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The late Diego Maradona was a man beloved by his fellow Argentines – and Pope Francis is seemingly no exception.

The Pope recalled his own memories of the 1986 World Cup final, when Argentina beat West Germany while he was studying in Frankfurt.

He told the Gazzetta dello Sport: "I met Diego Armando Maradona during a Match for Peace in 2014: I remember with pleasure everything that Diego did for Scholas Occurrentes, the foundation that takes care of the needy all over the world.

“On the pitch he was a poet, a great champion who gave joy to millions of people, in Argentina as in Naples. He was also a very fragile man.

“I have a personal memory linked to the 1986 World Cup, the one that Argentina won thanks to Maradona. I was in Frankfurt; it was a difficult time for me, I was studying the language and collecting material for my thesis.

“I hadn't been able to see the World Cup final and I only learned the next day of Argentina's victory over Germany, when a Japanese boy wrote 'Viva l'Argentina' on the blackboard during a German lesson.

“I remember it, personally, as the victory of loneliness because I had no one with whom to share the joy of that sporting victory: loneliness makes you feel alone, while what makes joy beautiful is being able to share it.

“When I was told of Maradona's death, I prayed for him and sent the family a rosary with a few personal words of comfort.”

Pope Francis also spoke about his own love of football, from playing with a ball of rags on the streets of Buenos Aires as a child.

"I have a memory, that of the ball of rags, the pelota de trapo: leather was expensive and we were poor, rubber was not yet so common, but it was enough for us - a ball of rags to have fun and almost perform miracles playing in the square near home.

“I was not among the best! Indeed, I was what in Argentina they call a "pata dura", literally ‘hard leg’. That's why they always had me playing in goal.

“But being a goalkeeper was a great school for me. The goalkeeper must be ready to respond to dangers that can come from all sides.”

Reports that Premier League clubs discussed pausing the season because of a rise in coronavirus cases are “complete nonsense”, says West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady.

The UK government has imposed tighter restrictions on public life in an attempt to curb a surge in Covid-19 cases, driven by a new, more infectious variant of the virus.

The Premier League already has strict health and safety measures in place but that has not been able to prevent an increase in positive cases at clubs, with three matches having to be called off last month.

Aston Villa’s trip to Newcastle was postponed at the start of December before Everton versus Manchester City and Fulham against Tottenham were called off at short notice last week.

With teams playing so many matches within a short space of time there are fears the virus could spread rapidly between clubs, sparking rumours in the media that a possible ‘circuit breaker’ - pausing the season for a few weeks in order to bring the virus back under control - could be introduced.

The Premier League has already said it has no plans to pause the season and Brady insists no such proposal has ever been discussed.

"I was confused this week when I read that Premier League clubs were considering a two-week 'circuit breaker' in the season over fears of Covid-19 outbreaks causing chaos,” she wrote in the Sun.

“It was complete nonsense. It has never been discussed or been raised by any club in any of our multiple Premier League meetings and there are no plans to discuss it.

“Our fixture list is already congested and our priority is to finish the season as long as it is safe to do so. And we all think it is safe to do so.

“All clubs have excellent Covid-19 protocols which allow us play our games behind-closed-doors — and our protocols continue to have the full backing of government.

“Some fixtures have been postponed but this is mainly due to the fact that Public Health England are closing down training grounds, which means that while clubs still have the required 14 players to complete the fixture, they have nowhere to meet, train and prepare for the fixture.

“And that’s simply unfair and wrong so, quite rightly, the Premier League have suspended the game, a decision I fully support.”

Brady also dismissed suggestions that Premier League clubs who have rejected the return of the five substitutes rule are putting players’ welfare at risk.

Five substitutes were allowed during the summer restart but a proposal to reintroduce it this campaign has been voted down three times.

That has frustrated a number of Premier League managers, including Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who feels it is putting an unfair burden in players.

West Ham are reportedly one of the clubs who voted against the proposal - but Brady denies it is putting the players' health at risk.

“Those against changing the rules midway through a season were not unconcerned about player welfare, which has been suggested, rather unkindly, and every club who voted against took grave exception to the accusation,” she added.

“Our players are our most important concern, their welfare is our absolute priority. Which is why we voted in favour of increasing seven named subs on the bench to nine named subs.

“The number was moved to five as an emergency measure when spectator-less football was introduced after the lockdown and no one knew where the pandemic was going. Then an accident of nature became a green flag to permanence.

“Some clubs then wanted half a platoon of subs which most suspected was to further the advantages of a large and highly proficient playing staff.”

Gor Mahia players have once again threatened to boycott the second leg of their second preliminary round of the Caf Champions League game against CR Belouizdad if their dues are not settled.

The Kenyan champions are scheduled to host the Algerian giants on Wednesday, January 6 at Nyayo Stadium. However, things are not well at K'Ogalo and senior players have opted to stay away from training ahead of the game.

"The situation is not good at all, players have opted to stay at home in protest for their money," a senior source at the club told Goal.

"On Saturday, players were to report in training but a few fringe ones turned up. Remember, also current caretaker coach [Patrick] Odhiambo is also in his rural home with the family.

"If nothing is done, I doubt whether the Wednesday game will be played, or even if it will be played, results might be worse or close to the 6-0 loss suffered in the first leg."

Goal was unable to get an official club comment from chairman Ambrose Rachier, who is currently out of Nairobi.

In the first leg, the Great Chabab scored their goals through Amir Sayoud, who scored a hat-trick, Hamza Bellahouel, Larbi Tabti, and Maecky Ngombo during a thoroughly one-sided display at the Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 on Saturday, December 26. 

Despite struggling away, Sammy Omollo, who came in as a stand-in coach for the Kenyan champions, explained why K'Ogalo players deserve respect notwithstanding the humiliating loss.

"If it was any other team, believe me, they could have suffered more goals," Omollo told Goal.

"These players are very strong; they came into the match and struggled to get into the match. They had not trained at all and were really under difficult circumstances coming into the game.

"They gave their best against a very good and organised team and their fight on the pitch was evident. They deserve respect."

Meanwhile, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) released the fixtures which will resume the Premier League in the New Year. Gor Mahia's game against AFC Leopards in the derby is the only affected match. 

According to the new list of fixtures obtained by Goal, the Mashemeji derby, which was due to be played on January 3 at Nyayo Stadium, has been postponed but no new date was given for the clash.

ATK Mohun Bagan's Arindam Bhattacharya has kept as many as six clean sheets, at least two more than any goalkeeper in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) at the end of the year 2020.

He may have pulled off three less saves than Rehenesh TP (27) from the same number of games (8). But Rehenesh has faced four more shots (76) than Arindam which means the ATKMB goalkeeper possesses a superior save percentage (88.88%) than his Jamshedpur counterpart (81.81%).

ATKMB have let in the least number of goals let in (3) along with Mumbai City. However, the Mumbai custodian Amrinder Singh's average of 0.43 goals conceded per game is higher than Arindam's who has conceded 0.38 goals per game owing to an extra appearance in the goalless draw against Chennaiyin. In that game, Arindam put up a brilliant show.

The former ISL champion with ATK before the club merged with Mohun Bagan made several saves including denying Rafael Crivellaro in a one-on-one situation early on and fingertip saves to keep out Lallianzuala Chhangte, Reagan Singh and Memo.

Arindam was hardly troubled in the 1-0 win over Bengaluru and did enough to keep out FC Goa's prolific attack in a match they won 1-0. 

In fact, one of the goals that the 31-year-old conceded was from the penalty spot as Joao Victor found a way past Arindam in what was Hyderabad's only shot on target in the 1-1 draw. Even in the 2-1 defeat at the hands of Jamshedpur where Nerijus Valskis scored two headers, there was not much Arindam could do about them.

The former Churchill Brothers goalkeeper started off the season with three clean sheets against Kerala Blasters, East Bengal and Odisha where  he showcased a safe pair of hands whenever called to action.

Arindam knows Antonio Habas from his time at FC Pune City and has now turned into the manager's trusted man. 

As strikers usually hog the limelight for their prolific performances, goalkeepers like Arindam Bhattacharya also deserve some plaudits.

Former Gor Mahia coach Steven Polack has blamed the club’s current poor run of results in both the Caf Champions League and FKF Premier League on the lack of stability at the club.

The British tactician, who left the club on mutual consent after guiding them to their 18th league title in the truncated 2019/20 season, believes the team will only start performing well if they stop the high number of players leaving every season because of financial issues.

K’Ogalo are currently staring at the exit in the Champions League after they suffered a humiliating 6-0 defeat to CR Belouizdad of Algeria in the first leg of the second preliminary round played on December 26 at Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 Stadium in Algiers.

Goals from Amir Sayoud, who scored a hat-trick, Hamza Bellahouel, Larbi Tabti, and Maecky Ngombo were enough to put Belouizdad on course to qualify for the next stage.

On the league front, Gor Mahia have not started well, as they struggled to edge out Ulinzi Stars 1-0 in their season opener, before losing 2-1 to Tusker in their second match.

“You must remember how many new players they [Gor Mahia] have brought in again,” Polack told Goal on Saturday. “You need to get stability within the squad to get consistency and that takes time.

“Bringing too many players at once doesn’t help, as it takes time for them to gel together and that is the problem Gor Mahia are suffering from.

“The team will take time to regain consistency which we had built during my time [as the coach] because almost all the key players left, and now they have new players and also a new coach, it will take them time to get started.”

Last season, Gor Mahia lost a number of key players, including defender Joash Onyango, goalkeeper David Mapigano, Lawrence Juma, Wellington Ochieng; Elvis Ronack, Kennedy Otieno, Boniface Omondi, Peter Odhiambo, Dickson Ambundo, Juma Balinya, Clinton Okoth, Edwin Lavatsa, Shafik Batambuze, and Jackson Owusu.

In return, the Kenyan champions signed a record 17 players, among them Andrew Juma from (Mathare United), Tito Okello (Vipers SC, Uganda), Bertrand Nkofor (Al Mudhaibi FC, Oman), Jules Ulimwengu (Rayon Sports SC, Rwanda), John Macharia (FC Guria Lanchkuti, Georgia), Andrew Malisero (Commercial FC), Samuel Njau (Western Stima FC).

Other new faces include Benson Omalla (Western Stima), John Ochieng (Chemelil Sugar), Frank Odhiambo (Bongonaya FC), Gad Mathews (Kisumu All-Stars), Kennedy Odhiambo (Western Stima), Levis Poiyo (Nairobi City Stars), Dickson Rails (Masawa FC), Sydney Wahongo (Western Stima) and Kelvin Wesonga (Western Stima).

Gor Mahia are now preparing to face the North African giants in the return leg on January 6 at Nyayo Stadium needing a minor miracle to advance to the next round.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) coach Cedric Kaze has maintained they are still on track to achieve some of the targets they set at the start of the new season.

The Jangwani giants are currently leading the 18-team league table on 44 points from 18 matches after they secured a late 1-1 draw against Tanzania Prisons at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Sumbawanga on Thursday to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

The Burundian tactician, who is yet to lose a match since signing for the club as a replacement for Serbian Zlatko Krmpotic, has now said the club's fans should expect more from the team because they are heading in a promising direction.

“Fans should expect more from us because the direction of the team is now promising if you can judge from where we started and where we are as such, this year, we will continue to make them proud,” Kaze said as quoted by Daily News.

On the outcome of the match against Prisons, Kaze said: “We already knew they prefer playing long balls and fielding more players at the midfield section of the pitch as such, the only way to manoeuvre them was to use wingers.

“In the second half, we tried to play our game but unfortunately, we conceded hence we had to give in everything and in the end, we succeeded to equalise the goal. All in all, one point away is not that bad...we will have thorough preparations for the next games.”

During the match, Jumanne Fadhili scored for the administrative side before debutant Saidi Ntibazonkiza equalized matters for the vital draw.

Meanwhile, Prisons coach Salum Mayanga was happy to have picked up a point against the table-toppers but also blamed their opponents for playing defensively after conceding first.

“Aside from that, I salute my players for the good game they had to earn one point from home which was not what we desired but, the game itself was tough,” said Mayanga.

Yanga and Tanzania Prisons had also drawn the first round meeting 1-1 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Yanga have now opened a nine-point lead at the summit with second-placed Simba SC on 35 points from 15 matches while Azam FC are third on 32 points from 17 outings.

Manchester United are set to boosted by the arrival of Atalanta wonderkid Amad Diallo but don't expect to see much movement from the club in the January transfer window, according to coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Red Devils confirmed the purchase of 18-year-old Diallo from the Serie A club over the summer for a fee which could reach £37m ($48m), with the winger staying at Atalanta until a work permit could be granted for his move to Old Trafford.

Following United's 2-1 win over Aston Villa, which sent the club equal on points with Premier League leaders Liverpool, Solskjaer confirmed Diallo's arrival in Manchester was imminent.

However, the Norwegian tactician hinted there wouldn't likely be any other business during the current player movement period.

"Amad, we've had all the paperwork, I can't see any obstacles," Solskjaer said.

"Hope very soon he will be with us. Very excited to have him in. He'll need time to develop.

"Apart from that I'm not thinking too much about January."

Right winger Diallo has only played 35 minutes for Atalanta in all competitions this season, with the Serie A club preferring to give game time to prospects staying at the club.

The teenager will likely link up with United's Under-23 team until he acclimatises in England and tries to break into a Manchester United team that is currently flying.

Since losing to Arsenal at the beginning of November, the Red Devils have been unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League matches, winning eight and drawing only two against Manchester City and Leicester City.

"Of course we are happy with what we are doing," Solskjaer said of Man Utd''s unbeaten league run.

"We have shown we have improved a lot in a year. We lost to Arsenal away last new year's day. We have improved immensely. We are getting fitter and fitter and stronger and stronger.

"These players have a great age. They are learning and are hungry to learn which is important. They come in every day with a hunger and desire to be the best on match day. They have been focused."

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is full of praise for Eric Bailly after his defensive contribution helped the Red Devils to a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on New Year’s Day.

Bailly threw his body at a shot from substitute Keinan Davis in the closing stages to help Manchester United seal all three points, with Bruno Fernandes scoring the match-winning goal after Burkina Faso's Bertrand Traore cancelled out Anthony Martial's opener.

The defender won the most clearances (six) and one further interception at Old Trafford on Friday, and  was surrounded by his teammates at the game's conclusion as they applauded him for his crucial block.

Solskjaer, in his reaction, disclosed that the 26-year-old defender, who started their last three Premier League games, deserves the ovation he is getting.

“You can see today his physicality, his pace and his bravery is second to none really," Solskjaer was quoted by Manchester Evening News. "He's got a style of play that's caused him to get injured a few times and probably muscle fibers have caused some injuries as well.

"You can see how much it means to him but also for the rest of the boys at the end of the game, because he is such a well-liked player and man in the dressing room.

"Everyone wants him to do well and knows the struggles he's had and we're delighted for him."

Since their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in November, Manchester United are unbeaten in the English top flight, and they are now level on 33 points with leaders Liverpool after 16 matches.

Solskjaer described how his team survived the nervy finish, with David de Gea and Bailly’s impact highlighted.

"Then towards the end, David [de Gea] makes a good save and Eric makes a fantastic block and we saw it out one way or another,” the Norwegian manager added. “Sometimes you've got to find a way to win.

"We could have managed the last 10 minutes better but we got it over the line.

"I'm very happy with the position we've found ourselves in. It's such a big difference, if you look 12 months back. You lose the chance to be there or thereabouts in the first 10 games, you can't lose the chance to be in the title race.”

Zinedine Zidane is aiming to "take advantage of the moment" at Real Madrid as he is unsure how long his Santiago Bernabeu reign will last.

The four-year anniversary of Zidane's initial appointment at Madrid is approaching, but the head coach revealed last month he was not discussing an extension to a contract that expires in 2022.

The Frenchman was asked prior to Saturday's game against Celta Vigo if another four years at Madrid - this time unbroken by a spell away - could be on the cards.

However, unable to provide any promises over a long-term stay, Zidane responded: "It takes a lot out of you, but it's a great position here.

"I'm lucky enough to say I'm manager of Real Madrid and take advantage of every moment. I can't say a month, a year or four years. Life is just about the day to day.

"That's what I'm interested in: the day to day, to give everything I can, in every training session, every game. That's what I'm interested in.

"The rest? I don't know what's going to happen in one week. That's why we have to take advantage of the moment."

Zidane will hope to have added to his 11 major honours by the time he does depart, although this season's La Liga title race is far from straightforward.

Defending champions Madrid can at least briefly move above Atletico Madrid if they beat Celta, against whom they are unbeaten in 12 in La Liga, but Zidane's men have already played two more games than their city rivals.

It is advantage Atleti for now, yet the former Ballon d'Or winner is not overly concerned.

"Being first means you have an advantage, and that's it," Zidane explained. "We just have to keep on going. We can't control [Atleti being favourites].

"They have an advantage because they're first, and that's it. People are speaking a lot about Atletico now, because, as I said, they're first.

"But the nice thing about this league, right up until the end, it's going to be an open league - as it always is. We'll see."

Despite their strong recent record against Celta - scoring in 28 consecutive home La Liga meetings, their longest ongoing such run against any side - Madrid were held 2-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu last season.

Eighth-placed Celta could draw against Madrid in consecutive matches for the first time since May 2003.

Uganda started their pre-African Nations Championship competition with a 1-1 draw with Cameroon at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo on Friday.

Abouri Basile opened the scoring for the hosts before Milton Karisa equalized for the East African heavyweights.  

The Indomitable Lions started the game on a high as the players who were afforded a chance gave their best hoping to impress the technical bench ahead of the Chan competition.

The Cranes crumbled in light of early pressure, and Police FC striker Ben Ocen was dismissed after just 12 minutes. It gave the Central Africa nation an excellent chance to open the scoring a minute later courtesy of Basile.

A tactical change was needed by Uganda coach Johnathan McKinstry to stop their hosts, who were hungry for more goals.

In the 28th minute, winger Joseph Ssemuju was substituted and his place was taken by Karim Watambala. The change provided much-needed stability for the Cranes.

Despite the chances created by both teams, neither managed to take them, and the first 45 minutes ended with Indomitable Lions 1-0 up.

The East Africans started the second half better and at some point, it was hard to tell they were playing with a man less. 

Their zeal paid dividends in the 70th minute when Karisa managed to get an equalizer.

It got worse for Cameroon when Basile was sent off late in the game. However, neither of the pair could get another goal.

Uganda will now focus on the Chipolopolo of Zambia in their next game scheduled for Monday with their final game to be played on Thursday.

Uganda squad in Cameroon; 

Goalkeepers: Joel Mutakubwa (Kyetume), Nafian Alionzi (URA), and Tom Ikara (Police).

Defenders: Eric Ssenjobe (Police), Aziz Kayondo (Vipers), Derrick Ndahiro (SC Villa), Paul Willa (Vipers), Ashraf Mandela (URA), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers), Mustafa Mujjuzi (Kyetume), Patrick Mbowa (URA), Murushid Juuko (Express), Muhamood Hassan (Police).

Midfielders: Shafiq Kagimu (URA), Tonny Mawejje (Police), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Vipers), Karim Watambala (Vipers), Saidi Kyeyune (URA), Hassan Ssenyonjo (Wakiso Giants).

Forwards: Ben Ocen (Police), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers), Vianne Ssekajjugo (Wakiso Giants), Joseph Ssemujju (BUL), Joakim Ojera (URA), Milton Karisa (Vipers), Stephen Mukwala (URA), Mohamed Shaban (Vipers), and Ivan Bogere (Proline).

Crystal Palace star Jeffrey Schlupp has revealed the importance of mental strength to his preparations for different roles in Roy Hodgson's set-up this season.

Largely a left winger or left midfielder, the Ghana international has also been deployed on the right wing in recent games, having also previously had spells at left-back and centre-midfield in past seasons.

He has made 14 appearances for Palace in the Premier League so far this campaign, starting 11 of the matches and scoring one goal.

"If you’re playing in defence against a tricky winger and then playing further up the pitch, up front against centre-halves, it’s almost roles reversed. Mentally you’ve got to get it right," Schlupp said, as reported by his club's official website.

"Normally leading up to the games, I’ll have a chat with the gaffer if he’s about to put me in somewhere else, so I’ve got enough time to get my head around it and prepare well for whatever position I’m playing.

"You’ve got to look at the positive in everything regarding football otherwise it could get really tough," he added. "You’ve always got to take the positive out of anything.

"In football there are so many highs and lows. The lows you take in your stride, but being positive is the main thing."

Schlupp's only goal this season came as a crucial equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur last month.

"I don’t know about the most versatile [player I've managed] but he’s up there [among the best], of course," manager Hodgson said about the Ghanaian last month.  "We’ve never really seen him as an out and out defender.

"I know he had a couple of spells before I came as a full-back and even once or twice during my time as a full-back, but we’ve never thought of him long term as a defender. We regard him as an attacking player which means he plays across the midfield, which he’s more than capable of doing.

"I’m just pleased for him after spells of injury… he seems to be in a good place. He’s not injured, he’s certainly in good form and all the skill of Jeffrey Schupp is still there."

Schlupp, 28, joined Palace in 2017 after helping Leicester City win the Premier League in 2016. 

Jamie Carragher has questioned whether it was wise for Chelsea to sign Kai Havertz in the summer, arguing that they did so without really knowing where he was going to play.

The attacking midfielder arrived from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial fee of £62 million ($83m) but has struggled to settle at Stamford Bridge.

The 21-year-old Germany international has featured for the Blues on 14 occasions in the Premier League but has just one goal and one assist to his name – and not a single decisive action since October.

While his statistics improve to four goals and four decisive passes from 20 outings in all competitions, Carragher believes that Frank Lampard may actually have too many options amidst his ranks and that Havertz was a luxury addition who was not necessary.

“'I look at Kai Havertz and wonder if Chelsea really needed to sign him last summer? He is obviously a player of great potential, but it never works buying a player because he is so highly rated, unless you have a predetermined idea where he will fit into the side,” the former England man wrote in The Telegraph.

“I am starting to wonder if Frank Lampard has too many options and that is why he is yet to settle on the right formula.”

While Carragher believes that the wealth of options at Stamford Bridge is formidable, he appears to agree with the Chelsea boss that they will not win the Premier League this season.

“After an inconsistent run, Frank Lampard has been playing down the idea Chelsea were ever title contenders,” he said.

“Maybe this season was too soon, but although he may not have the best starting XI in England, Frank certainly has one of the strongest squads.”

Chelsea currently find themselves sixth in the Premier League, three points behind the Champions League spots.

They are in the midst of an inconsistent run of form domestically. Since losing 1-0 at Everton, they have also suffered defeats at Wolves and Arsenal, while they drew at home to Aston Villa on Monday. Their only victory amid this gloom was a 3-0 success over West Ham on December 21.

Their festive schedule concludes on Sunday, when they play hosts to Manchester City.

Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard has urged authorities to let common sense and safety concerns dictate any future decision-making regarding the coronavirus pandemic's impact on English football.

Much of the UK is once again under tough restrictions due to a second wave of Covid-19.

This has started to affect elite football, with Manchester City's scheduled match against Everton earlier this week postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak in the former's playing staff, while the Premier League confirmed on Tuesday that a record 18 positives had been tallied in the most recent round of testing.

Some have called for the Premier League to halt once again as it did in March 2020, with West Brom boss Sam Allardyce particularly vocal in this regard .

Chelsea's next match sees them face City on Sunday, and while Lampard is not aware of the game being at risk of postponement, he confirmed two members of the Blues' staff have contracted the virus this week.

"I've not been given the chances of it being postponed, I'm just aware of the situation and at the moment the game is on," Lampard told reporters on Friday.

"We know Man City had some positives within their training ground, we have had a couple ourselves but not on the playing staff, and that's the current situation.

"Generally, we feel probably as safe as the public because of the new surge in numbers we are seeing, so I think we feel the same. But we are in a more protected environment, certainly in the workplace.

"I know some people are working from home or staying at home, but we are now being tested twice a week, I think that's really important. I don't really understand why we went down to once a week.

"It seems to me the situation is we go game by game in terms of the games being called off due to positives around that game itself. I understand that, let's just see how it goes as it is uncertain times."

But when asked whether football continuing regardless was important for "national morale", Lampard was dubious.

"I'm not sure on that one - I understand it, I certainly love football and if you do, you love watching the amount of games on at home, but I think safety has to be paramount," he said.

"The fact I said we have a couple of staff positive means there are lots of people working within our bubble who have babies, parents, friends, sisters, brothers, grandparents, and they come here and to work, then go home and are obviously in the environment where we're in another surge of Covid-19 that seems to be more contagious.

"So, safety and security is paramount, as opposed to keeping the nation's spirits up. It might not be a nice thing to say but these are tough times for everybody. We enjoy watching our football, but safety and health have to come first."

Lampard was then pushed on whether he would back another pause, adding: "I would have no choice, would I? We had that in March then it [the infection rate] came down.

"I have to say, the Premier League and clubs themselves have done everything they can to make the environment as safe as possible, but as we are finding, that's not always easy to do when people go home, leave the building.

"Numbers are going up, particularly in London where we are, so I think it would have to be up to the authorities - the government, the Premier League - to be clear that it would be beneficial to stop with a circuit-breaker or whatever, but that's something I don't know. If you're told to stop, you stop."

Bruno Fernandes' penalty sent Manchester United level on points with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League as they edged Aston Villa 2-1 at Old Trafford.

A Villa side looking to move third in the table always promised to pose a tricky test for United and so it proved in an open encounter.

The visitors appeared to be in the ascendancy after Bertrand Traore's 58th-minute effort cancelled out Anthony Martial's first-half opener.

However, United's lead was re-established through Fernandes' ninth Premier League penalty since the start of February 2020 - his tally in that time two more than any other player.

And it was enough for United to further boost their title hopes, with only goal difference keeping Liverpool top of the pile.

Goalkeepers Emiliano Martinez and David de Gea were each forced into important early saves from Martial and John McGinn respectively, but the better opportunities came United's way, with Fred and Paul Pogba spurning presentable chances.

Fernandes bent wide but United's first goal of the new year came from Martial, who rounded off a neat move with a stooping header from Aaron Wan-Bissaka's right-wing cross.

Only the tremendous reflexes of De Gea prevented Ollie Watkins from levelling the contest, the Spain international producing heroics to turn Watkins' header from Jack Grealish over the crossbar.

Anwar El Ghazi then lashed a volley narrowly wide of the near post before Villa got the goal their second-half efforts deserved, a quick free-kick ending with Grealish's low cross finding Traore at the far post to tuck home.

But parity lasted little under four minutes as Fernandes powered his penalty into the bottom-left corner after Douglas Luiz had clipped Pogba following a throw-in.

Martial stung the palms of Martinez who, after Pogba produced an errant finish from close range, tipped a marvellous Fernandes effort onto the crossbar.

Tyrone Mings let a gilt-edged chance go begging late on, ensuring United's inability to double their lead was not punished, though they will need to be more clinical if they are to narrow the eight-goal gap between themselves and Liverpool.
 

What does it mean? Spot-kicks remain key for Solskjaer's men

Liverpool's stalemate at Newcastle United handed United the opportunity to eradicate their lead at the top, but a combination of wasteful finishing and some inspired saves by Martinez meant they were again reliant on a penalty to get the job done.

The 27 Premier League penalties for United since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first game in charge are seven more than any other team.

Martial an everyday goalscorer

Martial's goal saw him become the fifth United player to score a Premier League goal on all seven days of the week, joining Ryan Giggs, Andrew Cole, David Beckham and Wayne Rooney in achieving that feat.

It also took him to 117 goal involvements in all competitions since his United debut in September 2015 (76 goals, 41 assists), more than any other player for the club in that time.

Douglas Luiz loses composure

Douglas Luiz covered 10.61 kilometres in the game, more than any other Villa player, but his and his team-mates' efforts were undone by a needless foul from the Brazilian, from which Fernandes restored United's led.

Key Opta Facts

- United are unbeaten in their past 16 Premier League matches against Villa (W12 D4).
- Villa have lost 13 of their past 15 away Premier League games against United at Old Trafford (W1 D1).
- In Premier League history, the only player to be directly involved in more goals in their first 30 appearances in the competition than Fernandes (33 - 19 goals, 14 assists) is Andrew Cole (37 - 28 goals, 9 assists).
- Martial ended a run of seven Premier League appearances at Old Trafford without a goal, netting his first home goal since scoring against Southampton in July.
- Only Tottenham's Harry Kane (10) has assisted more Premier League goals this season than Grealish (seven), while the last Villa player to assist more than seven Premier League goals in a season was Ashley Young in 2010-11 (10).

What's next?

United face neighbours Manchester City in the EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday before a clash with Watford in the FA Cup third round on Saturday. Villa host Liverpool in the same competition a day earlier.

Frank Lampard thinks that it is partly up to Timo Werner's team-mates to help end the striker's 11-game Chelsea goal drought by providing the right service at the right time.

Werner's lack of goals has coincided with a more general loss of form for the Blues, who have failed to win four of their last five matches.

Chelsea next face Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, which will see two of the most possession-hungry teams face off in the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola's style of play may allow Werner to thrive on the counterattack, but Lampard thinks that the Germany international can be effective against deeper defences.

“City will be a different game but we are a possession-based team too,” Lampard told reporters. “We generally will have the lion’s share of possession and we have generally found some low block teams against us in the last period, which we have not broken down well enough.

“I think Timo’s attributes can be very powerful on the counterattack but there are lots of things that we need in the game against City, on and off the ball, so we will see.

“He is always a huge weapon on [the counterattack] and I think he will become a huge weapon against low blocks as well. It's not that he can’t play against that. He's sharp, he can finish. Sometimes the onus is on us also to get the ball in the right areas.”

When Chelsea hosted Aston Villa, Werner found himself left out of the starting line-up for a league game for the first time this season, while he was also taken off at half-time away at Arsenal on Boxing Day.

However, Lampard is confident Werner will become a key player again by training well behind the scenes.

“Every player goes through tough times in front of goal,” he added. “The beauty is that he has been getting chances, that is definitely a positive, we know that. 

“I found work on the training ground to be the only way to turn that, simple work on the training ground and repetition of finishing, which Timo is doing now.

“When you work like that, it's a matter of time because his natural attributes will get him in front of goal and get him away from defenders and will get him those chances again. If his confidence comes down from missing a couple, that is only natural.

“It's my job to help him with his confidence and be positive and push in a positive direction. The goals will come."

Lampard is regarded as a Chelsea legend but he also had one successful season with City before moving to New York City FC in MLS.

That season saw him line up alongside City legend Sergio Aguero, who will likely start at Stamford Bridge, with Gabriel Jesus being one of five players who have tested positive for coronavirus.

Lampard says the 32-year-old is one of the best players he worked with but doesn't use him as an example for Werner to follow.

“He’s an incredible player,” he added. “One of the best players I played with. He certainly showed up on the pitch in my year at City and has done it throughout his career there.

"Everyone has a different way, but I don’t see a direct correlation with Timo on that front and I wouldn’t want to start comparing.”

Paul Pogba is “getting better and better”, according to Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskaer.

The France midfielder has come under fire for much of his second spell with the Red Devils, though particularly in recent months, during which he has suffered from injury and illness.

He was beset by Covid-19 earlier in the year and Solskjaer believes that it is perhaps only now that the former Juventus star is getting back to his best.

Certainly, he was one of the outstanding players on display as United moved level on points with Liverpool at the head of the Premier League thanks to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Aston Villa.

“He’s getting better and better, fitter and fitter,” Solskjaer commented to Sky Sports. “He played well today. They’re a physical side. Paul’s one of these boys who can hold players off and get hold of the ball for us.”

More broadly, he admitted to being more than satisfied with the content of the performance his team produced.

“You are always delighted with three points. The performance was good and we created chances. We had a good save at the end and Eric Bailly made a fantastic block so that probably saved two points for us,” he said.

“It was maybe a little too open and we wasted chances. We tried to play the Hollywood pass instead of securing the first one and using the space that was there.”

Meanwhile, Solskjaer was pleased to move joint top of the league.

"Of course we are happy with what we are doing. We have shown we have improved a lot in a year. We lost to Arsenal away last New Year’s Day. We have improved immensely. We are getting fitter and fitter and stronger and stronger,” he told BBC Sport.

"These players have a great age. They are learning and are hungry to learn which is important. They come in every day with a hunger and desire to be the best on match day. They have been focused."

Up next for United is a Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City on January 6, with a home FA Cup tie against Watford to follow.

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has raged at the penalty awarded to Manchester United, which allowed them to claim a 2-1 win when the sides met at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Friday.

United had led the match thanks to an Anthony Martial goal before Bertrand Traore levelled the match just before the hour mark. Three minutes later, though, Paul Pogba went to ground in the box and the hosts were presented with a penalty opportunity.

Bruno Fernandes converted from the spot – his 15th successful attempt from 12 yards since arriving at Old Trafford a year ago – and the hosts went on to win the game.

“I thought it was a penalty at the time, but I looked at it after the game and saw he tripped himself. I don't see why [referee] Michael Oliver couldn't have looked at it. That's what VAR is for isn't it?” he told Sky Sports.

“He's tripped himself up. There are margins in football. I've seen it again, and I don't think it's a penalty.”

Overall, he was pleased with how his side responded after a disappointing start to the game.

“First half we were miles off it. The first 15 minutes felt like a testimonial,” he said. “Then they injected some pace into it and deservedly went ahead.

“I asked for more at half-time and we deserved to get back in the game. Our goalkeeper has had to make some good saves but they were all outside the box.

“We know we're on a good journey at the moment. We believe we've got five key arrivals to go with the players who are Premier League ready now.

“This is only our second season in the division, but competing here and against Liverpool and Arsenal shows our journey is going well so far.”

Villa find themselves sixth in the Premier League and in the thick of the race for European spot. They are presently one of six teams in a remarkable logjam on 26 points.

They have a week to regather their strength before an FA Cup clash against Liverpool on January 8.