A 51st-minute strike from N’Golo Kante proved to be the difference as Chelsea edged holders Manchester United 1-0 in the marquee FA Cup quarterfinal on Monday night at Stamford Bridge in a low-scoring but eventful encounter between the Premier League giants.

Antonio Conte made one notable change to his Chelsea side, replacing Cesc Fabregas with the more defensive-minded Nemanja Matic as he looked to stretch the Blues’ unbeaten record against the Red Devils to 12 games.

Jose Mourinho, revered at Stamford Bridge after two successful tenures at the London club, was keen to avoid a repeat of the embarrassing 4-0 defeat United suffered in the English Premier League back in October. His cause wasn't helped with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic suspended for the tie and to make matters worse, Anthony Martial and club captain Wayne Rooney were ruled out due to illness as well.
As a result, United trotted out in a 3-5-2 formation to counter Chelsea’s 3-4-3, Marcus Rashford playing as the lone striker with support from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Ashley Young

And contrary to expectations, the visitors gave Chelsea a real run for their money with a spirited and positive display in the opening half-hour. Mourinho had been expected to shut up shop and hit his former side on the counter but United did the opposite and spent the first 10 minutes almost entirely in their opponent’s half.

Their plan to keep Chelsea’s mercurial winger Eden Hazard under close watch proved to be their bane, however, as after several visiting players had hacked down the Belgian, match referee Michael Oliver issued a stern warning to United captain Chris Smalling.

Unfortunately for United, the next man to come under his scanner was Ander Hererra.

Already on a yellow card for elbowing Hazard in the 20th minute, he was sent off 15 minutes later for an outstretched leg which tripped the Belgian. Michael Oliver felt compelled to send him off for a second bookable offence as he sought to protect Hazard from some rough treatment.

Mourinho was forced to make a change and he brought in Maruoane Fellaini in for Mkhitaryan, hamstringing United’s chances of hitting the Blues on the counter in favour of bringing balance to the midfield.

Hazard was the star of the first half for Chelsea, coming close to scoring early on after turning past Smalling near the halfway line but United keeper David de Gea got the slightest of touches to tip it around the post. On the resulting corner, Gary Cahill almost broke the deadlock but again the Spaniard custodian proved to be defiant as he made an even-better save.

As the managers clashed in the aftermath of the Herrera dismissal, which had changed the complexion of the game completely, it looked like United would be able to go into the break level despite Chelsea’s dominance.

And they did, but as the first half had ended, Chelsea started the second, applying pressure on the visitors. And as they swamped the United box, the pressure paid off via an unlikely source in N’Golo Kante. The defensive midfielder, who coincidentally scored his only goal of the season against United in October, wasn't closed down quickly enough by Paul Pogba on the edge of the box and promptly let fly. His shot bounced and swerved into the bottom corner to beat de Gea with just five minutes played in the second period.

If Hazard had been the star performer in the offensive third for the hosts in the first half, it was all about Willian in the second. The Brazilian winger was everywhere and while his new hairstyle was definitely questionable, his display was not. Coming close to adding a second that would effectively seal the deal on a number of occasions, the winger kept popping up as the opponents began to tire.

United had a golden chance to equalise as Chelsea pressed for that killer second, with Rashord beating last-man Cahill easily but found Thibaut Courtiois up to the challenge. Apart from that and a weak Paul Pogba effort from outside the box, United rarely threatened as man disadvantage began to show as the game progressed.

With both managers making changes with different objectives in the final minutes, those expecting a close finish were disappointed as United were unable to truly threaten Courtois’ goal and the Blues remain on course for a league and cup double this year.

The FA Cup semifinal draw took place immediately after the game and Chelsea are scheduled to take on derby rivals Tottenham Hotspur while the other semifinal will be between Arsenal and Manchester City.

After a strong wrestle for power with the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party is set to create history in the Northeastern state Manipur. Congress leader Okram Ibobi Singh has resigned as chief minister and BJP's winning candidate Nongthombam Biren Singh is set to stake claim to form a new government in the state. As Biren gears up to take over as the new chief minister, the locals are familiar with the prominent figure but here are few interesting facts about the new leader.

1. Nongthombam Biren was a former editor of a vernacular newspaper – Naharolgi Thoudang (A newspaper dedicated to the cause of human rights).

2. Interestingly, the 56-year-old politician was a national-level footballer before he turned journalist.

3. He began his political career with the Democratic Revolutionary People's Party and was elected to the state Assembly in 2002 from his home constituency – Heingang.

4. He joined the Congress party in 2003 and had been a cabinet minister in the Ibobi Singh government for over 10 years, holding important portfolios.

5. Critical of Ibobi's functioning, Biren revolted against him and quit the Congress party in October 2016. He then joined the BJP.

6. He was elected BJP's legislature party leader under the watch of Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar and Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal.

7. Biren garnered 10439 votes and won in the 2017 Assembly elections from Heingang constituency. He defeated his rival, a Trinamool Congress candidate Pangeijam Saratchandra Singh.

8. Biren claims that people voted against corruption and atrocities, including staged shootouts, and said that his government would "probe various incidents of corruption and book those guilty of fake encounters (shootouts)".

After wining the elections, Biren said, "We are thankful to the people for voting us to power and we will not let them down".

The BJP now has the support of 32 members in the 60-seat assembly.

No doubt, the road ahead is tough in view of the troubled situation in the state and the complexity of of it all. But Biren, after emerging victorious, is set to create history as the first BJP chief minister in the state.

A Customs official has been booked on the charge of sexually assaulting a CISF woman constable who works at the city airport, police said on Monday.

"We have filed an FIR against Customs officer Hemaraj Gurjar, on a complaint by the victim that he had sexually exploited her after promising to marry her but backed out later," Bengaluru North-East Deputy Commissioner of Police P.S. Harsha told IANS.

Gurjar is posted as an Inspector at the Kempe Gowda International Airport at Devanahalli on the city's outskirts, where the victim also reports for duty on shifts.

"The accused has not been arrested as the investigation is still on. We are questioning him on the charges the victim made that he had taken her to his rented house at Yellahanka and got into physical relationship, promising to marry her soon," said Harsha, citing the complaint.

The victim filed the complaint after she came to know last week that Gurjar was already married and has two kids, who do not live in the city.

"He (Gurjar) lied to me that he was single and promised to marry me, but betrayed me after sexually exploiting me," said the victim in the complaint

The tussle for government formation in Goa on Monday reached the Supreme Court, with the state Congress legislative party leader challenging the invitation extended by Goa Governor Mridula Sinha on Sunday to BJP leader Manohar Parrikar to form government.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) Secretary Girish Chodankar told IANS late on Monday that Chief Justice Jagdish Khehar had ordered setting up of a special bench for the hearing, which had been scheduled for Tuesday at 10:30 am.

Chodankar said that the Governor should have rightfully invited the Congress party to form a government in Goa, because it had emerged as the single-largest party, with 16 seats in the 40-member Goa Legislative Assembly, following the February 4 polls.

"We were the single-largest party. The Governor should have invited us to form government according to established constitutional practice," Chodankar said.

Congress legislative party leader Chandrakant Kavlekar filed the petition in the apex court late on Monday.

In his petition, Kavlekar has cited the apex court's decision in the Rameshwar Pandit judgement, where the Supreme Court had said that the single-largest party should be allotted the first attempt to form government in case of a hung assembly.

"Governor overlooked Sarkaria Commission Report and M.M. Punchi Commission Report. These reports were also upheld and endorsed by the court in Nabam Rebia and Bamang Felix V. Deputy Speaker AP Assembly matters," Chodankar said.

The Congress had 17 MLAs while the BJP had 13.

The Governor invited Parrikar to form government, after he met her late on Sunday and submitted letters of support from 21 MLAs, which includes three legislators each from two regional parties, namely Goa Forward and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and two Independent legislators.

The BJP on Monday deftly outmanoeuvred the Congress to clinch power in Manipur and was set to form its first government in the Northeastern state, headed by Nongthombam Biren, a former minister who quit the Congress last year.

Biren was to meet Governor Najma Heptulla on Monday night to stake claim to forming the new government.

In a day of fast-paced developments, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost no time to cobble up the numbers required to form government. The BJP, which was at second spot in the state, winning 21 seats to the Congress party's 28, did not waste time in getting four MLAs each of the National People's Party and the Naga People's Front (NPF), which is also one of NDA's alliance partners at the Centre, to its side, plus three other lawmakers. The BJP now has the support of 32 members in the 60-seat assembly. 

Congress Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, in his attempt to hold on to power, refused to step down when asked by Governor Najma Heptulla, saying the numbers were on his side. However, later in the day, Ibobi Singh announced that he would step down in 24 hours. He resigned on Monday night.

Biren, a former editor who joined the BJP last year, was elected legislature party leader under the watch of Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar and Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal here.

His name was proposed by Thongam Bishwajit, MLA, and seconded by Radheshyam and Nemcha Haokip, besides several others. 

All the 21 BJP MLAs were present in the crucial meeting. Earlier, Bishwajit was one of the contenders. But he later withdrew to allow Biren's unanimous election. 

Biren had been editor of Maharolgi Thoudang, a vernacular daily. Later he joined politics and got elected from his Heingang constituency. He had been a cabinet minister in the Congress government for over 10 years holding important portfolios. 

He got elected from Heingang in the March elections. 

Biren told IANS that people had voted against corruption and atrocities, including staged shootouts. 

"Our government shall probe various incidents of corruption and book those guilty of fake encounters (shootouts). We are thankful to the people for voting us to power and we will not let them down," Biren said. 

He was one of the Congress ministers who were critical of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh who had faced several ouster campaigns. 

Earlier, Ibobi Singh claimed that he enjoyed the support of the four MLAs of the National People's Party on the basis of a letter he got from the party soon after the declaration of the assembly results. But, Heptulla pointed out to him that just a letter of support would not suffice and insisted on the physical presence of the four NPP MLAs. 

However, NPP General Secretary Vivekraj Wangkhem said: "There have been changes. We have decided to support the BJP. This is final. There is no question of our party supporting the Congress even if Ibobi is given a chance."

Criticising the developments, senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram said that the party that came at second spot has no right to form government, and slammed the BJP for "stealing elections" in Goa and Manipur.

"A party that comes second has no right to form the government. BJP stealing elections in Goa and Manipur," said Chidambaram on his official Twitter account.

In Goa, where too the BJP came second after the Congress, is set to have a BJP government under Manohar Parrikar.

Congress leader Okram Ibobi Singh on Monday resigned as Manipur Chief Minister, paving the way for formation of a new ministry under the BJP.

Ibobi Singh, who had refused to quit earlier saying his party had the numbers, later agreed to resign by Tuesday evening.

His decision to resign on Monday night comes as the BJP legislature party elected former editor and minister Nongthombam Biren as leader. Biren is to stake claim to form the next government.

Actor Aamir Khan, who will turn 51 on March 14, will celebrate his birthday in a different manner this time.

According to sources close to the actor, the Dangal actor will celebrate his 51st birthday with the media fraternity in Freeda One, Carter Road, Mumbai.

Aamir Khan, who gave Bollywood its biggest blockbuster hit in 2016, is now seen gearing up for his upcoming flick Thugs of Hindostan, which also stars Amitabh Bachchan in a pivotal role.

Thugs of Hindostan is slated to release later in 2017.

The Goa Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Elvis Gomes on Monday said the Election Commission (EC) should henceforth just "auction" every seat to the highest bidder instead of holding an election.

Addressing the media here, Gomes also said that news reports suggesting that the AAP's Goa unit was folding up following the defeat of the party nominees at the hustings were incorrect and that the state unit would continue to work in Goa in line with the party's philosophy.

It was Gomes's first press briefing since the party suffered a body blow in the February 4 state elections, in which the AAP failed to win a single seat. The results were announced last Saturday.

"Money plays a big role in deciding who is elected, because the EC machinery has failed. Sometimes I wonder why we should have elections at all? It would be better if the Commission conducts an auction of the seats. Let the highest bidder win it, instead of going through this whole process of contesting election and holding rallies," Gomes told media persons.

"We are confused (about) what people want," Gomes said, adding that the party tried to offer a proper and correct alternative to the Goans, which included introduction of new faces in the political arena, giving tickets to candidates without criminal antecedents and setting aside the communal and caste-based formulas.

"Beyond this what people want, we can't understand… We will try to understand the people better," the Goa AAP Convenor said.

Authorities on Monday suspended the scheduled run of the Poonch-Rawalakot bus service due to cross-border shelling by the Pakistan Army.

For the second consecutive day, the Pakistan Army indulged in unprovoked firing and indiscriminate shelling in Chakan Da Bagh area of the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district.

Defence sources said the Pakistan Army has been targeting four villages besides the Indian Army positions along the LoC on Monday.

"Some 82 mm mortar shells have landed inside the complex of the Trade Facilitation Centre at Chakan Da Bagh and for the safety of the staff, they have been shifted from there," official sources said in Jammu.

The Poonch-Rawalakot bus service was started in 2006 as a Confidence-Building Measure between India and Pakistan.

The district authorities also ordered closure of schools in villages where mortar shells from Pakistan have landed.

The Indian Army has been effectively retaliating Pakistan shelling and firing.

Exchanges between the two sides continued intermittently for the second day on Monday, defence sources said.

The Indian women's hockey squad, which is gearing up for the all-important Hockey Women's World League (HWL) Round 2 in Canada were put through the grind on Monday morning under the watchful eyes of chief coach Sjoerd Marijne. But no sooner than the gruelling session came to an end, the girls indulged in a splash of colours to celebrate the festivities of Holi.

Even the newly-appointed coaches, including chief coach Marijne, analytical coach Eric Wonink, both from Netherlands, and Hockey India's High Performance Director David John were not spared a soaking in colours. 

"They were absolutely thrilled to play Holi with us. They totally enjoyed and so did we. I have never played Holi like this in my entire life," stated an excited Rani Rampal.

Customary to any celebrations these days, the girls pulled out their smartphones for a round of selfies with the team and this occasion sure counted as one of the many highlights as these girls have trained together for several years and have found a home away from home in the national camp. 

"We have celebrated many festivals together as a family but this one is very special," exclaimed senior most member of the squad Deepika.

The festivities went on right till 3 pm before the girls called it a day and set out to gear up for the evening session. 

"We had only heard about the festival of colours but had never played. It was overwhelming to be part of the celebrations and I also see this as a great team bonding opportunity," expressed a candid Marijne.

"Now getting these colours off our faces and clothes will be a task."

Saudi Arabia proposes to create 1.2 million jobs for locals in an effort to end domination of foreign workers in crucial occupations, local media reported on Monday.

The goal of the Saudi Labour Ministry's programme is to cut unemployment among Saudi citizens and to ease the high demand for foreigners in important jobs in all sectors, Al Hayat reported.

This will be done through a nationwide programme of training and other initiatives, the newspaper said.

The ministry will restrict access to some jobs to only Saudis, especially in the business sector, such as those related to production, maintenance and manufacturing.

The ministry has recruited more than 16,000 Saudi men and women in jobs related to selling and repairing mobile phones. 

In January, Saudi Arabia announced that 120 local engineers were sent to Britain for training.

The BJP on Monday chose Nongthombam Biren Singh, a former state minister, as its chief minister candidate for Manipur.

Biren Singh, who was elected BJP legislature party leader, will meet Governor Najma Heptulla to stake his claim to form the ministry.

The party decision was announced here in the presence of two union ministers – Piyush Goyal, Power Minister, and Prakash Javadekar, Human Resource Development Minister.

"I left the Congress because of (its) misgovernance," Biren Singh told media on the occasion.

"I assure you that BJP will surely provide good governance," he added.

Biren Singh was minister in the Congress government, and quit the government and party in October last year.

The other contender was Thongam Bishwajit, a BJP MLA since 2015.

While the Congress has 28 elected members in the 60-member House, the BJP which secured 21 has increased its tally to 32 as all other parties and the lone independent including one Congress MLA have extended support to it. 

"I left the Congress because of (its) misgovernance," Biren Singh told media on the occasion.

"I assure you that BJP will surely provide good governance," he added.

Biren Singh was minister in the Congress government, and quit the government and party in October last year.

The other contender was Thongam Bishwajit, a BJP MLA since 2015.

While the Congress has 28 elected members in the 60-member House, the BJP which secured 21 has increased its tally to 32 as all other parties and the lone independent including one Congress MLA have extended support to it

Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Monday announced that he will tender his resignation on Tuesday.

"I will resign by tomorrow to facilitate the process of government formation," he told reporters in Imphal.

Few hours before the resignation announcement, Governor Najma Heptulla had directed Singh to resign in order for a new ministry to be formed. But Singh refused to step down from his post, saying he enjoyed majority support in the assembly. The Congress had secured 28 seats in the recent Assembly elections and he said that his party "enjoys support of the four NPP MLAs".

Heptullah is now likely invite the Bharatiya Janata Party to form the government, informed sources said.

Constitutional experts, however, are of the opinion that the single largest party, the Congress, should be given a chance to form the ministry since no party has secured absolute majority.

Meanwhile, as Singh is set to resign on Tuesday, the BJP has picked N Biren to form form government as the new chief minister.

"We are thankful to the people for electing us to power. We shall give a new life to the people of the state," Union Minister and BJP leader Prakash Javadker said. He had rushed to Imphal today.

While the Congress has 28 elected members in the 60-member House, the BJP which secured 21 has increased its tally to 32 as all other parties and the lone independent, including one Congress MLA, have extended support to it.

(With inputs from agencies)

Television actress and host Pooja Gor, who is remembered as the strong headed girl named Pratigya from the show "Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya", feels that the small screen content has grown and developed over the years.

Talking about the TV content, Pooja told IANS: "The best part is that the small screen (content) has developed and grown a lot. It is experimenting with a lot of shows… Every network is trying something different and we are growing that way. We need that more, of course, but a mix of it." 

But the saas-bahu shows will always be there as the small screen audience is mostly women. 

"TV is a medium that caters to the masses. The audience of the small screen is majorly the women… We can't avoid the 'saas-bahu' element in the show at all… It is very important as these are really important relations in our societies. So, those are always going to be there," said the actress, who is often seen hosting the crime drama show "Savdhaan India". 

In a fresh political twist in Manipur, Congress Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has refused to heed Governor Najma Heptulla's directive to resign in order for a new ministry to be formed, saying he enjoys majority support in the assembly.

Heptulla on Monday said she has asked Ibobi Singh to resign so that the process of forming a new government could start, but stated she has not invited any party to form government as yet. However, she likely to invite the BJP to form the government, informed sources said. 

Speaking to media here, Heptulla stated that she is a "straightforward person" and wants to put the "record correct".

"Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh had brought a letter from the National People's Party saying that the four elected members extend support to the Congress. I told him that he cannot bring such letters on behalf of the office bearers. The elected members should come physically. I also instructed him to resign so that I could start the process of ministry formation. 

She added, "He did not say anything he just went away. Till now I am waiting for the resignation letter of the Chief Minister." 

"I did not ask him or anybody that you prove majority but I have the documents of the BJP president along with the legislators paraded…they paraded the people which was shown on television," she said.

Ibobi Singh has refused to resign. "I still enjoy majority support in the Assembly and as such there is no question of my resigning," he told reporters. 

The Chief Minister added that the Congress had secured 28 seats and enjoys support of the four MLAs of the NPP. 

"We should be given the first chance to form the ministry, he added. 

Constitutional experts are of the opinion that the single largest party, the Congress, should be given a chance to form the ministry since no party has secured absolute majority. 

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party may finalise the choice of party legislature leader. Thongam Bishwajit and N. Biren are the contenders for the leadership. 

Union Minister and BJP leader Prakash Javadker who rushed to Imphal on Monday, said, "After the meeting we will get approval from the higher ups. Once the leader is elected we shall form the ministry. We are thankful to the people for electing us to power. We shall give a new life to the people of the state."

In a related development, while the Congress claims it enjoys the supports of the four National People's Party MLAs, Vivekraj Wangkhem of the NPP maintained his party is supporting the BJP to form government.

"Our party and elected members have extended support to the BJP in the formation of the ministry," he said.

Wangkhem also said that the party's earlier written assurance to the Congress is invalidated. 

The stand of the party is that it will support the BJP, he added. 

While the Congress has 28 elected members in the 60-member House, the BJP which secured 21 has increased its tally to 32 as all other parties and the lone independent including one Congress MLA have extended support to it. 

The BJP General Secretaries, Ram Madhav, Prahlad Singh Patel and the Assam Finance Minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma claimed that the party enjoys support of 32 MLAs. 

Chief Minister Ibobi Singh was pinning his hope on the support of the four MLAs of the NPP.

Angry over certain derogatory remarks made by a Maharashtra politician targetting army men, an Indian Army soldier has vented public ire at politicians and bureaucrats in a video and a large banner in his home village on Monday.

The soldier, Ranjit Gawde, a Lance Havaldar serving with an army regiment in West Bengal, and currently on a short vacation to his Mhalunge village here expressed his grouse at "objectionable" statements by a BJP-backed independent MLC, Prashant Paricharak, during election campaigning.

Paricharak reportedly commented that soldiers serving at the borders distribute sweets when they father children even though they had not gone home for a year, indirectly implying that their wives were unfaithful.

Following an uproar last Thursday, Maharashtra Legislative Council Chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar suspended him for 18 months and even appointed a nine-member panel to probe the entire issue though Paricharak later apologised for his indiscretion.

Without naming any politicians or bureaucrats, Gawde has penned a poem – which figures partly in the video content and on the banner displayed prominently in his village – expressing his outrage at the legislator's comments.

"This has nothing to do with the Indian Army or any political party… All soldiers who serve in far off places have been deeply pained by such irresponsible remarks made by some persons in recent times. I have merely gone ahead and expressed my anguish in this manner," Gawde told IANS.

He has broadcast a grim message in his video and the banner displays his full size colour photo in army fatigues, with the headline – "Who Am I'.

"In the event of my martyrdom in the service of the nation, these corrupt politicians and bureaucrats should not touch my body. This is my last Will."

Gawde urged the soldiers fraternity to come forth and unite if they wanted to live with dignity and teach a lesson to these "barking dogs".

He said in conclusion on the banner that whatever be the outcome of his missive he "is a soldier and would always continue to fight".

The video has gone viral on social networks and the hoarding has been attracting large crowds in the village and even surroundings, but there has been no official reaction to it.

India's atomic power plant operator will restart its second 1,000 MW unit at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu in two weeks' time while the first unit of similar capacity will be stopped for refuelling in mid-April, a senior official said on Monday.

He also said that the first pouring of concrete for construction of the third reactor facility will be in May-end.

"The second unit was shut down yesterday (Sunday) for testing of the systems. It will be restarted during the last week of March," H.N. Sahu, Site Director, Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP), told IANS.

According to Power System Operation Corporation Ltd (POSOCO), Unit 2 of KNPP was under forced shutdown for 'dynamic trip test'.

Speaking about Unit 1, Sahu said the average generation is around 85 per cent of capacity and it will be shut down in mid-April for refuelling purposes.

Every year, one third of the reactor's 163 fuel assemblies — 54 assemblies — will be replaced.

"This coming refuelling cycle will be the second for Unit 1," Sahu added.

Sahu said the third unit is expected to be ready in 69 months from the date of first pouring of concrete which is expected to happen towards the end of May.

Meanwhile, all other atomic power plants of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) in the south — two 220 MW units at Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) and four 220 MW units at Kaiga in Karnataka — are generating power well, as per POSOCO data.