Football

Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday dealt a significant blow to the latter's Champions League aspirations. Trevoh Chalobah's first goal since March 2022 gave Chelsea the lead in the first half, while Nicolas Jackson sealed the win in the closing stages.Tottenham's third consecutive defeat leaves them seven points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa with four games remaining. The north Londoners are now considered outsiders to finish in the Premier League's top four.Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou expressed disappointment with his team's performance, citing a lack of belief and conviction. "We are not playing with the mindset we need," he said.Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino enjoyed a second win over his former club this season. "The first half was fantastic," he said. "All credit to the players. They really showed the way we want to build this."Chelsea's victory keeps alive their hopes of qualifying for Europe, while Tottenham's defeat further damages their Champions League ambitions.

Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea were denied a dramatic late victory at Aston Villa on Saturday, as a controversial VAR decision disallowed a goal that would have sealed a 3-2 win. The Blues had fought back from two goals down to earn a hard-fought point, but Pochettino was left furious by the intervention of the video assistant referee.Villa took an early lead through an own goal from Marc Cucurella, and Morgan Rogers doubled their advantage before half-time. Chelsea responded with goals from Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher, but their hopes of a comeback were dashed when Axel Disasi's effort was ruled out for a foul by Benoit Badiashile.Pochettino was incensed by the decision, claiming that it had "damaged English football." He said: "The referee is unbelievable and it's ridiculous. It is difficult to accept. They didn't see a foul on the pitch and then VAR changed the decision of the referee. For me that was a normal challenge."It is painful as it has damaged English football. Villa's players and their fans didn't understand why the goal was disallowed. For me it damaged a little bit the Premier League. If we want to be the best league in the world it should be protecting the spectacle and the decision."The draw was a blow to Villa's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League, but they remain seven points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham, who have three games in hand. Unai Emery's side will be hoping to avoid a repeat of last season, when they missed out on a top-four finish on the final day.Chelsea, meanwhile, remain ninth in the table, but Pochettino insists that he has the backing of his squad. The Blues have spent over £1 billion on new players since Todd Boehly's takeover, and Pochettino will be under pressure to deliver results in the coming months.

Chelsea's season has taken a further blow with the news that midfielder Enzo Fernandez will miss the remainder of the campaign due to a groin injury. The 23-year-old Argentine underwent surgery on Thursday and will now begin a period of rehabilitation.Fernandez has been struggling with a hernia for several weeks and was unable to make an impact in Chelsea's 5-0 thrashing at Arsenal on Tuesday. The injury is a major setback for Chelsea, who have been hit by a wave of injuries this season.At times, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has had as many as 12 players unavailable, with his team languishing in ninth place as a result of their fitness and form issues. Their thrashing against Arsenal followed Saturday's 1-0 FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester City at Wembley as the pressure mounts on Pochettino.Fernandez, signed from Benfica for a club-record fee of 107 million pounds ($133 million) in January 2023, has made 28 league appearances this term, scoring three goals. His absence will be a major blow to Chelsea's hopes of finishing in the top four and securing Champions League qualification."Enzo Fernandez has today undergone successful surgery on a groin issue and will now begin a period of rehabilitation, sidelining him for the remainder of Chelsea's 2023/24 season," a club statement said."The 23-year-old midfielder will work with the club's medical department on his rehabilitation at Cobham."Fernandez's injury is the latest in a long line of setbacks for Chelsea this season. N'Golo Kante, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, and Christian Pulisic have all missed significant periods of time through injury.With just six league games remaining, Chelsea's hopes of a top-four finish are hanging by a thread. They are currently nine points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand.

Arsenal's dominance in the English Premier League continued as they thrashed Chelsea 5-0 in a one-sided encounter at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners, who are vying for the league title, extended their lead at the top of the table, while Chelsea's hopes of a top-four finish suffered a major setback.Arsenal's relentless attack began early, with Leandro Trossard scoring in the 5th minute after Chelsea's defense failed to contain him. Despite Chelsea's attempts to level the score, Arsenal remained in control, with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard creating numerous chances.Chelsea's defense proved vulnerable throughout the match, allowing Arsenal to score three more goals in quick succession. Ben White scored in the 52nd minute, followed by Kai Havertz in the 57th minute. Saka added another goal in the 62nd minute, and White completed the rout in the 70th minute.Chelsea's attack, led by Joao Felix and Raheem Sterling, failed to make an impact, with only one shot on target throughout the match. Arsenal, on the other hand, had nine shots on target, highlighting their superiority in both attack and defense.The victory sends a clear message to Manchester City and Liverpool, Arsenal's main title rivals, that they are determined to lift the trophy this season. Chelsea, meanwhile, must regroup and focus on securing a Europa League spot.

Manchester City's European reign may have come to an end, but their domestic dominance remains intact. Despite a disappointing Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid, City secured their place in the FA Cup final with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Chelsea.Bernardo Silva's late goal proved to be the difference at Wembley, as City showed resilience and character to bounce back from their midweek setback. The Portuguese playmaker's strike was particularly poignant, given his missed penalty in the shootout loss to Madrid."It's very happy after a very frustrating week for all of us," Silva said. "The good thing is in football at Man City, you play every three days. Every three days you have the chance to put things right and now we have a chance to win another trophy."City's victory keeps their hopes of a back-to-back domestic double alive. They are now just one win away from securing the FA Cup for the eighth time, while Pep Guardiola can extend his trophy haul to 16 since joining the club.However, Guardiola expressed his frustration over the decision to make City play on Saturday, just days after their Champions League commitments. "I don't understand how we survived today. It's unacceptable to play today," he said. "I just want to protect my players. It's unacceptable, it's common sense."Meanwhile, Arsenal have seized the initiative in the Premier League title race with a 2-0 win against Wolves. Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard scored late in each half to give the Gunners a one-point lead over City, who have a game in hand.Arsenal's victory was a timely response to their recent setbacks, including a defeat to Aston Villa and Champions League elimination at the hands of Bayern Munich. "It was a tough week for us," said Odegaard. "But we had to keep going."In the relegation battle, Burnley boosted their survival hopes with a 4-1 rout of Sheffield United. Vincent Kompany's team is now within three points of safety, while Sheffield United moved closer to relegation.

Cole Palmer's arrival at Chelsea has been a beacon of hope amidst a challenging season for the Blues. The 21-year-old has emerged as a talismanic figure, leading the club's goal-scoring charts and inspiring a recent resurgence.Palmer's impact has been undeniable. Since joining from Manchester City last September, he has scored 20 goals in all competitions, including four in Chelsea's recent 6-0 demolition of Everton. His hat-trick against the Toffees marked the first time a Chelsea player had scored four goals in a Premier League game since Frank Lampard in 2010.Palmer's heroics have not been limited to goals. He has also provided nine assists, showcasing his versatility and creativity. His ability to glide past defenders with ease has made him a nightmare for opposition defenses.Palmer's rise has been particularly impressive considering his limited opportunities at Manchester City. Despite his impressive performances in the UEFA Super Cup and Community Shield, he struggled to break into Pep Guardiola's star-studded lineup.Chelsea's decision to sign Palmer for £42.5 million has proven to be a shrewd investment. He has quickly become a fan favorite and a key player for manager Mauricio Pochettino.With Chelsea's Champions League hopes fading, Palmer's goals have become even more crucial. The Blues are now targeting a Europa League or Europa Conference League berth, and Palmer's form suggests he can lead them to European glory.On Saturday, Palmer will face his former club Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final. It will be a chance for him to prove that he made the right decision to leave the Etihad Stadium and become a star at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea's Cole Palmer stole the show on Monday night, scoring four goals in a dominant 6-0 victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge. The England international's hat-trick within 30 minutes effectively ended the contest, with Nicolas Jackson adding another before halftime.Palmer's performance has been a beacon of hope in an otherwise disappointing season for Chelsea. The 21-year-old has now equaled Manchester City's Erling Haaland with 20 Premier League goals, putting him in contention for the Golden Boot.Despite the emphatic win, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed frustration over a penalty incident in the second half. Palmer had to fend off teammates Jackson and Noni Madueke to take the spot-kick, which he duly converted."We cannot behave in this way. I told them this is the last time I accept this type of behavior," Pochettino said.The victory extends Chelsea's unbeaten Premier League run to eight games, but they remain in ninth place. However, they are now just three points behind sixth-placed Newcastle with a game in hand.Everton, on the other hand, remain in a precarious position just two points above the relegation zone. Their demoralizing defeat leaves them facing a crucial relegation six-pointer against Nottingham Forest on Sunday."It's the most embarrassed I've felt as an individual and part of a team in my time in football," said Everton defender James Tarkowski.Palmer's performance has raised questions about why Manchester City allowed him to leave for Chelsea in September for a bargain £40 million. The youngster has been a revelation for the Blues, showcasing his exceptional skill and composure in front of goal.Chelsea will now turn their attention to Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City, where they will hope to end the holders' quest for a second consecutive treble.

Chelsea's missed opportunity to sign Endrick, the Brazilian wonderkid, has become painfully evident after his impressive performance against England at Wembley. Endrick's goal proved decisive in Brazil's victory, showcasing his exceptional talent and potential.Chelsea had been heavily interested in the teenager, with scouts flocking to witness his brilliance in the Under-16 Montaigu Tournament in France. His senior debut for Palmeiras further solidified his reputation, prompting an invitation from Chelsea to visit their training ground.Despite the presence of Brazilian stars Thiago Silva, Jorginho, and Cesar Azpilicueta, and the promise of a local church, Chelsea's pursuit of Endrick hit a snag due to the astronomical $64 million transfer fee demanded by Palmeiras. Real Madrid seized the opportunity, securing the services of the highly sought-after prospect.Endrick's partnership with Vinicius Jr at Real Madrid promises to be formidable, as evidenced by their connection in Brazil's victory over England. Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole likened Endrick's style to Brazilian legend Romario, highlighting his body shape and clinical finishing.Brazil's new manager, Dorival Jr, has high expectations for Endrick, believing he can become a significant figure in both Brazilian and world football. Endrick's international debut against Colombia made him the youngest Brazilian to play for the national team since Ronaldo, and his goal against England marked another milestone.Chelsea's failure to sign Endrick is a significant setback, as they have struggled in recent years. The missed opportunity to acquire a future star has left them with a sense of despair. Endrick's move to Real Madrid will undoubtedly enhance his reputation, while Chelsea will rue their decision not to invest in his potential.

Chelsea's 3-2 victory over Newcastle on Monday provided a much-needed respite for manager Mauricio Pochettino, who had faced mounting pressure from fans. The win propelled the Blues back into contention for European football next season.Nicolas Jackson opened the scoring for Chelsea within six minutes, flicking in Cole Palmer's shot. However, Newcastle fought back and equalized through Alexander Isak's low finish just before halftime.Palmer restored Chelsea's lead in the second half with a powerful effort, while Mykhailo Mudryk, who has struggled since joining the club, added a third goal with a blistering run and finish. Jacob Murphy's late strike set up a nervy finish, but Chelsea held on for the victory.The win moves Chelsea up to 11th in the Premier League table, just four points behind West Ham in seventh, which would secure a place in the Europa Conference League. Newcastle, meanwhile, remain in 10th place, one point ahead of Chelsea.Pochettino's position had come under scrutiny after a difficult first season in charge, including a League Cup final defeat to Liverpool. However, the win over Newcastle provided some promising signs, with several of his young recruits showing glimpses of their potential.Jackson has now scored 12 goals in his debut season, while Palmer has contributed 11 Premier League goals. Mudryk, despite his struggles, showed his quality with a decisive goal.The pressure remains on Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, whose team has failed to build on last season's fourth-place finish. The Magpies have now lost 12 games this season, leaving them just one point above Chelsea in the table.