Chelsea fall further behind in title battle
BRIGHTON: Chelsea’s winless run in the Premier League stretched to four matches on Tuesday as a 1-1 draw away to Brighton & Hove Albion saw their slender titles hopes suffer yet more damage.
Hakim Ziyech’s opportunist strike gave Thomas Tuchel’s side the lead against the run of play in the 28th minute but they lacked spark and could have no complaints. An easy-on-theeye Brighton were rewarded for their endeavour when Adam Webster thundered a header past Kepa Arrizabalaga on the hour after some intense home pressure.
Having been serious title contenders a few weeks ago, Chelsea have managed only three points from the last 12 available and remain in third place with 44 points, 12 behind leaders Manchester City having played a game more.
They are also one point behind Liverpool having played two games more and unless they start to get back on the victory trail soon, they could find their top-four place under threat.
Ninth-placed Brighton have
now drawn 11 games this season.
Ghana sent packing by minnows Comoros
GAROUA, CAMEROON: Four-time champions Ghana were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday while
Morocco and Senegal won their respective groups.
Comoros humiliated Ghana with a 3-2 win in their Group C clash in Garoua. El Fardou Ben Mohamed scored Comoros’ first ever goal at the continental finals before Ahmed Mogni added a second just past the hour-mark. Ghana equalised through Richmond Boakye and Alexander Djiku only for Comoros’ Mogni to grab a winner with five minutes remaining.
Morocco won the group with a 2-2 against Gabon. Senegal finished top of Group B earlier on Tuesday, ahead of Guinea. They were fortunate not to concede a penalty in a 0-0 draw with unfancied Malawi.
Juventus, Lazio enter Italian Cup quarters
MILAN: Defending champion Juventus reached the quarter-finals of the Italian Cup by beating Sampdoria 4-1 on Tuesday. Juan Cuadrado, Daniele
Rugani, Paulo Dybala and Álvaro Morata scored in a dominant performance by Juventus, who will face either Sassuolo or Cagliari in the next round. Andrea Conti had briefly gotten Sampdoria back into the match.
Lazio is also through to the final eight but needed extra time to beat Udinese 1-0.
Dembele must sign new deal or leave: Xavi
MADRID: Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has suggested Ousmane Dembele could be sold this month after saying the winger must sign a new contract.
Barca are desperate to avoid Dembele leaving on a free transfer when his contract expires in the summer. Xavi said talks have been ongoing for five months and that “we cannot wait any longer”. “Either the player renews or we look for an exit for the player, there is no other possibility,” said Xavi.