AZAM YABANWA YANGA YAPAA KILELENI

Yanga imerejea kileleni Ligi Kuu Bara  baada ya kuichapa Prisons ya Mbeya kwa mabao 3-0.

Ushindi huo umeifanya Yanga kufikisha pointi 28 dhidi ya Azam FC yenye 26 ambayo imelazimishwa sare ya bila mabao dhidi ya Ruvu Shooting kwenye Uwanja wa  Mabatini, Mlandizi mkoani Pwani.

Yanga imebuka na ushindi huo mnono kwenye Uwanja wa ugenini wa Sokoine jijini Mbeya ikiwa ni baada ya viungo wake Simon Msuva na Andrey Coutinho kufunga.

Msuva amepachika mabao mawili, huku Coutinho na kukamilisha idadi ya tatu bila dhidi ya kikosi cha David Mwamwaja ambaye alitamba leo ingekuwa kazi ngumu kwa Yanga.

Pamoja na kuwa ugenini, Yanga walitawala mchezo kwa vipindi vyote huku wakipoteza nafasi nyingi za kufunga.

Mara kadhaa, Prisons nao walijitutumua hata hivyo kwa dakika zote 90 walifanikiwa kufanya mashambulizi makali au makubwa matatu tu.

Kwa kipigo hicho, Prisons inaendelea kubaki mkiani ikiwa na pointi 11 hivyo kuwa katika wakati mgumu na hofu ya kuteremka daraja.

Mabingwa watetezi wa Ligi Kuu Bara, Azam FC wamekubali kuipisha Yanga kileleni.

Azam FC imetoka sare ya bila kufungana dhidi ya Ruvu Shooting katika mechi iliyochezwa  kwenye Uwanja wa Mabatini mjini Mlandizi, Pwani.

Sare hiyo ya bila mabao, inaifanya Azam FC kufikisha pointi 26 wakati Yanga ambayo imeibuka na ushindi dhidi ya Prisons inafikisha pointi 28.

Azam FC ndiyo inaongoza kwa kuwa na pointi 25 sawa na Yanga lakini tofauti ilikuwa ni mabao ya kufunga na kufungwa.

Katika kipindi cha kwanza dakika 15 za kwanza, Azam FC ilishambulia zaidi, lakini washambuliaji wake John Bocco na Kipre Tchetche hawakuwa makini.

Kipindi cha pili, mambo yalibadilika na Ruvu Shooting kutawala huku wakionekana kuwasumbua Azam FC, hata hivyo nao hawakuwa makini kumalizia nafasi walizozipata.

EPL WEEKEND FIXTURES

Sat 21 Feb 2015 - Premier League

• Aston Villa v Stoke 15:00
• Chelsea v Burnley 15:00
• Crystal Palace v Arsenal 15:00
• Hull v QPR 15:00
• Sunderland v West Brom 15:00
• Swansea v Man Utd 15:00
• Man City v Newcastle 17:30

Sun 22 Feb 2015 - Premier League

• Tottenham v West Ham 12:00
• Everton v Leicester 14:05
• Southampton v Liverpool 16:15

Europa League round-up

Liverpool were not the only British team in action last night as Everton won, with both Tottenham and Celtic drawing their matches. All games were the first-leg ties in the last 32.

Everton: Romelu Lukaku responded to recent fan criticism with a first Everton hat-trick in a 4-1 win against Swiss side Young Boys.

Celtic: John Guidetti's stunning added-time goal earned Celtic a 3-3 draw against Inter Milan.

Tottenham: Spurs face a battle to remain in the Europa League after being held to a 1-1 first-leg draw by Fiorentina at White Hart Lane.

DID YOU MISSED THE BALOTELLI SHOW? HERE IT IS.......

Steven Gerrard accused Mario Balotelli of showing "disrespect" by taking Liverpool's winning penalty against Besiktas ahead of Jordan Henderson.

Balotelli scored from the spot in Thursday's Europa League last-32 tie at Anfield to secure a 1-0 first-leg win.

That came after a disagreement with captain Henderson and Daniel Sturridge over who should take it.

Gerrard said: "Henderson is the captain and Balotelli showed Jordan a bit of disrespect there."

The midfielder, who is currently injured, was working as a pundit on ITV's coverage of the game.

Gerrard said that Balotelli was being "a bit mischievous" after the Italian striker took the ball off Henderson, who was set to to take the spot kick.

Henderson stood in as Liverpool's captain against Besiktas, and Gerrard believes he should have taken the penalty.

"Rules are rules," he said. "Credit to Mario, he's scored, but it's not nice to see when footballers are arguing. I think Jordan has handled the situation very well."

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers would not clarify who should have taken the penalty after the game.

How the incident unfolded

Jordan Henderson was standing in as captain for the injured Steven Gerrard

With less than 10 minutes to go, the impressive Jordon Ibe was fouled inside the area and referee Szymon Marciniak immediately awarded the penalty.

Henderson picked up the ball and walked towards the spot...

What now boss?

...Balotelli took the ball from Henderson and appeared to get in a disagreement with both the Liverpool midfielder and striker Daniel Sturridge. Henderson looked over to the bench...

Henderson said after the game that he had wanted to take the penalty

I've only missed two

...Balotelli had scored 26 of his 28 penalties before Thursday's game and appeared determined to take the spot kick, placing the ball on the penalty spot...

Daniel Sturridge was making his European debut for Liverpool

..and scored.

The goal was Mario Balotelli's fourth of the season, and second in Europe

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said Mario Balotelli had to take the penalty

Best of friends

Balotelli celebrated with his team-mates including Henderson, who initially acknowledged the goal by tapping the striker on shoulder, before Balotelli pulled him back for a hug.

"It was a big goal," Henderson told ITV.

"I wanted the penalty, Mario felt confident and he has taken big penalties before. Everyone wants to take them. I felt confident in Mario, he has taken big penalties before and he got the nod."

Liverpool had missed a number of chances before Balotelli scored from the spot

Balotelli posted on Instagram after the game:  "Thank you hendo for let me take the penalty.. Stop drama now. We won that's what it count. We are a team and especially we are Liverpool. Come on guys."

The second leg of the Europa League last-32 tie is on Thursday, 26 February

Asked to clarify who should have taken the penalty after the game, Rodgers said: "I am clarifying we won the game 1-0.

"I have a number of outstanding penalty takers with Jordan [Henderson] and Mario [Balotelli] and Rickie Lambert.

"It was the perfect result and sets up for the second leg next week."

DANIEL NA REKODI ZAKE LIVERPOOL

Kimataifa

February 19th, 2015

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Na Augostino Mabalwe kwa msaada wa Mtandao

BAADA ya mkataba wake mwaka 2009 kumalizika katika klabu ya Manchester City,  Daniel Sturridge alitua katika klabu ya Chelsea na kusaini mkataba  wa miaka minne katika timu hiyo iliyokuwa chini ya kocha Carlo Ancelotti.

Sturridge alifunga goli lake la kwanza katika klabu ya Chelsea katika mechi yake ya kwanza katika ushindi wa 2-1 dhidi ya Seattle Sounders ikiwa ni mechi ya kirafiki iliyopigwa tarehe 18 Julai 2009.

15 Septemba 2010 Daniel Sturridge alifunga goli lake la kwanza katika michuano ya klabu bingwa barani ulaya katika mchezo ambao Chelsea walicheza dhidi ya MSK Zullin ikiwa ni mechi yake ya kwanza katika michuano hiyo.

Baada ya kucheza kwa takribani misimu mitatu katika klabu ya Chelsea,Januari 2, 2013 Daniel Sturridge alisajiliwa na klabu ya Liverpool kwa ada ya paundi milion 12.

Daniel Sturridge aliendeleza rekodi yake ya kufunga katika mechi zake za kwanza katika timu na michuano mbalimbali baada ya kufunga dakika ya 7 ya mchezo katika mechi yake ya kwanza katika ushindi wa Liverpool wa 2-1 dhidi Mansfield Town ukiwa ni mchezo wa kombe la FA mzunguko wa tatu uliopigwa Jan 6, 2013.

Mechi yake ya kwanza ya ligi katika klabu hiyo ilikuwa ni dhidi ya Manchester United ambapo aliingia kutokea benchi na kufunga goli lake la kwanza la ligi klabuni hapo licha ya timu hiyo kufungwa 2-1 na mashetani wekundu katika mchezo huo uliochezwa Jan 13 2013.

Sturridge alifunga goli lake la pili la ligi katika mechi yake ya kwanza kuanza katika kikosi cha kwanza cha Liverpool katika ushindi wa 5-0  dhidi ya Norwich Jan 19, 2013 mchezo uliopigwa katika Uwanja wa Anfield na  kufanya mchezaji huyo kufunga magoli matatu katika mechi zake tatu za mwanzo hivyo kuwa mchezaji wa kwanza wa Liverpool kufanya hivyo tangu Ray Kennedy alipoweka rekodi hiyo mwaka 1974.

Msimu wa 2013/2014 aliweka rekodi katika ligi kuu nchini uingereza ya kuwa mchezaji aliyefunga goli la haraka zaidi katika mechi ya ufunguzi ya ligi katika msimu huo,Sturridge aliweka rekodi hiyo baada kufunga goli katika mechi ya ufunguzi ambayo Liverpool waliibuka na ushindi wa 1-0 dhidi ya Stoke City.

Pia katika msimu huu Daniel Srurridge ameendeleza moto wake katika ligi  baada ya kufunga katika mechi ya ufunguzi  ambayo majogoo hao waliibuka na ushindi 2-1 dhidi ya Southampton mchezo uliopigwa katika uwanja wa Anfield na siku chache baadaye mchezaji huyo aliumia wakati akiitumikia timu ya taifa ya England.

Alirejea uwanjani katika mechi dhidi Westham United 31, Jan 2015 na kufunga goli katika mechi hiyo ukiwa ni mchezo wake wa kwanza tangu atoke majeruhi.

Leo liverpool itakuwa katika uwanja wake wa nyumbani wa Anfield kuikaribisha Besiktas ya nchini uturuki katika mchezo wa michuano ya europa na hii itakuwa mechi ya kwanza ya Daniel Sturridge ya michuano ya ulaya katika klabu hiyo baada ya hapo awali kukosa mechi za ligi ya mabingwa barani ulaya kutokana na kusumbuliwa na maumivu ya mguu.

Macho yote ya mashabiki wa Liverpool yataelekezwa kwa Daniel Sturridge kutokana na rekodi zake za kufunga katika mechi zake za kwanza katika michuano mbalimbali

Rekodi 8 kubwa alizoweka Cristiano Ronaldo kwenye Champions League usiku wa jana

R eal Madrid waliingiza mguu mmoja kwenye hatua ya robo fainali ya ligi ya mabingwa wa ulaya jana usiku baada ya kupata ushindi wa magoli mawili kwa bila dhidi ya Schalke 04 mjini  Gelsenkirchen.
Usiku wa jana pia, Cristiano Ronaldo na wenzie waliweza kuendelea kuvunja na kuweka rekodi mpya katika michuano hii.
Hapa, najaribu kukueletea takwimu mbalimbali za rekodi walizoweka Madrid na Ronaldo baada ya mchezo wa jana.

76 – Ronaldo sasa ametimiza jumla ya magoli 76 na kuwafikia Lionel Messi na Raul katika michuano yote ya ulaya.
72 – Nahodha huyo wa Ureno anahausika zaidi ya robo ya magoli yote yaliyofungwa na wareno kwenye ligi ya mabingwa wa ulaya – magoli 72 kati ya 274.
58 – Goli la Ronaldo jana usiku lilikuwa goli la 58 katika Champions League –  akiwa amevalia jezi za Real Madrid.

29 – Mpaka kufikia usiku wa jana Ronaldo anaongoza kwa magoli na assists kwa misimu miwili katika michuano hiyo ya ulaya. Ukiunganisha magoli na assists Ronaldo anaongoza kwa umbali mrefu – akiwa na jumla ya magoli + assists 29 – huku anayemfuatia Lionel Messi akiwa na 18.
28 – Ushindi wa jana usiku umemfanya Ronaldo atimize idadi ya ushindi katika mechi 28 za champions league, na kwa kufanya hvyo sasa amewapita Edwin van der Sar na Victor Valdes waliokuwa wakiongoza.
12 – Goli lake la kichwa jana lilikuwa la 12 mfululizo kwa Ronaldo kufunga ugenini katika michuano ya ulaya.
10 – Ushindi wa 2-0 dhidi ya vijana wa Roberto di Matteo umeifanya Madrid kushinda mara 10 mfululizo katika Champions League.
6 – Ronaldo ni mchezaji pekee wa sita kuweza kufunga magoli 10 au zaidi ya kichwa katika michuano ya ulaya. Anaungana na Fernando Morientes, Raul, Inzaghi, Jardel na Andriy Shevchenko katika listi hiyo

Radamel Falcao: Is his time at Manchester United running out?

It was the Preston fans who chanted "what a waste of money" at Radamel Falcao on Tuesday night.

But you could not really blame Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal if he thought the same after the expensive striker's latest ineffective display.
Time is running out for the £6m loan signing from Monaco, who has until the end of the season to persuade Van Gaal to fork out £43.5m to make his deal a permanent one.
Right now, the chances of that happening look minimal, at best.
Far from justifying his £265,000-a-week wages, Falcao has scored just four goals in 19 games for United, and has completed 90 minutes a mere four times in five and a half months at Old Trafford.

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FA Cup highlights: Preston 1-3 United

Are United better off without him? They were against League One side North End, who led until Van Gaal hauled off the Colombian after an hour and saw his reshaped team fight back to win 3-1 and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.
And with only 13 Premier League games and the rest of United's FA Cup campaign left of the season, maybe the real question now is how many more chances will Falcao get?
"Another night of nothing from Falcao," pondered BBC co-commentator Martin Keown as the 29-year-disappeared from the Deepdale pitch.
"You wonder if you will see him again in a Manchester United shirt. I don't think he has offered much at all."

Tamed by a League One defence

Falcao certainly did not offer any shots against Preston, either on or off target. It was the same story in United's last Premier League game against Burnley as well.
The worry for United, but maybe especially for the player himself, is just how easily he was marshalled by a League One defence.
For a player who has starred for Colombia and been a leading light in Portugal, La Liga and Ligue 1, his movement was poor, and too easily tracked by Preston's three central defenders.
When partnered with Robin van Persie, as he has been recently, that lack of raw speed has left United looking blunt up front, and he fared little better on Tuesday night when leading the line on his own.

Falcao at Manchester United
Appearances: 19	Minutes played: 1,148
Goals: 4	Minutes per goal: 287
Assists: 4	Bookings: 2

Lack of service at Deepdale was a factor in his failure to shine again.
He was rarely involved and had only 26 touches, but he looked slow on the ball when he came looking for it outside the box and did not react quickly enough when he was inside it either.
"He just did not have the pace to get away from the Preston defence," said Keown.
"Is he fit enough? He's trying to prove he should be here in the long term but it's just not coming off for him."

United have an option to activate a £40m buy-out clause for Falcao (left) who earns £265,000 a week

Still chasing full fitness

Falcao missed last summer's World Cup because of a serious knee injury and the more you see of him, the more you wonder how much of a toll that is still taking.
He has been hampered by a calf injury in recent months but even when injury free, that long lay-off means he is still chasing full fitness.
More than any other position, strikers need sharpness but Falcao seems short of that, and has done since his arrival.
Van Gaal questioned his fitness in December when he declared his deadline day signing was only able to play for 20 minutes at a time.
At the time he was using him only as a substitute, and the situation did not seem to improve when he left him out of his squad completely for United's 1-0 home defeat by Southampton on 11 January, then said he preferred 19-year-old James Wilson up front against Stoke the following week.
Falcao has found the net since then, in a 3-1 home win over Leicester, but his overall contribution will have done little to convince Van Gaal that he is a part of his team's long-term future.

Van Gaal's other options

If Wilson has the pace that Falcao currently lacks, United's other striking options have other attributes the Colombian is also without.
Van Persie has greater guile in the area; Wayne Rooney is a better passer and harder worker outside it.
Both look more of a goal threat than Falcao, which makes it even more inexplicable that Van Gaal seemingly prefers the latter to operate in midfield.
Marouane Fellaini is only an emergency alternative but, as he showed against Preston, he has the aerial power to make a difference when needed.
Where Falcao fits into all of this is unclear.

An uncertain future

The suggestion from Falcao's agent Jorge Mendes at the start of the year that his client may not be at Old Trafford at the start of next season is looking even more likely with each passing week.
Mendes's assertion that Falcao "will play in one of the very best clubs in the world next season whether that is United or not" does not look quite so nailed on.
For more than £40m, let alone his weekly salary, you would presume there will be few takers based on what we have seen so far on these shores

Southampton yasajili mchezaji wa pili Afrika Mashariki

Na Bertha Lumala, Dar es Salaam
Baada ya kumsajili Mkenya Victor Wanyama, Southampton FC ya Ligi Kuu ya England (EPL), imesajili mchezaji wa pili kutoka Ukanda wa Afrika Mashariki baada ya kumpa mkataba wa miaka miwili na nusu Mganda Bevis Kristofer Kizito Mugabi.

Hata hivyo, beki huyo ambaye wazazi wake wote wawili ni Uganda, ana uraia wa nchi mbili unaomruhusu kuichezea timu ya taifa ya Uganda (Cranes) kwakuwa bado hajacheza katika kikosi cha wakubwa cha timu ya taifa ya England.
Mchezaji huyo amekaririwa katika mtandao rasmi wa klabu Southampton FC akisema amefurahi kupewa nafasi ya kukipiga katika klabu hiyo baada ya kuachwa huru na Fulham U18 Julai 2011. Amesema ana matumaini ya kufanya vizuri kwa kujituma kazini.
“Nimefurahi kupata nafasi hii, nimesaini na kila kitu kimekamilika. Lengo langu ni kucheza katika kikosi cha kwanza. Nitafanya kazi kwa bidii mazoezini na wakati wa mechi,” amesema beki huyo mwenye umri wa miaka 19.
“Klabu imenipa nafasi baada ya Fulham kuniacha niende zangu. Hii ni sehemu nzuri kwa mchezaji mchanga. Southampton imetoa wachezaji wakubwa na ninaamini nitakuwa mmoja wao,” amesema zaidi.
England U17
Beki huyo wa kati aliitwa kwa mara ya kwanza katika vikosi viwili vya England U17 lakini hakufanya vyema kutokana na majerha ya goti, amekichezea kikosi cha Fulham mechi nane akifunga mabao matatu yakiwamo mawili katika mechi mbili dhidi ya two Chelsea na Everton.
Anaungana na Jordan Turnbull na Jason McCarthy ambao wote wiki hii wametia saini ya kukipiga katika kikosi cha Martin Hunter cha U21 kabla ya kupelekwa Kikosi A cha Ronald Koeman.

DEWJI AWAAMBIA SIMBA INAHITAJI UTULIVU KUTENGENEZA MAMBO BORA

Makamu Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Usajili ya Simba, Kassim Dewji amesema kikosi cha timu yao ni bora lakini kuna mambo kadhaa ya kufanya na wanachama na mashabiki wanahitaji utulivu.



Dewji amesema wakati uongozi wa sasa unaingia madarakani, Simba haikuwa katika kiwango kizuri kwa zaidi ya miaka miwili nyuma.

"Tunalazimika kutengeneza timu, kufanya mabadiliko na wakati huo huo kuna presha ya kutaka kushinda.

"Ninaamini kutakuwa na mabadiliko makubwa katika mzunguko wa pili. Lakini wanachama na mashabiki, wavute subira kidogo.

"Utaona timu inaanza kuimarika, hata uchezaji wake si kama mechi nne tano zilizopita. Pia wakumbuke tuna kocha mpya na ndiyo anaanza kuzoea kwa kuwa hana hata mechi sita za Ligi Kuu Bara," alisema.

Katika siku za hivi karibuni, Dewji amekuwa akionekana kuwa karibu na timu zaidi na alionekana na kikosi hicho mjini Morogoro, kabla ya kuibuka na ushindi wa mabao 2-0 dhidi ya Polisi Moro

MWAKALEBELA AULA, RAIS KIKWETE AMTEUA KUWA MKUU WA WILAYA

Rais Jakaya Kikwete amefanya mabadiliko ya Wakuu wa Wilaya kwa kuwateua Wakuu wapya 27, kuwahamisha vituo vya kazi 64 na wengine 42 amewabakisha kwenye vituo vyao vya kazi vya zamani.

Kati ya hao ni Katibu Mkuu wa zamani wa Shirikisho la Soka Tanzania (TFF), Frederick Wilfred Mwakalebela ambaye ni kada wa Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM).

Mwakalebela ameula baada ya Rais Kikwete kumteua kuwa Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Wanging’ombe.

Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari kwenye ukumbi wa OWM TAMISEMI leo mchana (Jumatano, Februari 18, 2015) Waziri Mkuu Mizengo Pinda amesema mabadiliko hayo yamesababishwa na kuwepo kwa nafasi wazi 27 ambazo zilitokana na wakuu wa wilaya watatu kufariki dunia; kupandishwa cheo wakuu wa wilaya watano, kupangiwa majukumu mengine wakuu wa wilaya saba na kutenguliwa kwa uteuzi wa wakuu wa wilaya 12.

Manchester United's FA Cup quarter-final with Arsenal scheduled for March 9

The Red Devils booked a place in the last eight of the tournament by defeating League One side Preston and will face the holders in a televised Monday night slot on the BBC

Manchester United's FA Cup quarter-final tie with Arsenal will be shown live on the BBC at 19.45 GMT on Monday, March 9.

Louis van Gaal's side overcame a scare by coming from behind to defeat Preston North End 3-1 on Monday to set up a last-eight clash with the holders.

With four members of the top six - Chelsea, Manchester City, Southampton and Tottenham - already out of the tournament, the winner of the match at Old Trafford will be among the favourites to lift the trophy in May.

Elsewhere, League One's Bradford City, the lowest-ranked side left in the competition, will open the round against Championship club Reading on Saturday, March 7 at 12.45 on BT Sport, before the BBC broadcasts West Bromwich Albion's trip to Aston Villa at 17.30 on the same day.

Liverpool's encounter with Blackburn Rovers at Anfield will take place at 16.00 on Sunday, March 8, and will be shown live on BT Sport.

PSG 1-1 Chelsea: Five things we learned at Parc des Princes

Chelsea's draw with Paris St-Germain leaves the Champions League last-16 tie finely poised ahead of the second leg at Stamford Bridge on 11 March.

But what have we learned about Jose Mourinho and his team from the 1-1 draw at the Parc des Princes?

Thibaut Courtois is pure class

PSG had 14 shots on goal, seven of which were on target but only Edinson Cavani's second-half header was enough to beat Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian was preferred to Petr Cech and rewarded his manager by producing fine saves to deny Zlatan Ibrahimovic on three occasions as well as keeping out headers from Blaise Matuidi and Cavani in the first half.

Jose Mourinho: "I try to read the situation. I try to predict the profile of the game, the reality is that it is easy, they are both phenomenal goalkeepers. If football was nine players plus two goalkeepers we would be on the moon."

Branislav Ivanovic: "Thibaut Courtois made amazing saves. At the moment we don't know which of our goalkeepers [is the best] - they are both fantastic and it is a great feeling to have someone who is doing something special."

David Luiz: "Without their goalkeeper, we would have won this game. He was great."

John Terry: "He was different class. When you look at Petr in the week, he made two great saves from [Everton's Romelu] Lukaku to win us three points. Thibaut came back in and the competition is great and it is fierce among the squad. That's what is needed."

John Terry made two clearances against PSG, while Gary Cahill made four

Cahill feeling pressure from Kurt Zouma

Gary Cahill was chosen to partner John Terry instead of Kurt Zouma and, while Cahill and Terry combined to set up Branislav Ivanovic's opening goal, their marking was questionable for Cavani's equaliser.

BBC pundit and Former England defender Phil Neville on Radio 5 live: "I'm a fan of Gary Cahill and he's the best centre-back in the England team - but he's been left out for recent high-profile games against Manchester City and Liverpool and there was hesitancy and doubt in his mind. There were moments when a confident Cahill would have won the ball. He's feeling the pressure of Kurt Zouma, because John Terry's form is not dropping.

"It's between Cahill and Zouma as to who will partner Terry.

"I think Cahill will start the return leg. Kurt Zouma has been playing well but he's not the finished article. Mourinho will pick games for Zouma and I don't think the Champions League quarter-final is the right game to blood a young centre-back.

"I've been a senior player with youngsters coming in, and you can definitely feel the pressure. These youngsters aren't getting level, they're rising above you and getting better. It's difficult to deal with - you feel secure in the team and then all of a sudden you have to raise your game and find a way to improve your own performance."

Oscar replaced Cesc Fabregas in the 83rd minute - despite Jose Mourinho saying neither was fully fit

Mourinho prefers to rely on his old faithfuls

Despite having Didier Drogba, Loic Remy and £23.3m signing Juan Cuadrado available, Mourinho chose to start four of five players he said were not fully fit. Willian, Ivanovic, Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas all made the starting line-up while Oscar came on as late substitute despite the Portuguese coach claiming they had not trained.

Mourinho said: "Sometimes people speak about the players when they are injured and do not play. There are injured players who play, they don't train to play. I had five players in this game who did not train since Everton. We felt that a little."

Branislav Ivanovic moved to Stamford Bridge from Lokomotiv Moscow in January 2008

Ivanovic is a big-game player

Ivanovic's goal was his first in Europe since the Europa League final over Benfica in 2013.

He has 29 goals in 298 Chelsea games in all competitions since joining from Lokomotiv Moscow in January 2008.

He scored the winner in their League Cup semi-final win over Liverpool and in their Premier League triumph at Aston Villa on 7 February.

He now has five goals this season but his most prolific campaign was in 2012-13 when he scored nine.

Chelsea captain John Terry said: "Branislav Ivanovic has been different class defensively this year and always has been. Attacking he always poses a great threat."

Mourinho said: "It's good to have two or three players who are not expected to score. He chooses the right moment to do it."

Blaise Matuidi completed 86.4% of the 59 passes he attempted against Chelsea

Matuidi could have been at United

With David Luiz anchoring midfield, Blaise Matuidi was free to stride forward and the France international caused Chelsea a host of problems. Matuidi saw a header saved by Courtois in the first half before providing the assist for Cavani's goal. Matuidi created four chances in the match - more than any other player.

Former Manchester United coach Phil Neville, who worked as a coach under previous manager David Moyes, said: "Our reports were that we wanted to sign him.

"He had a contract situation at PSG, we heard that his contract was maybe running out and we were really interested in him. Then he signed a contract with PSG, which was not something we were happy with.

"We were looking for something to inject a bit of energy, Matuidi runs from box to box, he carried the team forward against Chelsea, purely with his energy.

"Last January we had heard his contract was running out and wanted to leave. I think what he wanted was a big contract and he got that."