Premier league

The refreshed approach will see red cards automatically issued to players who “confront match officials and use offensive, insulting and abusive language and/or gestures towards them”. Yellow cards will be given to players who, among other offences, “respond aggressively to decisions” or “confront an official face to face”. Had it been in place last season it is likely that, to give one example, Jamie Vardy would have been dismissed for his finger-jabbing outburst at Jonathan Moss in April. Others would have faced sanctions too and, although Premier League clubs will be reminded of the laws when they meet before the season starts, teething problems are thought possible. … [Read more...] about Premier League threatens more red cards in crackdown on indiscipline

At various times this season Chelsea have been depicted as a counterattacking team – defence-orientated, if you listen to José Mourinho – but they can actually adapt their game in many ways and this was one of the occasions when they tried to overwhelm their opponents. Their problem was finding the killer pass. Foster is a difficult goalkeeper to beat and, though it was quickly forgotten by the end, the shot from Hazard that went out for a throw-in midway through the second half might well have been his least distinguished moment of the season. … [Read more...] about Chelsea win Premier League title again as Michy Batshuayi sinks West Brom

David Luiz’s surprise deadline-day return The transfer deadline was approaching and Conte’s pursuit of defensive recruits appeared to be floundering. Interest in players up and down Serie A secured Marcos Alonso’s £24m arrival from Fiorentina, a fee that initially appeared inflated, but moves for Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, Roma’s Kostas Manolas and Alessio Romagnoli at Milan had been knocked back. Paris Saint-Germain had no interest in parting with Marquinhos yet were more willing to sell David Luiz, a player fresh from a comically poor performance in a Ligue 1 loss to Monaco. The Brazilian made clear to the French club that he would like to return to Chelsea, with whom his agents, Kia Joorabchian and Giuliano Bertolucci, have long enjoyed a fruitful relationship. A £30m fee was agreed swiftly, the player paraded soon after in a Chelsea shirt. There was plenty of scepticism at the time, doubts based on the occasionally erratic displays of his … [Read more...] about Chelsea’s Premier League triumph: the key moments that led to the title

Yet Wenger should also reflect on the fact it was Bellerín who challenged Diego Costa moments earlier when the Chelsea striker had the initial attempt at goal, and the same defender who was involved again after the ball struck the crossbar, looped up and dropped into the six-yard area. In those moments, not one of Bellerín’s team-mates helped out. Indeed, closer analysis of the goal showed Theo Walcott, the nearest player to Alonso, drifting half-heartedly back rather than showing any real desire to involve himself. Walcott’s lackadaisical efforts, coupled with Coquelin’s inability to sense danger, wer brutally exposed by Alonso’s determination to get to the ball first. … [Read more...] about Eden Hazard mesmerises Arsenal to tighten Chelsea’s Premier League grip

The fans in the Matthew Harding Stand spent the second half bellowing Antonio Conte’s name, making it perfectly clear that they have a new hero at Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea were so dominant they could even afford to give one of their reserve centre-backs a brief cameo towards the end of this ruthless evisceration of Everton. John Terry enjoyed a suitably warm reception from the locals as he ran on and the club captain’s reduced role was a reminder that Chelsea are quickly building a new identity under the manager who has breathed fresh life into a side that improbably flirted with a relegation battle a year ago. … [Read more...] about Chelsea top the Premier League as Eden Hazard inspires Everton thrashing