Chelsea
Tactical Analysis: How Chelsea halted Manchester City’s Premier League title party
Just over three weeks after their FA Cup semi-final success, Chelsea faced Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, with the hosts having the chance to seal the Premier League title with a victory. The two sides were fresh after midweek Champions League semi-final successes – against Paris Saint-Germain for City and Real Madrid for Chelsea – but with wholesale changes to the line-ups (nine for City and five for Chelsea), this was no dress rehearsal. Psychologically, though, this was a significant battle, and Chelsea came away with a crucial win (for their top-four hopes, too) after going a goal down in the first half. The match was filled with plenty of controversies, but we will strictly restrict ourselves to focusing on the tactical aspects of the clash. Manchester City in poss...
UEFA ‘seriously considering’ switching Champions League final to Wembley
Europe’s governing body, UEFA, are reported to be ‘seriously considering’ switching the upcoming Champions League final to Wembley, the clash set to be an all-English affair. At present, the final is set to be played in Turkey’s capital Istanbul, at Ataturk Olympic Stadium, the arena having already missed out on hosting the showpiece last season due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the last phase of the knockout stage having been moved to Portugal. However, despite missing out on hosting last year’s final, they could well be set to suffer the same fate this term, amid calls to move the final to England, after both Manchester City and Chelsea progressed from their semi-final encounters with Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, respectively. With an all-English final on the way, it seemingly makes ...
Journalist claims Leeds want Chelsea attacking midfielder, NUFC keen too
According to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, Leeds United, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United all want to sign Chelsea attacking midfielder Conor Gallagher on loan this summer. Chelsea. Conor Gallagher wants to give it a go under Tuchel next season. Tat will be a disappointment to Leeds, Palace and Newcastle who all want him on loan. — Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) May 9, 2021 However, the Englishman is hoping to convince Blues manager Thomas Tuchel that he deserves a chance in the first-team and is keen to give that a go next season. Gallagher is currently on a season-long loan at West Bromwich Albion and has weighed in with two goals and two assists in 26 Premier League games this term. The Baggies are inching closer to relegation, but the attacker is expected to remain in the top-flight ...
Key Leeds duo on the bench, Spurs star keeps place, Blues midfielder ruled out
The 35th round of fixtures in the Premier League features some crucial matches at both ends of the EPL table. We’ll update this story with reports, results, highlights and the latest Premier League standings throughout the weekend. The action got underway on Friday evening as Leicester City went head-to-head with Newcastle United at the King Power Stadium. The Magpies upset the odds with a superb 4-2 victory – Callum Wilson (2), Joe Willock and Paul Dummett got the goals. Leeds United ran out comfortable 3-1 winners at home to Tottenham Hotspur – Stuart Dallas, Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo were on the scoresheet. Christian Benteke and Eberechi Eze were on target as Crystal Palace triumphed 2-0 at Sheffield United. Manchester City will have to wait to clinch the title after losing 2-1 at hom...
Manchester City boss reacts to Sergio Aguero’s penalty miss vs Chelsea
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has reacted to Sergio Aguero’s shocking penalty miss during Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at the Etihad on Saturday. Man City took the lead through Raheem Sterling in the first half and Aguero shockingly missed the opportunity to give the home side a 2-0 lead before the half time whistle. The Argentine attempted a Panenka penalty but the chipped effort lacked conviction and was comfortably saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Chelsea came back very strong in the second, putting up an impressive display that gave them 2 goals from Hakim Ziyech and Marcos Alonso. With the win, the Blues delayed Manchester City’s Premier League title celebrations and also gave the west London outfit a psychological advantage ahead of the Champions League fina...
Sergio Aguero apologises after embarrassing penalty miss vs Chelsea
Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero has issued an apology for his penalty miss against Chelsea. Aguero made a hash of his Panenka effort on Saturday, spooning the kick straight into the arms of Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. It was a surprising slip from the usually unerring Argentine, but it was in keeping with a torrid season for the Premier League leaders from 12 yards out and contributed to a 2-1 defeat that prevented City from claiming the title. City boss Pep Guardiola refused to criticise the forward following the game, but Aguero has taken to Twitter to issue an apology. “I would like to apologise to my team-mates, staff and supporters for missing the penalty,” Aguero wrote. “It was a bad decision and I take full responsibility.” Aguero’s Panenka nightmare was the fourth penal...
Eden Hazard vs Philippe Coutinho – Who has been the biggest La Liga flop?
It may seem like a long time ago now, but there was once a time when Eden Hazard and Philippe Coutinho were two of the best players in the Premier League. At Chelsea and Liverpool respectively, the two playmakers were putting in regular dazzling displays. Hazard’s mesmerising dribbling struck fear into the heart of any right-back, while Coutinho’s gem of a right foot could pick out the top corner from anywhere within 40 yards of the goal. Fast forward a few years, and they both probably wish they had stayed in England. Coutinho has fallen wildly out of favour with manager Ronald Koeman at Camp Nou, while Hazard has become public enemy number one in Madrid. But who has been the bigger flop in Spain? Let’s have a look. Transfer fee Eden Hazard at the Santiago Bernabeu after completing his tr...
Mark Lawrenson states his prediction for Manchester City vs Chelsea
BBC Football expert Mark Lawrenson has stated his prediction for Saturday’s Premier League clash between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium. The Cityzens and Blues booked their spots in the final of the Champions League in midweek after aggregate wins over Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. Before the final on May 29, they will face a dress rehearsal in the league tomorrow, but the match has significance for both clubs for different reasons. The Cityzens need a maximum of two points to secure a third league title in four seasons, and they will be aiming to get the job done against the Blues. Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel’s side are yet to cement their top-four place in the league despite their sublime run of form in recent months. The Blues are three points ahead of fifth-place...
‘Outstanding’: Thomas Tuchel heaps praise on Chelsea star, compares Phil Foden to him
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel heaped praise on midfielder Mason Mount ahead of the club’s Premier League clash against Manchester City on Saturday. Mount has been an integral part of the Blues line-up, flourishing in the final third since Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard as the manager in January. He has registered seven goals with Tuchel at the helm, with one of those coming in the midweek Champions League clash against Real Madrid. The Blues won 2-0 in the second leg of their semi-final tie on Wednesday, cementing their spot in the final with a 3-1 aggregate triumph. Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s game, Tuchel was asked about Mount and Foden, and he was full of praise for the England internationals. He added that he believes that Foden has similar qualities to Mount, who he described as ‘outs...
European Super League clubs set to be given hefty fine by Premier League
The Premier League plans to punish the six clubs that attempted to break away and form a new European Super League with a substantial fine, reports the Telegraph. On April 18, it was announced that 12 of Europe’s biggest clubs had planned to break away from the Champions League and form a new European Super League. The clubs involved were Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan. Florentino Perez and Andrea Agnelli were at the heart of the negotiations The idea was met with widespread outrage from the footballing world. Fans gathered outside grounds to protest, while top players and pundits were critical of the idea. Some of the game’s governing bodies threatened bans for ...
Eden Hazard apologises to Real Madrid fans for laughing after Champions League exit
Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard has apologised for laughing with Chelsea players after his side were knocked out of the Champions League semi-finals. The former Chelsea man, 30, was seen joking and smiling with his former team-mates at the final whistle. Hazard said on Instagram it was “not my intention to offend Real Madrid fans”. Hazard was substituted before full-time after failing to have an impact on the game, which the Spanish giants lost 2-0 as Chelsea progressed 3-1 on aggregate. Hazard, who left Stamford Bridge in 2019, has received much criticism from Real Madrid fans and the Spanish media, with some calling for him to be transferred. Hazard helped Chelsea, who will face Manchester City in an all-English Champions League final, to two Premier League and two Europa League trophies...
Aston Villa offer Villa Park as alternative venue for Champions League final
Aston Villa have offered up Villa Park as a potential venue for the Champions League final, with doubts surrounding the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul. With Manchester City and Chelsea sealing their places in the final this week, attention has turned to the finale. Both English clubs are set to receive 4,000 tickets each, with UEFA targeting a return to normality with fans in stadiums. However, it is not yet guaranteed that English fans will be able to travel to Turkey, with the UK government set to announce their guidelines for the next easing of lockdown. Turkey is also still in a state of lockdown. There are also other logistical problems, with English fans needing to pay for COVID-19 tests before flying to another country. With all the complications surrounding the planned venue, Vil...
