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Loss leaves Lampard fuming Hostile SA fans await Aussie duo Knowing Ange might help
FOOTBALL: Chelsea manager Frank Lampard was fuming yesterday after his side’s 2-0 Premier League loss to Manchester United threw open the race for the final Champions League qualification spot.
The result, courtesy of headed goals from Anthony Martial and Harry Maguire either side of halftime, leaves seventh-placed United two points behind Tottenham (fifth) and three behind Chelsea (fourth).
But United were aided by video assistant referee decisions that denied the hosts two goals, and Maguire should arguably have been sent off for a kick on Michy Batshuayi. “Maguire should have been sent off, that’s clear, and that obviously changes the game,” Lampard (pictured) said.
Kurt Zouma’s goal for Chelsea was ruled out by VAR for a push by Cesar Azpilicueta on Brandon Williams, despite replays showing Fred pushing the Chelsea defender first. Chelsea were denied again by VAR when Olivier Giroud was ruled offside before he netted. “I don’t get why they aren’t looking at the monitor. It should be used,” Lampard said.
FOOTBALL: Title-holders Liverpool go into this morning’s last-of-16 Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid in hot form and with an almost full squad for manger Jurgen Klopp to choose from.
A 1-1 away win against Norwich City on Sunday extended Liverpool’s unbeaten run in the Premier League to 42 matches and their margin at the top of the table to 25 points.
Atletico, the Champions League runners-up in 2014 and 2016, have just one win in their past seven La Liga games but remain a formidable opponent at home, Wanda Metropolitano stadium.
“Playing Atletico I would say is one of the most difficult things in the life of a football player,” Klopp (pictured) said. “They are really well organised – a results machine, squeezing results pretty much out of each game if possible.”
Well aware of the difficult task ahead, Atletico manager Diego Simeone said: “We’ve always spoken about great sides throughout time and this Liverpool side will go down in history.”
FOOTBALL: A bunch of Ange Postecoglou’s proteges are aiming to shoot down the former Socceroos boss in the Asian Champions League.
Six of Sydney FC’s likely starting XI to take on the Postecoglou-coached Yokahama F Marinos in Japan tonight in their opening ACL outing can thank him for at least one major milestone in their careers.
Goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne and striker Kosta Barbarouses were signed to Brisbane by Postecoglou (pictured) and earned championship medals; right-back Rhyan
CRICKET: Australia coach Justin Langer has dismissed suggestions David Warner and Steve Smith will struggle to deal with a hostile reception from South African fans in a three-match Twenty20 International series, which starts in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Central to the balltampering scandal that erupted in Cape Town in March 2018, the duo, and batsman Cameron Bancroft, were found guilty of conspiring to cheat by altering the state of the ball.
Warner and former captain Smith returned to the game for last year’s Ashes series after being banned by Cricket Australia from taking part in domestic and international matches for a year.
Smith was named player of the Ashes series and Warner went on to win his third Allan Border Medal this month.
Langer said both players and the rest of team had “moved on” from the balltampering scandal but acknowledged South African fans might not have.
“There was a brilliant reintegration before they came back into the team,” he said.
“We have had a great dress rehearsal for South Africa when we toured England (last year). It was a tough tour for those two guys but we are really proud of the way they let their bat do the talking. We are excited to be back here.”
Captain Aaron Finch said if anything, a hostile crowd would bring out the best in the players.
“David especially loves that banter coming from the crowd and it gets him into the game.” he said.
Grant received his first international call-up under Postecoglou; centre-backs Alex Wilkinson and Ryan McGowan both played at a World Cup thanks to him and midfielder Luke Brattan was given his A-League debut by Postecoglou in 2010.
“Whether it helps or not (to know Postecoglou so well) … I don’t know,” Wilkinson said. “(But) it gives us an idea of how they’re going to play, at least. It’s an attacking brand of football, possession-based, a high backline – that’s his style.”
Tom Smithies