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The US still faces a risk of a government shutdown at the end of this week despite a

Oleksandr Zinchenko insists Ukraine will be preparing for the “game of their lives” when they face Italy next Monday in what could essentially be a play-off to qualify for Euro 2024. Against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict with Russia, the national football team have provided brief moments of enjoyment for embattled Ukrainians. Zinchenko will captain the team in the Group C fixture against Italy, held in Leverkusen as a “home” fixture for Ukraine – who have not played international football on their own soil in two years. If Italy beat North Macedonia on Friday night, the two nations will go into the final qualifier locked on 13 points behind England. Reigning European champions Italy will hold a slight advantage following a 2-1 win at San Siro last September and with head-to-head records counting over goal difference. But for Arsenal defender Zinchenko, the game means so much more to him and his compatriots. “It is going to be a massive game,” he said. We know that while we are wearing the Ukrainian shirt, it is absolutely the proudest moment of our lives Oleksandr Zinchenko “For sure it is going to be the game of our lives. Especially now, the toughest time since this country’s independence. To bring some positive news for Ukrainian people is so important. “To play in the Euros is an amazing achievement already and especially now. We know that while we are wearing the Ukrainian shirt, it is absolutely the proudest moment of our lives. “Since being a kid, you always dream of playing for the national team but especially now, with the war in our country, we understand completely that every single game, it doesn’t matter what one – even a friendly – when you win the game there are a lot of positives things for our people.” Zinchenko has been keen to use football as a driving force to shine a light on the tragedies in his homeland, raising money for the cause and speaking of the unity shared by all Ukrainians. He added: “Is it hard to be a player knowing what is going on? “Or is is hard for the people who are staying on the front line and giving their lives for our independence, for our people. So, which way is harder? That is the answer.”

Harry Maguire feels vindicated in his decision to stay and fight for his spot at Manchester United, having forced his way back into Erik ten Hag’s team. The 30-year-old’s future seemed set to lie away from Old Trafford after the blow of losing his starting place was compounded by being stripped of the captaincy over the summer, but a potential move to West Ham – or elsewhere – did not materialise. And Maguire’s self-belief never wavered, with the under-fire defender repeatedly underlining his confidence about winning back his place at United. That sounded far-fetched to many, but is precisely what he has managed, with the England international starting their last eight matches in all competitions. Asked it feels like personal vindication for staying at United, Maguire said: “Of course. I have got that (run of games) now, I am really enjoying my football and I really enjoy playing for this club. Harry Maguire “I played a few games last year, 16 or 17 starts, and I felt like I performed really well in the games I played in. I just didn’t play as many as I would have liked. “On the other hand, Rapha (Varane) and Licha (Lisandro Martinez) were playing brilliantly and kept numerous clean sheets. I had to bide my time and be patient. “I had two or three opportunities last season to get a run of games but I broke down with illness, I broke down with injuries twice, so I never got the rhythm and never got the run of games that I could prove myself to the manager. “I have got that now, I am really enjoying my football and I really enjoy playing for this club. “I was willing to stay and fight for my place and we have four, five top international centre-backs at this club and the competition for places is really high.” Maguire has capitalised on injuries over the past six weeks and showed an impressive mentality, which is perhaps unsurprising for a player used to relentless mockery in recent years. England boss Gareth Southgate said the treatment he faced was “ridiculous”, “a joke” and “beyond anything I’ve ever seen” after September’s win in Scotland came to a backdrop of Hampden Park abuse. Maguire brushed it off as “banter” as he continued to block out criticism and abuse, saying his career to date has helped him retain a self-belief many would have seen dented. “Working hard in training is the main thing and making sure you’re ready,” the United defender said. “But I started 16 or 17 games last year and felt like my form was there. “There was a lot of talk about me because I wasn’t playing games, but that is the way it is. “I was playing well for my country, went to the World Cup and played well and always thought my form was there. “But I am up against some top, top-level centre-backs and last year they were playing amazing, so I didn’t get as many opportunities as I would have liked. “This club demands competition for places and that is what we have in my position.” Maguire’s focus now turns to England matters before United reunite and refocus on improvements after edging past Luton 1-0 on Saturday. It was a fourth win in five Premier League matches but improvements in front of goal are needed. At the moment we are not scoring enough goals and we know that. But we aren’t keeping enough clean sheets as well - that’s how I look at it. Harry Maguire Misfiring Marcus Rashford has scored just once this term, with Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Anthony Martial yet to open their Premier League accounts. “That’s what everyone will be talking about,” Maguire said. “I see (the forwards) day in, day out in training and I play with internationals next week at England and the lads in training at United. “The top players all have the ability to score goals. At the moment we are not scoring enough goals and we know that. “But we aren’t keeping enough clean sheets as well – that’s how I look at it. “I think in the past you’ve seen our attackers are top-quality players and can do it. “Maybe a little bit of luck will turn and they’ll get the first one and the goals will follow. I am sure they will because they are all very good players.” Hojlund’s struggles domestically are particularly surprising given nobody has scored more Champions League group-stage goals than the summer signing. “Ras is a top player,” Maguire added. “I think you’ve seen his work ethic and what he brings to the team in recent weeks. He does a lot more than scoring goals. “He scores goals in training, you’ve seen him score goals in the Champions League and I am sure it is a matter of time before he bangs a few in the Prem as well.” Read More Oleksandr Zinchenko says Ukraine ready for ‘game of their lives’ against Italy Robert Lewandowski rescues Barcelona as Inter Milan retake Serie A top spot Mauricio Pochettino sure Chelsea can compete with best after Man City thriller From Aguero winner to Keegan dismay, Chelsea-City joins Premier League classics Unai Emery demands consistency from Aston Villa after victory over Fulham I don’t like English referees – Roberto De Zerbi unhappy after Brighton held

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Mauricio Pochettino said Chelsea will approach the rest of the season confident in the knowledge they can compete with the best teams after dramatically drawing 4-4 with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. Cole Palmer struck a penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time to deny the club with whom he won the Premier League title in May and snatch a sensational point at the death in west London. City thought they had won it via Rodri’s deflected strike four minutes from the end, his effort spinning into the goal past the wrongfooted Robert Sanchez off Thiago Silva’s outstretched foot. Earlier, the lead had been passed back and forth on a topsy-turvy afternoon, Erling Haaland opening the scoring from the spot after 25 minutes before Silva nodded his team level from a corner. Raheem Sterling scored against his old team to give Chelsea the lead from Josko Gvardiol’s mistake, but they could not hold on until half-time as Manuel Akanji was afforded space from a corner routine to equalise on the stroke of the interval. Haaland struck again to make it 3-2 moments after the restart, Nicolas Jackson thumped home on the rebound when Ederson failed to hold on to Conor Gallagher’s drive from outside the box for 3-3, before the late drama for which a stunning match will be best remembered. And Pochettino predicted the performance and the result would have a transformational effect on his young side as they continue their recovery from an indifferent start to his tenure. “I’m very proud,” he said. “I’m so happy. The players deserve credit, the performance this evening was amazing, against for me the best team in the world. “Many circumstances that happened during the game that made me proud, the way that we managed the game was really, really good. “There are things to improve, but it’s the process. When you want to build a project from zero, this type of thing is really good. “These types of experiences will improve a lot out play and our team. But now we need to translate in the future. “I am so tired, after Monday (the 4-1 win against Tottenham) and Sunday. I don’t want to be wrong when I assess, but if I go back, we were very disappointed (in earlier) results but this is a process. It’s a young team, you feel the pressure to win. “This type of performance will build belief and confidence. (But) we have to have patience in some games.” Having struggled for goals during August and September, Chelsea have now netted eight times in their last two matches following Monday’s frenetic win at Spurs. It is the third time this season they have scored four times in a league game. By contrast, the team did not manage to do so throughout the whole of the last campaign. “It showed the character, showed the mentality, showed that we can go for the goal against a team like Man City and to dominate and have the capacity to create chances,” said Pochettino. “I think it’s really important today to build our confidence and to believe more in the way we are working. “We’re still far away. But that’s the process. It’s a different moment, this period. But of course this type of performance we need to use for the future. “We go step by step, maybe we can jump two steps. But caution. Today was a massive motivation.” City boss Pep Guardiola reflected on a fair result as his team moved a point clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. “It was a good advert and entertaining game for the Premier League and both teams wanted to win,” he said. “I wouldn’t have expected differently. Chelsea have a fantastic team and players. “We had momentum, two or three transitions one-on-one which we could not finish. But the game was in the moment at the end. “A tight game, but a fair result. I congratulate the team, we go into the break and we qualify for the Champions League and we come back (after international break) and go.”