Vidi 2-2 Chelsea: Olivier Giroud and Willian produce spectacular free-kick goals as already-qualified Blues are held

Vidi 2-2 Chelsea: Olivier Giroud and Willian produce spectacular free-kick goals as already-qualified Blues are held
Olivier Giroud saved Chelsea from a Europa League loss at Vidi with a sensational free kick equaliser.Willian netted the Blues first free kick after 30 minutes, though it was cancelled out immediately by an Ethan Ampadu own goal and Loic Nego struck a sumptuous volley after 56 minutes to give Vidi the lead.But Giroud’s fine set piece 15 minutes from time earned a 2-2 draw in a match of little consequence for the Maurizio Sarris men, who had already qualified for the last 32 as Group L winners. Vidi finished third, as BATE Borisov joined Chelsea in the knockout stages.3

Willian netted Chelsea’s opener

Chelsea, who play at Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday, made 10 changes, with Willian the only player to retain his starting place following last Saturday’s 2-0 win over Manchester City.The 18-year-olds Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ampadu were among the starters.Head coach Maurizio Sarri has berated his players for lacking motivation in recent weeks, particularly in losses to Tottenham and Wolves, with the City match proving the exception.The Italian had admitted on the eve of this fixture that it might be difficult to rouse his players for the contest, given nothing was riding on the outcome.It took 30 minutes for the first real moment of quality to come at the Groupama Arena, when Willian injected some pace and was brought down by Szabolcs Huszti 25 yards out. The Brazil playmaker curled in the resulting free-kick.3

Vidi fought back to take the lead

Vidi’s reply was immediate and also came from a set-piece. They forced a corner, taken by Huszti, and Marko Scepovic’s header deflected in off the unfortunate Ampadu.Hudson-Odoi showed glimpses of his potential. He did well to cross to Alvaro Morata at the near post, but Adam Kovacsik saved from the striker.Nego next forced Willy Caballero into a strong save.Chelsea did not heed the warning as the Vidi forward beat the Blues goalkeeper eleven minutes into the second half with a superbly-struck volley.Georgi Milanov’s lofted pass found Nego in the right side of Chelsea’s area and he fired into the near top corner of Caballero’s net.It was the first time Chelsea had fallen behind in the Europa League this season.Hudson-Odoi swiftly had an opportunity, but his shot was too close to Kovacsik.Emerson Palmieri then crossed for Giroud, but the Frenchman – who had replaced Morata at half-time – could only divert the ball wide at the near post.3

Olivier Giroud smashed home an equaliser

Giroud volleyed over from a Cesc Fabregas free-kick soon afterwards.Pedro next passed the ball just wide after being found by Hudson-Odoi. Giroud was alongside him and frustrated not to have received a pass.Chelsea equalised after a Paulo Vinicius foul on Fabregas, 20 yards out.With Willian already substituted, Giroud stepped up and his curling strike beat a defender on the line to go in off the underside of the bar.It was the France international’s fourth goal in three Europa League games and preserved Chelsea’s unbeaten record in the competition, which resumes in February.

---

Leicester City 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs gear up for Barcelona with comfortable win at the King Power Stadium Mauricio Pochettino's men will now turn their attention to facing Barca at the Nou
Leicester City 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs gear up for
hollywoodadviser.com/leicester-city-0-2-tottenham-hotspur-spurs-gear-up-for-barcelona-with-comfortable-win-at-the-king-power-stadium/
READY FOR BARCA Mauricio Pochettino's men will now turn their attention to facing Barca at the Nou Camp in a crucial Champions League clash Tottenham Hotspur produced a clinical performance to defeat Leicester City 2-0 at the King Power Stadium on Saturday night.
Spurs gear up for Barcelona with comfortable win at the King

---

Premier League top six odds: Who's destined for Champions League and Europa League football as 2019/20 fixtures get announced? The fixtures for next season have been announced and now it's time
Who's destined for Champions League and Europa League

---

John George Terry (born 7 December 1980) is an English football coach and former professional footballer who played as a centre back.He was previously captain of Chelsea, the England national team and Aston Villa; he is the assistant head coach at the latter.

---

Burnley 2, Tottenham Hotspur 1. Ashley Barnes (Burnley) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Johann Gudmundsson. 86' Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur) is shown the yellow card. 88' Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Lucas Moura replaces Son Heung-Min.
Burnley 0-3 Tottenham LIVE: Harry Kane hat-trick | Daily Mail

---

Paul Ince declares his choice for next Manchester United manager. Man United legend Paul Ince believes that Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is the man for the permanent job at Old Trafford.
Paul Ince reveals who should be Man Utd's next manager - and

---

Under manager Tito Vilanova, who had first coached him aged 14 at La Masia, Messi helped the club achieve their best-ever start to a La Liga season during the second half of the year, amassing 55 points by the competition's midway point, a record in Spanish football.

---

Roy Keane's assessment of Fred's performance against Man City on Wednesday night was as damning as it can get. The Manchester United legend knows everything you'd ever want to about playing in a central midfield role, and his damning indictment will only add to the noise which surrounds the Brazil international.
Man Utd 0-2 Man City: 'That's everything United - goal.com

---

Mick McCarthy confirmed Republic of Ireland boss for the second time with Stephen Kenny to replace him after Euro 2020 to take charge of the nation he captained as a player. Republic of
New Ireland manager: Mick McCarthy appointed, Stephen Kenny

---

Arsenal have reportedly activated a clause in Nacho Monreal's contract to extend the defender's stay at the Emirates. Monreal is in the final year of his current deal which is set to expire in the
Arsenal activate Nacho Monreal's contract extension clause

---

Benitez defends his decision to prioritise Premier League over FA Cup Last updated: 14 January 2019 - 12.01pm Rafael Benitez has vigorously defended his policy of not risking Newcastle's Premier

---

VIRGIL VAN DIJK expects Tottenham's English players to be out for revenge on him and Georginio Wijnaldum in Thursday night's Nations League semi-finals clash.
Confirmed Liverpool line-up to face Leicester City - Van Dijk

---