PM denies his decision to delay first lockdown led to more deaths
Boris Johnson has denied his decision to delay a lockdown at the start of the coronavirus pandemic led to more deaths.
Liverpool are this weekend facing another defensive headache as they prepare to face Premier League leaders Manchester United. In a common theme for Jurgen Klopp this season, the Reds boss while likely have to patch together his defence. There was no sign of Joel Matip during Wednesday's training session - the defender last playing against West Brom in December - though Jurgen Klopp said on Friday that the defender was “close” to return.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has plenty of options as Manchester United on Sunday head to Anfield to face Liverpool in their biggest game of the Premier League season so far. An impressive run of form has seen United take first place in the table, and the Red Devils currently boast a three-point lead over champions Liverpool before Sunday’s clash on Merseyside. Nemanja Matic has a tight groin, while Victor Lindelof has been struggling with a back injury - but all three are in with a chance of being included, and will be given late fitness tests.
Follow all the latest from the Premier League game at the King Power Stadium
Warriors won 23-22 in an eventful clash at Scotstoun.
Manchester City will be looking to ramp up their title challenge on Sunday as they host Crystal Palace at the Etihad. The win over Brighton in midweek took City up to third in the Premier League, four points off leaders Manchester United with a game in hand. United travel to Anfield to face second-placed Liverpool on Sunday, meaning City will get the chance to make up ground on at least one of their rivals.
One of the Premier League’s fiercest rivalries is renewed on Sunday as Liverpool welcome Manchester United to Anfield. For the first time in years, England’s two most successful clubs go head-to-head as genuine title contenders, with defending champions Liverpool looking to reclaim top spot. Jurgen Klopp’s side do have a better goal difference, so victory will see them leapfrog United, but more than that, the victor will make a major statement as the season nears its halfway stage.
Tottenham will be desperate to avoid another slip up as they take on the Premier League’s bottom side Sheffield United on Sunday. Spurs have won just one of their last six league meetings since beating Arsenal in the north London derby in early December, though they have reached the final of the Carabao Cup in that time. Sheffield United, meanwhile, have finally picked up their first win after beating 10-man Newcastle in midweek and will be looking to use that result to kickstart an unlikely run to safety.
Mount scored the only goal of the game in the west London derby.
Frank Lampard hailed the “outstanding” Mason Mount after the midfielder’s strike gave Chelsea a much-needed win over west London rivals Fulham in Saturday’s derby at Craven Cottage. The Blues toiled against a Fulham side who are growing in confidence each week and threatened to frustrate the visitors despite having Antonee Robinson sent off on the stroke of half-time. Mount had been Chelsea’s best player throughout, going close to opening the scoring by rattling the bar midway through the first-half.
A first win in four in the Premier League for the Blues thanks to Mount’s strike
Scott Parker says his Fulham side must continue to live “on the edge” if they are to stave off relegation - even if it cost them dear in Saturday’s west London derby against Chelsea. The Cottagers were reduced to ten men on the stroke of half-time when Antonee Robinson was sent off for a reckless challenge on Blues defender Cesar Azpilicueta. Parker hailed a “heroic” defensive display which saw the hosts hold out for 78 minutes before Mason Mount earned Frank Lampard’s side a 1-0 win.
For all the chopping and changing among Chelsea’s star-studded squad, in search of the formula that might return this hugely talented crop to the kind of form they were showing only weeks ago, Mason Mount’s presence is now non-negotiable. The pressure on Lampard should not intensify after this display - a result was always more important than a performance after a run of four defeats in six in the league - but it is unlikely to subside either. Goals for Timo Werner and Kai Havertz against Morecambe in the cup were supposed to have given them a quick hit of confidence, but Lampard risked it evaporating by immediately benching the pair.
Jürgen Klopp needs faltering Firmino, Mané and Salah to spark againWhen the two biggest clubs in the land meet on Sunday, the Liverpool manager must get his front three firing to reignite the champions’ title defence
Guardiola has turned City away from pressing and back to passing. In circumstances demanding a less energetic approach, the manager has transformed his side’s Premier League prospects
Fulham had Antonee Robinson sent off just before the break.
A late goal from Mason Mount gave Chelsea a laboured 1-0 win at 10-man Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday, easing some of the pressure off manager Frank Lampard. The result provisionally lifted Chelsea two places up to seventh on 29 points from 18 games, with Southampton, who visit Leicester City later on Saturday, able to leapfrog them. Fulham, who suffered defeat after five successive draws, stayed 18th on 12 points from 17 games with a seemingly uphill task to avoid relegation.
A look at all the goal ‘celebrations’ on Saturday.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea: Mount strikes late after Robinson’s first-half red card
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
Mason Mount’s late winner saw Chelsea finally break down a resilient Fulham side, who were reduced to 10 men in the first half. Mount drove in a scorching low shot from 10 metres in the 78th minute to give Chelsea only their second league win in the last seven games and lift them two places up to seventh on 29 points from 18 games. Fulham, who had wing-back Antonee Robinson sent off on the stroke of half-time for a reckless tackle on Cesar Azpilicueta, stayed 18th on 12 points after their first defeat following five successive draws.