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Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho said he will let Serge Aurier decide if he wants to play or not following the death of his brother .

Media reports began to circulate on Monday claiming Christopher Aurier had been shot outside of a nightclub in Toulouse.

The 26-year-old's death was later confirmed in a statement by Spurs.

Tottenham are in action against Newcastle United in the Premier League on Wednesday - as they attempt to qualify for the Europa League with three league matches remaining.

Mourinho confirmed he will talk with Aurier before deciding whether to involve him, while he also confirmed the player can go back to France should he wish.

"I still don't know [if the player would train later that day], I don't know what he is keen to do, I am not going to put any pressure on him," Mourinho said.

"Maybe he travels with us because it is good for him to travel but then he is not ready to play. At this moment I have no idea. I have no idea, the only thinking that is clear is that we are here to support him and not to demand anything of him at all.

"[We gave him] all the options. He can do what he wants, he can go to France, he can stay here, he can come to training, he can go to the game.

“That's obvious, that's human, family is more important in this tragic situation than our need for him and our crucial match. Nothing matters, he does what he wants.

"Let me speak with him and we will see. At this moment I don't know. I spoke with him on the phone, no more than that.

"We gave him the space to process, the space for him to be involved with his family. We are going to make the decision that he wants.

"[Whether he plays] depends on the feelings I have on the conversation. We are going to speak."

Aurier has been a key player in Jose Mourinho's team since the Portuguese manager's arrival in November, and he has played 30 games in the Premier League this season with a goal to his name.

Most professional footballers in West Bengal start developing an affinity for the sport while playing in the para (community) playgrounds during their childhood. If he scores a few or strings some neat passes, his football-enthusiast parent would, more often than not,  get him registered into a local academy with a dream that his son would one day represent Mohun Bagan or East Bengal. 

Abhash Thapa’s story almost treads on the same lines. His father Dhan Singh Thapa was a district-level player and has been a constant pillar of support in his journey so far. Singh inducted his son in an academy at his hometown Bandel, at a very tender age. And within months, Abhash would find himself participating in the Subroto Cup tournament for a local school as a striker and also in inter-district football tournaments. 

"Interestingly, I started playing cricket at first. But I lost interest in it soon and enrolled myself in a football academy. Since my father himself was a footballer, he would give me ample freedom to pursue the sport," reminisced the 21-year-old to Goal. 

At 14 he started taking trials for various Kolkata outfits like Mohammedan Sporting and Mohun Bagan. He got through Mohammedan and under coach Saeed Anwar, he started playing as a winger-cum-striker. But his days in Black and White were numbered as he was selected by Bagan's SAIL Academy in Durgapur where he would spend his formative years as a player. 

"Jahar Das was my coach in the first year. It was an U18 team and I was just 14 when I joined. Naturally, I did not get any competitive minutes in my first year. In my second year, I first played for the team in an invitational tournament in Chandigarh as a central midfielder. I was playing in different positions and I learnt a lot." 

Incidentally, Brazilian defender Douglas De Silva started his coaching career in this academy in 2014. It was him who first deployed Thapa as a full-back during one of the youth league games. But it was a temporary measure to fill in the vacant boots of the regular right-back who was sidelined with an injury. 

"I think I did well as a full-back. I like to attack and go on the overlap and the position was suiting me very well. But coach thought that I would fit as a midfielder and I once again slotted in at the centre of the park." 

Thapa spent four years in Durgapur and after graduating he once again started appearing for trials in various clubs for a place in the senior team. It was not a cakewalk as his spirits would be tested with a slew of rejections until he finally landed himself with a contract with Royal Wahingdoh and subsequently, with Bhowanipore FC. 

"The Bhowanipore officials liked me during the trial. But Bablu da (Coach, Subrata Bhattacharya) was not impressed. So I could not make it. I then went for trials in Peerless SC. I was practicing with the team but the management was not offering me a contract. Now, Bhowanipore and Peerless practices in close proximity in the Maidan. So one day, one of the Bhowanipore officials spotted me and asked if I was still free. After a few days, I got a call from them and I finally signed." 

After joining his first task was to win the confidence of the coach. Bhattacharya was a difficult coach to please but gradually the youngster won him over with hard work and perseverance in the training sessions. 

After plying his trade in the Calcutta Football League (CFL) for a season Thapa felt that he was ready for the next step. Fortunately, Real Kashmir was in the city at that time scouting for players for I-League second division. 

"Pintu (Mahata) informed me about the trials. It was a closed trial and you needed a recommended to gain entry. Yet I went there with my kit. For three days straight I was tested and after that, I went back home. I kept waiting and after a few days, I got a confirmation. It was a huge relief."

Thapa was picked as a winger but once again providence had something else in store for him. Kamalesh Nadar, the first-choice left-back got injured and David Robertson asked his young ace to fill in that space. He made seven appearances in the second division and played a vital role in Kashmir's promotion to I-League. 

He made his debut against Mohun Bagan in the top league and in the very first match, he was given the responsibility to contain Mahata, his long-time friend. 

"Pintu was playing as a right-winger. It was completely out of the world to play against Bagan. I was so charged. Fortunately, I had a good game and Pintu was changed in the first half. Playing in the I-League helped me understand that mentality is the most important thing. You should not bog down to pressure. Loveday (Okechukwu) also guided me a lot." 

After two successful seasons in Kashmir, he joined Indian Super League (ISL) side Hyderabad FC but he could not find his foot in new surroundings. he was loaned out to East Bengal. Under Mario Rivera, he became a regular but much to his dismay, he could not participate in the famed Kolkata Derby as the match was called off due to the Coronavirus pandemic. 

"It is a huge disappointment. It was a dream to play in the Kolkata Derby. Just a day away and the match got called off. Hopefully, sometime in the future, I will be able to play in that match." 

Thapa 's immediate concern is to establish himself as a regular in his next venture so that he can improve further as playing for India remains the ultimate target.

Sudeva FC are one of just three clubs who are in the running for direct entry into the 2020-21 I-League.

The New Delhi-based club, along with Shillong's Ryntih SC and Visakhapatnam-based Sreenidhi FC, have submitted a bid after the All India Football Federation (AIFF) invited interested parties to fill the spot left vacant by Mohun Bagan who have merged with Indian Super League (ISL) franchise ATK. 

However, Sudeva FC are the front-runners to win the bid and if they do, co-owner Anuj Gupta has huge plans for the upcoming season. And 'desi' is the dominating tint to the vision he has for Sudeva.

"Hopefully, the license (to play I-League) comes through for us. There are a lot of things I want to implement. Winning and losing is sometimes not in our hand. But what is in our hands is our philosophy. I believe in a philosophy that is pro-Indian," Gupta told Goal.

"We want to win the bid and post the bid, I would be announcing several things including our plan for the coming five years."

Sudeva, who are an established name in the junior circuits and has an expansive residential academy, have already laid down the groundwork for the upcoming season including potential recruits.

"I have already identified the players who we want for the squad and we have called them for selective trials in August."

However, the club is not planning to recruit foreign players as of now, in small part due to the restriction imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic and mainly due to a pro-Indian vision that Gupta swears by.

"I don’t think I would be focusing on overseas players as of now. The best day for Indian football would be when a completely Indian contingent wins the I-League.

"Also, because of the pandemic, there is a lot of uncertainty. The whole I-League will happen in one or two cities and there will be a problem getting a foreigner and see what their travel and other arrangements might be. My focus would be to get the best talent in India and showcase them. Give them the chance with a very good pre-season and put up a fight in the competition."

If Sudeva are given a chance to play the I-League and they struggle with an all-Indian side, Gupta states prudently that they might consider getting a few foreigners in during the January transfer window.

"Hopefully, it will be an Indian contingent. But it depends. If our season goes well, I guess we won’t need to sign any foreign players but if we struggle, we might take a couple of foreigners in the January window. But I would like to give more chances to Indian players."

"Nothing is finalised right now. Only after we receive the license, we would be revealing everything," he adds cautiously.

Sudeva are also looking to fast-track some of the promising recruits from their flourishing academy in New Delhi into the first team this season. It has to be noted that Gupta is also the owner of Spanish third division side Olimpic de Xativa, with Spanish coaches coming in to help him and his team scout for talent.

The extensive scouting process on multiple levels including youth football, Santosh Trophy and even University tournaments has helped them identify the players they need.

"We will have I-League winners, ISL players, youth players from our academy and other academies. It will be a combination of youth and experience. I have scouted in over 11 states. It doesn’t matter for me where the player has played. I have scouted players from state teams, Santosh trophy teams and university teams. It is an opportunity I want to give to any player who is good enough," said Gupta.

Winning the I-League with an all-Indian squad remains the dream for Gupta, one he feels he will be immensely proud of if he achieves it.

"I want to win the I-League with a completely Indian team. I think that would be a proud moment for any Indian involved in Indian football. That is my dream. I would be proud if one day I end up giving an Indian player a wage that overseas players command right now."

FC Goa's Seriton Fernandes was on the verge of joining his first camp under India coach Igor Stimac before the Coronavirus pandemic struck.

The remainder of India's 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup joint qualifier matches against Qatar, Bangladesh and Afghanistan got postponed. That in turn led to the national team camp that was to be held in Bhubhaneshwar from March 9th was cancelled. This was ahead of the game against Qatar that was initially scheduled for March 26.

Now the  Blue Tigers are expected to resume their campaign on October 8th when they take on Qatar. Seriton has revealed his conversation when he met Stimac in Goa before the Croat had named his list of 43 probables back in February.

"He (Stimac) told me he liked my game and how I play. He asked me to keep working hard and offered me some tips on how to defend and attack," the right back revealed to  FC Goa Fan Club in an Instagram chat.

"It (national team call-up) was a big achievement in my life but I'm not disappointed (not to join the India camp) right now because we have to understand the (Covid-19) situation," he added.

Fernandes came up with some interesting answers during the Rapid Fire round. He picked Brandon Fernandes as his favourite player from the Indian Super League (ISL).

Meanwhile, asked to name his FC Goa six-a-side, the 27-year-old called the names of Mohammad Nawaz, Mourtada Fall, Brandon Fernandes, Lenny Rodrigues, Ferran Corominas and Hugo Boumous - in that order - before opting to leave out the Moroccan when he was asked to include himself.

Come the 2020-21 season, Seriton will face competition from the newly promoted right back in Leander D'Cunha. "I spoke with Leander. He told me that I am the best player and that he is learning more by watching me play. I [had] told him to stay at the FC Goa developmental team and I said to him that he will make it to the senior team. So I am very happy to see Leander [in the first team]."

Having qualified for the AFC Champions League group stage after topping the regular season of ISL 6, Fernandes stated that he is eager to play in the Asian competition besides insisting that he doesn't see himself playing for any team not based in Goa.

"I am very excited to play in the AFC Champions League. In India, FC Goa is the first team to play in [the group stage of] this competition. 

"I love Goa very much. I love to play in Goa and I don't want to go outside even if it is for a higher salary," he claimed.

According to recent developments, at least the initial phase of the ensuing ISL season is set to be played behind closed doors with all matches most likely to be played in Goa.

"Without fans, football is incomplete. You can see in Italy, Spain, they are all playing without fans. I don't think we can (enjoyably) play (without fans). I personally feel motivated to play with the cheering from fans. But I understand the Covid-19 situation," Fernandes opined.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho has disclosed that Serge Aurier can do what he wants after the death of his brother on Monday.

Aurier's brother, Christopher was shot dead outside a nightclub in France, less than 24 hours after the Ivory Coast international helped Spurs earn the North London derby bragging rights with a 2-1 win over Arsenal.

Ahead of their visit to Newcastle United on Wednesday, Mourinho said the 27-year-old who is still in grief is not ready to play but he might travel to France or travel with the team to Tyne and Wear.

"I still don't know [if the player would train later that day], I don't know what he is keen to do, I am not going to put any pressure on him," Mourinho was quoted as saying by Football London.

"Maybe he travels with us because it is good for him to travel but then he is not ready to play. At this moment I have no idea. I have no idea, the only thinking that is clear is that we are here to support him and not to demand anything of him at all.

"[We gave him] all the options. He can do what he wants, he can go to France, he can stay here, he can come to training, he can go to the game.

“That's obvious, that's human, family is more important in this tragic situation than our need for him and our crucial match. Nothing matters, he does what he wants.

"Let me speak with him and we will see. At this moment I don't know. I spoke with him on the phone, no more than that.

"We gave him the space to process, the space for him to be involved with his family. We are going to make the decision that he wants.

"[Whether he plays] depends on the feelings I have on the conversation. We are going to speak."

Aurier has been key play in Jose Mourinho's team since the Portuguese manager's arrival in November, and he has played 30 games in the Premier League this season with a goal to his name.

Handwalla Bwana scored Seattle Sounders' only goal in their 2-1 loss to Chicago Fire on Tuesday.

Bwana came off to bench to equalise for Brian Schmetzer's side 19 minutes after his introduction in the 58th minute, but his effort was not enough to secure a point for the Sounders at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Field.

The Kenya-born midfielder was assisted by Jordan Morris in opening his goal account at the MLS is Back tournament in Orlando.

After a goalless draw against San Jose Earthquakes last Friday, the defeat left Seattle Sounders third in Group B having gathered just a point from two matches.

They will be hoping to boost their chances of advancing to the knockout round when they battle Vancouver Whitecaps in their final group fixture on July 19.

Bwana who was born in Mombasa, has been at the United States of America since 2010 and he joined Seattle Sounders in 2015.

He has been a regular fixture for the Sounders since his debut outing in 2015 and he was also part of the squad that won the 2019 MLS Cup after a 3-1 win over Toronto FC.

The 23-year-old who spent six years of his childhood at a refugee camp in Kakuma - a town in the North-western region of Kenya, is eligible to play for Harambee Stars on the international scene.

Chelsea knew they needed to take advantage of Manchester United dropping points as the Premier League's top-four battle race heats up, according to coach Frank Lampard.

The Blues overcame relegated Norwich City 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday in a nervy display that kept the team in third position - four points clear of Leicester City and Man Utd.

With the Red Devils conceding a 96th minute equaliser to draw 2-2 with Bournemouth on Sunday night, Lampard said his players knew the Norwich match was an opportunity to get some breathing space on their rivals for Champions League places.

"I actually didn't speak to them about [capitalising] today because I think I have mentioned other games around us," Lampard said. We all saw the game but I don't think I had to say that to them today.

"We know that when the team around you has a moment like that then you have to capitalise. We failed to do that at other times this season.

"All I wanted to do was make sure we did our job tonight. I felt tonight was about us. We were against a team who has just been relegated. With all respect, here at home if we get our job done at home we get three points and we did do that."

Oliver Giroud scored the only goal on the stroke of half-time against the Canaries as the Blues collected three points before a tough set of matches to come in the league.

Chelsea will face Liverpool at Anfield - with the champions seeking to break Man City's league points record of 100 - before taking on Wolves at home in their final contest.

Lampard knows it's a difficult run of matches for his players to ensure they finish in the top four and hopes they can focus enough to get through them.

"When you keep coming up against Liverpool away and Wolves at home - they are just two really good opponents," he said. We just have to focus on one-by-one, prepare right and show the right attitude.

"I thought we showed it today in a way. Those two games will look completely different to what tonight did but rather than talk about bottle, I want to talk about focus and talk about attitude and then hopefully we have enough to get through but it is going to be tough."

With the Blues on the verge of qualifying for next season's Champions League, Lampard's team are currently still alive in the current edition but face an uphill battle with a three-goal deficit to overturn against Bayern in the second leg of their round-of-16 match next month.

With an FA Cup semi-final to come against Man Utd on Sunday, Lampard feels the team can be pleased with where they are at in their current development stage.

"I think we can be happy with where we are right now, " Lampard said. "I don’t want to jump the gun because we have games that will be pivotal to where we actually finish, but if we’d said we’d be third and contesting in the FA Cup and the Champions League, [I'd have been happy]."

Thiago Alcantara would prove a skilled addition to Liverpool's squad if the Spaniard was to sign for the Reds next season, according to old club favourite Dietmar Hamann.

The former Anfield star, who was a member of Rafa Benitez's Champions League-winning side in 2005, believes that the Bayern Munich creator could bring a technical nous to Jurgen Klopp's side were he to swap the Bundesliga for the Premier League.

Thiago has been at the Allianz Arena for the better part of a decade but could look set to bring the curtain down on his time with the German champions and make the move to England, with Merseyside a touted destination.

Speaking as the European football season builds to a belated climax following the coronavirus pandemic-enforced suspension, Hamann noted that the 29-year-old skewed older than Liverpool would likely prefer, but that his skill could arguably trump all other concerns.

"He doesn't quite fit the profile of the Reds' transfer policy at his age," the former Germany international midfielder told Abendzeitung. "Regardless, a transfer would make sense in my eyes.

"Jurgen Klopp has more workhorses in his midfield with Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Naby Keita. He could use an intricate technical player like Thiago well.

"On the other hand, he will surely have a new contract at Bayern waiting to be signed. I would be surprised if he was not offered a lot to stay."

Further pressed on how much Thiago could be sold for if he were to exit the Bavarian giants, Hamann admitted that he would expect Liverpool to drive a hard bargain, acknowledging that the player's place in the relative pecking order under Hansi Flick may play a part in his price.

"Liverpool certainly want to keep the cost down," he added. "Thiago is 29 now, and when everyone is fit in the Bayern midfield - Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Thomas Muller - he starts on the bench.

"Thiago certainly has his brilliant moments. I like to watch him, but he's never played in a Champions League final for Bayern. The bottom line is that he's one of the most likely options for Liverpool to pursue, for me."

Frank Lampard has hailed Olivier Giroud for scoring another important goal after the French star fired Chelsea to a win over Norwich on Tuesday.

Giroud scored the lone goal in the 1-0 victory, one which kept Chelsea in the race for a top-four spot.

After being beaten 3-0 by Sheffield United last time out, Chelsea are in a battle with Leicester, Manchester United and Wolves to claim the final two Champions League spots with just several games remaining in the Premier League season.

Knowing what's at stake, Chelsea will need results to remain in the hunt, and Lampard praised Giroud's contribution on Tuesday, hailing the French striker for taking advantage of his time on the pitch.

"He is always going to give you a desire to get in there for the team," Lampard told Sky Sports. "He had a few half chances in the central area. That is what you have to do when he is in the team - use his attributes.

"He has scored important goals. He has never given me a problem, always trained well. His professionalism is always good."

The World Cup-winning forward has had to deal with time out of the starting XI this season, with Giroud making only 20 total appearances this season while scoring seven goals.

Giroud made 45 appearances last season, his first full campaign with Chelsea, scoring 13 times in all competitions.

Now back in the team following a good run of form, Giroud says he is still finding his confidence in front of goal despite a haul of three goals in four matches.

"We needed to be patient and move the ball quick against a team who play a deep block," he said. "We created a lot of chances but it was important to score before half-time. We should have scored more goals as we had a lot of possession. The team was a bit under pressure also because we know we needed the win definitely so we are happy.

“I missed some things some times that I wouldn’t miss usually but maybe I lost a bit of confidence. My desire to score was bigger though so I tried to stay focused. It was a great cross from Christian [Pulisic] so I scored the header. I will always believe and work hard. I am very pleased with the goal and it helped the team win the game.

“We really wanted to bounce back and we played a good team against Sheffield United. We have done mistakes obviously so we tried to not do it again. This determination to do well tonight was very high. The most important thing was the three points so we feel relief now.”

Chelsea are set to face Manchester United on Sunday in a match that could determine their fate this season before a difficult clash with Liverpool three days later.

The Blues will then conclude the season with a match against Wolves at Stamford Bridge.

South Africa women's head coach Desiree Ellis has encouraged her Banyana Banyana forward Amanda Mthandi to continue learning and grow at Spanish club Badajoz.

Mthandi has continued to impress under Ellis' watch, inspiring Banyana to a runners-up finish at the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations in Ghana and shone at the Women's World Cup in 2019.

The highly-rated 24-year-old penned a one-year contract plus an option of an extension with the Spanish outfit, bringing to an end her journey at South African side University of Johannesburg ladies.

And the 57-year-old tactician has backed Mthandi to excel with Bea Galan's team in the Primera National outfit, while sharing her excitement over the recent moves abroad by Banyana players.

“Congratulations Amanda, you have worked really hard for this opportunity and have shown the willingness to learn and grow," Ellis told Safa.net.

"This is another chance to continue learning and grow even further. All the best on this new and exciting journey. 

"As this is your first professional contract and far away from home, there may be challenges – like weather, food, style of play, being all alone – but I believe you have it in you to succeed despite that. 

"Just remember why you are there and that you carry the dreams of many South Africans back home. 

"It is quite exciting to see so many Banyana Banyana players moving to overseas clubs, this gives us confidence that the future of this team is very bright.

"I have always said that this country has a lot of talent and most of that talent should be based abroad.

"But it is encouraging that more and more are moving overseas – this can only benefit the squad tremendously.”

Luis Suarez has conceded La Liga to Real Madrid, admitting that it will be "almost impossible" for Barcelona to catch their fiercest rivals.

Real Madrid currently sit four points ahead of Barcelona with two games remaining in the season, with Zinedine Zidane's side facing fifth-place Villarreal and 18th-place Leganes to close the campaign.

Barcelona, meanwhile, are set to close their season against Osasuna and Alaves, who sit 11th and 17th, respectively.

The Catalan side's title hopes all but evaporated during an 11-day span in June, with Barca sputtering to draws with Sevilla, Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid.

Those opened the door for Real Madrid to surge into the lead, and Suarez says it was those results that all but ended Barca's title hopes.

"If you have to be honest, the league is almost impossible," Suarez told Sport. “It is clear that the game against Sevilla is a game that makes things very difficult for you. We had options to get ahead. That day was important but in Vigo it was key. We lost our great opportunity.

"If we had beaten Celta, we would have been better off against Atletico. The blow was in Vigo, the goal in the last minute from Aspas. It hurt. Now we have to finish well and go for the Champions League."

Suarez added that Barcelona must take the blame for their failings, as the club will miss out on the Liga title for only the third time in eight years.

"In La Liga, you have to be self-critical: we let it escape ourselves," he told Mundo Deportivo. "We are aware that we depended on ourselves and not look for any excuse.

"Now, for our pride and for the prestige of Barca, we have to win the two remaining games and then focus squarely on the only title we can fight for, which is the Champions League.

"If those of us on the team can perform at the level of why we are in this club, we can beat anyone. A failure in a match can be expensive That is why we have to be very vigilant and we need everyone to be able to get the Champions League."

Reports have continued that Barca are pushing to sign a forward that will replace Suarez, with the club heavily linked with Lautaro Martinez.

Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu recently stated that any push to sign the Argentine is on hold until season's end, but, should that deal go through, Suarez would welcome the Inter star with open arms.

"He is a great player. He has been playing at a very high level at Inter," Suarez said. "It is not easy to get to Italy from Argentina and demonstrate everything he has done in a complicated football league like Serie A. He is young and if he comes to Barca, we will trying to help him adapt and to help him feel comfortable."

Mikel Arteta is adamant that the world’s top players will still want to play for Arsenal even if they don’t qualify for Europe next season.

Sunday’s north London derby defeat at Spurs has left the Gunners on the verge of missing out on European football next season for the first time in 25 years.

Arteta’s side now sit four points below seventh-placed Sheffield United with only nine points left up for grabs, and with Liverpool to come on Wednesday night, Arsenal’s hopes of qualifying for Europe via the Premier League could be over before the weekend if they lose to the champions and the Blades win at Leicester 24 hours later.

There is still a route into the Europa League via the FA Cup, but with Arsenal facing Manchester City in the semi-final at Wembley on Saturday, that is also looking like an unlikely option.

It has led to concerns from fans that the club will not be able to land their top targets - such as Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey - in the transfer window, but Arteta insists that is not the case.

“Yes,” he said, when asked if Arsenal would still be able to attract top players. “Because we've an incredible history, an incredible structure, in a beautiful city and a style of play that attracts players. I'm telling you now because when I am closer to the market now when I speak to people, a lot of players want to play for Arsenal.”

Next season will be Arsenal’s fourth without Champions League football and financially their absence from Europe’s elite club competition is taking a heavy toll.

Arteta says he still views Arsenal as a Champions League club and that he is ‘not expecting’ players to be sold this summer if they miss out on Europe, although he added: “In football everything is possible.”

The Gunners host Liverpool on Wednesday night before taking on Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday. They then complete their campaign with games against Aston Villa and Watford next week.

Arteta says his only focus right now is doing what he can with the players he has available to ensure his side finishes the season as well as possible. Only then will his focus switch to the transfer window.

“What I need to do first of all is do my work as good as possible, improve this team and the players individually as much as possible and get the maximum out of that,” said the Spaniard.

“Then what we need to do at the end of the season is see the direction we want to take, agree on the ambition of the football club and realise that where we are the demands are going to be huge.

“It doesn't matter what we do, that's never going to be change because it's linked to our history and our success, and move from there."

Olivier Giroud's third goal in four matches was enough for Chelsea to claim a 1-0 win over already-relegated Norwich City, giving them a four-point advantage of Manchester United in fifth.

Champions League qualification appeared to be on the rocks after third-placed Chelsea lost 3-0 to Sheffield United last time out, but after Leicester City and United dropped points too, Frank Lampard's men have consolidated their place in the driving seat.

That is not to say they were in great shape throughout at Stamford Bridge – there were times in the first half where the Blues looked like they might disappoint again, but Giroud finally punished slack defending in stoppage time.

Clear-cut chances were more of a rarity after the break, but against a Norwich side that has scored just 26 times this season, Chelsea never looked in danger of being pegged back and Giroud's header was enough.

Chelsea were dominant throughout the first half but were less than convincing in front of goal.

Giroud, starting ahead of Tammy Abraham, was guilty of spurning two excellent chances with mishit finishes, with the hosts appearing to grow frustrated as the first period progressed.

Christian Pulisic went close as well, though Tim Krul's reaction save saw him tip the American's fierce strike on to the crossbar in the 36th minute.

Giroud eventually made the breakthrough just before half-time, however, nodding in Pulisic's cross from six yards.

The second half was an even cagier affair, with little happening at either end before Cesar Azpilicueta's speculative long-range effort with his left foot flew just over.

Krul then thwarted Pulisic from close range 15 minutes from time, though Chelsea were not made to rue that error, as they saw out the triumph.

What does it mean? Chelsea get the job done

It was not as comprehensive as most would have predicted – and expected. But, at this stage of the season, getting three points is all that matters and it keeps the Blues on course to finish third.

Given their final two matches of the season are away to Liverpool and at home to Wolves, anything other than a win here would have surely been critical.

Willian a willing creator

It is fair to say Willian is doing his chances of earning a new contract beyond the end of the season no harm with recent performances. He may not have finished the game with any goals or assists, but he was a creative threat – he laid on seven key passes, more than anyone else on the pitch.

Drmic anonymous

It was always likely to be a thankless task leading the line for Norwich, but Josip Drmic did not exactly help himself – the Switzerland international offered precious little after getting the nod ahead of Teemu Pukki and Adam Idah.

Key Opta Facts

- Pulisic has registered 11 goals involvements in the Premier League this season (eight goals, three assists), the most by a United States player since Clint Dempsey in 2012-13 (also 11).
- Since his Premier League debut in August 2012, Giroud has scored 31 headed goals in the competition, five more than any other player in that time.
- Giroud has scored in three successive Premier League starts for the first time since January 2017, when he netted in six consecutive games as a starter for Arsenal.
- Chelsea have won five consecutive home Premier League games for the first time since December 2017.
- Norwich have now lost 25 Premier League games this season – the most defeats they have ever suffered in a league campaign.

What's next?

A trip to Wembley awaits Chelsea on Sunday as they face Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-finals, before then returning to Premier League action at champions Liverpool. As for Norwich, they play their final home match of the season against Burnley on Saturday.

Harry Kane has backed Jose Mourinho to help Tottenham Hotspur deliver on their potential next season, hailing the Portuguese coach as one of "the best managers in the world".

The England skipper has endured another silverware-less season in North London, just a year after the club went close to unexpected European glory in the Champions League final against Liverpool in Madrid last season.

The subsequent term has seen a major managerial change, with Mourinho replacing Mauricio Pochettino at the helm, and a pandemic-enforced hiatus - but Spurs are now into the home straight of their campaign as they seek to make a final charge for the Europa League.

The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss has only mustered a 43.75 per cent win ratio so far after 32 games in charge - his lowest figure at any club to date - but speaking ahead of his side's trip to Newcastle this week, Kane has given the 57-year-old his full support, comparing his approach favourably to that of his predecessor.

"They're definitely two different styles of manager, but it's been great," the striker told  BT Sport . "Obviously we've had a long period where I was out injured doing rehab, having to watch the team from the sidelines and we've had a long time to get to know each other with Covid-19.

"We've built up a good relationship and we talk very often.

"He wants to win, he's here to win. Obviously there are no trophies to play for this season but next season that's his aim. Everything is about winning and he's made that clear.

"There have been times where we haven't played well but we've won the game and at the end of the day three points is the most important thing. 

"I think he's looking forward, going into next season, having a bit more time to work with the boys in pre-season and getting to know them more. He's great to work under and it's another opportunity for me to learn off one of the best managers in the world, so I'm taking it all in and learning as fast as I can."

If anyone was thinking Liverpool would take their foot off the gas after claiming the Premier League title, Saturday’s meeting with Burnley at Anfield dispelled that notion.

Despite only playing out a 1-1 stalemate, the statistics made for interesting reading: Jurgen Klopp’s side had the majority of possession (70-30 percent), as well as shots (29-6). For those who retain an interest in Expected Goals, the Reds edged xG 2.18 to 0.45, indicating that while the Clarets secured the point, the final score should have read a comfortable victory for the world champions.

Sean Dyche had Nick Pope’s heroics to thank for his side’s draw, with the England goalkeeper making no fewer than eight saves in a man of the match performance at the home of the newly-crowned Prem winners.

Interestingly, half of those saves came from Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s top league scorer this season and contender for this year’s Golden Boot, alongside Jamie Vardy (23), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (20) and teammate Sadio Mane (16), who’s an outsider for the prize.

Before gameweek 35’s meeting between both sides at Anfield, there’d been a suggestion that Klopp’s team had prioritised the Egypt star’s goal tally in the final weeks, given the current African Footballer of the Year’s deficit from Vardy and co. putting him at a disadvantage.

Indeed, Saturday’s statistics proved this somewhat. Salah had a staggering six attempts on the day, fascinatingly the total number Burnley mustered, while Mane had just two shots for the entirety of the game.

The Senegal international, however, created an astonishing five chances to the two-time African POTY’s three.

Also, both forward’s heat maps corroborate the recent perception that while there remains a mathematical chance for Mane to claim the Golden Boot for a second time, he understands the seven-goal gap to Vardy (who scored his 23rd against Bournemouth on Sunday) may be a bridge too far.

Salah was largely stationed in central areas against the plucky Clarets, while his West African teammate spent more time outside the box, maintaining a bias for an inside-left position.

Given he couldn’t increase his 16-goal tally at the weekend, which leaves him trailing the Leicester City man by a bucket-load of goals, that leaves Salah and Aubameyang as the African pair with a realistic chance of supplanting the ageless English forward.

Both attackers face off at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, seeking to be among the goals after firing blanks as their sides failed to win at the weekend.

Auba couldn’t prevent his Arsenal side from a somewhat unexpected North London derby defeat by Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, with Mikel Arteta’s men falling to a 2-1 loss.

The final result could have been different had the Gabon frontman not been denied by the woodwork after a rasping left-footed effort from inside the box early in the second-half following a well-disguised pass from Alexander Lacazette.

Both prolific attackers face-off in North London knowing full well they’re running out of games to catch or usurp the leading scorer.

For Aubameyang, he could win the award for the second season running, thus joining Michael Owen, Robin van Persie, Harry Kane and Salah (if they aren’t tied) as forwards who have retained the honour after maiden wins. Indeed, another Golden Boot for the prolific Arsenal captain will see him equal another African great Didier Drogba, who ended top scorer in 2007 and 2010 with Chelsea.

As for Salah, claiming the achievement for a third season on the trot will put him among an elite group of players to have reached the feat in Premier League history. Alan Shearer (94/95 to 96/97) and Thierry Henry (03/04 to 05/06) are the only frontmen from previous seasons to have won the award for three successive campaigns.

If the Anfield favourite is successful, he’d equal Shearer’s total number of top scorer titles (three) and will have Henry’s record of four in his sights. The Frenchman won that quartet of awards between 2001 and 2006, and claiming this year’s tussle will put the 2018 PFA Player of the Year in a position of supplanting the Arsenal great in record time.

However, the North African has a tougher run of games on paper compared to Auba, whose final two fixtures are against Aston Villa and Watford. Liverpool play host to Chelsea on their penultimate game of the campaign, before travelling to Newcastle United on the final day.

History, though, suggests Salah shouldn’t be worried by the opposition. He’s scored against his old side in successive seasons at Anfield and has netted four times in five games against the Magpies, including two at St James' Park in the last two seasons. Frank Lampard’s men are leaky defensively anyway, with the concession of 49 goals the highest in the top half of the table, so the signs are auspicious for Liverpool’s top scorer.

Still, Auba may be the slight favourite given Villa and the Hornets are statistically two of the weakest sides defensively in the top flight. Both have conceded 65 and 54 respectively, which puts them in the top six leakiest rearguards in the division.

This will be music to the ears of the Gunners’ skipper, who’s scored 70 percent of his 20 strikes against teams in the bottom half. He netted a brace against Watford in mid-September before following that with a free-kick vs Dean Smith’s side a week later, making him a slight favourite to score more in the final two games of the season.

Arsenal are still chasing a place in the Europa League and Aubameyang’s goals will play a part in Arteta’s troops securing a European berth at the end of the campaign.

As for Salah, having ended top scorer for two years running, he wouldn’t want to surrender the crown to Vardy (who faces Sheffield United, Spurs and Manchester United) or Auba as he seeks to put himself on the same pedestal as Prem greats like Shearer and Henry.

In truth, whoever claims this year’s Golden Boot among the triumvirate eventually isn’t expected to have it easy as this year’s tussle, like last season’s, could well go down to the wire.

Elmina Sharks boss Yaw Acheampong has confidence in Ashanti Gold's chances of giving a good account of themselves in the Caf Confederation Cup next season.

The Miners are set to defend Ghana's colours in the continental championship for the second straight time, having secured a ticket in the boardroom following Ghana's premature termination of the 2019-20 football season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

On their last African campaign, the Miners were eliminated in the first round.

“I think the club can make a case in Africa with better preparations," Acheampong said, as reported by Footballghana.

"Now the players are embarking on individual training due to the Covid-19 and that is not enough for them. Let see if government will ease restrictions so they can do group training.

“I will entreat them to prepare well. They have some talented players like Amos Addae and other good players who have tested Africa.

"So if management are able to beef up the squad, they can do well having had experience in the ongoing season."

AshGold won the Ghana Special Competition Knockout last year to gain a ticket to the 2019-20 Confederation Cup.

Ghana's inability to complete the 2019-20 football season due to the Covid-19 disturbances means the West African nation had to fall back on this season's continental representatives for next term’s African competitions.

"We want to do better than what AshGold last time did in the Confederations Cup," AshGold's Italian coach Roberto Landi, currently caught up in his home country due to coronavirus-induced travel restrictions, told Oyerepa FM.

"We will do our best but hope Covid-19 does not affect us.

"I wish I was in Ghana to monitor their training. We will add new players especially those who will give revenue to club."

The Miners, four-time Ghana Premier League champions, were bundled out of Africa on their last campaign by Moroccan fold RS Berkane. The Obuasi-based outfit first played in the Confederation Cup in 2011 when they crashed out in the first round as well.

Asante Kotoko got the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Committee's nod to represent the nation in the Caf Champions League.

Amanda Mthandi was shocked after completing her move to Spanish side Badajoz, noting that she never in her wildest dreams expected to seal a professional contract.

The Primera National outfit announced the signing of Mthandi from South African side University of Johannesburg ladies on Monday.

The 24-year-old is Bea Galan's team's second signing this summer as they gear up for the new season, having finished third with 42 points to miss the promotion playoffs last term.

On sealing her professional transfer to Badajoz, the South Africa international was full of joy but hungry to impress in the European nation.

“This came as a complete surprise to me. I started talking to the club a couple of weeks ago but then nothing materialised," Mthandi told Safa.net.

"I was surprised when talks resumed last week, and before I knew it, they sent me documents to sign. I was busy with my assignment which is due soon.

"I had to put it aside and focus on these documents. And now, boom! I have signed for Badajoz. I am so elated and overwhelmed.”

Mthandi has also been part of Desiree Ellis' Banyana Banyana set-up, featuring at the 2018 Africa Women's Cup of Nations in Ghana and later starred in their maiden Women's World Cup outing in 2019.

She is the latest Banyana star to move to Spain after Ode Fulutudilu and Jermaine Seoposenwe's stints at Malaga and Real Betis, before Nothando Vilakazi, who joined Logrono last week.

'Speedy' as she is fondly called, has her national set-up and fans to thank for the landing of her maiden professional contract abroad.

“Honestly, I am super grateful for all the love, support and warmth you guys have given me," she continued. 

"I must say I have the world’s best team with me. The share of this victory goes to each one of you because we are a team. As much as we win and lose together, we also achieve and celebrate together. 

"I honestly couldn’t ask for better teammates, you made the work a lot easier for me on the field and that is why today I am making this move – it was not an individual effort but a team effort.

“I am honoured to call myself a Banyana Banyana player, and will forever carry the spirit of this wonderful team where I am going. 

"From the bottom of my heart, a huge thank you to all my fellow players, our coaches, physiotherapists, our drivers, video analysts, conditioning coaches, team security, media officers, team doctors as well as our kit manager. 

"I am grateful beyond words and can’t wait to start this new journey.”

Wigan's eight-goal triumph over Hull City moved the club closer to Championship survival while setting or equalling numerous records in the process.

Hull were hit seven times in the first half of an eventual 8-0 win for Wigan, who recently appealed against their 12-point deduction imposed by the EFL for entering administration.

The Latics opened the scoring within the opening minute, with Kal Naismith firing the first of what turned out to be many goals.

After a relatively quiet 26-minute stretch, Wigan exploded into life, scoring six goals between the 27th minute and the half-time whistle.

Kieffer Moore and Kieran Dowell each provided two of those goals, with Jamal Lowe and Joe Williams also adding strikes before the break.

With that amazing first half, Wigan became the first side in the English top four tiers to score seven or more goals in one half of football since Watford, who did so against Blackpool in 2015.

Lowe, meanwhile, was involved in four of those goals, the same amount he had scored or assisted in his prior 31 appearances.

Wigan went on to add another in the second half, with Dowell completing his hat-trick in the 65th minute.

Prior to Tuesday, Wigan had not scored eight goals in a league match in club history.

The Latics also became the first team to score eight or more goals at home in a single match in the English second tier since Manchester City did so in a 10-1 win over Huddersfield in November 1987. Additionally, Hull had not conceded eight goals in a league match since November 1911 in a match against Wolves.

Perhaps there was one silver lining for Hull, as the Tigers did avoid conceding nine, which would have been the worst defensive effort in club history.

Next up for Wigan is a visit to Charlton on Saturday before a return home to face Fulham.

As the club looks to avoid relegation, the Latics can take solace in knowing that only one team - the 1957-58 Northampton side that featured in the Division Three South - have ever been relegated in the same season in which they've won a league game by eight or more goals.

Hull, meanwhile, will face fellow bottom three side Luton Town in their penultimate game as the club currently sits in one of the relegation spots. 

Former Manchester United goalkeeping coach Emilio Alvarez has revealed that he left the club following a fallout with David De Gea over the player's future, after the shotstopper put pen to paper on a new deal at Old Trafford.

The 48-year-old has played down suggestions that he was released from his role at Carrington, instead revealing that his exit came down to personal and professional differences with the Spaniard between the sticks.

De Gea extended his stay with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side last September , signing a new four-year contract that will keep him in Manchester until 2023, potentially taking him up to a dozen years with the Red Devils.

Alvarez was brought onboard at United under previous manager Jose Mourinho, having previously mentored De Gea at Atletico Madrid - but the former has now opened up on his United exit, stating that De Gea's decision to agree fresh terms behind his back was what forced his exit.

"It's not true that Manchester United relieved me of my duties," he told AS . "In fact, once De Gea renewed, United put an offer on the table for me. It was me who asked to meet with the club so I could tell them I wanted to leave the club.

"It was at this meeting they asked me to renew. I told them I was going but not because I wanted to leave United. I wanted to stop coaching De Gea.

"Aside from being his mentor at Atletico Madrid, where I backed him strongly, I was the person who convinced him to sign for United. I was his right-hand man in Manchester.

"I came to United thanks to the great work of Jorge Mendes and because Mourinho wanted to sign me to help David develop and to keep him at the club. At that moment, he wanted to leave United.

"After almost three years with lots of work and meetings with United to renew him and to make him the best paid player in the world, I learned that he had renewed behind my back. Honestly, it felt like a lack of loyalty.

"During negotiations, he also had a falling out with the person who had carried out all the talks in order for him to be paid what he was paid. At the last minute, someone else meddled. I insisted that I didn't like that because it seemed disloyal.

"I asked David why he didn't say anything to me and he said that he was told not to say anything to anybody. This had an impact on me. The way I understand my profession is that you can't help someone develop if you do not have total confidence with them and that's why I decided to leave United."