Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta says the impact of Diego Costa, whom manager Mourinho believes is now over his injury problems, cannot be underestimated so far this season and he gives his teammates the confidence they will always score.
“We’re lucky to have three really good strikers. We showed it when he was out, when Didier (Drogba) and Loic (Remy) came in and were scoring,” added the Spain international.
“Now he’s back and scoring. He plays with high passion, he’s always fighting for team, and is even after goals in training – he’s a great finisher.
“If we analyse him he scores but helps so much in the team. Even in last five or 10 minutes he was pressing high and doing his job. That’s great for the whole team.”
Aspilicueta also hailed the improved mental strength within the squad has made as much of a difference as their summer signings.
While striker Costa’s 10 goals in 11 league matches, having added to his total with the winner in Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Liverpool, and Cesc Fabregas’ creativity in midfield have given Jose Mourinho’s side undoubted quality there has been a shift up in terms of character.
Mourinho pointed to as much when he praised his team for the ambition they showed at Anfield, especially in the second half having come back from an early Emre Can goal to equalise through Gary Cahill.
The Portuguese claimed most sides would have been happy to take a draw at Anfield but his team were not as Azpilicueta, back in the starting line-up after suspension, agreed.
“I think we are stronger mentally now. The players who came have given us another dimension as well,” he said.
“I think you saw that. When the team was losing we were still really strong mentally.
“The whole squad know we have to fight together. Some players have more talent, some score goals, and sometimes we have to defend for them – but the main thing is we do it all as a team.
“We got it back to 1-1 pretty soon and after that did very well. Obviously we’d prefer not to go behind but that is going to happen at times.
“Over the last few games maybe we haven’t played our best football and the scores have been tight but over the whole season you know that everyone can’t keep playing very well and winning easy.
“We knew it would be tough here (at Anfield) but we fought so hard until the end – the aim was just to get those three points and we did.
“Last year we were so close to winning the title and this year we know it will be tough but that’s what we want.
“We will see in May. We’re on top of the table but that’s a long way off, but we want as few problems as possible up to then.”
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SERIES SCHEDULE
First Test, Galle International Stadium
July 26-30
Second Test, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
August 3-7
Third Test, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 12-16
First ODI, Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium
August 20
Second ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 24
Third ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 27
Fourth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
August 31
Fifth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
September 3
T20, R Premadasa Stadium
September 6
Scoreline
Man Utd 2 Pogba 27', Martial 49'
Everton 1 Sigurdsson 77'
Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
Netherlands v UAE, Twenty20 International series
Saturday, August 3 - First T20i, Amstelveen
Monday, August 5 – Second T20i, Amstelveen
Tuesday, August 6 – Third T20i, Voorburg
Thursday, August 8 – Fourth T20i, Vooryburg
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
Super Saturday results
4pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 | US$350,000 | (Dirt) | 1,200m
Winner: Drafted, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer).
4.35pm: Al Bastakiya Listed | $300,000 | (D) | 1,900m
Winner: Divine Image, Brett Doyle, Charlie Appleby.
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 | $350,000 | (Turf) | 1,200m
Winner: Blue Point, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 | $350,000 | (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Muntazah, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson.
6.20pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 | $300,000 | (T) | 2,410m
Winner: Old Persian, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 | $600,000 | (D) | 2,000m
Winner: Capezzano, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
7.30pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 | $400,000 | (T) | 1,800m
Winner: Dream Castle, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor.
The specs
Engine 60kwh FWD
Battery Rimac 120kwh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
Power 204hp Torque 360Nm
Price, base / as tested Dh174,500
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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