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Tuchel has bolstered their defence and while this was a performance built on those solid foundations and with Kante and Jorginho as the anchors, Chelsea have already shown they have attacking weapons when required Chelsea survived a spectacular late overhead kick from Mehdi Taremi to overcome Porto and confirm a place in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in seven years. Thomas Tuchel's side went into this 'home' last-eight second leg - with both games being played in Seville during the current Covid-19 pandemic - protecting a two-goal lead they only briefly threatened to surrender in the dying…

Gent striker, Paul Onuachu, proved his worth as Nigeria’s Super Eagles overpowered the hosts Benin Republic 1-0 in the AFCON qualifier to remain at the top of their group. The lanky striker found the back of the net for Nigeria in the extra time of the keenly contested match. Nigeria had secured their place at Cameroon 2022 even before the game in Porto Novo started after Sierra Leone and Lesotho played out a goalless draw in the other group game. Nigeria were the better side at the Charles de Gaulle Stadium in Porto Novo but a lack of cutting edge…

The Super Eagles have arrived in Port Novo, Benin Republic for their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against their neighbours, THE WHISPERER has learned. Gernot Rohr’s men upon arrival in the city by boat had their mandatory COVID-19 tests. “We have arrived in Porto Novo. We also had our mandatory Covid test done at the point of entry,” read a tweet on the team’s official handle. “We’ve settled in and lodged at the Golden Tulip Le Diplomat Hotel in Cotonou.” See Photos:

Liverpool will face Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Manchester City will play Borussia Dortmund, while Chelsea will face Porto and defending champions Bayern Munich take on Paris St-Germain in a repeat of last year's final. Details later.

Eden Hazard ‘may never play football again’ if the Real Madrid star has a third ankle operation. That is the view of a leading doctor in Spain – which suggests the former Chelsea playmaker’s career could be in doubt. Hazard reportedly wants another ankle operation as he bids to end his injury nightmare at Real. But Dr Jose Gonzalez, who works for Atletico Madrid, has warned this could result at the end of the Belgian’s career. Gonzalez told Ondacero: “Hazard has to train with the team for up to 10 training sessions. In my experience it is difficult for him…

Edouard Mendy Was only really called upon seriously once late on and that was from Joao Felix, when the Senegal keeper produced a superb save to keep his clean sheet intact. 8 Reece James Constantly told by Tuchel to get forward more and take on Renan Lodi and he responded well, putting in cross after cross and threatened to kill the game off by himself. Battered Renan Lodi who was subbed off at half time. Continued to push forward after the break. His defending was also spot on when needed. 8 Cesar Azpilicueta Very fortunate not to give away a…

The Nigerian Football Federation has released a 24-man list for the AFCON 2022 qualifiers against Benin Republic and Lesotho. Six players were put on stand-by for the ties. FULL LIST Below: GOALKEEPERS M. OKOYE F. UZOHO J. NOBBLE DEFENDERS W. EKONG K. OMERUO L. BALOGUN C. AWAZIEM J. COLLINS Z. SANUSI 0. AINA T. EBUEHI MIDFIELDERS W. NDIDI 0. ETEBO S. AJAYI S. ABDULLAHI J. ARIBO FORWARDS A. MUSA M. SIMON A. IWOBI S. KALU V. OSIMHEN K. IHEANACHO S. CHUKWUEZE S. UMAR STAND-BY AKPEYI. MACHU. MOFFI. ONYEKURU. OLISE. OLAYINKA. ADELE

Henderson Outstanding performance with effective communication. Commanded his area very well. 7.5 Aaron Wan-Bissaka Watertight up against Raheem Sterling and was rarely caught out. Wasteful in the final third. 6.8 Victor Lindelof Defended well. 6 Harry Maguire: He dominated the majority of his duels with Sergio Aguero absent. 7 Luke Shaw: Outstanding performance with a superb goal 8.5 Scott McTominay Disciplined in shielding the back four and not shy in directing the attackers whenever United pressed. 6 Fred Reiterated why he is undroppable in the United midfield. His passes were probing and Fred gave United balance. 7 Bruno Fernandes Pressed…

French striker, Oliver Giroud gave Chelsea an outstanding victory against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last 16 first leg in Bucharest. Giroud's superb moment of improvisation not only delivered the win and a vital away goal but also continued new manager Thomas Tuchel's unbeaten start at Chelsea and put them in pole position to reach the quarter-finals. In a tie played in Romania instead of Spain because of Covid-19 restrictions, Giroud demonstrated athleticism and technique to send an acrobatic effort beyond Atletico keeper Jan Oblak in the 68th minute. The goal was originally ruled out for offside before a…

Brighton moved 10 points clear of the Premier League relegation zone by stunning Liverpool, whose recent struggles at Anfield continued. Steven Alzate got a fortuitous but deserved winner for the Seagulls, who are now unbeaten in four league matches. The Reds, who are seven points behind leaders Manchester City having played a game more, have not won at home since 16 December and have failed to score in three consecutive games at Anfield for the first time since October, 1984. After going 68 games without a league defeat at their home ground, Jurgen Klopp's side have now also lost back-to-back…