N’GOLO KANTE limped out of Chelsea’s clash against Manchester United in a huge blow for Frank Lampard.
The Frenchman was replaced by whizkid Mason Mount in the 12th minute of the showdown between the top-four rivals.
Lampard began the game without Tammy Abraham, Christian Pulisic, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Emerson.
The Blues boss will hope Kante is not out of action for too long and will have been glad to see the combative playmaker walk down the tunnel unaided.
Mount joins Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic in the engine room at Stamford Bridge with his side looking to extend a six-point gap over the visitors.
United legend Roy Keane admitted in the pre-game show that defeat would all-but end his former side’s chances of reaching the Champions League.
And Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will hope new-boy Odion Ighalo can make an impact after naming him on the bench.
The Norwegian has challenged the Nigerian loanee to earn himself an extra year at the club he grew up supporting and a goal tonight would go some way to achieving that.
Manchester City’s Champions League ban has opened the door for fifth place to qualify for Europe’s elite competition and both clubs will be following events closely.
City face a wait of months to see if their appeal is successful, with their rivals hoping to profit if the rap is upheld.
