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Chelsea starting line-up versus Everton confirmed

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Blues boss Enzo Maresca makes four changes ahead of the Blues premier league game at home to Everton with a start for Cole Palmer  Chelsea will look to return to winning ways following their midweek defeat in the champions league away to Atalanta, with todays game against the Toffees kicking off at 3pm.  Cole Palmer comes into the side from the start as part of four changes with Alejandro Garnacho, Malo Gusto and Wesley Fofana set to be handed starts by Enzo Maresca.  The Blues start with Robert Sanchez in goal, with the Spaniard marshalled at the back four of Malo Gusto at right back, Marc Cucurella at left back  with a centre back pairing of Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah.  Skipper Reece James is partnered in midfield by Enzo Fernandez, with a three in front of them consisting of Pedro Neto on the right, Cole Palmer in the 10 and Alejandro Garnacho on the left with Joao Pedro leading the line. 

Match report - Atalanta 2-1 Chelsea

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A goal in the final 10 minutes sees the Blues lose away to Atalanta in the champions league  A dejected Chelsea team walk off after suffering a 2-1 defeat away to Atalanta Chelsea had taken a lead midway through the first half with a goal from Joao Pedro however, Gianluca Scamacca equalised early for the hosts in the second half with Charles de Ketelaere in the final ten minutes striking a shot which deflected past Robert Sanchez to hand the hosts all three points.  Five changes Having left Cole Palmer out of the squad due to Chelsea wanting to manage his workload and Liam Delap being out with a dislocated shoulder injury, the Blues were always going to make changes and there were five changes made to the side which drew 0-0 away at Bournemouth.  There was a start for Benoit Badiashile in the heart of the Blues defence over Wesley Fofana and there was a start for Josh Acheampong with the youngster starting at right back.  The three game ban to Moises Caicedo does not...

Robert Sanchez's thoughts following Chelsea's draw away at Bournemouth

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If you can't win then don't lose says Blues shot-stopper  Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez recognised that Chelsea were not at their best at the Vitality stadium against Bournemouth however, Sanchez was able to take some satisfaction from keeping, with Alejandro Garnacho striking the post a clean sheet that he contributed heavily towards. It finished goalless at the Vitality stadium in a contest where the Cherries started the game out on top however, Chelsea grew into and looked to be favourites to win as the game went on.  Sanchez made some crucial stops particularly in the first half  with Alejandro Garnacho striking the post and former Blues goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic doing well to keep out an effort from Pedro Neto.  In the end both sides had to settle for a share of the points which Sanchez reflected on afterwards.  Watch some of   Robert Sanchez's  saves following Chelsea's 0-0 draw away at Bournemouth. The Spaniard said ' yes of course ther...

Reece James on feeling stronger plus thoughts on Cole Palmer's return

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Reece James believes that he has learnt a lot from the difficult experiences of his injury problems and feels that he is able to put those troubles behind him now. The Blues skipper also explains his thoughts on Cole Palmers return to the pitch and explains why this is such a big boost for Chelsea.  Chelsea's Reece James celebrates a goal  The Chelsea skipper spoke ahead of tomorrow's trip to the south coast to face Bournemouth in the premier league, where the Blues hope to return to winning ways after seeing a 7 game unbeaten run come to an end with a 3-1 midweek defeat away at Leeds United.  James missed the midweek defeat at Elland Road, however shone playing in a midfield role during Chelsea's 1-1 draw at home to Arsenal and insists that he has no preference as to whether he plays in the midfield or in his familiar full back position.  When asked about this the James said " I don't really have a preference to be honest". I've played so much in both pos...

Chelsea starting line-up confirmed ahead of clash with Arsenal

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 Chelsea confirm the starting line-up ahead of todays top of the table clash against Arsenal  Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca makes one change ahead of a big London derby top of the table clash against Arsenal . Chelsea head into today's game off the back of a thoroughly dominant performance in the champions league on Tuesday dismantling Barcelona 3-0 in the champions league and are looking to clash the gap on league leaders Arsenal at the top of the table down to 3 points.  Robert Sanchez retains his spot in goal behind the same back four which started Tuesday's champions league game against Barcelona with Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana starting against the Gunners.  Reece James partners Moises Caicedo in midfield with Enzo Fernandez pushing up further forward in the advanced central midfield role and is set to be joined on the flanks by Estevao Willian and Pedro Neto with Joao Pedro set to lead the line.  More good news for Blues fans ...

Chelsea key facts and stats ahead of clash with Arsenal on Sunday

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A clash between first and second awaits us on Sunday as league leaders Arsenal to visit Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in what should prove to be a mouth-watering clash. Here are all of the stats and facts ahead of Sunday's game.  Enzo Maresca's side are 12 games into the premier league campaign and although they undertook a shorter 3 week pre-season having won the Club World Cup find themselves second in the premier league table sitting on 23 points.  The Gunners, managed by Mikel Arteta find themselves sitting at the top of the premier league table on 29 points heading into Sunday's game. Head to Head The Blues have played more games against Arsenal (211) than any other club in the premier league, 12 more than Liverpool and 13 more against Manchester United. The fixture on Sunday will mark the Blues 98th meeting at Stamford Bridge in all competitions.  The last home win against the Gunners came back in August 2018 where Chelsea managed by Maurizio Sarri won 3-2. The...

Match report Burnley 0-2 Chelsea

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The Blues fine record at Turf Moor continues as goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez settle a hard fought contest  There had been plenty of opportunities for Chelsea before the Portuguese winger met a superb delivery from Jamie Gittens with a diving header on 36 minutes with his third goal in his last five starts to put the Blues ahead.  Neto came close to a second shortly striking the woodwork on the hour, with Clarets goalkeeper Martin Dubravka saving from Gusto who came on as a sub with the Blues looking to put the game to bed in the first half. The hosts best chance was wasted by Zion Flemming and though they begun to apply some late pressure, Enzo Fernandez struck from close range with a couple of minutes remaining to secure victory for the Blues to put them up to second 3 points of leaders Arsenal securing a third straight victory in the league without conceding.  Team news  Making his 50th premier league game in charge of the Blues Enzo Maresca made four c...

Gusto speaks on finally ending long drought with first Blues goal as Chelsea secure 3 points at home to Wolves

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 My first goal is only the start says Blues right back Malo Gusto  After reaching 98 appearances in a Blue shirt, it's fair to say that Malo Gusto was certainly most pleased to see his long awaited goal drought for his first Chelsea goal come to an end. However the French full back believes that that this is only the beginning as the Frenchman helped the Blues to a 3-0 win at home to Wolves.  Chelsea secured the three points thanks to three goals in the second half as they headed into the November international break with a spring in their step , and it was Gusto who broke the deadlock. Latching onto Alejandro Garnacho's lopping cross and heading the ball passed the oncoming Wolves goalkeeper, Gusto showed the intent of a striker wheeling away to celebrate with the Chelsea fans in the Matthew Harding lower end.  Elsewhere, in the second half for Chelsea Joao Pedro doubled the Blues advantage which his second goal in as many games, with Pedro Neto wrapping up the resu...

Maresca's thoughts on the challenges Qarabag pose both on and off the pitch

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There was a surprise amongst the media to see the Blues training a day before their champions league clash at Qarabag, with a five hour flight awaiting the Chelsea players, however, Blues boss Enzo Maresca explains the logic behind the pre-game plan as the Blues look to secure 3 points in Azerbaijan. With their being a four hour time difference, comprised with a five hour flight time and a 5,000 mile road trip, the Blues journey to Azerbaijan always proving to be a logistical challenge for Maresca and his coaching staff , as they weave their way through plans for training and recovery around travelling.  The Blues head coach feels as though he has found the right balance with Chelsea set to remain on English time despite being in the view of the Caspian Sea. When giving supporters further clarity on the Blues travelling arrangements, Maresca detailed how he has been able to manage his squad ahead of the clash with the Azerbaijan side on Wednesday night.  Maresca went onto add ...

Match report - Tottenham 0-1 Chelsea

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The blues make it 7 wins out of 8 in the premier league with a dominant display at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium ending with a deserved 1-0 win Joao Pedro with Chelsea's winner in a well deserved win at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium A dominant first half from the Blues saw them go a goal up at the break after some fine pressing from Moises Caicedo resulted in Joao Pedro getting the opener for the Blues. The game was a stroll in the park for the Blues who were rarely ever troubled by the hosts and could and should have added another in the second half, Pedro Neto forcing two saves from Guglielmo Vicario in the Tottenham goal in normal time, Jamie Gittens missed a glorious opportunity later and the Spurs shot stopper also produced a great save to deny Joao Pedro in injury time.  The blues in the end had to settle for a solitary goal however, this was enough to secure another victory over Tottenham to move the Blues into the top 4, level on points with Spurs who sit in third. Ten Chan...

Key statistics and facts ahead of tonight's London derby against Tottenham

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  Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur meet in their tenth premier league fixture of the season with 3 points separating  the two sites in the table. Here are all of the vital pre-match facts and figures for the Blues ahead of tonight's London derby  Head to Head  The blues have won more league games at Spurs than they have lost winning 29 and losing 28 Spurs have won only one of their last 13 premier league games against the Blues ( 2 drawn and 10 defeats) their last victory against the Blues was a 2-0 win back in February 2023 Chelsea have won 5 out of the last 6 premier league games at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium with only one defeat, making this the most wins picked up by any visiting site at the ground since Spurs made the move in 2019. The Blues have won their last four premier league games against Spurs and are aiming for a fifth consecutive win, a feat last achieved between 2000 and 2002 with six consecutive wins. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scored eight goals in thos...

Match report Wolves 1-3 Chelsea Blues advance to the 5th round of the carabao cup after edging a thriller

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 Four brilliant goals give Blues victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in what turned out to be 7 goal thriller at Molineux Chelsea made a flying start in what turned out to be a cracker of a knockout tie at Molineux against Wolves in the 4th round of the Carabao Cup at Molineux. Andrey Santos got the Blues up and running and set them on their way. Things were to get even better for the Blues soon afterwards with a brilliant team move finished off by Tyrique George with Brazilian starboy Estavao Willian scoring an audacious chip to put the Blues 3-0 up at the break.  However, things were far from comfortable and straightforward for the Blues, A determined fightback from the west country outfit combined with a red card for the returning Liam Delap complicated matters as the home side threatened to take the game to penalties.  Thankfully Jamie Gittens tremendous strike in off the post spared the Blues blushes to restore the two goal cushion, meaning that even with the home s...

Confirmed starting line-up to face Wolves

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Chelsea make changes in goal, defence, midfield and attack ahead of tonight's fourth round Carabao cup tie against Wolves at Molineux Chelsea starting line-up to face Wolves in the Carabao Cup   Enzo Maresca makes wholesale changes by rotating the squad with Filip Jorgensen starting in goal with Tosin Adarabioyo, Malo Gusto and Jorrel Hato starting in defence. The trio are joined in defence by Josh Acheampong who is the only player to retain his place following Saturday's loss at home to Sunderland.  There is a strong expectation that Andrey Santos will partner Romeo Lavia in the midfield with Estavao Willian, Facundo Buoananotte and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens partnering Tyrique George in attack.  Tosin captains the blues for the first time on his 50th appearance for the club.  My score prediction for this game is Wolves 0-3 Chelsea  Let me know your score predictions in the comments below

Trevoh Chalobah outlines 2 areas Blues can improve in

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Trevoh Chalobah cut a a visibly frustrated figure during the blues 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge to Sunderland bringing to an end the recent run of good form at home.  Trevoh Chalobah in action against Sunderland  The blues took an early lead at Stamford Bridge, however, the Black Cats got their equaliser midway through the first half before stealing the winner right at the death in injury time.  Chalobah said that the blues must learn from the first defat in 5, particularly with games coming thick and fast until the end of 2025.  He went onto add that "we needed to use the momentum built after scoring the first goal at home" "It was the great start the we needed and we wanted to attack more." We knew that we were going to come up against a team that were full of togetherness. They showed that from the start and tried to disrupt our game. In the first half we had our chances, in the second half we tried creating more chances to get ourselves back onto the front foot...

Chelsea team news confirmed for todays game away to Nottingham Forest

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Team news out for the Blues ahead of their early kick off away to Nottingham Forest  Enzo Maresca has confirmed that both Romeo Lavia and Andrey Santos will start for the blues as he makes 3 changes to the team that played against Liverpool. There is also a noticeable return for Trevor Chalobah back into the squad after suspension with Moises Caicedo, Benoit Badiashile and Enzo Fernandes making way.  Josh Acheampong partners Chalobah whilst both Reece James and Malo Gusto start again. It's also Lavia's first start of the season with Reece James playing his 200th game for the club. 

Line up confirmed for Chelsea Women ahead of their champions league clash with PSG

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Starting line-up confirmed for blues ahead of their clash with the Parisians  Blues boss Sonia Bompastor makes 2 changes ahead of their champions league clash against Paris St Germain at Stamford Bridge. Having made wholesale changes in their last champions league outing against FC Twente, Sonia Bompastor has  decided to make two alterations to the starting line up which beat Tottenham Hotspur at Kingsmeadow on Sunday.  Chelsea team to face PSG  (BBC Sport) Sandy Baltimore and Sjoeke Nusken both come back into the starting XI as the blues look to build on the point earnt in the Netherlands last week   Blues youngsters Lexi Potter and Chloe Sarwie are both named on the bench with the latter having made her debut for the blues in their last champions league outing against Twente. 

Dates and kick off times for Blues away day visits to Leeds and Newcastle Confirmed

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Blues away day trips to Elland Road and St James Park confirmed  Elland Road  The dates and the kick off times for the blues premier league away games against Leeds United and Newcastle United in December have been confirmed by the premier league. Chelsea begin the busy month of December by paying old foes Leeds United a visit at Elland Road as they renew their long standing rivalry.  The game was originally set to kick off at 8pm on Saturday 3rd December however, this has been altered to a slightly later kick off at 8.15pm with the game set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports. St James Park  Later on this month Enzo Maresca's blues pay a visit to St James Park to taken on Newcastle United. The game against the magpies is scheduled to take place on Saturday 20th December though the kick off time has been bought forward to 12:30pm with the game being broadcast on TNT Sports. 

Chelsea line up to face Manchester United

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Chelsea make three changes from the midweek game in Romania against Atletico Madrid  There are returns for Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech and N'Golo Kante to Thomas Tuchel's side as Chelsea welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge for this afternoons game. The trio to miss out are Marcos Alonso, Jorginho and Timo Werner who all drop to the bench. This means the Olivier Giroud will lead the line up front following his brilliant performance in Romania on Tuesday, with the attacking support being provided by both Mason Mount and Hakim Ziyech. The goalkeeper and the back three remain unchanged with Edouard Mendy protected at the back by Cesar Azpiliqueta, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger. The wing-backs will be Ben Chilwell and Callum-Hudson-Odoi, with Matteo Kovacic partnered by Kante in the centre of midfield. When asked about his decision to select Ziyech over Werner, Tuchel said: 'For me Hakim is a different type of player. He deserves to start. His impact in the gam...

Chelsea vs Manchester United - The Match Preview + Team news

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The matches in February reach their end with Chelsea hosting one of the biggest matches of the season  today. This top five super Sunday showdown matches Chelsea with Manchester United on the back of mid-week nights against Spanish teams in Europe. Chelsea inflicted the first ever home defeat in the knockout stages of the Champions League on Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid, whilst Manchester United completed eliminating Real Sociedad from the Round of 32 in the Europa League with a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.  After the biggest win of his Chelsea career to date, Thomas Tuchel will have to navigate Chelsea through their most testing period of the season. Sadly we now know that crowds will not be back at stadiums until at least mid-May. This game would have been a fine fare had fans been present at Stamford Bridge, with games against second placed Manchester United, champions Liverpool and Carlo Ancelotti's Everton in the league, plus two cup fixtures which are decisive, all due t...

Ahead of Manchester United Tuchel Reports Defender missing but reports no further injuries

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The great news for Thomas Tuchel is that his squad returned from Bucharest in good health, with all those having made the trip to Romania available to face Manchester United today. However, Tuchel confirmed in his pre-match media conference that Thiago Silva will not be in contention to face Manchester United as he continues to recover from a muscle injury which he sustained at Tottenham last month.   Tuchel reported ' He carried out an individual training session today, on the pitch, and felt this was huge progress.' 'This is a big step for him, so I am hoping that he will join us next week.' Tuchel has already faced Manchester United twice this season with PSG in the champions league group stage  'It is very helpful if you understand the style, strength and weakness. We have had a pretty good impression of the style they play and the spaces in which they want to hurt us, alongside their strengths individually as a group. This will help us to prepare.' 'The...