Sport

Graham Potter Replaces Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea Manager

By Web News 515

Chelsea have appointed Graham Potter as their new manager following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel.

Potter has left fellow Premier League club Brighton to take up the role and has signed a five-year deal with the Blues.

The 47-year-old said he was “incredibly proud and excited to represent Chelsea”.

Potter’s first game in charge will be an away derby with fellow west London club Fulham on Saturday at 12:30 BST.

“We are thrilled to bring Graham to Chelsea,” said the Stamford Bridge club’s chairman Todd Boehly.

“Not only is he extremely talented on the pitch, he has skills and capabilities that extend beyond the pitch which will make Chelsea a more successful club.

“He has had a major impact at his previous clubs and we look forward to his positive impact at Chelsea.

“We look forward to supporting him, his coaching team and the squad in realising their full potential in the coming months and years.”

BBC/Simeon Ugbodovon

Sport

Leicester Stun Chelsea to Lift FA Cup

By Web News 552

Youri Tielemans produced one of the great FA Cup final goals to give Leicester City the trophy for the first time in their history with victory over Chelsea at Wembley.
The Belgian settled a closely contested encounter with a spectacular right-foot drive that flew beyond Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga into the top corner from 25 yards in the 63rd minute.
It sent manager Brendan Rodgers racing down the touchline in celebration although Leicester’s fans – inside Wembley as 21,000 supporters formed the biggest attendance since lockdown – had to survive a nerve-jangling closing phase before they could celebrate the win in their first final since 1969.
The Foxes were indebted to two crucial saves from keeper Kasper Schmeichel, who turned former Leicester defender Ben Chilwell’s header on to a post then produced an even better stop to turn Mason Mount’s powerful shot wide.
And in a final act of drama, Wes Morgan bundled into his own net following a last-minute goalmouth scramble before it was ruled out by the barest of margins following the intervention of VAR.
Leicester closed out the win to spark emotional scenes as those inside Wembley rejoiced in a landmark victory.
‘I can’t hear a word you’re saying!’ – 20,000 fans create raucous atmosphere
Rodgers’ outstanding work gets its reward
Foxes boss Rodgers had a smile that illuminated Wembley as he joined Leicester’s players in joyous scenes of celebration after the manager and his players had written their name into the club’s folklore.
Gifted 24-year-old Tielemans will claim the glory for the sheer quality of the strike that won this FA Cup final and the rest of his performance oozed the quality that saw him named man of the match.
The Foxes had heroes elsewhere, particularly in veteran keeper Schmeichel, who was well protected for most of the match but made a huge contribution when required. His second key save from Mount, one-handed diving away to his left, even had Rodgers turning around and blowing out his cheeks in relief and admiration.
Youngster Luke Thomas was composed and Leicester even survived the premature loss of the experienced and influential defender Jonny Evans, who was a doubt before the game and suffered a recurrence of his heel injury, to keep Chelsea at bay.
And for Rodgers, who cleaned up with Celtic in Scotland, this was another significant addition to his CV, as his expert guidance of Leicester – who are in a strong position to finish in the Premier League’s top four and face Chelsea again at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday – now has a tangible reward in the shape of the FA Cup.
This was the result of outstanding work by Rodgers and his players and the rest of the season may yet produce another high point if they can clinch a place in next season’s Champions League.
Chelsea suffer bitter disappointment
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel revealed he was in “angry mode” after the surprise home loss to Arsenal suddenly put pressure on their top-four hopes in the Premier League – although the Champions League final against Manchester City could yet prove the most glittering safety net.
He certainly looked an angry man throughout this final, the body language increasingly frustrated right up until that final twist when a late equaliser was snatched from Chelsea’s grasp by VAR.
Chelsea now face a massive game against these same opponents in midweek but they will have to recover swiftly from this disappointment and the knowledge they did not do themselves justice.
They certainly had their moments and will complain of ill-fortune, about a suspicion of handball before Tielemans’ goal and those magnificent saves from Schmeichel but this was a stuttering Chelsea, not the smooth machine that saw off Real Madrid with such comfort in the Champions League semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge.
Timo Werner seemed a particular source of frustration to Tuchel, the manager enraged when he lost a physical challenge to Tielemans, and it may be he regrets that he did not start with the improving Kai Havertz.
And Chilwell, left out for Marcos Alonso, was a source of real danger when he was eventually introduced as a substitute, almost rescuing Chelsea twice.
Chelsea and Tuchel now face a huge fortnight with the fight for the top four in the balance and that Champions League final to come against Manchester City – and the manager will know they will have to perform better than this.
Fans relish Wembley return
Leicester City fans, Wembley, FA Cup final 2021, Chelsea
Supporters had to present a negative lateral flow test to enter Wembley
This was the day atmosphere, emotion and deafening noise returned to English football as 21,000 supporters made Wembley sound like it was playing host to a capacity crowd.
Fans relished the traditional FA Cup fanfare from the Coldstream Guards and the hymn Abide With Me before throwing themselves wholeheartedly into an experience they have been largely deprived of since lockdown last March.
And how it showed in those final stages and Leicester’s fans suffered frayed nerves as their team held on for history while Chelsea’s followers urged their side on in the hope of a comeback.
At the final whistle and then the trophy celebration, it was just like old times as those thousands of Leicester supporters stayed in their seats to join and take in scenes that will live with them forever while the Chelsea end was a scene of desolation before it became a sea of deserted red seats.
It only emphasised once more that football quite simply is not the same in any form without fans.
Fifth time lucky for Foxes – the best of the stats
Leicester won their first FA Cup final at the fifth attempt, becoming the 44th different side to win the competition.
Chelsea have become the first team to lose the FA Cup final in consecutive seasons since Newcastle United in 1997-98 and 1998-99.
This was the 45th FA Cup final to finish 1-0, at least 20 more times than any other scoreline in the showpiece.
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers has become the first manager to win both the English and Scottish FA Cup since Sir Alex Ferguson.
Leicester’s Youri Tielemans became the third Belgian player to score in an FA Cup final, with all three going on to lift the trophy that year (Eden Hazard in 2018, Kevin de Bruyne in 2019).
Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel is the first goalkeeper to captain the winning side in an FA Cup final since David Seaman with Arsenal in 2003.
Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud played in his sixth FA Cup final – post World War Two. Only Ashley Cole (8), Ryan Giggs (7) and Roy Keane (7) have appeared in more.
At 37 years and 114 days, Leicester’s Wes Morgan became the oldest outfield player to appear in an FA Cup final since Teddy Sheringham for West Ham in 2006 (40y 41d)
BBC

Sport

FA Cup Final: Chelsea Take on Leicester City

By Web News 537

As Chelsea slug it out with Leicester in the English FA Cup Final today 15 May, 2021, here are some info.

TEAM NEWS

Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic is fit after a five-week absence with a hamstring problem, while N’Golo Kante will start despite nursing an Achilles issue.

Goalkeeper Kepa is another confirmed starter but Andreas Christensen might not be available.

Leicester will assess the fitness of defender Jonny Evans, who has missed two games because of a heel injury.

Ricardo Pereira and James Maddison may not be risked from the start as they continue to strive for full fitness.

LAWRO’S PREDICTION

Chelsea’s midweek defeat to Arsenal opens the door a little to the teams below them in the race for the top four, especially because they are trying to win the FA Cup this weekend while their rivals play in the Premier League.

The Blues made seven changes for the Gunners game, which felt like too many to me – even with a game like this next. It obviously backfired because of the result they got.

Thomas Tuchel will pick his strongest team here though, and I think they will have too much for Leicester – the Foxes got a good win at Old Trafford on Tuesday, but that was against a weakened Manchester United side.

It will be close but, from what I’ve seen of Brendan Rodgers’ side in the past few weeks, I am not sure they have got enough about them to break down this Chelsea side.

Having around 20,000 fans back inside Wembley will help, though, especially for whichever team falls behind and needs to be lifted to come back.

I am still sticking with Chelsea to win it. They will create more chances, and they just have to take them.

Prediction: 1-0

Lawro’s full predictions v Radio 1Xtra DJ Ace

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

  • Chelsea have won all seven previous FA Cup ties against Leicester, two of which went to a replay.
  • This is the second time Leicester and Chelsea have met in a domestic cup final. The Blues won 3-2 on aggregate in the 1964-65 League Cup final.
  • Leicester’s only cup victory over Chelsea was by 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in the 1983-84 League Cup second round second leg. The Foxes had lost the first leg 2-0, and lost the tie on penalties.
  • Chelsea are winless in six Premier League fixtures against Leicester (D4, L2). Their 2-0 defeat at King Power Stadium in January was Frank Lampard’s final league match as manager of the Blues.

Chelsea

  • Chelsea have reached the FA Cup final for the fourth time in five seasons. They beat Manchester United in 2018 but lost to Arsenal in both 2017 and 2020.
  • This is Chelsea’s 15th FA Cup final and they’ve won the competition eight times. Only Arsenal and Manchester United can better those two tallies.
  • Seven of their eight wins in FA Cup finals were by a one-goal margin. The exception was a 2-0 victory against Middlesbrough in 1997.
  • Those eight FA Cup final victories were under eight different managers.
  • Thomas Tuchel will become the first German manager to lead his side out for an FA Cup final, with the Blues still yet to concede a goal under him in this season’s competition.

Leicester City

  • The Foxes are the only club among the 24 top-flight champions never to have won the FA Cup.
  • Leicester have equalled the club record of five consecutive FA Cup victories, set from January to April 1963.
  • They have only won four of their 15 games at Wembley (D1, L10).
  • Leicester are appearing in the final of a major cup competition for the first time since 2000, when they beat Tranmere 2-1 at Wembley in the League Cup final.
  • Brendan Rodgers has won all six of his finals as a manager: the Championship play-off with Swansea City in 2010-11, and three League Cups and two Scottish Cups with Celtic.

BBC

 

 

Sport

Porto Hosts Champions League Final, Seats for 12,000 Chelsea, Manchester City Fans

By Web News 667

The Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester City on 29 May will take place in Portugal with 6,000 fans from each club able to attend.

The game has been moved from Turkey to the Portuguese city of Porto because of coronavirus restrictions.

Portugal is on England’s green list so players and fans can attend without having to quarantine on their return home. Turkey is on the red list.

The final had been due to be staged at Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium.

“To deprive supporters of the chance to see the match in person was not an option and I am delighted that this compromise has been found,” said Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin.

Uefa, UK government officials and the Football Association met to talk about Wembley hosting the game but no agreement could be reached on quarantine exemptions for sponsors, VIPs and broadcasters.

“Fans have had to suffer more than 12 months without the ability to see their teams live and reaching a Champions League final is the pinnacle of club football,” added Ceferin.

“After the year that fans have endured, it is not right that they don’t have the chance to watch their teams in the biggest game of the season.”

Both Chelsea and Manchester City say they are in discussions with Uefa and other stakeholders over ticketing and travel arrangements.

It is the second successive year the final has been held in Portugal with Lisbon the location for the delayed final stages of last season’s competition, won by Bayern Munich.

The final capacity limit at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto is still to be fixed.

Ceferin acknowledged that the UK government’s decision to place Turkey on the red list for travel was made in good faith but said it also left the governing body with “a major challenge”.

“The difficulties of moving the final are great and the FA and the authorities made every effort to try to stage the match in England, and I would like to thank them for their work in trying to make it happen,” he added.

“The Turkish Football Federation and the authorities have always been reliable partners of Uefa and I hope to be in Istanbul and Turkey for a Champions League final and many other events in the near future.

“I hope the final will be a symbol of hope at the re-emergence of Europe from a difficult period and that the fans who travel to the game will once again be able to lend their voices to showcase this final as the best in club football.”

BBC

Sport

Chelsea Will Face Manchester City In The Champions League Final In Istanbul

By Web News 686

On a night of high tension, even behind closed doors, Chelsea fully deserved a victory that sets up an all-English final against Pep Guardiola’s Premier League leaders on 29 May.

Thomas Tuchel’s hosts were grateful to goalkeeper Edouard Mendy for two fine first-half saves from Karim Benzema but they were able to build on the 1-1 draw they achieved in Madrid when Timo Werner headed in from almost on the goal-line in the 28th minute after Kai Havertz had lofted a finish on to the bar.

It set the platform for a second half of total Chelsea domination that was nevertheless laced with anxiety as the hosts missed chance after chance to put the game to bed.

Real’s former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved from N’golo Kante and Havertz, who also headed against the bar, while Mason Mount shot wildly over the top when clean through.

It was Mount, though, who finally sealed Chelsea’s place in their first Champions League final since they won the competition in 2012.

The outstanding Kante, who was also instrumental in the opening goal, fed substitute Christian Pulisic and his cross was turned in by Mount with five minutes left.

The result adds another chapter to the remarkable transformation under Tuchel since he succeeded the sacked Frank Lampard in January – and gives him the chance to make amends for the 2020 Champions League final, when his Paris St-Germain side lost to Bayern Munich.

Chelsea’s win over two legs was almost as emphatic as Manchester City’s dismissal of PSG in the other semi-final. The Champions League has two high-quality finalists.

Tuchel’s side, totally rejuvenated under their impressive German manager, were starting to assume dominance as the first half drew to a close before totally over-running a Real side that suddenly started to look its age in the face of the energy of Havertz, Werner and Mount – as well as Pulisic when he came on – allied to the all-round brilliance of Kante in midfield.

Mendy played his part with those crucial interventions from Benzema, with Antonio Rudiger also a rock, but the home goalkeeper was virtually redundant after the break as Chelsea produced a terrific display of skill and intensity.

The only downside was their failure to take one of the many chances they created until late on, leaving the door open for a potential reprieve for Real that would have amounted to grand larceny given how they were being let off the hook.

The crucial opening strike by Werner, whose endeavour has not been matched by goals this season, will be a major plus for Chelsea, as will the display of the rapidly improving Havertz, a smooth, elegant operator who knitted midfield and attack together superbly and was a constant threat.

Chelsea will go into the final as underdogs given City’s current form, but make no mistake they will fancy their chances and will pose a huge threat.

They have increased in stature as the season – and indeed this competition – has progressed and would not have been flattered had the scoreline on the night been even more convincing.

Chelsea were rock solid at the back, have a strong platform in midfield and were a real threat – albeit one that often went unfulfilled because of their own profligacy.

Tuchel will be burning to make up for last season’s final loss with PSG and he has already proved he can come up with a plan to beat Manchester City after Chelsea’s 1-0 win in the FA Cup semi-final, which has set up a Wembley meeting with Leicester City.

City will look back on a convincing win against Lampard’s Chelsea at Stamford Bridge earlier this season that really kick-started their campaign into action.

The final has the makings of an outstanding game and it would take some courage to predict the outcome with any conviction.

Uefa have reiterated the final will take place in Istanbul,

despite current lockdown measures in Turkey, after reports Wembley would be considered for an all-English final.

Real coach Zinedine Zidane called on the great old warrior Sergio Ramos, fit again, and former Chelsea forward Eden Hazard in an attempt to navigate a route to another Champions League final.

Ramos provided organisation and a customary yellow card but this Real side looked well past its best and in need of a rebuild, Hazard game but clearly nowhere near full fitness.

They got past Liverpool over two legs in the quarter-final based on a fine win at home but this was a toothless performance with only the evergreen Benzema, now 33, a danger.

Ramos and Luka Modric, while still making key contributions, are both 35 and Real must now start looking even beyond those Bernabeu legends when plotting the future.

Real looked tired, uninspired and well beaten at the final whistle. This looked like a team that needs breaking up and a new era ushered in, exposed by Chelsea’s youth, zest and energy.

“They deserve to win. First off, it’s difficult because Real had a lot of possession and they made us suffer, but we were dangerous with counter-attacks and never lost the hunger, never lost their desire to defend.

“Second half was even better, the structure to defend and in the second half, we could’ve scored much earlier. It’s a fantastic achievement and big congratulations to the team.

“Real Madrid are always dangerous, they can turn nothing into goals. So, to hang in there, even when you have chances and miss them, they never lost concentration, focus, and a positive energy on the pitch. This was a huge performance.

“I’m very happy we’ve achieved this. I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to live my life in football and this passion as a profession. So grateful to do it on this level and to get to another final, I’m very grateful for that.”

“They deserved the win says Zidane, we fought and tried but they deserved to win and go through.

“The players who have played were fit to play. I’m proud of my boys: we tried, we have got this far – just one game from the final. Chelsea played a great match and have gone through and we have to say well done to them.

“We needed to be better going forward. We didn’t have any clear chances, they made a number of them and that’s football. Now we rest and think of La Liga.

“Of course we’re not happy. When you lose a semi-final you can’t be happy and that’s normal. It’s tough to take, but tomorrow we’ll be back out on the training pitch ready to go again.”

Back-to-back Champions League finals for Tuchel – the stats

  • Chelsea have reached their third Champions League final, also doing so in 2008 and 2012. Only Manchester United and Liverpool (four each) have reached more among English teams.
  • Having also led PSG to the 2019-20 Champions League final, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is the first manager to reach the European Cup/Champions League final in consecutive seasons with different clubs.
  • Real Madrid have faced Chelsea more often without winning (played five, drew two, lost three) than any other opponent in their entire history in all competitions, while Thomas Tuchel has faced Real Madrid more often without losing than any other manager in Champions League history (played six, won two, drew four).
  • This season’s Champions League final will be contested by two English teams for a third time, also occurring in 2008 (Chelsea v Manchester United) and 2019 (Liverpool v Tottenham). It’s only the eighth time two teams from the same nation will be contesting the final, with Spanish teams also doing so a joint record three times – 2000 (Real Madrid vs Valencia) and 2014 & 2016 (Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid).
  • Timo Werner scored his first Champions League goal in open play for Chelsea and his first since September 2019 for RB Leipzig against Benfica, ending a run of 17 appearances in the competition without one.
  • At 22 years and 15 days, Mason Mount became the second-youngest Englishman to score in the semi-finals of the Champions League, after Wayne Rooney (21 years 182 days vs Milan). Mount is also the first Englishman to score at this stage for Chelsea since Frank Lampard in 2008.
  • This was only the second time Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has lost a two-legged Champions League tie in 13 attempts, also losing in the Last 16 in 2019-20 against Manchester City.
  • Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy has kept eight Champions League clean sheets this season, the most ever by a goalkeeper for an English club in a single season.

Chelsea have kept 18 clean sheets in 24 matches under Thomas Tuchel in all competitions (75%), compared with 26 in 84 games under his predecessor Frank Lampard (31%)

BBC

Sport

Chelsea Sack Frank Lampard after 18 Months in Charge

By Web News 635

Chelsea have sacked manager Frank Lampard after 18 months in charge.

Former Chelsea midfielder Lampard, 42, leaves with the club ninth in the Premier League table after last week’s defeat at Leicester City, having won once in their past five league matches.

His final game in charge was Sunday’s 3-1 FA Cup fourth round win against Championship side Luton.

Lampard was appointed on a three-year contract when he replaced Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge in July 2019.

He guided them to fourth place and the FA Cup final in his first season in charge, but the Blues have now suffered as many defeats in their past eight league games as they had in their previous 23.

Chelsea’s past eight Premier League results
DateScoreResult
12 DecemberEverton 1-0 ChelseaL
15 DecemberWolves 2-1 ChelseaL
21 DecemberChelsea 3-0 West HamW
26 DecemberArsenal 3-1 ChelseaL
28 DecemberChelsea 1-1 Aston VillaD
3 JanuaryChelsea 1-3 Man CityL
16 JanuaryFulham 0-1 ChelseaW
19 JanuaryLeicester 2-0 ChelseaL

Lampard did not sign a single player during his first season as the club were operating under a transfer embargo, but spent more than £200m on seven major signings last summer, including £45m on Leicester’s Ben Chilwell and £71m on midfielder Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen.

It is the most Chelsea have spent in one summer, eclipsing the £186m they invested at the start of the 2017-18 season.

Lampard is Chelsea’s all-time record scorer, with 211 goals for the club between 2001 and 2014, and is also joint-seventh on the list of England players with the most caps, having made 106 appearances for his country over 15 years from 1999.

During his 13 seasons as a player at Stamford Bridge, he made 648 appearances and won 11 major trophies – including four Premier League titles and the 2012 Champions League.

His first managerial posting was at Derby. In his one season in charge, they reached the Championship play-off final, where they lost to Aston Villa.

Lampard became the 10th full-time manager appointed by Roman Abramovich since the billionaire bought the club in 2003.

According to football finance journalist Kieran Maguire, Abramovich has spent £110m on sacking managers before Lampard’s dismissal.

Having finished with 66 points last season after 20 wins and 12 defeats, Chelsea have lost six times in their opening 19 league games this season.

Lampard’s points-per-game average of 1.67 is the lowest of any permanent Chelsea manager in the Premier League. During the Roman Abramovich era, only Andre Villas-Boas (47.5%) has a worse win rate than Lampard’s 52.4%, in all competitions amongst permanent Chelsea bosses.

In contrast, Jose Mourinho’s win rate in all competitions during his first spell in charge was 67.03%, while Antonio Conte, Maurizio Sarri, Avram Grant, Carlo Ancelotti and Claudio Ranieri all had win rates over 60%.

BBC

Sport

EPL Ends with Man Utd, Chelsea in Top Four; Watford, Bournemouth Join Norwich in Relegation

By Web News 709

English Premier League, EPL, ended today with Manchester United and Chelsea joining Liverpool and Manchester City in Champions League qualification.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’ tutored Man Utd beat Leicester 2-0, thus finishing third on goal difference ahead of France Lampard’s side, Chelsea which also defeated Wolves by 2-0 margin.

Watfford, which lost 2-3 to Arsenal slumped into relegation with Norwich. Same for Bournemouth, their hope of escaping the hard drop was dashed despite thrashing Everton 3-1, as Aston Villa and West Ham ended their game one all.

Simeon Ugbodovon