• CRYSTAL PALACE RATINGS: Vicente Guaita – 7. The Palace shot-stopper faced a busy start to the match after having been forced into a terrific save to keep out an effort from distance. Forced off at half time. AP Photo
    CRYSTAL PALACE RATINGS: Vicente Guaita – 7. The Palace shot-stopper faced a busy start to the match after having been forced into a terrific save to keep out an effort from distance. Forced off at half time. AP Photo
  • Nathaniel Clyne – 6. The 30-year-old made just his second league start this season having been kept out by Joel Ward. He did well at right-back, but will feel disappointed to let Alonso get his cross over to Ziyech at the far post. Getty Images
    Nathaniel Clyne – 6. The 30-year-old made just his second league start this season having been kept out by Joel Ward. He did well at right-back, but will feel disappointed to let Alonso get his cross over to Ziyech at the far post. Getty Images
  • Joachim Andersen – 7. A good display by the defender, who kept Chelsea’s frontline quiet for large portions of the game. Getty Images
    Joachim Andersen – 7. A good display by the defender, who kept Chelsea’s frontline quiet for large portions of the game. Getty Images
  • Marc Guehi – 7. The former Chelsea man made the move across London in the summer and alongside Andersen did a good job defending against his former side. AFP
    Marc Guehi – 7. The former Chelsea man made the move across London in the summer and alongside Andersen did a good job defending against his former side. AFP
  • Tyrick Mitchell – 6. A busy game for the Palace left-back, working to limit Ziyech on the wing. He did well for most the game before being caught out by Ziyech for the goal. AFP
    Tyrick Mitchell – 6. A busy game for the Palace left-back, working to limit Ziyech on the wing. He did well for most the game before being caught out by Ziyech for the goal. AFP
  • James McArthur – 7. Brought in to replace the ineligible Conor Gallagher, McArthur proved to be an asset in the middle of the park alongside Kouyate. Getty Images
    James McArthur – 7. Brought in to replace the ineligible Conor Gallagher, McArthur proved to be an asset in the middle of the park alongside Kouyate. Getty Images
  • Cheikhou Kouyate – 6. The Senegal international played his first Premier League minutes in 2022, having been away at the Africa Cup of Nations. Kept himself busy. Getty Images
    Cheikhou Kouyate – 6. The Senegal international played his first Premier League minutes in 2022, having been away at the Africa Cup of Nations. Kept himself busy. Getty Images
  • Jeffrey Schlupp – 7. Scuppered Kante’s move into Palace’s box before sending a glorious ball to Zaha on the left wing, which tore apart Chelsea’s defence. Saw his own shot fly over the crossbar in the 54th minute. AFP
    Jeffrey Schlupp – 7. Scuppered Kante’s move into Palace’s box before sending a glorious ball to Zaha on the left wing, which tore apart Chelsea’s defence. Saw his own shot fly over the crossbar in the 54th minute. AFP
  • Michael Olise – 7. The young Frenchman came close to netting the opener when his strike missed the far post by inches. Sparked a break on the stroke of half time to release Zaha into the box, who couldn’t convert from a tight angle. Booked. Getty Images
    Michael Olise – 7. The young Frenchman came close to netting the opener when his strike missed the far post by inches. Sparked a break on the stroke of half time to release Zaha into the box, who couldn’t convert from a tight angle. Booked. Getty Images
  • Jordan Ayew – 6. Busy and hardworking, Ayew was guilty of losing possession too often. Getty Images
    Jordan Ayew – 6. Busy and hardworking, Ayew was guilty of losing possession too often. Getty Images
  • Wilfried Zaha – 7. Came close to giving his side a half-time lead but saw his effort bobble wide of the far post. Brushed off several challenges in stoppage time before seeing a shot go narrowly wide again. Getty Images
    Wilfried Zaha – 7. Came close to giving his side a half-time lead but saw his effort bobble wide of the far post. Brushed off several challenges in stoppage time before seeing a shot go narrowly wide again. Getty Images
  • Jack Butland (Guaita 46’) – 6. Let off the hook when he parried away Lukaku’s shot into the path of Ziyech, who saw his goal disallowed for offside. AFP
    Jack Butland (Guaita 46’) – 6. Let off the hook when he parried away Lukaku’s shot into the path of Ziyech, who saw his goal disallowed for offside. AFP
  • SUB: Eberechi Eze (Ayew 85’) – N/R. A late substitute for Patrick Vieria’s side. Getty Images
    SUB: Eberechi Eze (Ayew 85’) – N/R. A late substitute for Patrick Vieria’s side. Getty Images
  • SUB: Jean-Philippe Mateta (McArthur 90+1) – N/R. Another late change with McArthur seeing out his first 90 minutes since November. Getty Images
    SUB: Jean-Philippe Mateta (McArthur 90+1) – N/R. Another late change with McArthur seeing out his first 90 minutes since November. Getty Images
  • CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy – 6. The AFCON winner returned to Premier League action and had very little to do. Getty Images
    CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy – 6. The AFCON winner returned to Premier League action and had very little to do. Getty Images
  • Andreas Christensen – 6. After two successful starts in the Fifa Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi, the Danish centre-back started his first Premier League game since December. Getty Images
    Andreas Christensen – 6. After two successful starts in the Fifa Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi, the Danish centre-back started his first Premier League game since December. Getty Images
  • Thiago Silva – 7. The 37-year-old veteran found himself in the right place several times after the restart to cut out Palace. AP Photo
    Thiago Silva – 7. The 37-year-old veteran found himself in the right place several times after the restart to cut out Palace. AP Photo
  • Antonio Rudiger – 6. The German was denied a goal by a terrific Guaita save. AP Photo
    Antonio Rudiger – 6. The German was denied a goal by a terrific Guaita save. AP Photo
  • Malang Sarr – 6. The 23-year-old kept his place in the starting line-up after his side’s league win against Spurs, and despite putting in a brilliant ball to Kante in the first half, he was caught out by Palace’s fast attacks early on. AFP
    Malang Sarr – 6. The 23-year-old kept his place in the starting line-up after his side’s league win against Spurs, and despite putting in a brilliant ball to Kante in the first half, he was caught out by Palace’s fast attacks early on. AFP
  • Hakim Ziyech – 8. The Moroccan looked to be one of the few influences Chelsea had to get things going. Couldn’t have had it easier than when the ball was parried into his path by Butland, though his goal was disallowed for offside by VAR. Finally got the goal he deserved. PA
    Hakim Ziyech – 8. The Moroccan looked to be one of the few influences Chelsea had to get things going. Couldn’t have had it easier than when the ball was parried into his path by Butland, though his goal was disallowed for offside by VAR. Finally got the goal he deserved. PA
  • N’Golo Kante – 6. Released through on goal after a brilliant pass by Sarr but Guaita was equal to the shot by the Frenchman. Getty Images
    N’Golo Kante – 6. Released through on goal after a brilliant pass by Sarr but Guaita was equal to the shot by the Frenchman. Getty Images
  • Jorginho – 5. The Italian came back into the starting line-up and whilst busier in the second half, struggled to have much influence on the game. Reuters
    Jorginho – 5. The Italian came back into the starting line-up and whilst busier in the second half, struggled to have much influence on the game. Reuters
  • Kai Havertz – 5. A tough afternoon for the German, who glanced a header over the bar in the final 10 minutes. EPA
    Kai Havertz – 5. A tough afternoon for the German, who glanced a header over the bar in the final 10 minutes. EPA
  • Romelu Lukaku – 5. A grand total of two touches in the opening 45 minutes summed up an anonymous display from the Belgian. Had one shot saved. Getty Images
    Romelu Lukaku – 5. A grand total of two touches in the opening 45 minutes summed up an anonymous display from the Belgian. Had one shot saved. Getty Images
  • Christian Pulisic – 5. The American will rue an early miss when he failed to convert at the far post. Anonymous in the second half. Getty Images
    Christian Pulisic – 5. The American will rue an early miss when he failed to convert at the far post. Anonymous in the second half. Getty Images
  • SUB: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Jorginho 74’) – N/R. Part of a triple substitution from Thomas Tuchel, which seemed to kick on Chelsea after a disappointing start to the second half. AFP
    SUB: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Jorginho 74’) – N/R. Part of a triple substitution from Thomas Tuchel, which seemed to kick on Chelsea after a disappointing start to the second half. AFP
  • SUB: Mateo Kovacic (Kante 74’) – N/R. Played Lukaku in with a beauty of a ball immediately after coming off the bench, ahead of Ziyech’s disallowed goal. AFP
    SUB: Mateo Kovacic (Kante 74’) – N/R. Played Lukaku in with a beauty of a ball immediately after coming off the bench, ahead of Ziyech’s disallowed goal. AFP
  • SUB: Marcos Alonso (Sarr 74’) – N/R. The Spaniard put a good ball across from the wing to the far post, making it easy for Ziyech to volley home. AP Photo
    SUB: Marcos Alonso (Sarr 74’) – N/R. The Spaniard put a good ball across from the wing to the far post, making it easy for Ziyech to volley home. AP Photo

Sport

Football

Crystal Palace vs Chelsea player ratings: Zaha 7, Mitchell 6; Ziyech 8, Lukaku 5

Chelsea striker Lukaku touches ball just seven times in 90 minutes in 1-0 win over Eagles

Emma James

February 20, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Thomas Tuchel conceded Romelu Lukaku "wasn't involved" after the Chelsea striker touched the ball just seven times during the 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Tuchel's side made a winning return to Premier League action after securing the Fifa Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi last weekend.

They took the points at Selhurst Park thanks to Hakim Ziyech's 89th-minute volley.

But it was Lukaku's anonymous display which was the centre of attention when Tuchel faced the media after the final whistle.

The former Inter Milan star's difficult season continued as he failed to make any impact.

He managed the fewest touches in a single top-flight game for a player who played 90 minutes since Opta started collecting data back in the 2003/04 season.

Lukaku had scored twice in the Club World Cup to reach 10 goals for Chelsea since his £97 million ($131 million) club record move to Stamford Bridge last year.

However, the 28-year-old has not netted in the Premier League since December, when he gave a controversial interview that featured criticism of the way he was being used at Chelsea and hints he wanted to rejoin Inter.

Tuchel opted against criticising Lukaku, but offered little defence of his latest flop.

"I am not so sure if I have a good answer to your question. I don't know what it says. It says he was obviously not involved and could not make a point. I am not sure if it says so much about us in general," Tuchel said.

"We look a bit drained, a bit exhausted, and you can see everybody tries hard. Everybody is looking for the flow where you try hard but nobody sees you are trying hard.

"We are looking for it but in this moment we struggle, which is not a bad thing because everybody wants to be part of it and everybody gives their best but we do struggle a bit.

"For that it is important to win and keep a clean sheet so we keep on going."

Chelsea win Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi

  • Chelsea celebrate winning the Fifa Club World Cup final after defeating Palmeiras at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, February 12, 2022. All images Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Chelsea celebrate winning the Fifa Club World Cup final after defeating Palmeiras at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, February 12, 2022. All images Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta celebrates winning the Fifa Club World Cup final in Abu Dhabi.
    Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta celebrates winning the Fifa Club World Cup final in Abu Dhabi.
  • Kai Havertz scores the winner for Chelsea against Palmeiras in the Fifa Club World Cup final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
    Kai Havertz scores the winner for Chelsea against Palmeiras in the Fifa Club World Cup final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
  • Chelsea celebrate after Romelu Lukaku scored against Palmeiras in the Fifa Club World Cup final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
    Chelsea celebrate after Romelu Lukaku scored against Palmeiras in the Fifa Club World Cup final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
  • Romelu Lukaku scored Chelsea's opener against Palmeiras in the Fifa Club World Cup final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
    Romelu Lukaku scored Chelsea's opener against Palmeiras in the Fifa Club World Cup final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
  • Raphael Veiga of Palmeiras scores from the penalty spot.
    Raphael Veiga of Palmeiras scores from the penalty spot.
  • Former Chelsea captain John Terry during the Fifa Club World Cup final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
    Former Chelsea captain John Terry during the Fifa Club World Cup final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
  • Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel speaks with Mateo Kovacic.
    Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel speaks with Mateo Kovacic.
  • Palmeiras fans set off a flare during the final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
    Palmeiras fans set off a flare during the final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
  • Chelsea fans during the final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
    Chelsea fans during the final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
  • Palmeiras fans at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
    Palmeiras fans at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
While you're here
While you're here

The Birkin bag is made by Hermès. 
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.

Aldar Properties Abu Dhabi T10

*November 15 to November 24

*Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

*Tickets: Start at Dh10, from ttensports.com

*TV: Ten Sports

*Streaming: Jio Live

*2017 winners: Kerala Kings

*2018 winners: Northern Warriors

LA LIGA FIXTURES

Friday Valladolid v Osasuna (Kick-off midnight UAE)

Saturday Valencia v Athletic Bilbao (5pm), Getafe v Sevilla (7.15pm), Huesca v Alaves (9.30pm), Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (midnight)

Sunday Real Sociedad v Eibar (5pm), Real Betis v Villarreal (7.15pm), Elche v Granada (9.30pm), Barcelona v Levante (midnight)

Monday Celta Vigo v Cadiz (midnight)

While you're here
RESULTS

6.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh82.500 (Dirt) 1,400m

Winner Meshakel, Royston Ffrench (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)

7.05pm Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m

Winner Gervais, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

7.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (Turf) 2,410m

Winner Global Heat, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.

8.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,900m

Winner Firnas, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.

8.50pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (TB) Conditions Dh183,650 (D) 1,600m

Winner Rebel’s Romance, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

9.25pm Dubai Trophy (TB) Conditions Dh183,650 (T) 1,200m

Winner Topper Bill, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

10pm Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (T) 1,400m

Winner Wasim, Mickael Barzalona, Ismail Mohammed.

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Sarfira

Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal 

Rating: 2/5

Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

The specs: 2019 Cadillac XT4

Price, base: Dh145,000

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged in-line four-cylinder engine

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Power: 237hp @ 5,000rpm

Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km

The National selections

Al Ain

5pm: Bolereau
5.30pm: Rich And Famous
6pm: Duc De Faust
6.30pm: Al Thoura​​​​​​​
7pm: AF Arrab​​​​​​​
7.30pm: Al Jazi​​​​​​​
8pm: Futoon

Jebel Ali

1.45pm: AF Kal Noor​​​​​​​
2.15pm: Galaxy Road
2.45pm: Dark Thunder
3.15pm: Inverleigh​​​​​​​
3.45pm: Bawaasil​​​​​​​
4.15pm: Initial
4.45pm: Tafaakhor

INFO
The%20Emperor%20and%20the%20Elephant
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESam%20Ottewill-Soulsby%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPrinceton%20University%20Press%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E392%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJuly%2011%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
FIXTURES

Nov 04-05: v Western Australia XI, Perth
Nov 08-11: v Cricket Australia XI, Adelaide
Nov 15-18 v Cricket Australia XI, Townsville (d/n)
Nov 23-27: 1ST TEST v AUSTRALIA, Brisbane
Dec 02-06: 2ND TEST v AUSTRALIA, Adelaide (d/n)
Dec 09-10: v Cricket Australia XI, Perth
Dec 14-18: 3RD TEST v AUSTRALIA, Perth
Dec 26-30 4TH TEST v AUSTRALIA, Melbourne
Jan 04-08: 5TH TEST v AUSTRALIA, Sydney

Note: d/n = day/night

UAE tour of Zimbabwe

All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I

Updated: February 20, 2022, 4:27 AM
Premier League