After picking up the Man of the Match trophy for his 45-minute performance, Romelu Lukaku spoke to Sky Sports.

The west London club came from behind to beat Aston Villa after Jorginho’s first-half penalty chalked off Reece James own goal.

Lukaku’s introduction in the second half turned the game on its head in favour of the visitors.

The Belgium international spoke about his individual effort today : “I think I needed a performance like this today. It’s been difficult getting ends of the game.

“Every footballer wants to be on the pitch.

“The manager has his reasons but I kept working hard and today was good first to win and for myself personally I’m happy with my performance and now I have to push on”

Lukaku was asked if Chelsea needed that result after dropping down to nine points behind league leaders Manchester City.

Lukaku said: “We are the hunters now.

“The last results were not the best and now we have to chase. We have to treat every game like a final.

“Today we won and now we have to push on. We had to win the game.

“Credit to Steven Gerrard and his staff. It was not easy for us.

“Our quality came through.”

That is what Chelsea have been missing as it took Romelu Lukaku just SIX minutes to find the back of the net.

The Chelsea striker headed home a Callum Hudson-Odoi cross like all good number nines do.

Tyrone Mings should probably do more, but take nothing away from Lukaku’s movement and instinct there. Just what Thomas Tuchel needed.

2-1 to Chelsea.

Photo Credit: CBSSportsGolazo

One goal apiece at half-time despite there being very few clear chances in the game at Villa Park as Aston Villa led through Reece James’ own goal but soon found themselves level again after Jorginho converted from the spot.

The home side have defended narrowly and compactly, forcing Chelsea to send their full-backs high up the pitch in an attempt to find a way past them.

Villa have then countered well with high energy and direct play – Watkins the key man – as they run at the Chelsea back three.

It was a Matt Targett cross that deflected off Reece James’ head and hit the back of the net to put Villa one up.

Chelsea found their way back into the game however, when Hudson-Odoi got behind the Villa defence and was hacked down by Matty Cash.

Jorginho calmly put home the penalty and the two sides go in level pegging at the half.

Photo Credit: ChelseaFC/Twitter

Chelsea and Aston Villa have released their line-ups for one of the Premier League’s Boxing Day fixtures despite Covid-19 problems.

Fan favourite and recently-named Scottish footballer of the year, John McGinn, is out today.

One can presume it is part of the Covid-19 protocols but we will try and confirm that as soon as possible.

The Villans will likely start in a 4-3-3 formation.

The Blues go into tonight with a stronger side than recent weeks as we see the return of Hudson-Odoi to the line up and Lukaku on the bench.

Chelsea will line up in a 3-4-3 formation with the ball, with wing backs joining the midfield.

Mendy stays in goal for the European champions, whilst there is a back three in front of him, consisting of young Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva and Rudiger.

Kante and Jorginho sit in the defensive midfield positions.

Reece James and Marcos Alonso are the wing-backs, looking to cause as much trouble for Villa as they have caused opposition teams this season.

Mason Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi will line up either side of Pulisic in an attacking three.

16 Mendy; 3 Alonso, 14 Chalobah, 6 Thiago Silva, 2 Rudiger, 24 James; 7 Kante, 5 Jorginho; 19 Mount, 10 Pulisic, 20 Hudson-Odoi

1 Martinez; 2 Cash, 4 Konsa, 5 Mings, 3 Targett; 41 Ramsey, 6 Douglas Luiz, 8 Sanson; 10 Buendia, 11 Watkins; 20 Ings

The Nigerian Football Federation has spoken to Jose Mourinho about the prospect of becoming the new manager of the national team, their chief has revealed.

The Super Eagles are managerless after sacking Gernot Rohr earlier this month, with the African Cup of Nations just weeks away.

Amaju Pinnick, president of the Nigerian FA, wants to appoint a manager who can instil discipline into the squad as Nigeria look to win AFCON for the first time since 2013.

And Pinnick revealed they have targeted Roma boss Mourinho ahead of the tournament.

He told Nigerian outlet the Daily Trust: “The emphasis on the new coach is discipline.

“We will also look at how hungry he is to win trophies because if they are hungry it supersedes so many things and if he wants to win he will instil discipline.

“Of course Mourinho – I am not going to tell you we didn’t talk to Mourinho because we did and the (sports) minister also talked to Mourinho and there is nothing wrong with it.

“If the coach will give us the Nations Cup, he will be drafted in immediately.

Newcastle are interested in signing former Manchester United star Odio Ighalo in the January transfer window, according to reports.

The striker, 32, currently plays for Saudi Arabian side Al Shabab and he is the top scorer in the league this season with nine goals.

He moved to the Middle East after his loan spell at United came to an end – he scored five goals in 23 games for the Red Devils.

And he would be open to a move to St. James’ Park, report Sky Sports.

Al Shabab have reportedly spoken to Ighalo about a potential move with Eddie Howe’s 19th-placed side in desperate need of new signings.

Another report claims that the 32-year-old has informed his club that he would be open to a move to St. James’ Park if an official offer is extended.