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By his lofty standards, Wilfried Zaha’s 2019/20 was pretty ordinary.

Crystal Palace mostly relied upon Jordan Ayew last term and the forward’s drop off post-lockdown, as well as the side’s overall decline at both ends of the pitch, saw the Eagles fail to match their best Premier League campaign.

Zaha’s looked back to his best with the injection of quality in the Palace team and looks to have reclaimed his position as the team’s top dog, scoring seven times in 13 league appearances, surpassing his entire tally of goal contributions last term.

If the Ivory Coast forward continues at this pace, there ought to be suitors ready to take the plunge on the ex-Manchester United wide attacker in 2021.

Zaha: The story of 2020

Zaha’s year has been a mixed bag in every sense, with an underwhelming 19/20 disappointing observers who made him out to be Roy Hodgson’s go-to forward in the Eagles side.

He managed only four goals and three assists in the entirety of the previous campaign after enduring a hangover from his aborted move to Arsenal in summer 2019.

This led to an average season which ended in Palace finishing 14th, after threatening to push for a European spot before the pandemic hit in March.

However, the Zaha resurgence in the new season has been remarkable with the forward scoring seven times already while assisting another two in just 12 appearances so far.

The Ivorian’s return to form has been aided by the arrival of the talented Eberechi Eze, who’s evidently lifted the creative burden on the former Man United winger in the opening months of the season.

He’s on pace to surpass a career-best 16 goal contributions from 16/17 and, in this form, it’s hard to look beyond Zaha recording his best year statistically by the end of 20/21.

Zaha: Any transfer rumours?

Despite the Palace forward’s fall off last term, there were rumours of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea sniffing around the attacker in the summer, and those links could be reignited in January.

The Gunners’ move for Willian hasn’t paid off, while Nicolas Pepe continues to flatter to deceive, Spurs need more match-winners aside from Harry Kane and Son Heung-min and Chelsea lack enough natural wingers in the team.

Given the performances of Zaha, these sides could be tempted to tussle for the acquisition of a player in his prime years.

Zaha: One big hope for 2021

Without question, for the 28-year-old to finally get his big move.

It feels like Zaha has outgrown Palace after so many years at the club and it would make sense for player and the buying club to sign the dangerous, dynamic attacker.

Zaha: One big fear for 2021

Certainly the reverse of the aforementioned.

If the West African can’t find any serious buyer domestically or on the continent next summer, he may never get his upward move and be left to rue that failed move to the Red Devils in the early 2010s.

While Zaha packs a punch and is in his prime, potential buyers may be put off by a potentially high asking price, the fact he turns 29 next November, and his wage demands, which may be seen as imprudent financially.

Whatever happens, 2021 will be a huge year for the Palace talisman and will either see him secure a big transfer or start to entertain the thought of probably never getting another chance at a giant club.

Cardiff City boss Neil Harris is looking forward to welcoming injured Arsenal loanee Jordi Osei-Tutu back in action to boost their Championship campaign.

The Slough-born of Ghanaian descent has been out of action since featuring in a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough in October.

He joined Cardiff on a season-long deal in August and has also far made six league appearances for The Bluebirds.

"Missing our Player of the Year from last year, our top scorer from this year, and the only recognised right-back at the club [Osei-Tutu] – they are three very important players for us. Every squad member is really important, we want them back as soon as possible," Harris said after their disappointing 3-2 loss to Brentford on Saturday, his cub's official website reports. Cardiff, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, currently occupy the 12th position on the Championship table.

“We have some good ability within our squad, but we need everybody fit. We then need them firing, and to cut out the individual errors.

"The aim at the start of the season was to make the top six. And that’s where we want to be. The gap does grow, but we went past teams last year and we’ll go past teams this year. But you can’t let teams get away from you.

“We’ve missed the fans this year. It has affected us, but I don’t want to use it as an excuse. It does help the away team, and we’ve had a phenomenal away record since I’ve come in. Fans aren’t going to be back in the near future, for the home games coming up, so we have to make sure that we’re harder to beat at home.”

Recent media reports indicate Osei-Tutu is expected back in action in January.

The 22-year-old moved back to England this year after a successful loan spell with Bochum in the German second tier last season.

In the Bundesliga II, the fullback made 21 league appearances involving 16 stars, scoring five times and assisting two other goals.

He will be hoping to make an impression on Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta for a chance at Emirates Stadium next season.

Born in England to Ghanaian parents, Osei-Tutu remains eligible to feature for the Black Stars. 

Jamshedpur coach Owen Coyle has heaped praise on Sunil Chhetri and Bengaluru ahead of their Indian Super League (ISL) tie against the Blues on Monday.

"Bengaluru have many threats. They have individual threats with talented players - both foreign and domestic. They have an outstanding captain in Sunil Chhetri who has been a terrific ambassador for himself, his club and Indian football. It's remarkable, the career that he has had and he still looks bright. So he's definitely a threat but Cleiton Silva, Dimas (Delgado), they have some number of wonderful players. 

"Juanan organises well at the back. I know Erik Paartalu well. I think they are a threat as a group. They are united on and off the field. We are well aware of that, very respectful of that but ready for the game," Coyle said.

"I think it's a very tough game for both teams. Bengaluru is a very respectful team. They have my respect, a terrific coach (Carles Cuadrat), very good players, very hard working and organised team but it's a game that we are looking forward to. 

You want to play against the best teams and players, and Bengaluru are forging that opportunity. We know that if we are at our very best, we are capable of winning games against very good opponents," he added.

The Men of Steel had three points more at this stage of the competition last season. They had 13 points from eight games at the start of the season as compared to 10 this season, but Coyle believes in the project of the club.

"We are six games unbeaten (this season) but we have made enormous strides. This is a team that won a game in the last 13 games last year to take something like eight points from the last 13 games. Regardless, there was a lot to build upon. As I've said before, it's never about a quick fix.

"For a club like Jamshedpur and Tata (Steel, a subsidiary of the Tata Group of companies), you want to put something in place that is going to serve the club for years to come. We have a clear idea and clear vision of what we want to do and if we do that, which I'm pretty sure we will, that gives you year after year of being a team that continues to improve.

"We want to make sure that as we're building a team, we are also giving back by giving young players an opportunity. When I say young players, I don't just mean that they play in the (first) team but at the club, at Jamshedpur and Jharkhand we give everybody an opportunity to keep building and improving."

Coyle suggests two additional referees

The league organisers, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), on Christmas eve, organised an ‘Open Communication Forum’ between the head coaches of ISL clubs, officials at All India Football Federation (AIFF), and its Referees Department to give their suggestions regarding the level of officiating in ISL games.

"The referees are faced with a difficult task - we certainly know that. It's such a difficult job and what I suggested as a coach, is that we give them some help, if possible, because that's what everybody needs. Nobody goes out to make mistakes before the game but unfortunately, in our case, we have been severely punished by some of the things (refereeing decisions) that have happened.

"That being said, we still have our destiny in our own hands and what we have to make sure is that what we can control we do and the players have been doing that. There are one or two things that we need to do better at, but if we continue with the progress that we are making, as I said before, we can stand toe to toe with the best teams in the ISL," Coyle felt.

The video assistant referee (VAR) was one of the topics talked about but the reported cost for using VAR has been estimated to be around USD 6.2 million for a season.

"VAR is obviously very expensive. We felt that, as it's used in the [UEFA] Champions League with the extra goalline referee, we could have another two referees (one) at each of the goal lines to help," the Jamshedpur coach suggested.

"The AIFF can certainly chat through these things but as I've said before, nobody wants to blame the officials. We want to give them (referees) the tools to make the job easier so that we can get the decisions right. Hopefully, that can happen because as a club we have been very severely punished because of it (incorrect decisions)," he concluded.

Ferran Torres says that he is ready to supplement Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s options at centre forward.

Pep Guardiola has indicated that the Etihad club are not planning on increasing their ranks during the January transfer window, despite a lack of goals hampering their title challenge.

Torres, who arrived from Valencia in the summer, believes that he is capable of filling the No.9 role and taking some of the weight off Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus.

“I'm comfortable [playing at striker] and happy with the goal today,” he told the club’s official website after striking against Newcastle in a 2-0 win on Saturday. “I just have to keep on working to keep scoring more goals!

“The manager at half-time just wanted us to keep doing our jobs, find the spaces, and make the most of them.

“It's important for us to score goals, and to play well up front, but it's just as important to not concede and to have good performances offensively and that's what we're doing.”

Although Newcastle made it difficult for City on Saturday, Torres was pleased with how the team managed to rise to the challenge and complete a third victory in succession.

“They were very well set up and they tried to defend deep and we just needed to do the job and we did it,” he commented.

“City are a big team, so we always have to win and that is something that is happening now and we just need to keep the momentum now.”

The hectic Christmas period will pit Guardiola’s side against high-flying Everton at Goodison Park on Monday then seventh-placed Chelsea on January 3 at Stamford Bridge.

City presently lie fifth in the table, five points behind league leaders and reigning champions Liverpool and only three back from the second-placed Toffees, who have played a game extra.

Rather than excelling offensively, as Guardiola’s sides are reputed to do, they have been formidable at the back, conceding a league-low 12 goals. Indeed, they have kept more cleansheets than any other club in Europe’s top five leagues to date this season.

Rene Meulensteen says Bruno Fernandes staying fit must be Manchester United's "New Year's wish", with it his belief that the Red Devils have become reliant on the "unbelievable" midfielder.

Fernandes has been a revelation at Old Trafford since his €55 million (£50m/$67m) move from Sporting CP at the start of the year.

The Portugal international instantly adjusted to the demands of Premier League football, helping United finish third in the 2019-20 table, while also inspiring their run to both the FA Cup and Europa League semi-finals.

The 26-year-old's contribution has only increased in the first half of the Red Devils' latest campaign, as he boasts 14 goals and eight assists from his last 22 outings across all competitions, including a trademark finish in a 2-2 draw at Leicester City on Saturday.

Fernandes has been involved in 52 per cent of United's top-flight goals since making his debut, and is the first Portuguese player to reach double figures in the competition in a single season since a certain Cristiano Ronaldo back in 2008-09.

Only Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich frontman Robert Lewandowski boast more direct goal contributions than Fernandes in Europe's top five leagues since February, with Meulensteen blown away by the impact he's had in Manchester over the past 11 months.

"I think United can only have one New Year’s wish and that’s for Fernandes not to get injured or suspended," the former Red Devils assistant coach told Stadium Astro.

"His energy is unbelievable. Look at this goal again – it’s absolutely fantastic. The timing of the run and ball from Edinson Cavani is fantastic.

"As soon as Fernandes gets on the ball the likes of Marcus Rashford are on their way. Fernandes is just so, so important for United.

"He gives them rhythm, he’s a winner, he’s a leader, he creates assists and he scores goals."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have emerged as surprise title contenders with Fernandes pulling the strings in the middle of the park, but Meulensteen doesn't think they would be able to sustain their recent form without him.

"They have other players that can go in that position like Pogba or Donny van de Beek but they don’t have the same impact as him," he added.

"I’m so impressed by his energy levels. He’s not afraid to work hard. He’s always trying to hurt the opposition with a pass in behind, he’s not afraid to shoot from distance.

"It’s a player that United rely on heavily. I’m sure that if he wasn’t there it would have an effect on United’s form."

Pep Guardiola is desperate to have Sergio Aguero back but says he is holding onto the Manchester City striker to ensure he does not suffer any more injury setbacks.

The Argentinian has been eased back into the team after a slow recovery from surgery on a knee injury in the summer and a hamstring setback following his last start in October. 

Aguero has been on the bench for City's last four matches, but Guardiola says he considered starting him in the 2-0 victory over Newcastle on Saturday night.

The 32-year-old eventually came off the bench and Guardiola was impressed with his impact. The striker is in contention for Monday's clash with Everton.

"We discussed with [assistant coaches] Juanma [Lillo] and Rodolfo [Borrell] whether to start with Sergio," Guardiola said. "I need him.

"Today was very good news in general in that in the 20 minutes Sergio played, we saw him sharp and dynamic. This is incredible news for us.

"We need him, absolutely. We have to be careful. We cannot do what we did in the past, when he comes back and then gets injured. I still want to handle the minutes but I saw him well. I love this guy."

City are already without Gabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker for the trip to Goodison Park after they tested positive for Covid-19, but Kevin De Bruyne will be in the squad against second-placed Everton which comes fewer than 48 hours after he played 90 minutes against Newcastle.

Despite a Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester United, as well as an FA Cup clash with Birmingham in January, Guardiola says it is more important to have the Belgium international leading their Premier League challenge.

"He’s outstanding, he is so important for us," the City boss added. "Sometimes, like Arsenal, he didn’t travel. I prefer to have him fit especially in the Premier League. The other competitions are important but we don’t want to be too far away from the top of the league.

"We have a game in hand, against a tough opponent Aston Villa, but in the way we are going to play, we are going to be close to the top. Then we fight to be there in the last eight or 10 games."

Brighton boss Graham Potter has denied that there has been any concrete interest in midfielder Yves Bissouma.

The 24-year-old has been subject to rumoured interest from Arsenal and Liverpool in recent times. Potter, though, believes that the Mali international midfielder is destined to help the Seagulls fight to retain their Premier League place before the summer.

“There have been no approaches," he asked when quizzed on the player’s future. “As I’ve said before, just because it’s in the media, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s true. My focus is on Yves and how I can help him improve and I think he’s still got some improvement to make.

“That’s my focus with him, to try and help him reach his full potential. He’s got some work to do yet, so that’s what we are focusing on.”

While he is pleased to have seen the midfielder enjoy a strong run of form, Potter believes that there is more to come.

“I don't read the papers and I don’t really take something that is reported in a newspaper as a true fact,” he said. “This time of the year all sorts of things are put out there which are sometimes true, sometimes untrue, but it doesn’t help me in any way if I listen to the noise.

“Yves has taken some steps and has improved but also still has some more improving to do, which is exciting and is where the work is, so that is what we will focus on.

“He has had to learn some aspects of the game and improve in certain areas but it is credit to him that he has done that so he can help us in those areas. I think he can still improve, so that’s good.”

Brighton find themselves in 17th place in the table, just a point above the relegation zone. They face West Ham on Sunday then must handle a quick turnaround in fixtures, with a home match against Arsenal to follow on Tuesday in their last fixture of 2020.

On Saturday, they will play host to Wolves as their hectic festive schedule draws to a close.

Roman Abramovich will sack Frank Lampard if he doesn't deliver a top-four finish this season according to Craig Burley, who says the Chelsea boss is now on the "chopping board".

Lampard guided Chelsea to Champions League qualification and the FA Cup final during his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.

The 42-year-old recieved a lot of credit for moulding a competitive team made up of several academy graduates, with Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Reece James and Fikayo Tomori all making a big impact.

He was able to bolster his ranks further in the summer transfer window, with the Blues backing their manager to the tune of over £200 million (£183m/$245m) as Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Ben Chilwell all made their way to west London.

Unfortunately, not all of the new signings have adapted to life in English football as quickly as a supporters might have hoped, and Chelsea have struggled for consistency amid the congested fixture list caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Lampard saw his team suffer their third defeat in four matches away at Arsenal on Saturday with the 3-1 reversal leaving them down in seventh in the Premier League standings.

Burley thinks pressure is building on a club legend heading into the second half of the season, with Blues owner Abramovich not known for being patient with the managers he has worked with in the past.

“[Lampard’s] got players out of form, he’s got players that are not fully fit, and that’s a problem,” the former Chelsea midfielder told ESPN. “They have gone from looking one of the paciest, quickest sides in the Premier League, to one of the most pedestrian.

“That is a huge issue for him because you may have noticed with this owner Roman Abramovich, he doesn’t suffer inconsistency, bad results, no matter who it is. So let me be clear, Lampard is back on the chopping board currently as we speak.”

Burley added: “It’s turn-up time for Lampard and these players. This cut and thrust period can make and break you.

“I’m not suggesting Abramovich is going to sack him in the next couple of weeks, but there is one thing they need to remember – top four. If they don’t get in the top four, he’s probably done.

“It’s a big season for him. It looked as if it was going swimmingly and now it looks like they’re sinking a little bit. They seem to have a weight around their feet. He’s going to have to find the reason to put it right.”

Chelsea will be back in Premier League action when high flying Aston Villa arrive at Stamford Bridge on Monday night.

AmaZulu FC head coach Benni McCarthy has set his sights on transforming Bonginkosi Ntuli into one of the most lethal strikers in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

Ntuli was a reliable goalscorer for the team last season as he netted 13 of AmaZulu's 20 league goals which helped Usuthu avoid relegation to the National First Division (NFD). 

The former Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns striker is yet to play for AmaZulu this season, but he recently resumed full training after recovering from an injury. 

McCarthy, who is widely considered to be one of the greatest South African strikers of all-time, wants to make Ntuli a top striker in the country because he has the physique and speed. 

“Once we get to the level where Ntuli wants to be," said McCarthy Daily Sun. 

"I want to make him one of the top and deadliest strikers because, he’s like Shaka [Siphelele Mthembu], [he has] got the physique and he can battle with players. 

“Bongi has got speed and got an eye for goal.”

McCarthy began life as AmaZulu mentor with a 3-1 win over Chippa United in a PSL match a week ago, having replaced fellow local tactician Ayanda Dlamini at the Durban-based outfit.

The Bafana Bafana legend is grateful to former Orlando Pirates trio Mthembu, Luvuyo Memela and Augustine Mulenga as they played an integral role in helping Usuthu overcome the Chilli Boys. 

“It was perfect and dream start for me," McCarthy, who sat on the bench alongside his assistant Siyabonga Nomvethe, said. 

"Memela drove the team forward with his charisma and Shaka was instrumental and his hold up play, bringing in players into the game, assisting teammate, being at the right place at the right time, from striker to winger, providing an assist for Mulenga’s goal.

“I was very pleased with the pace from the front men; Shaka, Mulenga and Memela. But I have to give all of the credit for the guys behind them.”

Memela grabbed a brace against Chippa to take his tally to six goals in the league this season, while Mulenga netted his first goal for Usuthu and provided two assists in the process. 

Mthembu bullied the Chilli Boys defence with his imposing physique and the former Kaizer Chiefs centre-forward grabbed an assist on the day.

AmaZulu's next match is against Bloemfontein Celtic on January 10 and the league game is scheduled to be played at Dr Molemela Stadium. 

Arsenal have been urged to show patience with Mikel Arteta and allow him the time and space to build a successful team.

A 3-1 win over Chelsea on Saturday took some of the heat off manager Arteta after it had been building during a grim seven-game winless streak in the Premier League.

Matches against Brighton and Hove Albion on Tuesday and West Brom on Saturday are just as important, and should Arsenal slip back to losing ways then Arteta will again come in for scrutiny.

He is a year into his Arsenal coaching career, with the former captain looking to rebuild after Unai Emery's reign proved a disappointing follow-on from the Arsene Wenger era.

Emery's long-serving assistant Juan Carlos Carcedo also left Arsenal as the club decided to clear out the first-team coaching staff in November 2019, and he is now head coach of Spanish third-tier side Ibiza.

Speaking to The Athletic , Carcedo said stability at Arsenal is needed if the club are to rediscover former glories.

"It is not easy," said Carcedo. "After so many years with Wenger, it was not an easy moment. It is true that there were changes in many different areas of the club, but the club hierarchy has to try to keep things calm and give confidence to the people working there, now it is Mikel and [technical director] Edu.

"I know it is not easy sometimes, with results, but constant changes are not good and you need to have patience for the results to arrive, and so that the people who work there now can achieve the things they are fighting for.”

The Emery era saw Arsenal win 25 of 51 Premier League games, losing 13 times, but hopes that results would turn for the better under Arteta have so far not been fulfilled.

Arteta has chalked up 14 wins and 13 defeats across 35 games in the English top-flight, starting from a draw with Bournemouth on December 26 last year.

His team have dropped 18 points from a winning position and only gained nine from a losing position, which is a record significantly inferior to Arsenal under Emery.

With the often-maligned Emery at the helm, they dropped 19 points after leading but picked up 18 after being behind in games.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has paid tribute to the club’s fans after a trying year that saw the Reds win the Premier League title for the first time.

Since March, when the coronavirus pandemic took hold, supporters have been absent for much of the year.

A handful of fans have been able to enjoy recent Premier League action at Anfield against Wolves and Tottenham, but for the most part Liverpool’s supporters have been unable to watch their side play in person.

Henderson, however, has hailed the fans for their “immense” contribution to the Liverpool cause.

“With this being our last home game of the year, I want to finish off by looking back on a remarkable 12 months and offer my own very simple Christmas message to our supporters,” he wrote in the programme ahead of the West Brom clash.

“To each and every one of you, I want to say thank you. We have been fortunate enough to be successful and even though you were not always able to be in the ground, your contribution has been immense. 

“We didn't just win the league title for our fans, we won it because of them and I hope those of you who celebrate Christmas, and also those of you who don't, are able to find an opportunity to toast the role that you played in our success.

“I know I'll be doing that, with a soft drink rather than anything stronger, and when I do I will raise a glass to Liverpool supporters for inspiring us every step of the way. 

“Today's game against West Brom is another tough one, especially with Sam Allardyce having taken over so recently, but hopefully we can end the Anfield year in a positive fashion. 

“We have done a lot of things right over the last 12 months, but we have to keep that going if we want the awards and accolades to continue.”

Should the Reds overcome the Baggies on Sunday, they will be guaranteed to finish 2020 on top of the Premier League table, despite a trip to Newcastle still to come on Wednesday.

Cheikhou Kouyate has encouraged Crystal Palace to stay focused on returning to winning ways after suffering a 3-0 defeat against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

The 31-year-old featured prominently as the Eagles suffered their seventh Premier League loss of the season at Villa Park.

Goals from Burkina Faso international Bertrand Traore, Kortney Hause and Anwar El Ghazi ensured Villa’s victory in the encounter.

The defeat ensured Roy Hodgson’s men dropped to the 14th spot on the Premier League table after failing to add to their 18 points so far earned in the campaign.

Kouyate has urged his side not to dwell much on the defeat but to look forward to securing victory when they take on Leicester City in their next league outing on Monday.

“After they lost a man we said in the second half we were going to come out to try and score but after two more goals it’s very hard to take,” Kouyate told the club website. 

“We tried to do everything but today is not our day. We just need to stay positive and continue to work hard because sometimes you have this moment in the season. We need to stay together.

“We need to talk and stay focussed for Monday because we have another big game.”

Palace are now winless in their last four games, including their 7-0 thrashing by Premier League leaders and reigning champions Liverpool.

Kouyate, who has featured in several roles for Palace this season, will hope to help them halt their unimpressive run against Leicester City.

The Senegal international has been with the Eagles since the summer of 2018 when he joined the side from West Ham United.

The versatile defender has played in more than 85 games across all competitions for Palace and in the current campaign, he has made 15 appearances.

Kouyate is also an important member of the Senegal national team and has 57 caps for the West African side.

He captained the Teranga Lions to a second-place finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and has played a significant role in their 2022 Afcon qualifiers.

SuperSport United coach Kaitano Tembo believes that midfielder Sipho Mbule is yet to reach his full potential because of certain weaknesses the player needs to work on.

The 22-year-old has managed a goal and two assists in four Premier Soccer League (PSL) appearances so far this season but Tembo feels that he can do more if he maintains a level of good form.

The player is in his fourth top-flight football season with SuperSport after coming through the club’s youth ranks and Tembo notes that he has struggled for consistency over the years.

“Maybe not change who he is and his style of play but he needs to affect matches on a more regular basis than he is currently. He is extremely creative and has the ability to score goals. He needs to do a lot more of that.

“He gets into good areas and that needs to happen on a regular basis. I think his fitness levels need to improve because I noticed that when he gets tired he starts making a lot of mistakes and that’s another area we need to put a bit of more work on.

“But generally I’m satisfied with his progress at the moment. He had a good start last season as well, but he tailed off towards December. He completely disappeared and only started playing again towards the end of the season in the bubble.

“So we need him to be a little bit more consistent this season, score more and create more. We can’t have a talented player like that and we don’t use him to his full potential.”

Mbule was injured when the season started and missed the team’s first three PSL matches and as many MTN8 games.

But his return to action has seen some solid displays from the midfielder and he could find himself in the frame for the national team beyond his Cosafa Cup caps if he finds the consistency Tembo wants from him.

Frank Lampard has threatened to drop his Chelsea stars after their defeat to Arsenal, insisting "they lacked the basics of football".

Chelsea missed the chance to move up to third in the Premier League after being beaten 3-1 by Arsenal in their London derby clash on Saturday.

The Gunners came into the clash as underdogs following a seven-match winless run, but blew the Blues away with an all-action first half performance.

An Alexandre Lacazette penalty and a stunning Granit Xhaka free kick put the hosts 2-0 up before the interval, and Chelsea's evening got even worse in the early stages of the second period.

Bukayo Saka looped the ball into the net for Arsenal's third in the 56th minute after drifting into the box unchallenged, much to the dismay of Lampard on the visitors' bench.

The Blues scored a late consolation goal through Tammy Abraham and Jorginho had a penalty saved in stoppage time, but they fell to a deserved loss which leaves them trailing Premier League leaders Liverpool by six points having played a game more.

Lampard has admitted his players failed to reach the minimum required standard demanded at Chelsea during the encounter at Emirates Stadium, with the effort of his starting XI called into question.

Asked why his team didn't perform to their best against the Gunners, the 42-year-old head coach told talkSPORT: “I can’t answer that because some things you can reflect on in terms of tactics, preparation and all these things but in terms of effort it’s something that just has to be a given in football. The players got it wrong.

“I can’t defend the first half because they lacked the basics of football.

“The message was clear to the players. It was to be a tough game against a team that’s fighting, a team of quality, a team that would give everything for a London derby. The players have to take responsibility for that first half.”

Pressed on whether rotation will be necessary ahead of Chelsea's meeting with Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Monday, Lampard said: “Some places, it certainly does. We’ll need some freshness, some people who deserve to play to show they can play on the maximum, on the limit because the Premier League demands it.

“You can make games easy for yourself if you want to start well and we’ve had some games like that this season. Today we made it very tough for ourselves to come back.”

Chelsea "started too slow" against Arsenal and can do "much better" says Callum Hudson-Odoi, who claims the whole squad let themselves down in the London derby.

Arsenal brought a seven-match winless run to an end in emphatic fashion against Chelsea at Emirates Stadium. Goals from Alexandre Lacazette, Granit Xhaka and Bukayo Saka wrapped up a 3-1 victory for Mikel Arteta's side on Saturday, with Tammy Abraham's 85th minute effort amounting to nothing more than a consolation for the visitors.

Chelsea were favourites in the lead-up to the match, but found themselves completely over-run in the first half and left it too late to start mounting a comeback.

Hudson-Odoi made a big difference after coming on for Timo Werner at the interval and set up Abraham's goal, but he was "disappointed" by the Blues' performance.

"It feels like we let ourselves down," the England international said after the final whistle. "We know that we can do much better than we did. We should have put the same energy we had in the second half into the first half as well.

"We should have had the same attitude from the get-go and pushed all the way through the 90 minutes. So we’re really disappointed in ourselves.

"We started too slow, we all know that. We knew from the start it was going to be a difficult game no matter what. They’re Arsenal, they’re a good team.

"We wanted to come out here and try and get the three points but unfortunately we didn’t. We know that we started slow. In the second half we tried better to come out faster.

"We were unfortunate to concede another goal, because we got ourselves kind of back in it, but we need to push harder and keep working harder to get the three points."

Hudson-Odoi added on his impact from the bench: "At 2-0 down you come into the game and you’re thinking how you can impact the game and how you can try to change the scoreline around. So in my head I just wanted to give the best I could and try to change the game around.

"It was unfortunate that they got another goal, but at 3-0 we still looked confident to push to try to get at least a draw back. We kept pushing until the end but unfortunately we could not get the result."

Chelsea now find themsleves down in seventh in the Premier League table, six points adrift of leaders Liverpool - who have played a game less - but Hudson-Odoi insists the team will continue fighting for the title until the last.

"No matter where we are in the league we’re going to keep pushing until we get to number one and no matter what the game is, we’re Chelsea, we want to give our best every game no matter what and hopefully keep rising up the table," said the winger.

"Every opponent we play against we want to try and get the three points, score goals, concede less. We’re going to keep pushing until the last day. No matter what, we’ll keep pushing.

"We’re all disappointed every time we lose. We don’t like losing. That’s the Chelsea mentality, we always want to win games. So when we do lose or we make a couple of mistakes in games, we’re all disappointed with ourselves. When we win we’re always happy, when we lose we’re disappointed, so we want to get back to winning ways and stay happy."

Gor Mahia players were left dejected after a 6-0 humiliating defeat against CR Belouizdad in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the Caf Champions League game played at the Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 on Saturday night.

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.

"It is an embarrassing and shameful outcome for a big and respectable club like Gor Mahia," a senior player who is part of the squad in Algeria told Goal on Sunday.

"This is a very competitive competition and it needs good preparations. It is a shame when we are just sent to play when nobody takes care of our needs.

"Nobody trained for this game, we were not fit for the game and the results were evident.

"We cannot get positive results this way, as players we are suffering. Someone might think we do not know how to play or we are not equal to the task but it is because of what is going on at the club. 

"The office [management] is the main cause of this. I feel sorry for ourselves, fans and families."

On Saturday, it took the Algerians just seven minutes to get the ball in the back of the net. Geoffrey Ochieng' conceded a free kick in a good area, giving the Algerians a chance to bring the ball into the danger zone.

Poor positioning by goalkeeper Gad Mathews allowed Sayoud to break the deadlock.

In the 12th minute, the Kenyan champions were beaten again by a swift counter-attack. The ball was passed to Marcellin Koukpo who squared the ball to the advancing Bellahouel, who duly tapped the ball home beyond Mathews.

It was becoming worse for the East Africans, and in the 18th minute, Joachim Oluoch conceded a penalty after bringing down an opponent in the danger zone. Sayoud rose to the occasion, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to complete his brace.

Apudo was at fault for the fourth goal scored in the 43rd minute. He tried to be too clever with the ball in the danger zone as he attempted to dribble past the CR Belouizdad players.

He was eventually dispossessed and after a scramble in the box, the ball eventually fell to Tabti who finished emphatically.

In the 53rd minute, the Great Chabab scored their fifth when K'Ogalo failed to track a great run by Sayoud, who initiated a move and went on to finish it after some fine interplay to complete his hat-trick.

The North Africans scored their sixth goal in the 67th minute; Ngombo tapped into an empty net after substitute Kelvin Wesonga had missed out to his opposite number and Belouizdad had capitalised on the error.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic says he "feels at home" with AC Milan, while Ivan Gazidis has spoken out on the contract extension rumours surrounding the veteran forward.

Ibrahimovic has enjoyed a late career renaissance since returning to Milan for a second spell in December 2019.

The former Sweden international made his way back to Europe after two successful years in MLS with LA Galaxy, and has since proved he can still deliver the goods at the highest level.

The 39-year-old, who was handed an inital six-month deal at San Siro, scored 11 goals in 20 apperances for the Rossoneri in the second half of the 2020-21 campaign, helping them secure Europa League qualification.

Milan rewarded Ibrahimovic with a fresh one-year contract, and his form has continued under Stefano Pioli this season.

Ibrahimovic has found the net 11 times in his last ten appearances for Pioli's side, inspiring their rise to the top of the Serie A standings.

Talk of another renewal is now swirling as Ibrahimovic heads towards the final six months of his current agreement at San Siro, and he has now admitted that he feels completely settled in the Italian capital.

"I have played with many clubs and have respect for all my clubs, great memories - but Milan is the club where I feel at home," Ibrahimovic told Gazzetta Dello Sport. "I go to Milanello every morning and I am in no hurry to go home, because I am at home. I felt like this the first time I came to Milan, it was 2010.

"With Galliani and Berlusconi, with the team, everyone who worked there, there was another feeling, another atmosphere. They made you feel at home. I liked it because I could be myself and at the same time I was playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world. This is why Milan is top of the top for me."

However, Milan CEO Gazidis has revealed that negotiaitions with Ibrahimovic over an extension have yet to begin.

"We haven't talked about the renewal yet," the San Siro chief said in his own interview with Gazzetta. "It will be a decision not only of the club, but also his. He is a special person with extraordinary motivation and great intelligence.

"This combination gives him great strength in everything he does. We had already tried to sign him in January 2019, but he told us no because the story with the Galaxy wasn't over.

"Ibra makes the group improve because he challenges you to give more, and this challenge is accepted by everyone, players and clubs. He makes the difference."

Ibrahimovic echoed Gazidis' sentiments on the impact he has had at Milan over the past year, with it his belief that his strong winning mentality has rubbed off on his team-mates.

"Victory is my drug. It's hard to explain, but when I'm on the pitch I have to win. At all costs, always. I have a 95% winning rating in training, in practice matches," he said. "It's not a lie. When. I lose, you see, but it doesn't happen often because I don't lose. I'm fixated on winning, maybe a bit too much.

"Maybe it's understood with the team too, as in the draw with Parma - maybe six months ago they would have been happy, but this time they were all angry, the next day they still were."