CLAUDIO RANIERI has cranked up the pressure on Spurs

CLAUDIO RANIERI has cranked up the pressure on Spurs by insisting the title is theirs to lose.

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Mauricio Pochettino’s side trail leaders Leicester by two points but the King Power boss says their London rivals will finish as champions.

The Italian says even Arsenal and Manchester City have more of a chance than his side, who entertain West Brom tonight.

Ranieri said: “Tottenham are now the favourites to win it. I’m not playing games.

“Mauricio would agree with me. I’m telling the truth. I say what I think. Tottenham are strong in every department. They know what they want.

“Everybody is speaking about us and nobody is speaking about Tottenham.

“But they are the favourites, then Arsenal, then Manchester City.”

“We are not Bayern Munich; we are Leicester. I understand why everyone is so surprised we are up there because it is unbelievable, but we don’t even think about winning the league.

“But if you want the real contenders, then it’s Tottenham, Arsenal and City.

“We have done our job because we are safe. Now we can look to do something new.”

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Ranieri says he’s so unconcerned about what the others are doing he went to a restaurant with his wife rather than watch Arsenal’s defeat at Old Trafford.

West Brom try to put a dent in Leicester ambitions tonight with boss Tony Pulis saying that if they do emerge as champions it would eclipse the achievement of Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest in 1978.

Pulis said: “I really do think it’s that big. But the divide then wasn’t as great as it is now between those who’ve got it and those who haven’t.

“The Premier League wasn’t in place, so you’d most probably put what they are doing in front of that.”

“They don’t over complicate things and they play to their strengths. They’re an exciting team, with great legs and they push and pull together.

“It doesn’t half make a difference when those people are in their right slots and know what they’re doing.”

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“It’s no coincidence they’re up at the top with 11 games to go.

“They’ve not fluked it. Sometimes you need to be a lucky general rather than a good general.”

Leicester will be without midfield star N’Golo Kante who has been ruled out for two games with a hamstring injury.

The FA have risked a UEFA fine by arranging Arsenal’s Cup

THE FA have risked a UEFA fine by arranging Arsenal’s Cup replay at Hull on a Champions League night.

But in an attempt to minimize the impact on the European action, the match on March 8 will start at 7pm after the FA rejected the prospect of a 5.45pm kick off.

The FA consulted with UEFA over arranging the clash for Tuesday week, with the game deciding who faces Watford in the quarter-finals the following weekend, before Arsene Wenger’s side travel to Barcelona for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 clash.

Despite the talks, it is understood UEFA may still punish the FA for breaking the rules with Wolfsburg playing Gent and Real Madrid facing Roma on the same night.

FA chief executive Martin Glenn appeared to call for leniency from UEFA today, with the difficulty finding a date for the replay caused largely by Arsenal’s involvement in the Champions League.

The Gunners play their second-leg against Barcelona eight days after the trip to Hull.

They also have to face north London rivalsTottenham at White Hart Lane three days before the Cup game in clash which could have a major impact on the destiny of the title.

The FA also took into account Hull’s promotion push from the Championship when ruling out playing the tie on the Monday night.

Glenn, aware that such calendar clashes remain a major issue as football’s power brokers under the abolition of FA Cup replays, also appealed to UEFA to help address the issue of fixture congestion.

He said: “We want all of our clubs to be part of strong, vibrant domestic competitions, to perform well on the European stage and for the England team to be challenging for international honours.

“To have a better chance of achieving these aims more effectively, it is imperative we resolve the on-going problem of match scheduling together.

“Fixture scheduling is an issue for the whole game so let’s build upon the productive conversations we have held with the Premier League and Football League and call upon UEFA to join the discussion to create clear, workable guidelines for the benefit of all.”

But the FA have still not managed to fix dates for the four quarter-finals to be played over the weekend of March 11-14.

Meanwhile, scans have confirmed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered knee and ankle ligament damage against Barcelona on Tuesday.

Oxlade-Chamberlain now looks set to be out for at least two months, which will cast doubt over his chances of making Roy Hodgson’s squad for Euro 2016.

Louis van Gaal would not allow Guillermo Varela to leave

The Uruguayan full-back was being tracked by Italian side Genoa after being given limited playing time during the first half of the season.

In the final week of the January transfer window, Italian publication Tuttomercatoweb claimedGenoa had agreed a deal to sign Varela on loan for the remainder of the season but Van Gaal blocked the switch.

And Varela has now revealed more about his talks with the Dutchman about an exit.

He told Uruguayan radio station Sport 890: "Because I saw I wouldn't play, I would have few chances, I spoke to the manager and he told me that no, I couldn't go, because I was going to play.

"Everything happened so quickly that you don't believe that you're playing in the most important league in the world. I take it calmly, train and look forward."

Varela was signed by former United boss David Moyes in 2013 but he did not make his debut for the Red Devils until last December.

He has gone on to make five appearances under Van Gaal, the last being Monday night's 3-0 win over Shrewsbury in the FA Cup fifth round.

He spent last season on loan at Real Madrid's Castilla side.

Pellegrini is the latest big name linked to the Chelsea job

MANUEL PELLEGRINI has emerged as the main rival to Antonio Conte as Chelsea search for their next manager.

Italy boss Conte became the hot favourite for the job yesterday, following reports in his homeland that he has agreed a deal in principle to join the Blues in the summer.

But Starsport can reveal Pellegrini, 62, who is being replaced by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in the summer, remains a serious candidate for owner Roman Abramovich.

The club’s technical technical director, Michael Emenalo, has been championing the Chilean coach’s cause as a safe pair of hands to follow the controversial second coming of Jose Mourinho.

Unlike Conte, Pellegrini also knows the Premier League well having coached City for three seasons, winning the title and League Cup in 2014.

Emenalo is understood to have travelled to Italy for Juventus’ Champions League last-16 tie against Bayern Munich, with the Turin side’s former boss Conte also due to attend.

It has been claimed Conte, who is out of contract with the Azzurri after Euro 2016, agreed a two-year deal in principle to become the permanent successor to Mourinho, after interim boss Guus Hiddink’s tenure ends in the summer.

The 46-year-old wants to return to club management and has been learning English, but Abramovich does not appear to be in a rush to seal an appointment.

Conte is due to meet the FIGC – the Italian football federation – next month to discuss his future.

Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri was another contender for the Chelsea job but is set to stay with the Italian champions as they prepare to offer him a new contract, with his current one just having one more season on it.

The club’s sporting director, Giuseppe Marotta, said this week: “The conditions for Allegri’s contract renewal are all there. The cycle has just started with him and I believe we can continue with him.

“On top of that, finding a club better than Juventus isn’t easy. I think that he can still get great pleasure from this team, thus there is no Allegri problem.”

Conte is understood to want to bring Walter Sabatini, Roma’s director of football, with him to Stamford Bridge if he gets the nod.

Man United straight forward FA Cup win

STAND-IN skipper Chris Smalling led by example as Manchester United got some FA Cup cheer.

The big defender put his side ahead with a 37th-minute goal and then watched Juan Mata take over.

The Spaniard added a second direct from a free-kick before Jesse Lingard grabbed a third in the 61st minute.

United boss Louis van Gaal could afford a big smile at long last as his side kept disaster at arm’s length.

Defeat to the League One strugglers was the last thing Van Gaal needed dumping on him.

STAND-IN skipper Chris Smalling led by example as Manchester United got some FA Cup cheer. 

The big defender put his side ahead with a 37th-minute goal and then watched Juan Mata take over.

The Spaniard added a second direct from a free-kick before Jesse Lingard grabbed a third in the 61st minute.

United boss Louis van Gaal could afford a big smile at long last as his side kept disaster at arm’s length.

Defeat to the League One strugglers was the last thing Van Gaal needed dumping on him.

Right on the stroke of half-time United increased their lead when Mata left Leutwiler rooted to his line direct from a free-kick.

Shrewsbury found themselves horribly exposed and Abu Ogogo ended up getting booked for hacking down Anthony Martial on the edge of the box.

Mata and Memphis stood over the ball but it was the former Chelsea man who took control.

And what a cracker he produced – his kick by-passing the wall and leaving the keeper helpless as it flew past him.

It was no more than United deserved after stamping their authority on the game from the start.

The humiliating Europa League defeat at Danish minnows Midtjylland on Thursday was still stinging.

And anything but victory here would have cranked up the pressure on LVG.

In fairness, United did their best to put his mind at ease from the off and could have been a couple of goals in front in the opening few minutes.

They outplayed the home side from the start but ended up having to wait until the 37th minute to get their noses in front.

Even that was a scuffed shot from Smalling – but Van Gaal will take anything right now.

Cracker Smalling fired United into the lead after Shrewsbury gave up on the ball way too easily out on their left-hand side.

Morgan Schneiderlin looped a header back into the box to where Smalling was waiting.

He took it first time, thumping his shot into the ground – but that was enough to fox keeper Jayson Leutwiler.

The ball took a wicked bounce and when the keeper looked around, it was in his net.

Jose is widely expected to be the next Manchester United boss

LOUIS VAN GAAL will avoid the sack for now as Manchester United don’t have anyone ready to replace him.

Executive vice-chairman Woodward has so far refused to axe beleaguered boss Van Gaal despite United’s awful season.

Things reached a new low on Thursday with their woeful Europa League defeat to Danish minnows Midtjylland.

Now United face three crucial games which will make-or-break their season

Van Gaal’s men travel to League One Shrewsbury in the FA Cup fifth round on Monday, host Midtjylland in the Europa League second leg on Thursday before title-chasing Arsenal visit Old Trafford a week tomorrow.

But Starsport understands Woodward will still resist sacking Van Gaal even if United lose all three, with No.2 Ryan Giggs not interested in taking the job on a caretaker basis, and Jose Mourinho unwilling to take the job on until the summer.

With no plan B, United have no alternative but to keep Van Gaal in charge.

Mourinho is the man United want and believe they have.

But the former Chelsea boss is not prepared to risk a bad start by taking charge of a team that is ravaged by injuries, low on confidence, and has little prospect of winning a trophy this season.

Yesterday he said: “My next club? I really do not know, but one thing is certain - I love football and I will return with the same passion and ambition I’ve always had.

“Right now I have respect for every coach at every club.

“I’m not looking for a club, but there are clubs that are looking for me.”

United fans who travelled to Denmark abused their team with chants of “we’re f*****g s**t” and large sections of supporters have started to turn on Woodward.

Many blame him for not acting sooner as the campaign turns into a disaster.

Woodward’s boardroom position is now being questioned by fans, with United having failed to win silverware since 2013 under two different managers he has appointed.

Sean Bones, vice-chairman of the United Supporters’ Trust, reckons the club have slumped to a new low and that those above Van Gaal are now to blame.

Bones said: “I have never heard our supporters sing songs like that, in all the games I have been to. It is a reflection of how far we have fallen.

“It was a new low in terms of performances. A lot of supporters feel the problems at United are permeating down from the Glazer family at the very top of the club.

“The Glazer family need to address the situation and correct it before the situation deteriorates any further.”

Source: dailystar.co.uk

Jurgen Klopp will pick a strong side for the second leg against Augsburg

LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp is convinced the Capital One Cup final will not have an adverse effect on his side's Europa League campaign.

The Reds play the second leg of their last-32 tie against Augsburg on Thursday after a 0-0 draw in Germany in the first leg.

The tie at Anfield takes place just three days before the Wembley final against Manchester Citybut Klopp is adamant that will not be a problem.

"A strong team in second leg? Yes, I think so. Maybe it's a different team, but we should not think too much about the final," he said.

"I will not ignore it (the final) of course but it doesn't complicate my plans.

"We should be concentrated Thursday and Sunday will take care of itself.

"The players didn't underestimate Augsburg, when we play in the return we will be very well prepared - they may not be Munich or Paris, but we will be very well prepared.

"We need to improve on things. We have a big final ahead of us."

Liverpool's only realistic chance of making it into next season's Champions League is to win the Europa League, a fact Klopp has recognised.

On his return to Germany the Reds boss was held by an organised Augsburg side but he is still convinced they can progress to the next round.

Klopp added: "We had great chances early on, good moments, good passing in second half, but other moments I wasn't happy with - it's 0-0 but I am not 100 per cent satisfied.

"You saw the moments when we played the wrong pass, lost patience, took the wrong decisions.

"I could say '0-0 top result, let's go home' but it's important we speak about this as a team as things could improve.

"It is a good result and we can use it, but I want that we play more often at that level."

Jose Mourinho is prepared to wait for the Manchester United job

JOSE MOURINHO has turned down job opportunities in Italy and China as he awaits Manchester United's decision on Louis van Gaal.

The Dutchman is facing the sack at Old Trafford after a lacklustre season which could see the Red Devils miss out on Champions League football.

The Sun claim defeat at Sunderland last weekend was the final straw for many United officials with the Special One poised to take over.

Mourinho was contacted by the Red Devils after being axed by Chelsea in December and told to wait to become the new manager at Old Trafford at the end of the season.

That date could now be moved forward after disappointing displays under Van Gaal have continued.

Mourinho has turned down at least one job in the Chinese Super League as well as Serie A, according to the reports.

The Portuguese boss is close friends with Sir Alex Ferguson and has made no secret of his desire to manage United throughout his career.

The Red Devils turn their attention to the Europa League tonight when they face Danish side Midtjylland.

The competition provides United's best chance of qualifying for next week's Champions League as they are six points behind Manchester City in fourth place in the Premier League.

PSG 2-1 Chelsea: Blues downed by supersub Edinson Cavani

For long periods in Paris there was a sense of all our yesterdays about them, suggesting that victory in Europe could be repeated.

That they face such a challenge to progress was down to another throwback to that stunning success under Roberto Di Matteo.

For PSG’s Edinson Cavani came off the bench in the 74th minute and claimed the winner just four minutes later.

At the corresponding stage in 2011-12, the Uruguayan hitman scored for Napoli as they beat the Blues 3-1 at home.

Chelsea famously came back to beat the Italians 4-1 at home after extra-time and now they have a slightly less daunting task in a three weeks time.

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The season the Blues beat mighty Bayern Munich in a penalty shoot-out in the final they were also pretty shoddy in the league.

Granted four years ago they were only 15 points off the top of the table, not 20 like now.

But there was plenty of similarities tonight in the Parc des Princes.

Keeper Thibaut Courtois might have done better for Cavani’s goal but otherwise he denied PSG much in the way Petr Cech often did opponents in that glory season.

Elsewhere Chelsea worked tirelessly, defended as if their season, if not their lives, depended on it, and were excellent on the counter-attack once again.

Possession-wise the 35 per cent was similar to many games in that campaign.

The one minus was yet another uninspiring display by Eden Hazard.

He said before the match he would find it hard to turn down if PSG came calling. On this display it is unlikely the phone will be ringing and he was hooked for Oscar in the 71st minute.

One of the heroes of the 2012 final was John Obi Mikel.

Him scoring in the Champions League is almost as rare as an interview with Roman Abramovich.

But the holding midfielder claimed a crucial one to cheer the silent billionaire. His strike was the culmination of an amazing seven minutes Mikel will never forgot.

For before claiming only his second goal in the competition, the other came at home to Sporting Lisbon in December 2014, he got himself booked and then deflected into his own goal the free-kick for his transgression.

Mikel was cautioned for bringing down Lucas in the 38th minute. It was to prove costly as Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s low free-kick deflected off the half-turning Mikel’s shin in the Chelsea wall, and deceived Courtois.

Ex-Chelsea star David Luiz showed how to block in a wall soon after as he leapt to keep Willian’s effort away from goal.

But from the corner just before the break, Mikel got his revenge.

Willian took it and after skimming off Costa’s head it landed perfectly for the onrushing Nigerian to lash home gleefully with his right foot.

Away goals are precious at this stage of the Champions League and although Chelsea looked at times like they could be overwhelmed by the might of PSG - they are a staggering 24 points clear in France - they were so dangerous on the break.

PSG dominated possession but Courtois was in fine form, and the men in front of him also giving their all.

Without his two first-choice centre-halves, the injured John Terry and Kurt Zouma, Hiddink was forced to move Branislav Ivanovic across from right-back to partner Gary Cahill and brought in Baba Rahman. They did not let him down.

Despite PSG’s early dominance, Chelsea suddenly almost scored in the 23rd minute.

An inviting ball in from Rahman was perfect for Costa to meet with a header.

It looked a goal but keeper Kevin Trapp threw up his right hand to tip on the bar and for a corner.

Another Chelsea counter-attack soon after the restart saw Willian play Costa into the box, but his attempted dinked shot over Trapp was not high enough and the keeper blocked.

Courtois tipped over a screamer from Di Maria and Ivanovic blocked an Ibrahimovic attempt as the Paris side responded.

Belgian keeper Courtois also did well to keep out a rasping drive from the lively Lucas in the 61st minute.

But Courtois let himself down slightly when Angel Di Maria played in Cavani and his angled shot slipped under his body.

But before and after he was impressive, denying Ibrahimovic late on.

Man United are prepared to offer £60m for Aubameyang

Red Devils supremo Ed Woodward is willing to make £60m available for the swoop and the club could offer a £200,000-a-week contract to the African star.

Despite United struggling to qualify for next season's Champions League they are convinced they can persuade the 26-year-old to move to Old Trafford, report the Daily Mirror.

They have already spoken to Aubameyang's representatives and United believe the appeal of the club itself will prove to be enough in securing his signature.

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Arsenal were interested in the Gabon international but Dortmund's demands have scared Arsene Wenger off.

The same cannot be said of United who are willing to break the bank for Aubameyang who has 30 goals in 31 appearances this season.

The Red Devils are set to overhaul their squad in the summer after another lacklustre season under Louis van Gaal.

Many expect the Dutchman to leave his post a year early and for former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to take over at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson's close friendship with the Special One is said to be a factor in him potentially replacing Van Gaal.

After another Premier League loss to Sunderland at the weekend United now turn their attention to the Europa League as they travel to Denmark on Thursday to face FC Midtjylland.

Chelsea could be missing Terry for PSG clash

Terry suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday’s 5-1 thrashing of Newcastle and is now a major doubt for tomorrow’s Champions League clash with Paris St-Germain.

If he is ruled out Chelsea will be forced to start the last-16 tie with Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahill at centre half, as Kurt Zouma is already out injured long-term.

Cahill said: “We’re keeping our fingers crossed for John. We have to prove that we’re a good team and good players on the biggest stage.

“It’s massive. We all realise, the players at the football club, that it’s a big competition and a big game. I had experience of going all the way in 2012 and it lives with you forever.

“I remember thinking at the time that we’re going to have to win this to get back into the Champions League. I think it was about the next game and the next game.

“We can’t look too far beyond because that’s where you slip up. You have to focus on the first game.

“It’s half a game, if we get a half-decent result over there, realising that they’re 20-odd points clear in their league waiting for this game to come around.

“They’re near enough done in their league so they’re waiting for this game and we need to be aware of that and approach it in the right way.”