squad for Everton clash

Chelsea have been handed a huge boost ahead of this weekend’s trip to Everton with Antonio Rudiger fit for selection.

The defender, 26, returned from a knee injury against Wolves in September.

But Rudiger lasted just 45 minutes before pulling up with a groin problem.

And he is yet to feature under new boss Frank Lampard since then.

However, according to The Sun, the Germany international could be in line to start at Goodison Park this weekend, giving the Blues a mental lift ahead of their busy winter schedule.

And Fikayo Tomori, Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma will now have to battle it out amongst each other for a spot alongside fan favourite Rudiger.

Photo Credit: Twitter @chelseafc.com

Arsenal stunned by Brighton as Neal Maupay’s late goal sink Gunners at the Emirates

Neal Maupay headed a late goal as Brighton & Hove Albion earned their first-ever win at Arsenal, with a 2-1 victory at Emirates Stadium.

The Seagulls took the lead in the 36th minute when Adam Webster fired home at a corner.

Alexandre Lacazette equalised five minutes into the second half when his looping header at another corner eluded Brighton keeper Mat Ryan.

David Luiz had an effort disallowed for offside before the Seagulls won it when Maupay cleverly headed in Aaron Mooy’s left-wing cross with 10 minutes left to play.

The result extended Arsenal’s winless Premier League run to seven matches and leaves them 10th in the table on 19 points.

Arsenal players were treated to a chorus of boos around the Emirates as the half-time whistle sounded.

Brighton’s first away win since the opening day of the season takes them up to 13th, one point further back 18 points.

Photo Credit: premierleague.com

HALF-TIME REPORT: Arsenal players booed off the field as Brighton take the lead

Brighton lead at the interval through Adam Webster’s second goal of the season at the Emirates.

The Seagulls have certainly looked stronger in periods and will feel they deserve to be in front.

Brighton got the goal their first-half performance deserved as Adam Webster broke the deadlock in the 36th minute after they tested Leno on several of occasions.

The goal came through set-piece and after Connolly was unable to get a shot away, the ball found its way to defender who thumped it home.

The Emirates was silenced while the away end is bouncing.

A chorus of boos echoed around the Emirates as the half-time whistle sounded.

Photo Credit: Twitter @premierleague.com

Jose Mourinho reveals what he told his players before defeat at Old Trafford

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has revealed what he told his players at Old Trafford, stating that they should not to be fooled by Manchester United’s poor form after his old club failed to beat Bournemouth, Sheffield United and Aston Villa in recent weeks.

But after scoring in a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford, Alli admitted they failed to heed their manager’s warning.

Mourinho confirmed that he had warned his players what to expect, drawing on his experience of United playing better against the bigger teams because they can counter-attack.

“I tried to fight exactly that state of mind,” he said.

“I tried to tell them exactly the way United approach these matches at home – against Liverpool, against Chelsea, always the strong start with people running, pressing, trying to lift the morale of the supporters.

“Normally they come from bad results against smaller teams so when they face the big teams people think it’s going to be more difficult for them. It’s not more difficult for them because the responsibilities change and they feel comfortable in this style of play.

“We have to blame ourselves. I think United must obviously be happy with the points, and overall they deserved it.”

Sportsmail reports that the former United boss went into the home dressing-room after the game and congratulated his successor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

“No problem, what’s the problem?” said Mourinho. “I have nothing against him, I think he has nothing against me. Why should we have any kind of problem?”

Photo Credit: premierleague.com

Arsenal, Liverpool join Barcelona in the hunt for Nigerian-born Germany international

There are reports Liverpool and Arsenal have joined Barcelona in the race to sign highly-rated 17-year-old forward Karim Adeyemi.

He is reported to be the ‘bet’ of Barcelona director of youth football Patrick Kluivert and they are said to view his potential to being similar to that of 16-year-old rising star Ansu Fati.

The German striker is currently on loan at Bundesliga 2 side FC Liefering from Red Bull Salzburg and has scored eight goals in 13 appearances so far this season.

Adeyemi – who has a Nigerian father and Romanian mother – began his youth career at Bayern Munich and went on to spend six years at SpVgg Unterhaching

He has also represented his country at U16 and U17 level and both English clubs are thought to be keeping a keen eye on the player ahead of a potential move for him in January.

Frank Lampard provides update on Tammy Abraham’s injury after defeating Aston Villa, dismisses suggested target for striker

Blues boss Frank Lampard has played down the severity of Tammy Abraham’s injury after the striker was forced off during Chelsea’s win over Aston Villa on Wednesday evening.

Abraham netted Chelsea’s opener in the 24th minute before he turned provider in the second half to provide the assist for Mason Mount’s winning goal.

But the 22-year-old was forced off with seven minutes remaining after he injured his right knee.

Abraham was sidelined for Chelsea’s defeat to West Ham at the weekend due to a bruised hip, but Lampard appears confident that Abraham will not be sidelined for Chelsea’s trip to Everton on Saturday.

When asked about Abraham’s injury after the win over West Ham, Lampard replied: “It doesn’t seem too bad in there, so I’m presuming no, he’s alright.”

Lampard also ruled out the idea of giving Abraham a goal target after he netted his 11th in the Premier League on Wednesday evening, report the Metro.

“No, I don’t think I need to. He’s a hungry boy,” said the Chelsea manager.

Chelsea expecting appeal verdict

Chelsea will know today whether the transfer ban for two windows imposed on it by world soccer governing body FIFA has been lifted by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The Europa League champions were sanctioned in February for breaching rules on the international transfer and registration of players under 18. They were also fined 600,000 Swiss francs($600,000).

The club filed an appeal with CAS in June in a bid to be able to recruit in the January transfer window.

If successful, the Blues will be able to sign players in January.

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard was asked at a news conference on Tuesaday when a decision could be expected.

“Very soon, I believe. Days, I think,” he replied.

“I haven’t heard any more, so I would wait and reserve judgement (on Chelsea’s plans for January) until we get the judgement and see where we want to go from there.”

Marcus Rashord’s brace sinks Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham at Old Trafford

Marcus Rashford’s double either side of half-time was enough to win hand Manchester United victory as the Red Devils beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 to consign Jose Mourinho to his first defeat as Spurs’ head coach.

Rashford put United in front after six minutes with a low shot from the left-hand side of the penalty area that beat Paulo Gazzaniga at his near post.

Gazzaniga tipped another Rashford effort onto the crossbar before Dele Alli equalised brilliantly six minutes before half-time.

The in-form midfielder controlled a loose ball inside the box and flicked it over two defenders before firing past David De Gea.

Man Utd retook the lead four minutes into the second half from the penalty spot, Rashford converting after he was fouled by Moussa Sissoko.

United climb above Spurs into sixth place on 21 points, one above their eighth-placed opponents.

Photo Credit: premierleague.com

Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount ruin John Terry’s return to Stamford Bridge (Match Report)

Tammy Abraham scored one goal and set up another on his return from injury, with Mason Mount bagging the winner early on in the second half as Chelsea beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Abraham missed Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to West Ham United with a hip problem but was named in the starting line-up and opened the scoring in the 24th minute, heading in from Reece James’ cross.

Villa equalised four minutes before the break as Trezeguet converted Ahmed El Mohamady’s cross from close range.

But Chelsea went back in front on 48 minutes as Abraham laid the ball off to Mason Mount, who fired in his first home goal since August.

Tom Heaton made a fantastic save to deny Chelsea a third when he tipped Willian’s free-kick on to the post.

Chelsea’s first win in three league matches leaves them fourth on 29 points, while Villa are 15th on 15 points.

Photo Credit: premierleague.com