Lampard-led Chelsea beat Barcelona to lift Cup

Chelsea under new manager Frank Lampard beat FC Barcelona 2-1 in their final game in Japan to lift the Rakuten Cup. The Blues have been in the Asian country as part of their pre-season preparations. Played at the Saitama Stadium, the Cup match was the last game for the English Premier League side having recorded unfavourable results in their warm-up games ahead of the start of the season. The game against the Spanish giants on Tuesday was the first top-notch clash for the Blues’ manager, who played the Catalans on a number of occasions in his playing career. Goals from Tammy Abraham and Ross Barkley were what powered the Blues to victory. Not even a last-gasp goal from Ivan Rakitic could stop the Premier League side, who begin their domestic campaign against arch-rivals Manchester United on Sunday, August 11. They will take on Reading FC at the Madejski Stadium in another friendly on Sunday. Barcelona will continue their stay in Japan. They will take on local side Vissel Kobe at the Misaki Park Stadium on Saturday. Their next English opposition, however, will be Arsenal, in the Joan Gamper Cup on Sunday, August 4. Source: 3news.com|Ghana]]>