Romelu Lukaku came off the bench to score his first Premier League goal for 107 days, as the Belgium international defiantly dismantled Aston Villa’s backline once again during an eventful second-half ensuring they didn’t lose further ground in their title charge after defending champions Manchester City won a nine-goal thriller against Leicester elsewhere on Boxing Day.
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Tag: Mateo Kovacic
Juventus 1-0 Chelsea: Chiesa the catalyst as ponderous Blues stifled in Turin
Federico Chiesa’s winner, 11 seconds into the second-half, felt inevitable after multiple warning signs were ignored but typified just how Chelsea – with their 73% possession and half-chances galore – laboured through proceedings in Turin. If Thomas Tuchel’s men are going to successfully defend their Champions League crown, they can’t afford more displays like these. Continue reading
FA Cup Final Preview: Chelsea vs Leicester – Time to step up
A lot has changed for both sides in the four months since their last meeting, a 2-0 Leicester win propelling them top of the Premier League while confining the Blues to their fifth league defeat in a month under Frank Lampard. Under new management and with a Champions League Final to come on May 29, will Thomas Tuchel’s men prove a step too far for the bullish Foxes here?
Nations League – Portugal 4-1 Croatia: Player Ratings as Santos’ side cruise to victory
Goals from Joao Cancelo, Diogo Jota, Joao Felix and Andre Silva in stoppage-time sealed an impressive 4-1 victory for Nations League winners Portugal – but they could have easily put Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia to the sword by half-time. Which individual players impressed while others struggled in Porto? Continue reading
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea: Aubameyang’s brace seals FA Cup trophy and European football
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted a matchwinning brace for the second successive FA Cup tie, as Arsenal edged out a nervy 2-1 win over London rivals Chelsea – earning a record 14th title in competition history while subsequently qualifying for UEFA Europa League football next season with Mikel Arteta’s first piece of silverware in management. Continue reading
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool: 5 Hits and Flops as Blues earn FA Cup quarter-final berth
Goals from Willian and Ross Barkley were enough for Frank Lampard’s Chelsea to book their place in this season’s FA Cup quarter-finals at Liverpool’s expense during an enthralling encounter in west London. Continue reading
Mason Mount thrills on Stamford Bridge debut, Chelsea drop points again
Mason Mount made a memorable return to Stamford Bridge and scored on his senior home debut but was helpless to stop Frank Lampard’s Chelsea side from dropping two points against a dangerous Leicester side unfortunate not to snatch a late winner in west London. Continue reading
Liverpool 3-2 Chelsea (5-4 on pens): 5 Hits and Flops
Adrian was an unlikely hero on his first Liverpool start, producing the all-important penalty save in the shootout to deny Tammy Abraham and secure the UEFA Super Cup trophy for Jurgen Klopp’s men on a humid evening in Istanbul overnight. Continue reading
Chelsea bypass transfer ban, complete £40m Mateo Kovacic signing
The Blues, set to begin their two-window transfer ban this summer, have bypassed their constraints by activating a clause in the midfielder’s loan deal to sign him permanently.
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Europa League Final – Chelsea 4-1 Arsenal: 5 Hits and Flops
Chelsea earned their second Europa League title in six years at Arsenal’s expense in Baku, but which players excelled while others struggled? Continue reading
Europa League Final – Arsenal vs Chelsea: Match preview, predictions and more
In the first of two all-English European finals this week, London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea clash in Baku. There’s more at stake than meets the eye too…
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Thibaut Courtois completes £35m Real move, Kovacic loaned to Chelsea
Champions League holders Real Madrid have completed the £35m signing of Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, while allowing Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic to join the Blues on a season-long loan as part of the deal.