Jose Mourinho v Eva Carneiro: Chelsea manager says doctor could return to bench

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists under-fire medical duo Jon Fearn and Eva Carnerio could return to the Blues’ bench at some point this season.

The duo have been banished from pitchside duties following last weekend’s misunderstanding over an injury sustained by Eden Hazard, but the Portuguese claimed that situation may not be permanent.

Speaking for the first time about the argument that has raged around Stamford Bridge all week, Mourinho said: “First of all I want to say I have a fantastic medical department led by Dr Paco Biosca. I have a good relationship with them.

“They tell me they have never been praised as much as they have been by me in the last couple of years.

“Jon Fearn and Dr Carneiro will not be on the bench on Sunday, but that doesn't mean they cannot be in the future.”

Chelsea appeal against Thibaut Courtois dismissal

Chelsea will appeal against the red card shown to goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Swansea at Stamford Bridge.

The 23-year-old Belgium international was sent off on 52 minutes for denying Bafetimbi Gomis a clear goalscoring opportunity, with the Swans striker equalising from the penalty spot.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho refused to discuss the decision after the match.

Chelsea's appeal will be heard by the Football Association on Tuesday.

If it fails, Courtois' expected one-match ban would see him miss the trip to last season's runners-up Manchester City on Sunday.

Asmir Begovic, a summer signing from Stoke, made his Blues debut as Courtois' replacement against the Swans.

Silva inspiration earns the City a comfortable win

Manchester City got their Premier League campaign underway in style after David Silva inspired them to a resounding 3-0 victory over West Brom at the Hawthorns.

Silva was instrumental throughout, and will claim the visitors’ opener when he deflected Yaya Toure’s effort past a stranded Boaz Myhill after nine minutes.

Toure emphatically doubled City’s lead halfway through the first half, before Rickie Lambert and Saido Berahino went close to halving the defecit for the Baggies.

City captain Vincent Kompany headed in a fine third to make sure of the points after the break, duly sending City top of the infant Premier League table on goal difference.

Baggies manager Tony Pulis adopted a bold formation from the outset considering the calibre of the opponents, with both Berahino and new signing Lambert starting up front.

But the visitors soon began to unpick those tactics, and they took the lead in bizarre circumstances inside ten minutes when Silva got the faintest touch to Toure’s weak effort before it trickled over the line.

If the first goal was scrappy, City’s second was delicious. Toure, who showed glimpses of the form that saw him fire 20 goals in the 2013/2014 season, exchanged passes with Wilfried Bonybefore caressing the ball into the top corner from 20 yards.

£49m Debutant Raheem Sterling could have had a third before the break but shot feebly at Myhill, before Berahino had an effort correctly disallowed for offside.

The hosts began the second half far more positively and went close twice through Lambert and Berahino again, but Kompany’s superb header from from Silva’s corner just before the hour mark quashed any thoughts of a comeback.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini will be encouraged by the clinical manner of his side's display, particularly with title rivals Chelsea and Arsenal dropping points on the opening weekend and Jose Mourinho’s champions up next at the Etihad on Sunday.

Kevin De Bruyne’s ‘head has been turned’, admits Wolfsburg director

Wolfsburg's director of sport Klaus Allofs has admitted consistent links away from the club have “definitely turned Kevin De Bruyne’s head”, amid reports of a £46million bid from Manchester City.

The Belgium international attracted a host of top suitors following a shining campaign for the Bundesliga side last season, with the playmaker crowned Germany’s Player of the Season as Wolfsburg finished runners-up to Bayern Munich.

And speculation over the 24-year-old's future continued to circulate this week, with reports surfacing of a huge offer from Premier League side City.

Reports in a number of newspapers this weekend suggested the Blues are confident of tying up the deal ahead of next weekend’s clash with De Bruyne’s former club Chelsea.

And while club chief Allofs insists Wolfsburg are in no way pressured to sell their midfield star, he admits De Bruyne is leaving his options open.

"I think some other clubs have definitely turned Kevin's head," Allofs told Kicker magazine.

"Some huge figures are doing the rounds and I can understand why Kevin is leaving everything open.

"He's got to listen to the offers. I can't expect from him that he doesn't even want to entertain them."

The final decision ultimately rests with his club, however, and Allofs has repeated over and over again that Wolfsburg are not willing to sell.

But at the same time, he knows it is going to be difficult to keep De Bruyne in Germany for the remainder of his four-year contract.

"If he was only contracted to us until 2017, then yes, it would be different," Allofs told the Wolfsburger Allgemeine newspaper. "But let's be honest about it - it's highly unlikely that he'll stay with us right up until 2019."

Hertha Berlin team bus shot at in Germany

Hertha Berlin's team bus has been shot at on the eve of a German Cup match.

The Bundesliga club say  the bus was fired at by a motorcyclist in Bielefeld in north-west Germany but added that no-one was injured.

Hertha are staying near Bielefeld before their first-round tie with German second division side Arminia Bielefeld on Monday night.

Only the driver was on board at the time of the shooting and police are now investigating.

The vehicle was travelling from the team hotel to pick the players up from Bielefeld Central Station.

Hertha say the motorcyclist had overtaken the bus and threatened the driver "with his fist", before turning and pointing a gun at the bus and the driver.

Pictures from the club show the windscreen of the bus with a bullet hole.

Hertha chief executive Michael Preetz said: "We are deeply shocked and hope that the perpetrators will be caught. Luckily our bus driver got off with a fright."

Arminia Bielefeld tweeted:  "We are shocked by the attack on the team bus from HerthaBSC."

Brendan Rodgers lauds Philippe Coutinho's "phenomenal strike"

Brendan Rodgers hailed Philippe Coutinho’s “phenomenal strike” as Liverpool avenged last season’s humiliation at the hands of Stoke.

The reds were humbled 6-1 on the final day of last season and it looked as though they were going to be disappointed again before the Brazilian unleashed a rocket to beat Jack Butland.

And Rodgers praised his side’s defence to hold out Stoke and keep the team in a position to win the game so late on.

“When you come away from home to Stoke, you know it’s always going to be a tough game, every game in the Premier League is a tough game so you have to ensure that you can weather any storm that there is,” said the Northern Irishman.

“We didn’t have too many chances or opportunities against us but you’ve still got to defend because they have so many outstanding players. Then you grow into the game but it’s important to defend it well. We know we have the quality to win games.

 “It was a wonderful strike and we’ve seen so many of those from outside the box. His first part was outstanding.

“He rolled the player really well, got away from him with his speed and then hit the shot which was a phenomenal strike and a great goal to win the game.”

Rodgers was also keen to highlight the progress his side have made over the summer and the stark contrast in performance now compared to at the end of last season at the Britannia.

“For us, on the back of where we were 11 weeks ago, it was important to put in a performance and a result,” he added.

“I thought the players were absolutely outstanding, they showed great determination and then a moment of quality won the game.”

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Jamie Vardy apologises for 'racist slur'

Leicester's Jamie Vardy has apologised and his club have promised to carry out an investigation after claims that the striker made a racial slur in a casino.

"I wholeheartedly apologise for any offence I've caused," Vardy, 28, said.

"It was a regrettable error in judgement I take full responsibility for, and I accept my behaviour was not up to what's expected of me."

Vardy scored the opening goal in Leicester's 4-2 win against Sunderland on Saturday.

He has scored 26 goals in 98 league games for the Foxes and made his international debut for England in June.

A Leicester City spokesman added: "We expect the highest standards from our players on and off the pitch and for them to set an example as role models in our community.

"We have noted Jamie's apology and will begin a process of investigation into the incident imminently. There will be no further comment until this process has concluded."

Two months ago, Leicester sacked three players after they took part in a racist sex tape filmed on the club's end-of-season tour of Thailand.

Tom Hopper, Adam Smith and James Pearson - the son of former Foxes manager Nigel - had their contracts terminated following an internal investigation by the club.

Hammers punish poor Gunners with brilliant display at the Emirates

West Ham delivered the first shock result of the new Premier League season by deservedly beating an insipid Arsenal side at the Emirates.

On Slaven Bilic’s English managerial debut, the Hammers shocked Arsene Wenger’s much-fancied side when Cheikhou Kouyate capitalised on a mistake by new Gunners goalkeeper Petr Cech just before half time.

Cech was then accountable again for West Ham’s second when Mauro Zarate caught out the ex-Chelsea man from distance with just over half an hour remaining.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain came close to grabbing a goal back but, in truth, the Gunners never really threatened to mount a comeback as the Hammers claimed bragging rights in the first London derby of the season.

Bilic handed 16-year-old Reece Oxford, the club’s youngest ever player, a surprise first league start, and he showed composure that belied his tender years with an accomplished display at the base of a midfield diamond.

Arsenal seemed devoid of the fluency usually so synonymous with their build up play, with the Gunners reduced to speculative efforts from Oxlade-Chamberlain and Santi Cazorla in the early stages.

Angelo Ogbonna, the summer signing from Juventus, looked commanding on his West Ham debut at centre-back, although he was fortunate when Aaron Ramsey’s shot deflected off him and onto the Hammers’ crossbar.

With the half seemingly fizzling out, Bilic’s side delivered the ultimate sucker punch. Cech inexplicably rushed off his line in an attempt to meet the impressive Dimitri Payet’s free kick, but Kouyate nipped in front of him to head into an unguarded net.

Arsenal failed to improve after the break, and just before the hour mark Cech was caught out again by Zarate, who somehow wrong-footed the Czech international with a tame effort from 20 yards.

The Gunners introduced Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez in an attempt to inject some initiative late on, but their introductions only served to unsettle the Gunners' formation.

The result and the nature of the defeat may raise some interesting queries for Wenger to consider with three weeks of the transfer window remaining, but for Bilic it was the perfect way to start his tenure.

Jose Mourinho refuses to discuss referee following ten-man Chelsea’s draw with Swansea

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho seemed frustrated by referee Michael Oliver but continued his silence over officials following the Blues’ 2-2 draw with Swansea at Stamford Bridge.

The defending Premier League champions ended their season opener with ten men following goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois’ sending off, and also had a penalty appeal turned down in the first half.

Diego Costa sprinted through on goal before being brought down in the box by Federico Fernandez, and while the Spanish striker and his manager were left raging when Oliver pointed to the corner, replays showed the Swans defender timed his tackle to perfection.

Costa was also denied a free-kick after he was tripped in the second-half, and Mourinho appeared to laugh out loud on the Chelsea bench when play was waved on.

However, having been fined more than once last season for his criticism of referees, the Blues boss was curt when asked for his thoughts on the incidents.

"I do not want to speak about red cards," he said. “I don’t think I can be suspended for life.”

Asked whether that would be a policy this season, Mourinho retorted to laughter in the press conference: "No, it is just because the first time I can control myself.

"I want to react this way so you don't say he was [complaining] from day one. In day one we were punished, but it was not on day one that I opened my mouth."

Chelsea had to hold on for a point as Swansea dominated the second-half following Bafetimbi Gomis’s equaliser from the spot, but Mourinho hailed his side’s effort to still go for the win despite their man disadvantage.

"We tried," the Portuguese added. "I repeat this for a long, long, long time, even in my first period here, because my record at Stamford Bridge is something incredible.

"I never played for a draw. Never. So if today we lose, we lose.

"But at home a draw is only good in special circumstances, like last year, for example, when we were almost champions so a draw against Manchester United was a good result.

"Apart from that, we play at home to win and we tried that, so it is normal. The players know that. They know one point is one point.

"Playing with 10 men for such a long time is much more difficult and fundamentally I am happy with the quality they had in the first half and I am happy with their spirit in the second half, so we are in peace. We are not happy with the result."

David de Gea will play for Man Utd insists manager Van Gaal

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal insists goalkeeper David de Gea still has a role at the club, despite the Real Madrid target sitting out of their opening day victory over Tottenham.

The Red Devils kicked off their Premier League campaign with three points against Spurs, with Kyle Walker’s unfortunate own-goal sealing a 1-0 win at Old Trafford.

But summer signing Sergio Romero was the man in the net for the hosts, with De Gea sat in the stands after he was deemed not in the right mind to start by his boss.

Van Gaal has previously admitted the Spanish glovesman ‘maybe wants to leave’ United, with La Liga giants Real offering him a road back to his homeland.

But the Dutchman is adamant the club do not want De Gea to leave, and hopes the goalkeeper will be back in the starting XI soon.

"Of course," the United manager said when asked if De Gea could play for the club again.

"We have to pay a lot of money for the players we want so we want to sell at the same level when we have to sell.

"We want to keep him, of course. He has been voted the best player here for the last two years.

"But we have observed [De Gea] in preparation and that was not the same David de Gea as last year.

"Of course when the situation has been cleared after September 1 we will look again.”

Romero, a free signing who joined the club less than two weeks ago, had little to do for much of the match, though he did deny playmaker Christian Eriksen twice at the death as Spurs looked for an equaliser.

Van Gaal was impressed by the 28-year-old's performance given the short amount of time he has had with the club.

“I'm happy Sergio did well, he saved us twice,” the manager added.

"We have to improve his building up, but Sergio trained only two days with his fellow players."

Kyle Walker own goal hands Van Gaal’s side three points starter

It was another afternoon to forget for Kyle Walker at Old Trafford.

Months after his display in March's 3-0 defeat was widely criticised, the defender opened the scoring for United, poking the ball into his own net as Spurs slumped to an opening day defeat.

And once the home side took the lead, Tottenham never looked like getting back into the game they had dominated in the first 20 minutes.

A lively start saw Spurs go close to taking the lead after just five minutes when Christian Eriksen latched onto Harry Kane’s pass and with Sergio Romero rushing out, the Denmark international’s dink landed on the roof of the net.

Then that early pressure was undone with one poor pass.

Nabil Bentaleb was the culprit, United broke, Ashley Young crossed the ball to an unmarked Wayne Rooney and Kyle Walker, racing back to challenge the striker, prodded the ball beyond Michel Vorm.

'HE'S THE SURPRISE STRIKER VAN GAAL WAS TALKING ABOUT' - WALKER MOCKED BY FANS

His own goal aside, however, Walker and the new the partnership of Toby Alderweireld and Belgium team-mate Jan Vertonghen, were solid and did not suggest the defence would be the leaky problem it was last season.

In the second half there were few chances and Spurs did not look anything like the marauding side that came close to taking the lead.

Travelling Spurs fans were in good voice throughout, but there was huge noise from those inside the stadium on the hour mark when Bastian Schweinsteiger replaced Michael Carrick to become the first German to play for the club.

Romero, in goal for David De Gea, showed United fans enough to believe that life after the Spaniard is not as bad as first feared as he got down superbly to keep out Eriksen’s low shot in the final few minutes.

David de Gea not considered for selection against Tottenham

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has revealed goalkeeper David de Gea is not ready to play in their Premier League opener against Tottenham on Saturday.

The Spanish goalkeeper, the Red Devils’ stand-out star over the past few seasons, has been linked with a move to Real Madrid all summer.

De Gea, 24, started the last two games of the club’s pre-season tour of the USA, but will not be considered for the clash against Spurs, according to Van Gaal.

"He shall not play," the Dutch boss said.

"I think a human being is more than only a player, and he [De Gea] cannot manage that."

De Gea has long been linked with a return to the Spanish capital with Real Madrid, who see the goalkeeper as the long-term successor to departed captain Iker Casillas.

But United have insisted all summer that the club would only sell if they received defender Sergio Ramos as part of a swap deal, though the La Liga giants have insisted their new captain will not leave.

"We have problems of course with De Gea," Van Gaal added, when asked what he thought the outcome of the saga would be. "I don't know. That's in process.

"I cannot lead this process - I can only watch and observe and that's what I'm doing, but I'm not participating in it."

With Victor Valdes frozen out of the first team, the Red Devils manager has limited options when it comes to a replacement for the club's two-time player of the year.

Summer signing Sergio Romero, who arrived in free transfer last week, seems the most likely to step in, but when asked if Argentina No.1 would start the lunch time kick-off at Old Trafford, Van Gaal said: "You have to wait and see who is starting."

Oliseh undecided over Iheanacho’s super eagle's call

The Super Eagles coach has not made a definite decision on calling up the Manchester City youngster for next month’s Afcon qualifier against Tanzania

Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh has told SportsArena that there will be a few surprises when his list of foreign-based professionals to tackle Tanzania next month is released in coming weeks.

While reassuring that standard won't be compromised, he also revealed how difficult it was for him pruning down the names of short listed foreign-based players from 72 to 23.

The coach, who expects stiff competition when camping kicks off in Abuja in a fortnight, refused to confirm or deny if Manchester City's youngster Kelechi Iheanacho will be considered in his ‘surprise list’.

Iheanacho has been in blistering form for the Citizens in pre-season, scoring twice in five appearances.

The former Flying Eagles attacking midfielder has also been promoted to the first team squad for the coming Premier League season.

"I don't know and if I do, I won't share with you," Oliseh told SportsArena. “But there will be lots of surprises in the squad for the Euro-based players. We have a target which is to win in Dar es Salaam,” he added.

The former national team skipper handed fresh call-ups to seven new players for the upcoming away fixture against Tanzania, overlooking notable names such as Azubuike Egwuekwe, Rabiu Ali, Daniel Akpeyi and a host of others in his new look home-based Super Eagles squad.

Oliseh also revealed that his meeting with Liverpool winger Jordan Ibe, was fruitful but was quick to add that nothing is guaranteed at least for now confirming Goal’s earlier report regarding the availability of the Liverpool winger for Nigeria this year.

"We still have to make him see why Nigeria is a better option for him. Talks are still on as regards that."

Thierry Henry: Angel Di Maria wasn’t disciplined enough for Man United boss Van Gaal

Angel Di Maria’s “free-spirited” playing style was never going to fit into Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal’s plans, according to Premier League legend Thierry Henry.

Argentine forward Di Maria sealed his long-awaited move to Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday, just 12 months after joining the Red Devils for a British record £59.7million fee.

The former Real Madrid man struggled to cement his place in the United team, with Ashley Young thriving in the second half of the season, and he was allowed to leave Old Trafford for the French champions in a deal thought to be around £45m.

United are reportedly targeting a late move for Barcelona forward Pedro as his replacement, and former Barca team-mate Henry believes the Spaniard has what it takes to properly integrate into Van Gaal’s system.

“Louis van Gaal demands his teams to play a certain way,” the former striker told Drivetime.

“It’s very demanding and well structured. If you’re a winger you have to stay wide, you can’t come in, you have to stay there.

“I know that exactly, because at Barcelona it was the same way, the Dutch way and the Barca way are very similar.

“From what I understand, that’s why it was difficult for Di Maria to adapt, because he’s a free spirit.

“You have to let him play and that’s how it was for him at Real Madrid; sometimes he played behind the striker, sometimes on the left or on the right, and sometimes he didn’t come back.

“You can’t do that at Manchester United, it’s too well structured.

“At one point last season, they didn’t gel, so Van Gaal did something to make sure they were going to get results until the end of the season - they were more direct.

“That’s why he went on to buy players this summer that can suit the way he wants to play - that’s why he wants Pedro.

“Pedro knows those tactics, he can do what Van Gaal wants. I’ve seen him at Barcelona, he was putting pressure on and staying out wide - he has it.

"It’s the same with [summer signing Bastian] Schweinsteiger - Van Gaal knows that if he asks Schweinsteiger to do something, he’ll do it.”

Thierry Henry: Arsenal will win the Premier League if they sign Benzema

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has told SportsArena that if Arsene Wenger signs Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, they will win the Premier League.

The Gunners have been linked with the Frenchman all summer despite Real boss Rafa Benitez and the La Liga giants insisting they will not sell the striker.

Wenger has only made one signing so far during the transfer window – goalkeeper Petr Cech from Chelsea – but Henry thinks the signing of Benzema can bring Arsenal their first top flight title since the ‘Invincibles’ season in 2003/04.

“I always say it’s their year but there is a genuine buzz around the place right now,” the former Gunners captain told Drivetime.

“I think they can challenge this year for real if they stay injury-free.

“Giroud alone as a striker there – you can’t win the league, you need another type of striker. I think Giroud is doing really well - he went on to score 14 goals in 18 games, that’s amazing.

“But sometimes you need a different type of striker and I think that if they can get Benzema, suddenly they are a real title contender and also in the Champions League.”

When asked by fellow Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp whether signing Benzema would mean Arsenal would win the league, Henry said: “Yes. But the Champions League is a difficult one.”

Ashes 2015: England on track to regain Ashes on record-breaking day

England took a giant step towards regaining The Ashes at Trent Bridge, bundling Australia out for just 60 and reaching 274-4 at close.

Stuart Broad [8/15] took the best figures ever recorded in test cricket at his home ground as Australia were humiliated. Joe Root [124*] followed it up with his third Ashes century.

Arguably the pivotal moment on an historic day occurred half an hour before the destruction began with the Aussies losing the toss and Alastair Cook calling correctly, deciding to bowl on a green tinged pitch and under grey skies.

The carnage started in the first over with Chris Rogers [0] and Steve Smith [6] both edging into a ravenous slip cordon. When David Warner [0] went Australia were 10-3 after just eight deliveries.

And the trail of destruction didn’t end there. 

Michael Clarke joined Shaun Marsh - brought in at the expense of his brother Mitchell - at the crease in the second over of the day.  They were separated in the third as Marsh [0] became the third Aussie to be dismissed for a duck.

Adam Voges [1] joined in the catching practice shortly afterwards with Ben Stokes pulling off the catch of the series, diving and stretching to his right, at fifth slip.

With the innings in tatters and his quest for a first overseas Ashes looking a distant dream Clarke [10] fell soon after – an ill-disciplined swipe that suggested even he’d given up.

Broad completing a five-for in just 19 balls – equalling the world record for the quickest to ever do so.

Broad ended the innings nearly as swiftly as it started with all eight of his dismissals being caught behind the wicket – a masterclass of seam bowling in cloudy, grey conditions.

If Australia were to have a prayer of staying in the game and series they needed their bowlers and fielders to deliver something similar - and, Mitchell Starc aside, they failed. 

Starc took all three wickets before tea with Adam Lyth [14] once again edging behind, Ian Bell [1] and Alastair Cook [43] both going LBW to full swinging deliveries. 

Australia still had a sniff with England 99-3 at tea, but any hope was quickly extinguished soon afterwards.

As the conditions eased and the ball got older, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow [74] combined with a fourth wicket partnership of 173 at a rollicking rate, with Root recording his second century of the series. 

He has now scored more runs than anyone else on either side and will look to add more to England’s 214 run lead when he resumes in the morning
.

Celtic draw Baku to reach Champion League play-off

Celtic progressed to the Champions League play-off round as a goalless draw in Baku allowed them to complete a 1-0 aggregate win over Qarabag.

An excellent save by Craig Gordon denied Qarabag's Richard Almeida midway through the first half.

Stuart Armstrong and Stefan Johansen fired shots wide for the visitors after the break as openings remained scarce.

Ronny Deila's side are now two legs away from the group stage and will discover their opponents on Friday.

Teams Celtic could face in play-off
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Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel)
Partizan Belgrade (Serbia)
Malmo (Sweden)
Skenderbeu Korce (Albania)
Astana (Kazakhstan)

Dedryck Boyata's headed goal from the first leg sealed Celtic's seeded place in the draw, while Qarabag dropped into the Europa League play-off round.

There had been concerns about the pitch at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium following reports the surface had been badly damaged by the heat.

However, Deila had dismissed suggestions that either the pitch or the heat in the Azerbaijan capital would hamper his side's chances.

Celtic, fielding an unchanged starting line-up from last Wednesday, absorbed pressure from the hosts in the opening half-hour but had few direct efforts at goal to deal with.

The second leg proved to be a tense affair with few chances

Gordon flapped at a cross and Rydell Poepon could not take advantage but the goalkeeper was much more convincing when he beat away Richard's effort.

The Brazilian lined up his left-foot shot from 22 yards and curled the ball towards the inside of Gordon's right-hand post only to be left frustrated by the Scotland international's stretching save.

In attack, the visitors were restricted to breakaways and rarely got into dangerous areas.

Nir Bitton attempted to catch Ibrahim Sehic out with an audacious shot from near the centre circle, the keeper clutching after a momentary panic.

Alharbi El Jadeyaoui tried a chip of his own early in the second half but Gordon comfortably caught the 20-yard shot.

Though Qarabag's attacking continued to stutter, Celtic became less and less able to mount meaningful advances and their passing often let them down.

However, Armstrong sought to break the malaise with a shot from the left that had power but lacked accuracy.

As the game entered its closing stages, Johansen had only Sehic to beat as he latched on to an Armstrong pass but could not hit the target.

James Forrest injected fresh pace as a replacement for Armstrong and his forceful, driving run took him clear of the Qarabag defence, but he elected to pass instead of shoot and the hosts scrambled clear.

After five minutes of stoppage time, the Celtic players were celebrating and will now contemplate the challenge of overcoming their final hurdle to the Champions League group stage.

Ahmed Musa’s brace sends CSKA to Champions League play-offs

The Nigerian got a goal in each half for his Russian side as they came from a goal down to stun Sparta Prague at the Generali Arena

Ahmed Musa was the hero for CSKA Moscow who came from two goals down to defeat hosts Sparta Prague 3-2 in the second leg third qualifying round of the Uefa Champions League.

Leonid Slutsky’s men had played out a 2-2 draw in the first leg at the Arena Khimki – and needed a win away to secure a spot to the next round of the qualifying stage.

Ladislav Krejci put the hosts ahead in the sixth minute before Kehinde Fatai added the second for Sparta ten minutes later.

With the odds against CSKA to progress, Musa was on ground to reduce the deficit in the 34th minute as he put his team back on level terms six minutes after the restart of the second half before Alan Dzagoev sealed the win for the Russians.

Having qualified 5-4 on aggregate, CSKA are likely to face Manchester United in the last qualifying round for a slot to the group phase of Europe’s top club competition.

Ashes 2015: Mark Wood fit and ready to replace James Anderson for fourth Test

England captain Alastair Cook has confirmed Mark Wood will replace James Anderson in the potential Ashes decider at Trent Bridge.

The Durham bowler lined up in the first two Tests before concerns over an ankle injury saw him left out last week at Edgbaston, when the hosts crushed Australia to take a 2-1 series lead.

Steve Finn impressed in Wood’s absence, taking eight wickets, but an injury to James Anderson has opened the door for the 25-year-old to return for the fourth Test.

And he looks certain to get the nod ahead of Liam Plunkett and Mark Footitt, having come through training unscathed this week.

"It looks really good for Woody. He seems to have come through training pretty well," said Cook.

"I think it's fair to say (he is first choice). I thought he bowled really well at Cardiff and didn't quite get it right at Lord's, but he's looked fit and ready.

"Everything he's been asked to do he's come through with flying colours. He's really excited for the opportunity he's got.

"He'll have a last check in the morning but, yes, we've got everyone to select from."