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WILLIAN AND PEDRO SIGN NEW CONTRACTS

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard will have two of his senior attackers available for the Premier League run-in after Willian and Pedro agreed to short-term extensions on their current deals until the end of the season.

Both players were due to leave the club on 30 June after the expiration of their previous deals, but have opted to stay at Stamford Bridge until the climax of the Premier League season, which has been extended into the summer.

Willian, 31, has been one of the key senior players for Chelsea this season, starting 22 league matches for Lampard, but had been unable to agree terms on an extended contract beyond this summer, with the Brazilian allegedly keen for a longer deal than was on the table.

World Cup winner Pedro has only started eight league matches, and had already negotiated a move to Roma when his contract with Chelsea expires. However, that transfer will happen after the domestic seasons in England and Italy finish.

Willian has been a mainstay in Chelsea’s squad since making a big money move from Anzhi in 2013, winning the Premier League twice, the FA Cup, and also the Europa League in 2019.

Pedro has won all those accolades also, but win just the one Premier League title.

Even before the summer transfer window opens, the Blues have been busy in the transfer market and have already completed the signings of Hakim Ziyech from Ajax and Timo Werner from RB Leipzig, as Lampard adds yet more talented youth to his squad.

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JUVENTUS AGREE HUGE FEE FOR BARCELONA MIDFIELDER

Juventus have agreed a huge £72.5million fee with Barcelona to sign midfielder Arthur when the summer transfer window opens, according to reports.

Arthur arrived at the Nou Camp from Gremio in his native Brazil for £28m, and has gone on to make 70 appearances for the club across two seasons.

Despite the mammoth fee being agreed between the two sides, as reported by Sky Sports, it is understood the 23-year-old is desperate to stay and fight for his place in the midfield at Barcelona.

The Spanish club, though, are cash-strapped and understood to be keen to take the fee offered by Juve in the summer.

It has been written that Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri wants to build his team around the Brazilian next season, while the Italians have also offered him a huge wage increase.

If he accepts the move to Turin, Arthur will be on £4.5m a year and will line up in the midfield behind the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo.

For now, it is understood that Arthur will line up for Barcelona on Tuesday night in their huge clash against Athletic Bilbao.

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Jose Mourinho backs Harry Kane

Tottenham forward Harry Kane has been labelled “Hero Kane” by boss Jose Mourinho after his return from injury.

The England captain made his first appearance since suffering a hamstring injury on 1 January in Friday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

Mourinho, whose side face West Ham on Tuesday, also says Spurs have no intention of selling the 26-year-old.

“If he gives me the same he gave me against United, I will be more than happy,” said Mourinho.

Kane failed to score in Friday’s draw, had one shot on target and managed 36 touches of the ball – only goalkeeper Hugo Lloris had fewer among the players to have played the entire game.

It led to criticism from former Arsenal player Paul Merson, who said the forward would not manage a high goal return under Mourinho because of his style of play.

Kane had scored seven in 11 games under Mourinho before Tottenham’s return to Premier League action after the coronavirus pandemic.

“Harry Kane played one game after six months. I know that if he scores two goals, the talk stops,” added Mourinho.

“The only thing that I know is that Harry Kane had an incredible effort, he played 90 minutes, 94 or 95, he was training again (on Monday) and (on Sunday), he’s ready to play (on Tuesday), he’s an amazing professional, he’s super-committed with the team.

“If I have to wait patiently to score two goals or three goals in one game and then everybody starts saying that Harry Kane is back, I wait.

“But for me it’s not Harry Kane, it’s ‘Hero Kane’ because a guy that had a big surgery, has a lockdown that stopped the perfect rehabilitation, because it did, so with all the difficulties, then come to normal training only for a couple of weeks… for me, Hero Kane.”

Mourinho says the striker, who has four years left on his current Spurs contract, harbours the same ambitions as the club and chairman Daniel Levy.

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Aguero out for sometime

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Burnley - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - June 22, 2020 Manchester City's Sergio Aguero reacts after sustaining an injury, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Martin Rickett/Pool via REUTERS EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

The knee injury suffered by Sergio Aguero in Monday’s 5-0 win over Burnley “does not look good”, says Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

The striker was forced off just before half-time after a challenge from Ben Mee that resulted in the penalty from which City scored their second goal.

Guardiola revealed the Argentine had been suffering from a knee problem for the past month.

“We’ll see tomorrow in a better way what he has,” said the City boss.

“He felt something in his knee. He has struggled in the last month, some pain in his knee, so we will see.”

Asked if he was worried about the 32-year-old’s prospects for the rest of the season, Guardiola replied: “I’m not a doctor, but it doesn’t look good.”

Aguero was replaced by Gabriel Jesus in Monday’s game, which City won easily, with Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez both scoring twice and David Silva netting the fifth.

They have now won both of their games since the restart of the Premier League, following last Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Arsenal.

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Man city Thrash Burnley on Monday night football

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Burnley - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - June 22, 2020 Manchester City's Phil Foden celebrates scoring their fifth goal, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Michael Regan/Pool via REUTERS EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez both scored twice as Manchester City thrashed Burnley to ensure Liverpool will have to wait a little longer to wrap up the Premier League title.

Three first-half goals saw City on their way to the most comfortable of wins at Etihad Stadium, with Foden’s superb long-range strike breaking the deadlock before Mahrez’s double just before the break.

The Algerian’s fine solo effort made it 2-0 before he added another from the spot after Ben Mee fouled Sergio Aguero, with the penalty being awarded by the video assistant referee.

It was all too easy for City against a Burnley side that did not name their full complement of substitutes for their first game since the Premier League restarted behind closed doors amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Foden played a starring role in the rout, starting the move that saw Bernardo Silva tee up David Silva to make it 4-0 soon after the break, and then adding a fifth himself after Gabriel Jesus helped on a David Silva cross.

By then the evening was a stroll for Pep Guardiola’s side, who are now 20 points behind the leaders with eight league games remaining.

If the defending champions had dropped points against the Clarets, a win for Liverpool against Crystal Palace at Anfield on Wednesday would have seen them officially take City’s crown.

Instead Jurgen Klopp’s side must beat the Eagles and then rely on City dropping points against Chelsea on Thursday if they are to clinch the title before they visit Etihad Stadium on 2 July.

Burnley issued a statement during the game condemning the actions of those responsible after a plane carrying a banner reading ‘White Lives Matter Burnley’ was flown over the ground shortly after kick-off.

Both sets of players had taken a knee before the game started in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

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Ronaldo scores as Juventus go four points clear

Cristiano Ronaldo scored as Juventus resumed their Serie A title defence with victory at mid-table Bologna.

Juve, who have won the past eight titles, are four points clear of Lazio, who visit Atalanta on Wednesday.

Ronaldo gave Juve the lead with a penalty after Matthijs de Ligt was fouled by Stefano Denswil.

Paulo Dybala curled home an excellent second from Federico Bernardeschi’s backheel but Juve ended with 10 men following Danilo’s red card.

Maurizio Sarri’s side were in control in the second half and could have scored more with Bernardeschi hitting the post and Ronaldo having a goal ruled out for offside.

But their problems at left-back continued. Alex Sandro is injured, and Mattia de Sciglio pulled up during the game holding his hamstring. He was replaced by Danilo, who will now be suspended after picking up two yellow cards.

Juventus had played twice since the Italian season restarted following the coronavirus pandemic without scoring. They drew 0-0 with AC Milan in the Coppa Italia semi-final before winning on penalties – and then lost the final to Napoli on spot-kicks after another goalless draw.

They made numerous errors at the back against Bologna, who could not take advantage, but fully deserved a fourth consecutive Serie A win.

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Real Madrid go Top of La Liga

Real Madrid went to the top of La Liga thanks to a hard-fought victory at Real Sociedad.

Zinedine Zidane’s side are level on points with Barca, who drew 0-0 with Sevilla on Friday, but go top because of their superior head-to-head record.

Sergio Ramos’ penalty after the lively Vinicius Jr was fouled gave the visitors the lead.

Karim Benzema doubled their advantage before Mikel Merino’s strike set up a tense finale.

There was controversy when substitute Adnan Januzaj thought he had made it 1-1 with a strike from outside the area but it was ruled out for a Merino offside. Merino did not get a touch but the officials deemed he was blocking goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois’ view, so interfering with play.

Their sense of grievance grew when moments later Benzema controlled a Federico Valverde cross with his shoulder before firing home. The goal stood after a video assistant referee review for handball.

Madrid looked comfortable at that stage but Merino rifled a shot in via the underside of the crossbar, after a cross from substitute Roberto Lopez, to keep the closing minutes interesting.

The visitors’ biggest problem from the game came when Ramos was injured soon after his goal and needed an ice pack on his leg in the stands.

Madrid – who have only won one La Liga title since 2012 – are now eight victories away from winning the league.

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Pulisic steals the show as chelsea defeat aston villa

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea holds back Jack Grealish of Aston Villa as both teams clash during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Chelsea FC at Villa Park on June 21, 2020 in Birmingham, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Pool via Getty Images)

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has backed “hungry” Christian Pulisic to play a big part in the Blues’ bid for a top-four finish in the Premier League after the forward scored in Sunday’s 2-1 win at Aston Villa.

The visitors controlled the first half but fell behind when Kepa failed to hold Anwar El Ghazi’s shot and Kortney Hause was on hand to bundle in.

Lampard sent Pulisic on in the 55th minute and five minutes later the United States international equalised when he lashed Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross into the roof of the net.

Olivier Giroud then sealed victory two minutes later when he drove in from 15 yards with the help of a slight deflection.

Pulisic was playing his first game since New Year’s Day after recovering from injury and Lampard is confident he will be an important player for him in the run-in.

“He will start games for us, of course, and I think he’s going to be a big player for us, not just in this run-in but going forward,” he said.

“He was hungry. I know that and I felt for him, as I felt for the players with long-term injuries.

“The ability he’s got to arrive in the box, it’s a big thing, I’ve spoken about it with him all season.”

The win means fourth-placed Chelsea restored their five-point advantage over Manchester United and Wolves, who are fifth and sixth respectively.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, remain in the relegation zone, one point from safety after taking one point from their first two games back following the resumption of the Premier League.

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“WE DIDN’T HAVE THE RHYTHM”: KLOPP DISAPPOINTED WITH LIVERPOOL ATTACK IN MERSEYSIDE DERBY DRAW.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was left disappointed with the lack of chances his team created after Sunday’s goalless draw at Everton in the Merseyside derby.

On their return after the three-month stoppage due to COVID-19, Liverpool found themselves frustrated by Carlo Ancelotti’s well-drilled Everton side.

Klopp was pleased with the way his team approached the match, in terms of their fitness and defensive solidity but was left frustrated by his forward players.

We didn’t have enough chances. Most of the time we were dominant but they had the biggest chance,” said Klopp, whose side survived a late scare when Tom Davies hit the post in the 80th minute.

“I liked a lot of things about our game but we didn’t have those moments in attack, we didn’t have the rhythm.

“Everton defended really well and we were not smart enough to use the space. That is normal when you start to play again. It was a real fight. Both teams showed they understand it is a derby. Intense, physical, all players were all in.

“The point is one we deserve. When I think of all the derbies here, they looked pretty similar. Everton were well organised so we had to run a lot but we looked fit and ready.”

The Premier League leaders need five points from their remaining eight matches to secure their first league title in 30 years.

Ancelotti said his team had stuck to their gameplan well.

“It was not an open game because we did not want an open game. The performance was good against a strong team. We showed good personality and character. A draw is fair,” said the Italian.

“We performed really well. We were focused, we sacrificed. We had opportunities to score at the end. Liverpool played a good game, they had more possession but defensively we were really good.”

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MIKE DEAN’S BEARD STEALS THE SHOW AT MERSEYSIDE DERBY DRAW

Liverpool travelled to Merseyside rivals Everton on Sunday evening as they restarted their Premier League campaign, knowing they are just two wins from a first league title in 30 years.

The reds were forced to a barren draw and had their league title glory extended by a possible three matches.

However, there was a major highlight outside the normal as the cameras panned across the abundance of stars preparing for the derby, it was Mike Dean who caught the eye.

The referee has a reputation for stealing the limelight, and it’s fair to say he’s done it again.

Dean had a well grown beard that completely changed his look from the bald headed and well shaved Mike we used to know.

Perhaps, many things have changed about match officials too during the lockdown.