FOOTBALL NEWS

Defending Carabao Cup champions Manchester City have been drawn away to Preston North End in the third round, while Manchester United will host Rochdale. Last season's beaten finalists Chelsea got a home tie against either Grimsby Town or Macclesfield Town, while Champions League winners Liverpool will go to MK Dons. Tottenham face a trip to Colchester United and their north London rivals Arsenal are at home to Nottingham Forest . Portsmouth will welcome rivals Southampton to Fratton Park for a south coast derby, with matches to be played in the week commencing September 23. Sunderland produced the biggest shock of Wednesday's second-round action, dumping out Premier League side Burnley 3-1 at Turf Moor despite falling behind to Jay Rodriguez's first goal since re-joining the Clarets. Will Grigg equalised for the Black Cats before Tom Flanagan and George Dobson struck in the first five minutes of the second half to complete the comeback for Jack Ros...

Jamie Redknapp says Tammy Abraham needs to be more like  Diego Costa and develop a “nasty” streak. The 21-year-old opened his Chelsea FC account in Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Norwich City at Carrow Road to alleviate some pressure on the homegrown talent. Chelsea FC boss Frank Lampard has given Abraham a chance to shine in the Blues team at the start of the Premier League season after the English coach replaced Maurizio Sarri in the summer. Abraham failed to score against Manchester United, Liverpool FC and Leicester City to raise questions about the former Swansea City striker’s ability to shine in the Blues team. The England Under-21 international scored either side of half-time in Chelsea FC’s 3-2 victory over  Norwich, including the winner in the 68th minute. Former Liverpool FC midfielder Redknapp believes Abraham needs to develop a nastier streak, like  ex-Chelsea FC striker Costa. “Let’s give Frank Lampard credit for the way he secured h...

  Chelsea are planning to extend Tammy Abraham's contract, according to reports in the English press. The Telegraph UK claims that the England U21 star is in line to earn a new Chelsea contract that could more than double his £50,000-a-week wages. According to the English newspaper, Abraham will likely pen a five-year deal that will see him pocket at least £26 million (approximately N11.4 billion in Nigerian currency) over the duration of the contract. The 21-year-old's current agreement will keep him at Stamford Bridge until the end of the 2021-2022 season. The Chelsea Academy was promoted to the first team this season by Frank Lampard and he has repaid his manager's faith in him after scoring 2 goals in his first three matches in the Premier League. Prior to Abraham's promotion to the first team, he was farmed out on loan to Bristol City, Swansea City and Aston Villa. The London-born striker with Nigerian background first joined Chelse...

  Since stepping into the hotseat of his beloved Chelsea, Frank Lampard has enjoyed mixed success, receiving plaudits for his style of play, but not always getting the results he craves. Indeed this current incarnation of the Blues is in its infancy, and Lampard has not been afforded the luxury of recruiting players to match his system, but early signs of aesthetically pleasing football appear positive. One of the biggest gripes about ‘Sarriball’ under predecessor Maurizio Sarri was a lack of high-octane intensity in the final third, but that certainly doesn’t appear to be a problem with Lampard at the helm. If his side have looked susceptible at the back, then the same certainly cannot be said of his frontline, with the west London club looking devastating going forward. The likes of Christian Pulisic and Mateo Kovacic have been key to that, demonstrating a vim and a vigour that could prove invaluable this campaign. He has also been force...

  Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic has opened up on the differences between Frank Lampard and Maurizio Sarri. The Croatia international impressed for the Blues in the 3-2 win over Norwich on Saturday. And Kovacic has admitted to feeling more settled at Stamford Bridge after making his loan move from Real Madrid permanent. The 25-year-old also feels like he has more freedom under Lampard and can attack more. “He gives me more freedom and I can take the ball and go forward. I feel good,” Kovacic said. “A good connection with the coach and all the team. “I am a Chelsea player now so I feel better about that. “Last year was only a loan. I feel better and more confident than last year. “I am missing some part of my game and I can improve and get better, but I think it will come for sure.” Chelsea boss Lampard has also praised Mason Mount after he scored in the win against Norwich. “I don’t want to say he’s surprised me with the way he’s taking to the Premier League ...

Arsenal defender David Luiz has received messages on Instagram from his old Chelsea team-mates after messing up in the Gunners’ 3-1 defeat away to Liverpool at the weekend. The experienced Brazil international joined Arsenal from Chelsea on deadline day in something of a surprise transfer, though it initially looked like a potentially smart deal done on the cheap by the north Londoners. Still, Luiz has long had a reputation for being something of an error-prone defender, even if he has plenty of quality on the ball, making him a decent fit for Unai Emery’s style of building from the back. Against Liverpool, however, we saw the worst of Luiz as he made two mistakes leading to two goals from Reds star Mohamed Salah. ''Life is tough and football is tough also sometimes !!! But I know one thing , I will never give up !! Was always like that my life ... I came here with a goal , and I will fight until the end for that !!! Thank u for the fans , for all the supp...