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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Tom Doyle

Chelsea beat Reading 1-0 as Pedro goal decides Cobham friendly

Pedro scored the only goal of the game as Chelsea beat Reading 1-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the Blues' Cobham training base today.

Pedro scored in the first half as Frank Lampard's side got off to a winning start as they stepped up preparations for the return of Premier League football next week.

The Blues, who will resume looking to hold onto their place in the top four buoyed by the news of Timo Werner's imminent signing from RB Leipzig, pick up their season with a trip to Aston Villa on Sunday, June 21.

Lampard is once more working with a full strength squad in training after N'Golo Kante resumed working with the group this week, having previously steered clear due to fears over the coronavirus protocols.

Pictures showed the likes of Kante, Willian, Billy Gilmour, Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Mateo Kovacic and Christian Pulisic in action at Cobham.

Clubs have been given permission to arrange friendlies against sides within a 90-minute drive, with players arriving individually by car, and no officials provided from outside the two teams.

Chelsea could also face fellow west Londoners QPR - who are facing West Ham today - before the Premier League season resumes.

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