Frank Lampard, right, believes their win over Tottenham has given Chelsea the confidence to face Barcelona.
Frank Lampard, right, believes their win over Tottenham has given Chelsea the confidence to face Barcelona.

Frank Lampard backs Chelsea to take Barcelona on



Frank Lampard is convinced Chelsea have the beating of Barcelona if they reproduce the display that saw them thrash Tottenham 5-1 to reach the FA Cup final.

Chelsea finally delivered a performance to give Barca cause for concern last night, three days before the teams meet in a mouthwatering Champions League semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea's chances against the all-conquering Spanish and European champions were written off the moment the draw was made but Lampard said: "From the start of every game, it's 50-50.

"Barcelona are favourites because of the players they have in their team but if we play like we did against Spurs in the two games then we will have a chance.

"It gives us confidence. We have to carry that on.

"There's no point in resting on that because the game on Wednesday's huge.

"We need to take that into the Champions League games and all the rest of our league games.

"Any team's beatable. They are the best, but we can't show too much fear.

"We have to take them on and I think we can do it."

Results:

Men's 100m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 15 sec; 2. Rheed McCracken (AUS) 15.40; 3. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 15.75. Men's 400m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 50.56; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 50.94; 3. Henry Manni (FIN) 52.24.

Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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.

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Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

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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
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At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

 

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

 

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

 

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30 

 

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

 

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

 

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

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