Chelsea receive approval for new stadium

Chelsea has received approval from the Hammersmith & Fulham Council for the club to redevelop Stamford Bridge.

The proposed rebuild will increase capacity from 41,663 to 60,000.

The plan was presented in model form at a hearing at Hammersmith Town Hall on Wednesday. After a three-hour meeting attended by Blues chairman Bruce Buck and director Eugene Tenenbaum, permission was granted.

Chelsea’s new stadium is expected to cost £500m and take three years to build.

“We are grateful that planning permission was granted for the redevelopment of our historic home,” Chelsea said in a statement.

“The committee decision does not mean that work can begin on site. This is just the latest step, although a significant one, that we have to take before we can commence work, including obtaining various other permissions”, it added.

Stamford Bridge is the ninth biggest club ground in England behind Manchester United, Arsenal, West Ham, Manchester City, Liverpool, Sunderland, Newcastle United and Aston Villa.

Manchester United transfer target Ivan Rakitic wants to leave Barcelona…but Manchester City could get there first

Ivan Rakitic has seen his game time decrease at Barcelona (Picture: Getty)

Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic has decided that he wants to leave the club, according to reports.

The midfielder was completely left out of the squad for their last La Liga game, against Villarreal, and has decided that is the last straw regarding his time at the Nou Camp.
Manager Luis Enrique has only given the Croatia midfielder 71 minutes of action since he started in their 1-1 draw with El Clasico rivals Real Madrid, none of which have been in the league, and this has forced Rakitic to consider his future – according to Croatian outlet Jutarnji.
Manchester United have been linked with the former Sevilla ace in the past, but it is local rivals Manchester City who appear to be in pole position for him this month.
The Citizens have supposedly made a £43.5 million bid for the 28-year-old, and are looking to bring him to the Etihad before the current transfer window ends.
Rakitic has made 12 appearances in La Liga this season, scoring two goals and grabbing one assist, and could be the perfect addition to City’s faltering midfield.

Guardiola loses his cool after another Manchester City red card

Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City are being harshly treated by officials and admits he has taken time to adapt to the style of football in the Premier League.

Guardiola was in a tetchy mood despite City’s 2-1 victory over Burnley on Monday as he vented his frustrations over the first half dismissal of Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho.

It was Fernandinho’s third red card in six weeks and City’s seventh in 30 games this season, but Guardiola reacted sarcastically to being questioned over whether his side had a disciplinary problem.

“Yes, from the team with the most ball possession. Yeah, yeah, yeah,” said Guardiola.

“We had a lot of disciplinary problems. Now we expect what the FA decide.

“We try to play football, don’t forget it. My teams always in my career try to play football. I cannot control the other circumstances.”

To compound Guardiola’s bad mood, he felt that Burnley’s goal from Ben Mee should have been disallowed for a foul on City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo as he issued another sarcastic reply to a question about Fernandinho’s red card.

“It is always our fault, it’s always City’s fault,” he snapped. “Yeah, yeah. I saw other games. All around the world, the Burnley goal on Claudio Bravo is a foul.

“Here, and all around the world, the rules say the goalkeeper in the six yard box cannot be touched. He goes here and the striker does this (slaps his arm).

“But I saw (Marteen) Stekelenburg Everton v Middlesbrough at the beginning of the season and it was the same, it was a goal.

“Okay, so I have to adapt and I have to understand there are special rules here in England. Now I learn, so now we’re going to play.

“I saw the foul for Claudio Bravo, that was definite.”

– Sarcastic –
Burnley manager Sean Dyche, whose side was undone by goals from Gael Clichy and substitute Sergio Aguero, believed that City should have finished the game with nine men after Bacary Sagna was booked for kicking out at George Boyd as the winger tried to retrieve the ball to speed up kick-off following the visitors’ goal.

“It’s a tough one but it’s a sending off because he swipes out at Boydie,” said Dyche.

“He was trying to get the ball back and go to the centre circle.

“The linesman was a long way from it and the referee was running back towards the centre so maybe the linesman saw enough to give a yellow but not enough to understand it’s a kick out.”

Fernandinho now faces a four-game suspension, starting with Friday’s FA Cup visit to West Ham, and with German international Ilkay Gundogan ruled out by long-term injury, City are short on numbers in midfield.

The City manager also seemed dissatisfied with his own supporters at the start of the second half, gesturing for them to give his team increased support as they sought a badly-needed victory.

“We need their support. These players deserve their support,” said Guardiola.

“We are going to try and play as best as possible but we need their support.”

Earlier, however, the City manager had been even more sarcastic and confrontational in an interview with a BBC reporter when asked whether he thought Fernandinho had deserved his red card.

“You’re the journalist not me. Ask the referee not me,” he said.

“We’ll accept. The team with more ball possession, we have always sendings-off.

“I have to understand the rules here in England. I know you are specialist and I have to understand that.”

Jurgen Klopp jokes that Pep Guardiola was at Anfield to 'watch good football'

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, center, and Sunderland Moyes in attendance at Liverpool's Tuesday match against Stoke City.

Jurgen Klopp jokingly suggested that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola attended his Liverpool team's 4-1 win against Stoke City to "watch good football."

Asked in his post-match news conference about the Spaniard's attendance, Klopp said: "I respect them a lot, but I have not been to City's stadium this season or last to watch games. Maybe they want to watch good football."

Stoke  were the better side early on and went ahead through Jon Walters, but Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino scored before half-time before Giannelli Imbula's own goal and Daniel Sturridge's first in the Premier League this season 56 seconds after coming off the bench wrapped things up.

The win puts Liverpool in second place in the Premier League -- one point ahead of their Saturday rivals Man City -- while both teams try to make up ground on table-toppers Chelsea during the busy festive season.

Klopp added: "We are already looking forward [to Man City]. It's a difficult game for both teams, but an exciting one. The best news for us is that it's at Anfield.

"They're an outstanding side, we are not too bad. It'll be a nice game.

"Whatever I say tonight, we cannot win it tonight. But maybe I could say a few things that make it more difficult for us. It's probably best I shut my mouth.''

Earlier in December, Klopp took his Liverpool side to watch Barcelona in action against Borussia Monchengladbach in Champions League group play.

City, Chelsea fined over Etihad Fracas - the blues punished more

Chelsea and Manchester City have been slammed with heavy fines by the Football Association in England after their players clashed on the field during their Premier League meeting earlier this month.

The Citizens have been directed to cough out £35,000 while Chelsea  on their part have been fined a whooping £100,000, following an incident that was sparked by Sergio Aguero's knee-high challenge on David Luiz in the closing stages of the Blues' 3-1 victory on December 3.

Nigerian youngster, Kelechi Iheanacho was also involved as tensions flared after the horror foul and Fernandinho joined Aguero in being shown a straight-red card for grabbing Cesc Fabregas by the throat and pushing him over the advertising hoardings.

Chelsea feared that they would potentially by hit by a points deduction, with this their fifth charge in the space of 19 months, but that does not appear to be the case with a hefty fine - more than double that of City's -  being the only punishment they have been given.

The statistics suggest that Pep Guardiola has never faced a greater challenge than with Manchester City in the Premier League

The statistics suggest that Pep Guardiola has never faced a greater challenge than with Manchester City in the Premier League

"I hear a lot of times about the intensity of the Premier League, when none of you have been in La Liga or the Bundesliga to know how it is," Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said after the 1-1 draw with Everton in October.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager continually insists that City is not the hardest job he has ever had in football. But that draw with Everton was near the start of a run that has seen his side pick up just 12 points from their past nine games to leave them trailing leaders Chelsea by seven points.

Since Champions League progression was secured with a 1-1 draw at Borussia Monchengladbach last month, City have pieced together a scrappy 2-1 win at newly promoted Burnley, been beaten 3-1 at home by Chelsea and been embarrassed 4-2 at Leicester City, who had won just one of their nine previous matches.

Here are some statistics to suggest that Guardiola never had it as tough in his previous jobs, despite his insistence that his time in Spain and Germany was just as hard.

Worse start to a season

Guardiola has never had a worse start to a league campaign. City have taken 30 points from their first 15 games. His previous worst tally at this stage was in his final season at Barcelona, when he had 34 points. Never in his previous seven seasons of management had his side lost three games after just 15 games. On four occasions his team had lost once; three times they were still unbeaten.

Coming from behind

In five of his previous seven seasons of management, Guardiola's side were top of the table at this stage and were destined to remain there for the rest of the season. In 2009-10, Barcelona led after 15 matches but were briefly knocked off the top by Manuel Pellegrini's Real Madrid before going on to win the title. Two seasons later, Jose Mourinho's Madrid won La Liga -- the only time Guardiola has not finished top. He has never been lower than second at this stage.

Clean sheets

"After four minutes 2-0 against a team, it was complicated," Guardiola said after the humbling 4-2 defeat to Leicester on Saturday. His side have kept just two clean sheets this season, which is in stark contrast to his times at Barca and Bayern. His previous worst record for clean sheets from the first 15 games was in his first season at the Nou Camp, when Barca didn't concede in seven of their opening matches. In his second season at Bayern, they managed 12 clean sheets from their first 15 games; indeed they only conceded 18 goals that entire season -- one fewer than City have let in already this campaign.

Winning record

Guardiola's winning record in the Premier League stands at 53.33 percent, which is way down on his 76.32 percent average with Barcelona and 80.39 percent with Bayern. But it's not just in the Premier League where he is having problems. City's fourth-round exit from the EFL Cup was only the second time he had exited a cup competition before the semifinals as a manager -- the previous time was the defeat to Sevilla in the Copa del Rey round of 16 in 2010. In the Champions League, it was the first time a Guardiola side had not finished top of their group and just the second time they won only three of their six group games.

Discipline problems

Players being sent off and suspended has been a bigger problem at the Etihad than at any other time in Guardiola's managerial career. City have had five players sent off this season in all competitions, while Sergio Aguero was also given a retrospective red card for an elbow on West Ham defender Winston Reid. In his entire three years at Bayern, they only picked up seven red cards; while his worst season for discipline at Barcelona, in 2008-09, they had seven players sent off from 62 games. Guardiola can also ill afford to have Aguero banned for seven games. Before he began his latest suspension against Leicester, he had scored exactly a third of City's Premier League goals: 10 of 30.

Goalkeeping concerns

Much has been made of the decision to sign Claudio Bravo for his footballing skills, but his goalkeeping is not what Guardiola is used to. The Chile international has conceded 21 goals this season and made just 35 saves, giving him a save percentage of 62.5 percent. At Bayern, Germany keeper Manuel Neuer averaged a save percentage of 79.6 in his final season; his worst season, in 2014-15, included an average of 74.4 percent. Even in Guardiola's final season at the Camp Nou, when Victor Valdes conceded 39 goals, his save percentage was 67.8.

Goal ratio

"In all those three games, we were much, much better than our opponents. Now we have to talk and analyse, and it is a problem in the box, but we will improve," Guardiola said after the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough on Nov. 5 -- a third successive home draw at the Etihad. The statistics concur they have a problem, with City creating 296 chances this season for their 52 goals, at an average of a goal every 5.7 chances. That's worse than any season, apart from his last with Bayern -- 6.3 chances per goal -- but he at least had the consolation of seeing his side creating more chances than any other campaign and scoring 122 goals

Toure insists he doesn't drink after £54k fine

Manchester City midifelder Yaya Toure insists he has ‘always refused alcohol’ after being fined £54,000 and banned from driving for 18 months.
The Ivorian was pulled over in East London last month after playing in his side's 2-1 win over Burnley and was charged by police with driving under the influence.
The 33-year-old who pleaded guilty to drink driving at Barkingside magistrates court today said on his Facebook page: "Over the last two weeks there has been some confusion as to why I was charged with drink driving, as it is well known that I am a Muslim and do not drink.
"I have always refused alcohol. Anyone who knows me or follows football will have seen me refuse champagne for Man of the Match performances because of my commitment to my religion.
"The matter has now been resolved in court on Monday. As I was above the permitted limit when tested on the night, I decided not to challenge the charge.
"However, it was important to me that I told the court that I had not intentionally consumed alcohol. The judge in his sentencing remarks accepted that I had not been intentionally drinking.
"Drink driving is a serious crime and even though I was not intentionally consuming alcohol I accept the ban and fine and I would like to apologise for this situation.
"I would also like to thank my family, the management and staff at Manchester City, my legal team and the fans for the support they have given me during this difficult time."
Toure has been Manchester City’s star midfielder since he moved from Barcelona in 2010, winning the Premier League title with the club twice. But he fell out with City boss Pep Guardiola this seasonhis agent Dimitri Seluk's crimes, which has left Toure kicking his heels.

Arsene Wenger defends Guardiola's criticisim

Pep Guardiola's team lost 4-2 to Leicester at the weekend.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has defended Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola after his defensive tactics were questioned following a 4-2 loss to Leicester, saying criticism of the Spaniard has been "unfair."

Guardiola was criticised by pundits for dismissing the importance of tackling after his side fell to a second straight league defeat following a 3-1 loss to Chelsea the previous weekend.

"I'm not a coach for the tackles, so I don't train the tackles," Guardiola said after the Leicester game.

But Wenger said the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach should be applauded for his attack-minded style of play, and that his record proves his teams know how to defend.

"Pep Guardiola, like myself, we are for offensive football. And when you don't win, people question that. And that's as simple as that," Wenger said ahead of Arsenal's trip to Everton on Tuesday. "Overall, I think what he wanted to say is that he promotes a game that is positive and I agree with him on that. You respect him for that. I believe that he doesn't forbid his players to tackle.

It's true that in the trainings you focus on your players to play an offensive game. You look at the number of games he has lost in his career, you would think that he defends quite well. For me it's a bit the wrong debate. His teams usually defend well."

Defending champions Leicester have struggled badly to repeat their heroics of last season's stunning title charge, but looked back to their best against City as they took a 2-0 lead after five minutes and were 4-0 up by the 78th when Jamie Vardy completed a hat trick.

And Wenger pointed out that the strong start by Leicester didn't leave Man City much of a choice other than to expose themselves defensively for the rest of the game.

"I come back to one simple fact in that game. When you're 2-0 down away from home, against a team that is good on the counter-attack, you know you have have to come out like mad to come back," Wenger said.

"And you expose yourself on counter-attacks. What was the strength of Leicester last season? It was that. So they were in a position where they are at their strength after five minutes. Then you can criticise what you want. I believe it's unfair because they had to come out and they had to take the risk to be exposed on counter-attacks."

Wenger's own team have often been criticised in recent years for conceding too many goals on counter-attacks, but this season they've been a lot more successful when they're chasing a deficit. The Gunners have fallen behind in six games in the Premier League and Champions League, but finished those games with three wins and three draws.

One of those was Saturday's 3-1 home win over Stoke, but Wenger admitted that the Gunners have often had small margins on their side -- such as when Petr Cech made a good save to deny a Peter Crouch header when the score was still 2-1 against Stoke.

"I look at the history of the games, there are always turning points that have gone for us. It's never one-way traffic. Even on Saturday it could have been 2-2," Wenger said. "We manage to get the turning points on our side. I'm conscious that it's very tight. But I'm conscious as well that there is a resilience in the squad, because it's not a coincidence, six times."

Antonio Conte labels threat of Chelsea points deduction a 'joke'

Antonio Conte has laughed off suggestions Chelsea could face a points deduction for their conduct in the mass brawl following their 3-1 win at Manchester City.

Diego Costa's fifth goal in six games secured the Blues' ninth consecutive Premier League win on Sunday, a gritty 1-0 victory over West Brom at Stamford Bridge.

It has been reported Chelsea face the prospect of becoming the first side to be docked points over disciplinary issues since Arsenal and Manchester United in 1990, for their conduct at the Etihad Stadium on December 3.

Blues manager Conte rejected the notion, though, insisting he has been at pains for Chelsea to clean up their act.

"Are you joking? Are you joking?" asked Conte when quizzed on the prospect of Chelsea being docked Premier League points.

City players Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho were sent off in the melee that followed Chelsea's win in the north-west.

Aguero's horror tackle on David Luiz sparked the unrest that could now see Chelsea losing points for the on-pitch scuffles.

Both Manchester City and Chelsea were charged with failing to control their players. And the Blues' fifth such charge in 19 months could see the FA imposing a points deduction.

Chelsea were last fined for failing to control their players following the ill-tempered London derby with Tottenham at the end of last term.

Reports have now indicated the Blues were then issued a warning in writing that any further breaches of discipline could lead to the club losing league points.

Conte, however, has insisted he remains unfazed by such talk, claiming he is in the process of cleaning Chelsea's house on the discipline front.

"For me, if you are involved in a situation and the fault is not your one, you must pay? Why? I don't understand this," Conte added.

"Manchester City and Chelsea, at the end of the game, my players tried to keep their calm. I don't understand this. I repeat, I don't understand this.

"We are trying to improve in all aspects, also in this area. For this reason, I reply: you must be joking. You must be honest and understand which team is at fault.

"We had a bad record in the past, but now we are different. I think that, in every game, you fight a lot during 90 minutes and, when the referee whistles at the end, it's important to finish.

"I don't know what happened in the past. I know what happened in the present. For this reason, I ask if you are joking or not. After the game between City and Chelsea, you could see very clearly that my players tried to keep their calm."

Costa's 12th goal of the campaign handed Chelsea their ninth Premier League win on the spin, the Spain hitman robbing West Brom's Gareth McAuley before blasting past Ben Foster.

Chelsea have a tangible chance to break their record Premier League winning streak of 11 matches, with Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Stoke all still to come this month.

Arsenal boast the all-time Premier League winning run with 13, but Conte has remained unmoved by the Blues' tilt at rewriting the history books.

"I'm not interested in the record," said Conte, with Chelsea topping the table.

"I'm interested in gaining three points in every game because that means we can stay top of the table, and fight for something important."

Conte believes Costa's apparent new-found ability to negotiate the disciplinary tightrope backs up his assertion that Chelsea are turning over a new leaf.

Costa has not been booked since Chelsea's last league loss, the 3-0 reverse at Arsenal on September 24, leading Conte to cross his fingers the forward can avoid any censure for the rest of the month.

"January is arriving no? It's incredible," said Conte of Costa's run without any bookings. "After the Arsenal defeat Diego had four yellow cards and was on the edge."

ESPN Premier League's Team of the Week: No City and Liverpool player

Andy King scored a fine goal in Leicester's thumping 4-2 win against Manchester City.

After each round of Premier League fixtures, ESPN FC brings you its Team of the Weekend. Our panel of experts carefully selects 11 star performers along with a manager.

Goalkeeper: Gabriele Marcotti chose Manchester United's David De Gea for a place between the sticks but Steve Nicol and Shaka Hislop both selected Lukasz Fabianski for his display as Swansea eased the pressure with a 3-0 win against fellow strugglers Sunderland. Former Premier League goalkeeper Hislop said: "It's been a tough season for the Swansea No. 1, in a tough for week in general for goalkeepers, but Fabianski was solid and reliable."

Right-back: Hector Bellerin's comeback from injury wasn't scheduled, but his return to the Arsenal team gave them a great boost as they came from behind to beat Stoke City 3-1. Marcotti makes a solid case for Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta, but Hislop and Nicol outnumber him 2-1, with Hislop pointing out: "Bellerin's return changed Arsenal for the better and his pace unsettled Stoke."

Centre-back: It's no surprise that the Premier League's big boys are beginning to circle Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk. The Dutch defender has been imperious this season and was a key man once again as the Saints kept their sixth clean sheet in the league this term with a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough. Marcotti took note, saying: "He was dominant in the air, first to the ball on the ground and dangerous at the other end."

Centre-back: Phil Jones' resurgence at Manchester United has been understated, but he put in another solid shift as Jose Mourinho's men shut out Spurs at Old Trafford to keep their first Premier League clean sheet since October. Marcotti and Nicol were full of praise for Jones and his handling of Harry Kane, with Marcotti saying: "He was strong defensively, didn't allow himself to be pressed or pulled out of position and matched Kane at every turn."

Left-back: Watford might have shipped two in their 3-2 win over Everton but Jose Holebas' performance going forward, which saw him set up two of the Hornets' goals, sees him rightly nominated for a spot in Team of the Weekend, although he was run close by Burnley's Stephen Ward. Marcotti said: "Holebas was steady from the flank and he delivered two pinpoint assists."

Midfield: Danny Drinkwater's suspension was supposed to cause problems for Leicester City, but judging by the performance of Andy King in the 4-2 win against Manchester City he won't be missed at all. "No Drinkwater, no problem," Marcotti enthused. "He did a double duty -- he scored a beauty that showed he has King Power."

Midfield: Before his departure on a stretcher, Henrikh Mkhitaryan was Manchester United's main creative outlet and the man who scored their winning goal against Tottenham. The Armenian has been a revelation since Jose Mourinho ended his exile and his form has impressed Nicol and Hislop. "Why was he not playing sooner?" Nicol asks, with Hislop adding: "He was exceptional throughout. That goal was the finish of a player in full confidence."

Midfield: If Swansea are going to avoid relegation this season, Gylfi Sigurdsson is absolutely crucial and he was central to the winning performance against Sunderland, scoring the first and setting up the second in a 3-0 win. Hislop and Marcotti give him the nod for this weekend's XI, with Marcotti observing: "He keeps Swansea ticking and his quick brain makes up for a lack of speed," while Hislop chimes in: "It all came together this weekend, when it was needed most, but it's got to continue if Swansea are to survive."

Forward: It was business as usual for Diego Costa, the Premier League's Player of the Month, as he scored his 12th goal in 15 appearances for the campaign and the TOTW panel could only sit back and admire his work in Chelsea's 1-0 win over West Brom. "Tireless and disciplined, he was the difference between one point and three points. Great goal too," Hislop said. Nicol agreed, adding: "He produced a piece of magic from nowhere."

Forward: On only his second Premier League start, Stefano Okaka was Watford's match-winner against Everton, scoring two goals, "One of them was a goal of the season contender: a gorgeous flying back heel flick," according to Marcotti, to lift the Hornets to the dizzy heights of seventh place. His performance also earned him the nod from Hislop.

Forward: Jamie Vardy's hat trick against Manchester City ended the striker's Premier League goal drought, which stood at 741 minutes, and lifted some of the gloom around the club following their poor recent form. "He had a party in Pep-land and tore up City's fragile backline on the counter-attack," Marcotti said, while Hislop adds: "Time to party again for the hat trick hero."

Manager: In a week when his job was questioned and Leicester suffered the heaviest Champions League defeat of any Premier League club ever, losing 5-0 to Porto, Claudio Ranieri proved he is still capable of getting a response from his players. "Leicester dialled the clock back to last season and were devastating on the break," Marcotti said. "They have the right character to bounce back." Hislop added: "I was torn between Ranieri and Bob Bradley but the always likeable Ranieri wins after cutting a frustrated figure of late."

Champions League and Europa League draw: This is who English teams could face

The Gunners could face Bayern Munich or Real Madrid despite beating the odds to finish first in their group.

Usually, topping your group is the best way to avoid facing a nightmare draw because you cannot face another group winner in the last 16.

But holders Real and German champions Bayern both finished second, meaning they could play Arsene Wenger’s men.

Arsenal could also be drawn against Europa League winners Sevilla – but a kinder draw would pit them against Porto, Benfica or Bayer Leverkusen.

The one big plus for Arsenal is that as group winners they are seeded and will play the second leg of their tie at home, which is usually an advantage.

Manchester City will avoid the likes of Real, Bayern and Barcelona but could still face tough opposition.

Last year’s runners-up Atletico Madrid and Italian giants Juventus are both potential opponents, along with Napoli, Monaco and Borussia Dortmund.

And it doesn’t get any easier for Leicester either despite them topping their group.

Claudio Ranieri’s men could face Real, Bayern, Sevilla, Paris St-Germain, Benfica or Bayer Leverkusen.
No team can be drawn against an opponent from their own country, or an opponent from the group stage.
All three teams will learn their fate from 11am on Monday when the draw begins in Nyon, Switzerland.
The first legs will take place on February 14/15 and 21/22, with the return legs on March 7/8 and 14/15.

Who will Manchester United and Tottenham draw in the Europa League?

Manchester United and Spurs will also learn their opponents in the last 32 of the Europa League.
Spurs are seeded having dropped out of the Champions League and will play the first leg on February 16 away. They could face the likes of Borussia Monchengladbach or Villarreal.
United are unseeded and could be drawn against the likes of Ajax, Roma, Schalke or Besiktas. The second legs will be played on February 23, which is just before United’s possible EFL Cup Final date should they beat Hull in the semis.

Man United can still reach top four but 'long distance' from title - Guardiola

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side beat Mourinho's United 2-1 at Old Trafford back in September.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes local rivals Manchester United can still challenge for a Champions League qualification spot this season but added that Jose Mourinho's side are a "long distance" off the title pace.

United are currently nine points off fourth-placed City in the Premier League table following Sunday's 1-1 draw at Everton, which maintained the club's worst ever start to a Premier League campaign.

Mourinho's side are 13 points behind leaders Chelsea, who won 3-1 at City on Saturday to avoid being overtaken at the top by their hosts.

Guardiola said that, while he thought resurrecting their title hopes would be difficult, United could still challenge for a return to the Champions League next year after missing out on this season's competition.

"I saw the games against Stoke and Burnley, and other ones at Old Trafford," Guardiola told his prematch news conference ahead of Tuesday's Champions League match at Celtic.

"They deserved by far to win the games but football is like this. United have the quality, the history, the manager and the players to be there.

"Of course, 13 points is a long distance, especially when one team is winning games with the quality of Chelsea. So it is not easy. But to be in the first four? Of course."

City have already ensured their progress into the round of 16 in Europe, qualifying as runners-up in their group behind Barcelona.

Hector Bellerin signs new long-term contract at Arsenal

Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin has signed a new long-term contract with the club, ending speculation about a possible move to Barcelona or Manchester City.
Bellerin declared Arsenal "my home," and made it clear that he intends to stay at the Emirates for "many more years" after agreeing a deal that ties him to the club until 2022.
Bellerin, who is currently sidelined with an ankle injury, already had a contract until 2019 but Arsenal had been keen to offer him an improved deal that would discourage any suitors.
The club did not offer details of the new agreement, but sources told ESPN FC earlier this month that Bellerin had agreed a six-year deal worth £95,000 a week.
The Spain international has emerged as a key player over the last two years, having joined the Arsenal academy from Barcelona as a teenager.
Barcelona had expressed interest in Bellerin after Dani Alves left for Juventus, sparking fears he may follow in the footsteps of Cesc Fabregas and return to his boyhood club. Former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola was reportedly also keen on bringing Bellerin to Man City.
However when announcing the new deal on social media, the 21-year-old said he had no plans to leave.
"Hello, everyone," Bellerin said in a video posted on Twitter. "Sorry to keep you guys waiting. I've had a very big meeting next door, so I just wanted to say that I just signed my new deal with the club so I'm really, really, really happy.
"As you know I've been here for a long time and I feel like this is my home and it was the right thing for me to do. So I'm very happy to still be a Gunner for many more years."
He added on Facebook: "A lot has changed in five years since I first joined the club. This is my home. The club who gave me my first opportunity. The club I will be at for many years."
Bellerin's contract is the first of many Arsenal hope to extend this season. Negotiations are still being held with star duo Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez over new long-term deals, while manager Arsene Wenger's future is also up in the air after his contract expires next summer.

Chelsea not concerned with Premier League title - Conte

Antonio Conte insists that Chelsea are not looking at the Premier League table after an impressive 2-0 win over Southampton lifted the Blues back to within a point of leaders Manchester City.

Goals in each half from Eden Hazard and Diego Costa were enough to end the Saints' nine-match unbeaten run at St Mary's and secure Chelsea a fourth consecutive Premier League victory, while Thibaut Courtois has now not conceded a goal in 410 minutes of action since Conte switched to a 3-4-3 system.

The nature of the result and manner of the performance reinforced the belief among many observers that Chelsea are once again serious contenders for the Premier League title. However Conte says no one at Stamford Bridge is looking as far ahead as May.

"At this moment, it's not important for us to look at the table," Conte said. "We are in a good position, but it's not important. It's more important to work very hard and trust the work will improve us. Sometimes you can win a game but you don't see it happening in the right way.

"Now, game by game, I'm seeing a lot of possibilities. I have confidence because we can improve. We can improve a lot. The only way that we must know now is to continue to work. Not look at the table.

"If you ask me a prediction or an expectation of our championship, now it's very difficult to talk about this. It's important to pass many games, particularly in the first part of this season, and then you can see if you can stay up there in the title race.

"When you start the second part, our ideas will be more clear. We are working a lot. I'm seeing a lot of positive things in the team. We are not looking at the table, just continuing to work."

onte insists he will not begin to evaluate his team's title chances until he has negotiated the busy Christmas schedule, but the Italian was still keen to praise the latest in a series of convincing Chelsea performances.

"I saw a lot of positive things," Conte added. "Above all because we played against a strong team in a good moment of form. To come here and win wasn't easy.

"I'm pleased with the commitment, the work rate, to see my players worked very hard during the game with and without the ball. I think this is the right way, to reach great satisfaction in this championship. But we know that the road is long.

"Today Diego Costa and Hazard scored again. We created many chances to score more goals. Also, for four games, we have kept clean sheets. That's fantastic because it means the confidence is increasing. The players, I think, deserve this because I see them every day, the way they are working.

"It's important to arrive this type of result and performance because, in this way, they can trust more in the work."

Pep Guardiola: ‘We will improve’ as Manchester City reach six games without win

Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola is mired in the worst run of his managerial career but is confident the Premier League leaders have the quality to bring an end to, and avoid a repeat of, their current six-game winless streak.

City started the season by winning their first 10 games in all competitions but the momentum has stalled in recent weeks, and Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Manchester United marked their sixth straight game without a victory.

"We will improve. Sometimes it happens in football that the managers don’t win," Guardiola told British media, adding that he had never been through such a run as a manager. "It is the first time ... and hopefully it does not happen again.

"But it is part of our profession, sometimes you win and sometimes lose. I have learned in all the 16 games.

"Every team has streaks of good results and bad results. The strange thing is after seven years as a manager, it happens now."

Guardiola also said Vincent Kompany was withdrawn at half-time on Wednesday due to fatigue, not a new injury.

"He told us he is tired and not ready to play the second half," said Guardiola, adding that it was a positive step that the injury-plagued central defender was getting game time and not breaking down again.

City, who have seen their lead at the top of the Premier League evaporate and are ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool only on goal difference, travel to face 13th-placed West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

*Reuters

West Ham dump Chelsea out of EFL Cup, Southampton edge Sunderland, Manchester United see off Manchester City

West Ham United's return to form continued as they beat Chelsea 2-1 in the fourth round of the EFL Cup.

The Hammers took the lead after just 11 minutes as Cheikhou Kouyate headed home from the edge of the box after a centre from Mark Noble.

And the second came three minutes after the interval as Edimilson Fernandes picked the ball up 20 yards out and arrowed a fine effort into the corner past Asmir Begovic.

Chelsea, who rested many of their top names, made changes in a bid to get back into the game but the Hammers prevailed despite Gary Cahill's consolation in the final moments.

Southampton will also be in the hat for the quarterfinals, with the draw made later on Wednesday, after winning 1-0 at home to Sunderland.

Sofiane Boufal scored the only goal of the game in the 66th minute, when he produced an outstanding shot from the edge of the box and found the top corner of the net.

In the the final game of the night sees Juan Mata scored the only goal as Manchester United  see off Manchester City 1-0.