LONDON // Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea will aim to extend their unbeaten start to the Premier League season and inconvenience one of their early rivals when Aston Villa visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Manchester City ended Chelsea’s perfect start to their league campaign, but they remain at the head of the table, three points clear of Southampton and Villa.
Read more: ‘Immaculate’ Kurt Zouma scores on debut for Chelsea in League Cup win
Few people expected Villa to figure so prominently towards the top of the division, but having edged Championship side Bolton Wanderers 2-1 in the League Cup on Wednesday, Chelsea are in the groove.
And with a number of senior players, including in-form striker Diego Costa, set to return to the line-up after being rested, confidence is running high among Mourinho’s players.
“It’s great to have a winning mentality,” said centre-back Gary Cahill.
“If you have a couple of sticky results, it puts the pressure on going into games, but at the moment we’re unbeaten, we’re going well, and we should have confidence, especially playing in front of our own fans at Stamford Bridge.”
Mourinho used the opportunity of Bolton’s visit to give a number of his fringe players some much-needed match action.
Filipe Luis made only his third appearance since his £16 million ($26.1 million, 20.5 million euros) move from Atletico Madrid.
The left back has yet to start a league game as Mourinho continues to favour the right-footed Cesar Azpilicueta in the role, but Luis says he has no complaints about having to wait for opportunities.
“It’s brilliant to be at this club. It’s a great feeling,” he said. “Every time I play and train, I feel I’m at a big club. Everyone wants to play. If you don’t, normally you’re not happy.
“But when I came here, I spoke with Mourinho and I knew I’d come to Chelsea to be a champion, not to be the best left back or best crosser or something.”
Luis added: “When you work with Mourinho, you have to know that the group, the collective, is above the individual. I don’t think about myself right now.
“The team are doing a great job. We won the first four league games and drew the fifth one. I have nothing to complain about. I have to wait for my chance and when it comes, I must make sure I don’t go out of the first XI.”
Ramires is doubtful to face Villa after the Brazilian midfielder suffered an adductor problem against City.
Villa remain without star striker Christian Benteke, but he has returned to training following an Achilles injury and will be considered for next weekend’s game against City.
The Belgian has missed the last five months, including the World Cup, and manager Paul Lambert said: “He’s getting closer. Next week we will see how he is for the Man City game.
“I’m not saying he’ll start, or anything, but he’s certainly getting close. Christian’s all right. He’s had a good week of training under his belt. We will just look at it next week.
“He’s a natural athlete, but you don’t want him to break down. Everyone is happy to see him back. It’s been a long road for him and he missed the World Cup.
“We’ve had a great start without a recognised number nine and that will give everyone a lift. He’s desperate to play, but it does not make common sense risking him yet.”
Skipper Ron Vlaar will miss out on Saturday due to a calf complaint, but a sickness bug that saw the training ground closed on Monday has lifted with all players now recovered.
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Results
2.15pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m
Winner: Maqam, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer).
2.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m
Winner: Mamia Al Reef, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
3.15pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 2,000m
Winner: Jaahiz, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel.
3.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,000m
Winner: Qanoon, Szczepan Mazur, Irfan Ellahi.
4.15pm: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Cup Handicap (TB) Dh200,000 1,700m.
Winner: Philosopher, Tadhg O’Shea, Salem bin Ghadayer.
54.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m
Winner: Jap Al Yassoob, Fernando Jara, Irfan Ellahi.
Uefa Nations League: How it works
The Uefa Nations League, introduced last year, has reached its final stage, to be played over five days in northern Portugal. The format of its closing tournament is compact, spread over two semi-finals, with the first, Portugal versus Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday evening, and the second, England against the Netherlands, in Guimaraes, on Thursday.
The winners of each semi will then meet at Porto’s Dragao stadium on Sunday, with the losing semi-finalists contesting a third-place play-off in Guimaraes earlier that day.
Qualifying for the final stage was via League A of the inaugural Nations League, in which the top 12 European countries according to Uefa's co-efficient seeding system were divided into four groups, the teams playing each other twice between September and November. Portugal, who finished above Italy and Poland, successfully bid to host the finals.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
MATCH RESULT
Al Jazira 3 Persepolis 2
Jazira: Mabkhout (52'), Romarinho (77'), Al Hammadi (90' 6)
Persepolis: Alipour (42'), Mensha (84')
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
