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.

---

Jose Mourinho has been spotted watching Lille face Montpellier in Ligue 1. The 56-year-old has maintained a relatively low profile since being sacked by Manchester United in December.
Jose Mourinho spotted at Lille match… and fans joke about the

---

May 03, 2014 · Two teams have been relegated from the Premier League on the penultimate weekend of the season as heavy defeats for Fulham and Cardiff City, coupled with Sunderland's win away at Manchester
Three things we learned: Chelsea v. Man City - ProSoccerTalk

---

Sarri famously loathes the transfer window and prefers to leave the buying and selling of players to others, and he's admitted he was in the dark about the signing of Pulisic before it was announced. "I don't know," Sarri replied when asked about Pulisic's move. "I didn't know anything about Pulisic on Tuesday.
Christian Pulisic to Chelsea: Breaking down Maurizio Sarri's

---

Sunderland are in talks with Celtic over a loan move for Lewis Morgan. Police are investigating after a group of Rangers fans invaded the pitch in celebration during their win over Livingston. DAILY RECORD
Morning Paper Talk - Page 182 - forum.cstalking.tv
forum.cstalking.tv/general-sports-387/morning-paper-talk-1196/index182.html
Rangers are planning to hold talks with Liverpool over a permanent deal for Ryan Kent this summer. NEWCASTLE CHRONICLE Blackpool have enquired about the possibility of signing Newcastle's Elias Sorensen on loan for the second half of the season. Sunderland are set to push through with a January move for Wigan striker Will Grigg. BIRMINGHAM MAIL
Press Gossip - 2019 | Page 49 | RedCafe.net

---

Wigan Athletic's five-match unbeaten run came to an end as two second-half goals secured play-off chasing Derby County all three points at Pride Park on Tuesday evening. Latics had taken a first-half lead through Gavin Massey but a wonder goal from Mason Bennett levelled the game before Scott Malone scored a late winner for the Rams.
Mason Bennett - talkSPORT

---

Lucky Liverpool? One big slice of luck every Premier League-winning side has received from Manchester United to Chelsea by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 3 Apr Liverpool only just managed to stay in touch with Premier League title rivals Manchester City with a rather fortuitous victory over Tottenham on Sunday.
Liverpool will win the Premier League and here's why

---

Loyalty. It inspires unyielding belief in the ability of a football club to win a single game, it binds the fans to the colours of their team for a lifetime and has players openly weeping at such
FourFourTwo's Premier League table of annoying: every club's

---

Virgil van Dijk is better than Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic ever was, according to the Liverpool star's former manager. The Dutchman has been widely praised for helping the Reds win a
Virgil van Dijk better than Manchester United legend Nemanja

---

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard asked about Liverpool return as he compares Old Firm and Merseyside derbies having played in 33 Liverpool vs Everton games. Celtic thrash Rangers in Old Firm
Rangers news: Fireworks between Gerrard & Lennon? Expert

---

Fan have been denied access to the Wanda Metropolitano for the Champions League final - despite having genuine tickets for the showdown between Tottenham and Liverpool. Police have reportedly apprehended supporters outside the ground amid complaints over 'heavy-handed tactics'.
Liverpool vs Tottenham: Fans warned over attempts to STEAL

---

Find out why Close. Neymar limps out of Brazil training holding his knee amid fears he could miss Copa America due to.. WNT vs. Brazil: Highlights - March 5,
Neymar limps out of Brazil training with knee injury on same

---

Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa's emergency press conference proved to be a unique source of entertainment. The Argentinian called the conference after admitting he ordered a member of club staff to watch Derby County training last week before Leeds' 2-0 win over the Pride Park side.
Leeds United News: Whelan handpicks Pontus Jansson for Leeds

---