Eric Choupo-Moting's contract extension with Bayern Munich will have no influence on a potential move for Tottenham talisman Harry Kane.

That was the message from Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic after Cameroon international Choupo-Moting signed a new deal until June 2024 on Friday.

The Bundesliga champions have been repeatedly linked with a move for Spurs striker Kane since losing the prolific Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona.

Sadio Mane arrived from Liverpool ahead of the 2022-23 season, but Choupo-Moting remains the Bavarian giants' only out-and-out frontman.

The 33-year-old has scored 10 times in 17 league appearances this season, and Salihamidzic is keen to see Choupo-Moting continue to develop as he gave little away about a potential move for England captain Kane.

"We're glad we have Choupo. I can't say what will happen in the summer yet," he told Sky Sport Germany.

When pressed on Choupo-Moting's renewal influencing a Kane deal, Salihamidzic added: "Nothing, that's nonsense. That's not our consideration at all.

"First of all, we extended Choupo. I hope he's the same, keep going, keep scoring and then we'll see."

Bayern sit top of the Bundesliga after 23 games, ahead of Borussia Dortmund on goal difference after Saturday's 2-1 victory at Stuttgart for Julian Nagelsmann's side.

Erik ten Hag went with his Sunday best as Manchester United looked to earn a first Premier League win at Liverpool in over seven years.

Seven days on from winning the EFL Cup at Wembley, where the Red Devils beat Newcastle United, Ten Hag again put his trust in the players that delivered that trophy success.

That meant United named the XI that triumphed in the capital, with Ten Hag backing that line-up after shuffling his pack for the FA Cup win on Wednesday against West Ham.

Wout Weghorst led the attack, with 25-goal Marcus Rashford looking to add to his stunning tally. Rashford went into Sunday's game having hit 10 goals in his last 10 Premier League outings, scoring in his last five appearances.

Ten Hag's team were looking to end a six-game winless run in league games at Anfield, with their last victory at the home of their great rivals in the competition being a 1-0 win in January 2016.

Liverpool made three changes to the side that beat Wolves 2-0 on Wednesday, a result that continued a recent upturn in league results for Jurgen Klopp's team, giving them 10 points from the last four games.

Andy Robertson came in at left-back for Konstantinos Tsimikas, Spanish youngster Stefan Bajcetic was replaced by Jordan Henderson in midfield, and Cody Gakpo replaced Diogo Jota in attack, where he joined Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah.

 

United's recent winless run at Anfield is their longest since a run of nine games between 1970 and 1979, but they headed into this encounter sitting 10 points above Liverpool.

Third-placed United were seeking a ninth Premier League double over Liverpool, having won 2-1 at Old Trafford in August, the result that kick-started Ten Hag's reign after a rocky start to the Dutchman's career in England.

United came into this game having scored just one goal in their last seven trips to face Liverpool in all competitions, failing to score in the last three.

However, they arrived for the game having lost just one of their last 11 in the league (W8 D2), with the exception in that run being a 3-2 defeat at Arsenal in January.

Manchester United legend Roy Keane saluted Marcus Rashford for proving he has the character to be the team's main man, but Gary Neville now wants him to replicate his form season after season.

Rashford is enjoying a phenomenal campaign, with his 25 goals across all competitions prior to Sunday's trip to Liverpool already his best return for a single season.

There appeared to be doubts about Rashford's long-term future at United after a hugely underwhelming 2021-22 season, but he has had a new lease of life since Erik ten Hag's arrival.

He showed real promise before the World Cup, but it is since his return from Qatar that Rashford's form has reached new heights, scoring 10 goals in his previous 10 league games ahead of Sunday.

That haul includes a run of five successive goalscoring appearances, with the England international giving United a clinical touch in attack – his 25 goals have come from just 16.5 xG (expected goals).

Keane acknowledged he had reservations about Rashford in that regard, but the 25-year-old is emphatically proving him wrong.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Keane said: "He's in great form and what's been surprising in the last few months is, I wasn't sure if Marcus had that personality to want to be the main man, but he has, particularly with [Cristiano] Ronaldo leaving and [Anthony] Martial injured, he has definitely taken that responsibility.

"His goals, the type of goals he's getting: he's scored a couple of headers recently. I never knew he had that in his locker.

"We know obviously about his pace, his skill when beating people, but I think he's enjoying the responsibility. He's in the form of his life, he seems fit, he seems mentally clear, he's focusing more on his football now.

"There were question marks over the past few years about whether he was distracted, a lot of people hanging on to him. Now it looks like football is his priority and he's getting the rewards."

However, Neville – another former United captain – feels Rashford now has to ensure this season is not just a flash in the pan.

Twice before he has broken the 20-goal mark in a single season but been unable to maintain that level, whereas one of his opponents on Sunday – Liverpool's Salah – has done so in all six of his campaigns with the Reds.

Such ability has inspired Liverpool to success in the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup and the Champions League.

"I think Marcus can look at Salah," Neville added. "What Marcus has done this season is fantastic, but Salah's been doing that for six or seven seasons, winning Premier League titles, Champions League trophies.

"He's reliable and consistent, and that's where Marcus now is building that sort of feeling and momentum in his game, but he's got to do it for the next three, four, five seasons and take Manchester United to those titles that Salah has at Liverpool."

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold could not bear to watch Manchester United lift the EFL Cup trophy last weekend as seeing them enjoy success "burns".

United won their first title in nearly six years a week ago, beating Newcastle United 2-0 at Wembley to cap Erik ten Hag's encouraging start to life at Old Trafford.

Their triumph officially ended Liverpool's reign in that competition. For United, it was another highlight in a largely positive season and came just three days after knocking Barcelona out of the Europa League.

Liverpool were watching themselves be deposed amid a challenging and turbulent campaign, and Alexander-Arnold had to look away when it came to United getting hands on the trophy.

"I watched the game, but as soon as they were getting ready for the trophy lift, I turned off," he told The Telegraph ahead of Sunday's Anfield clash with bitter rivals United.

"I thought, 'There is no way I am watching that'. Knowing they lifted that trophy, it burns. Oh yeah, it definitely burns."

But looking past his distaste for United, their triumph helped him realise there can be light at the end of the tunnel, with Alexander-Arnold convinced Liverpool's woes this season are only temporary.

"It shows you how football changes very quickly," he added.

"Look at Arsenal. At the end of last season everyone was talking about failure for not making the top four. All of a sudden, they are leading in the title race. In football terms, these changes really do happen overnight.

"It's the same with Manchester United when you look at the difference now to last year. Even the start of this season when they lost to Brentford. How many people were saying, 'Here we go again?'

"Now they're flying. It happens, that's why I'm not going to allow myself to get over consumed with what has happened to us right now because I know in a few months, or possibly even weeks, it will change. I am determined to keep level-headed and balanced about what has gone on."

Nevertheless, it does not change the reality of how disappointing Liverpool have been this term.

They are six points adrift of the top four, out of the FA Cup, and 5-2 down to Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16 ahead of their second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Failing to finish in the top four is unthinkable for Alexander-Arnold, and he accepts only divine intervention will help them win a trophy before the end of the season.

"At the start of this season, if you had asked us what we expected in March, it would have been to be coming towards the climax of the title race," he continued.

"That's the best feeling in football, going into every game knowing you need to win and most likely watching Manchester City's games thinking if they lose or drop two points, we're going to pounce.

"Now it is going to be difficult to win a trophy this season. It looks impossible. We will need a miracle. So, there is a different type of motivation and it is difficult to adjust.

"We've drawn a line and know the top four is everything now. I can't imagine not being in the Champions League. That is what is motivating all of us.

"As a club, we need to be playing Champions League football. We have not made it easy for ourselves, but the level we are and the quality we have as players, means we expect it."

Erik ten Hag did not lose sleep over his decision to drop Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire to the bench for Manchester United's clash with Liverpool back in August.

After starting their Premier League campaign with successive defeats to Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford – the second of those losses a 4-0 reverse – United kick-started their season by beating Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford.

United have only got better since under Ten Hag, who claimed his first trophy as Red Devils boss last week when his side saw off Newcastle United 2-0 in the EFL Cup final.

They head into Sunday's meeting with Liverpool at Anfield in third place, 10 points ahead of their sixth-placed hosts.

Ten Hag made two big calls by leaving Ronaldo and club captain Maguire out of his side in the reverse fixture, but he has no regrets over that decision, and suggested that would be the case even if the result had been different.

"I have to see and to face the consequences of it. The impact from the decisions, not only on the short term but on the longer term, of course," he said in a press conference.

"I think you always have to think statistically and [consider] what is the consequence in the longer term. I am aware of it but that's my job and that's the responsibility I have to take.

"I had reasons, they were obvious. And I knew also the consequence and also when it was a negative outcome from that game, which always is possible in football.

"But I'm not worrying. I sleep well, also on those nights, and I have to take decisions in respect of the team and the club. That is my job and that is the responsibility I have to take and I have to stand for those decisions."

Ten Hag's decision paid off, though while Maguire – who turned 30 on Sunday – has remained at Old Trafford as a bit-part player, Ronaldo left the club in November after an inflammatory interview in which he criticised United's manager.

While Ronaldo has departed, his former Real Madrid club-mate Casemiro has been an emphatic success since his arrival.

"I had a player in Ajax who set such standards, but definitely Casemiro in this team, he is such a leader and he is so important for us," Ten Hag replied when asked if he had ever coached a player like Casemiro.

"Not only with his performances, skills, like scoring a goal, or his header, or like linking up or intercepting balls. Organisation, the mentality, the culture, and we are so happy that we signed him.

"I think when you go to recruitment, we were looking for players with character, with personality and it was not only about signing a player – there are a lot of players in the world that have great skills. We are looking for players who have character. Players who have personality, who have leadership, who take responsibility, who are resilient."

Indeed, there has been no surprise for Ten Hag when it comes to Casemiro's quality.

He said: "I knew what a magnificent player he was. Just look through his profile. You see all the cups he won and that's not [a] coincidence.

"You have players who win, and win always, and players who lose and always lose. Of course, you have to do your research and find that type who will win and who are cooperative in the dressing room to be humble but when they are on the pitch they take responsibility and you can sit on the bench and you are composed."

Bernardo Silva is one step closer to getting his desired move to Barcelona after it was reported that Manchester City have named a price for their wantaway midfielder.

Silva, 28, is in his sixth season with City, but after four Premier League titles and 51 goals for the club, he recently spoke about his wish for a new challenge following multiple transfer windows with heavy interest from Barcelona.

The Portugal international, who scored against Newcastle United on Saturday, has a contract that ties him to the club until 2025, but City might be set grant his wish at the end of the season and allow him to leave – for the right price.

 

TOP STORY – CITY SET ASKING PRICE FOR BARCELONA-BOUND BERNARDO

According to Sport, City have told Silva that they will accept any incoming bid that reaches their demand of £57.5million (€65m).

Barcelona are well aware of the latest development, and are said to be doing all they can in the coming months to ensure the financial rules allow them to make the move. However, Silva's contract demands could be a stumbling block for the Spanish giants.

Reports suggest City previously rejected Barcelona's £62m (€70m) approach during the January window.

ROUND-UP

– Calciomercato is reporting Inter will seek a €40m fee for defender Denzel Dumfries.

– According to The Mirror, Manchester United and Liverpool are among the Premier League teams preparing to make a run at New England Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.

City will pursue RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol if they sell Paris Saint-Germain target Aymeric Laporte, per the Daily Star.

– Football Insider is reporting Arsenal, City, United and Liverpool are all showing interest in Brighton and Hove Albion's World Cup-winning midfielder Alexis Mac Allister , who the Seagulls are expected to price at £70m.

– According to Calciomercato, Milan are targeting £22m-rated (€25m) Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Mohamed Salah has dreamed of breaking Liverpool's Premier League scoring record since his breakthrough campaign at Anfield.

The Egypt international needs just two strikes to surpass Robbie Fowler's 128-goal benchmark for Liverpool ahead of Sunday's clash at home to fierce rivals Manchester United.

Salah has failed to hit his own lofty standards this campaign, finding the net nine times in 24 league outings for Jurgen Klopp's side.

The former Chelsea and Roma forward hopes he will not have long to wait to celebrate making history for the Reds.

When asked by Sky Sports about beating Fowler's mark, the 30-year-old said: "This record especially, I think for me, it is really special.

"I think when I came, after my first season, I had 32 goals, and I thought I want to be the top scorer for Liverpool in the Premier League.

"I had that in my mind that I need to chase it. That was one of my motivations. Every day I [would] just wake up and I'd want to break that record.

"For me, it is going to be special. To be number one will be special for my career here in Liverpool. It's something I've been really chasing."

Erik ten Hag's United present the perfect opportunity for Salah to enjoy a landmark moment, having netted 10 times in all competitions against the Red Devils – no Liverpool player has scored more.

Salah will look to add to his tally of nine goals in his past five outings against United as he strives to surpass Fowler's haul.

"I think I started to look more at that number maybe when I scored 15, 20," he continued. "But then I was thinking that it is still so far away – more than 100 goals.

"I wasn't sure how many seasons I would be here, because it was my first season and after how many seasons [will it take] to break that record.

"But if you break it after six seasons then that is something great and something that I will be very proud of."

Salah already boasts the record as the top-scoring African in the Premier League, while he grabbed Liverpool's European scoring record with a goal in the recent 5-2 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid.

While he suggested Fowler's record may mark his greatest Liverpool achievement, Salah insisted personal milestones are no replacement for team success.

"I've had good ones at Liverpool," he said of his record-breaking exploits, before adding: "To be fair, as long as we achieve something as a team that is the most important thing for me.

"I don't want to be in a smaller team and be the only one breaking records. For me, I want to win trophies, I want the players to be happy, and I'm in a top club.

"To break that record in a club like Liverpool is something [that is going to be] huge."

To say it's "as you were" in the Premier League's title race after Saturday's action wouldn't be doing Arsenal justice.

A brilliant turnaround against Bournemouth saw them answer Manchester City's earlier statement, a 2-0 win over a Newcastle United side who find themselves in a real rut.

Arsenal's lead at the summit somehow – we'll get there – remains five points, and the nature of their victory will surely prove a massive boost.

Also on Saturday, Graham Potter eased the pressure on him ever so slightly, though the same cannot be said for David Moyes.

Stats Perform has delved into the Opta data from the pick of the day's action.

Arsenal 3-2 Bournemouth: Title tilt still on track as Gunners respond to Cherries' incredible start

If Arsenal go on to win the Premier League title, fans will probably look back on this game as absolutely vital.

Bournemouth opened the scoring through Phillip Billing after just 9.11 seconds, making it the second-fasted Premier League goal of all time, and Marcos Senesi made it 2-0 in the second half.

The Gunners appeared to be heading for a shocking home defeat, but their response was exceptional – and dramatic.

Thomas Partey and Ben White scored in an eight-minute spell to restore parity, and for a while that looked to be the best Arsenal could muster.

But with 96 minutes and 57 seconds on the clock, Reiss Nelson's brilliant left-footed strike from just inside the box completed the turnaround with Arsenal's second-latest league winner on record (since 2006-07).

It ensured Arsenal won a league game after finding themselves at least two goals down for the first time since February 2012 – the mentality of champions?

Brighton and Hove Albion 4-0 West Ham: Homesick Hammers crushed with Moyes running out of time

There is little to be optimistic about at the moment for West Ham and David Moyes, with Saturday's one-sided defeat to Brighton seeing them plumb new depths.

Alexis Mac Allister got the scoring started from the spot, making it four out of four from the spot this season for the Argentina international – no one in the Premier League has a better 100 per cent record.

Joel Veltman then chested over the line to make it 2-0, before the tremendous Kaoru Mitoma knocked in from Pascal Gross' cross to tally his 11th goal involvement (eight goals, three assists) of the season, which is bettered only by his German colleague among Brighton players.

Danny Welbeck's seventh goal against West Ham – making them his favourite opposition – wrapped things up.

Defeat stretched West Ham's winless streak on the road in the league to 11, their longest dry spell away from home since December 2014-May 2015 (12 matches).

Manchester City 2-0 Newcastle United: Magpies unable to end champions' record run

Newcastle have endured a difficult start to 2023 – after initially looking destined for the top four, their chances of being in the Champions League next season are dwindling.

Having lost to Manchester United in last weekend's EFL Cup final, Eddie Howe had to try and inspire a response in a fixture that has long brought Newcastle misery.

Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva got City's goals, the first coming after a solo run and the second a clever poked finish from the Portugal international.

Those efforts sealed City's 14th successive Premier League home win over Newcastle, a run that no team has ever bettered against a single opponent in the competition.

That is now one win in their past 31 clashes with City for Newcastle, having emerged victorious from seven of their first 15.

Newcastle's failure here saw them lose three in a row for the first time under Howe, their inability to score allowing Ederson to keep his 100th Premier League clean sheet in his 208th appearance – only Petr Cech (180 games) and Pepe Reina (198 games) reached that milestone quicker.

Chelsea 1-0 Leeds United: Blues lacking magic but rare win a boost to Potter

It's going to take more than a slender victory over struggling Leeds for Graham Potter to win over his critics, but every turnaround has to start somewhere.

Once again, goals proved difficult to come by for Chelsea's attackers, with French defender Wesley Fofana heading in the decisive goal – his first in the Premier League.

But at this point Potter will not care where the goals come from as long as Chelsea get wins on the board.

Leeds were unable to provide a response, meaning Chelsea held on for only their second win from 12 games across all competitions in 2023 and their first since beating Crystal Palace 1-0 in January, ending a six-game winless run.

Saturday's visitors have taken only six points from away games this season, however, a joint-Premier League low, so it cannot be considered much of a statement from Chelsea.

Graham Potter sees Chelsea's 1-0 win over Leeds United as "something to build on" ahead of a "massive" Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund.

Wesley Fofana's first Premier League goal eased the pressure on head coach Potter following a miserable run of one win in 11 matches.

Chelsea had suffered three consecutive defeats without scoring a goal before stopping the rot against relegation-threatened Leeds at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Blues face Dortmund at home in the Champions League on Tuesday, needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit in order to reach the quarter-finals.

Potter hopes a much-needed win over lowly Leeds will just be the start.

He told BBC Sport: "I'm delighted for the players and supporters. We've had to suffer. It's been a challenging period. I thought we played well in the first half and attacked well.

"We were a team who had something to lose so it was great character from the players, they cared and showed togetherness in the team. It gives us something to build on.

"People care. Players want to win and supporters want us to do well, 1-0 in the Premier League, anything can happen, when you consider the run we're on, it's not surprising [there were nerves]. The players fought for the win and it allows us to keep moving forward."

Potter added on the showdown with Dortmund: "We just have to focus on the game. You can't control what the noise is outside. It's a huge game for us and a huge opportunity. We have to fight for it.

"Every game is important. It's a confidence boost and a morale boost. We have a massive game on Tuesday."

Potter was full of praise for Fofana, who marked his return to the side with a towering header from Ben Chilwell's corner to secure all three points.

The former Brighton and Hove Albion boss said: "Wesley Fofana has been a big miss for us. He's one of the players who has been out for a while.

"He is physical, brave with the ball and does what he does well in the box which is attack the ball. It gave us a win."

Mikel Arteta described Arsenal's dramatic 3-2 victory over Bournemouth as "madness" as he hailed his side's determination.

The Gunners trailed 2-0 in the second half, with the Cherries' goals including Phillip Billing netting the second-fastest goal in Premier League history, to leave the league leaders with a mountain to climb.

Thomas Partey and Ben White struck to restore parity, before Reiss Nelson's fierce drive completed the turnaround and re-established the Gunners' five-point lead over Manchester City to leave Arteta delighted with a fourth win in a row.

"It was madness from the first second. We kept trying and dominating the game. We had a mountain to climb and we took it bit by bit," he told BBC Match of the Day.

"We had the hunger to go for the first goal. From then the atmosphere changed. Reiss hasn't featured much because he has been injured.

"He comes on and puts in that performance. It was incredible to experience the emotion with the crowd. It's going to stick with us.

"I am going to remember this day for a few things. I loved the initiative, the courage, their personality, and the way they made things happen.

"When its ugly and when its difficult, that's what big teams do. We have to make it easier for ourselves. But this is the Premier League.

"The opponents are good, and they make it hard for you. Now we have the Europa League – many games coming up. We're going to need everyone at their best."

Nelson added of his late winner: "We need moments like this if we want to go all the way. We're not looking at any other team at the minute. We are focusing on ourselves.

"We will keep going day-by-day, game-by-game. As an Arsenal fan, I'm just delighted with the result."

Harry Kane has rallied his Tottenham team-mates, calling on them to make the most of the rest of the Premier League season as they aim for the top four.

Spurs slipped to a defeat against Wolves on Saturday, with Adama Traore's late strike snatching a 1-0 victory for the hosts at Molineux.

It saw Tottenham, in what is set to be their final game under temporary boss Cristian Stellini before Antonio Conte returns from his enforced lay-off, fail to build on the four-point cushion over fifth-place Newcastle United, who lost 2-0 at Manchester City.

Coupled with a shock FA Cup exit to Championship side Sheffield United on Wednesday, Kane acknowledged it has been a tough spell, but the England captain backed his team-mates to turn Spurs' fortunes around.

"It's been tough, a really disappointing week," he said. "All we can do is look forward now. We have 12 or 13 games now to push for that top-four place.

"The games come around quick, and we have to look to the next one. If we had won today, we would've been in a good spot with the last third of the season to play.

"[But] there's still going to be points dropped, and we need to concentrate on ourselves and finish as strong as possible."

Stellini, meanwhile, has overseen a tepid end to his interim time at the helm, and he knows Spurs must be at their best in order to translate their performances into crucial results.

"It was a good performance. We started well in the game," Stellini told Sky Sports. "We had chances to score and we could've killed the game. 

"It was a tough game like we expected but we were ready to challenge, to fight, to play a great game. We missed some chances in the first half and maybe it could've been a bit different."

Of the tussle for Champions League qualification, Stellini added: "It will be a tough race. We are not alone with Newcastle, other teams will arrive. We have to be ready to play these type of games again.

"Maybe we have to have more of the killer instinct, to kill the game when you have the possibility to do [so]. In the first half, it was really under control, and we needed to kill it."

Pep Guardiola thinks Manchester City's upcoming three-game stretch will define their season.

The defending Premier League champions kicked off March with a 2-0 victory against Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, to keep up the pressure on leaders Arsenal.

The Gunners appeared to have faltered under that pressure as they went down 2-0 to Bournemouth but Reiss Nelson's stunning finish sealed a remarkable comeback.

A clash with Crystal Palace is next up for City in the top flight, before a Champions League encounter with RB Leipzig – that last-16 tie is level at 1-1 – and FA Cup meeting with Vincent Kompany's Burnley.

With the three games effectively forming major hurdles towards City's hopes of trophy success this term, Guardiola is not underestimating its make-or-break potential for their campaign.

"Before the international break, we have three games in different competitions that will define our season," he told reporters.

"Crystal Palace, RB Leipzig and Burnley. They will define what we want to do for the rest of the season."

While the margin of victory against Newcastle suggested a degree of comfort to their performance, Guardiola was insistent his side were forced to work for their win.

"It's Newcastle," he added. "They are an exceptional team. The set-pieces from [Kieran] Trippier, every corner, every kick, they are in a great position.

"They have an exceptional holding midfield. [They were] in the final of the EFL Cup a week ago.

"They've been in the top five all season. It's an incredible result for us, because it was a tricky game."

Reiss Nelson's 97th-minute strike completed a remarkable comeback for Arsenal in a 3-2 win against Bournemouth.

Phillip Billing scored the second-fastest goal in Premier League history to hand the Cherries a shock lead, with Marcos Senesi doubling the advantage in the second half.

Thomas Partey and Ben White struck in quick succession to bring Arsenal level, though it seemed the Gunners would remain on course to drop crucial points in the title race.

Substitute Nelson had other ideas though, firing in from outside the box in the dying moments to restore a five-point advantage over Manchester City.

 

Adama Traore's late strike saw Tottenham stunned by Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday, as the north London side slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Molineux.

The Spain international netted in the 82nd minute, crashing his finish in off the crossbar after Fraser Forster had parried Raul Jimenez's shot towards him.

Traore's goal condemned the visitors to back-to-back defeats under temporary boss Cristian Stellini, after their shock FA Cup exit to Sheffield United on Wednesday.

But while Antonio Conte will return to a side in disarray, opposite number Julen Lopetegui will delight in a big result that provides a major boost to his team's top-flight survival bid. 

 

Wesley Fofana scored his first Premier League goal to ease the pressure on Graham Potter as Chelsea beat Leeds United 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.

A dismal run of one win in 11 games had led to increasing speculation over head coach Potter's position, but the Blues lifted the gloom with a much-needed victory on Saturday.

Fofana's towering second-half header eased the tension as mid-table Chelsea ended a run of three consecutive defeats without scoring.

In a clash between two sides who have been so short of a cutting edge this season, it was relegation-threatened Leeds who fired another blank to suffer a first top-flight defeat under new boss Javi Gracia.

Chelsea started with a great tempo and Fofana missed a good chance to put them in front when he headed Ben Chilwell's corner over.

Kai Havertz should have opened the scoring when he was sent clear, only to be denied by Illan Meslier, before a sweeping Blues move ended with Joao Felix rattling the crossbar after Raheem Sterling picked him out from the byline.

There was a sense of deja vu as Chelsea's finishing continued to let them down, an unmarked Chilwell volleying wide from inside the penalty area.

That elusive goal finally arrived in the 53rd minute. Fofana rose highest to meet Chilwell's corner and a powerful header from six yards out gave Meslier no chance.

Leeds reacted well – a measured right-foot strike from Tyler Adams was narrowly wide while Georginio Rutter's saw an effort blocked by Kalidou Koulibaly.

Chelsea passed up half-chances at the other end, yet Leeds lacked the quality in the final third to inflict any punishment, with Meslier heading at his counterpart Kepa Arrizabalaga from a corner deep in stoppage time.

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