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Chelsea decide against permanent deal for Sancho

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What next for Jadon Sancho? Chelsea have decided against signing Jadon Sancho on a permanent deal, choosing instead to pay a £5 million penalty to send the winger back to Manchester United. Author | Lauren W Sancho joined Chelsea on loan last summer following a breakdown in his relationship with then-United manager Erik ten Hag.  Although the 25-year-old had shown flashes of form, the Blues and the player’s representatives failed to agree terms over a long-term contract, with Sancho expected to take a pay cut from his current £300,000-a-week deal at Old Trafford. READ MORE | Chelsea news and stories READ MORE | Latest transfer news and rumours Chelsea had not paid a loan fee for the England international and had only covered half of his wages during the season. The loan agreement included a clause obliging Chelsea to buy Sancho for around £25 million if they finished above 14th in the Premier League. Having comfortably achieved that, the club will now instead pay to withdraw f...

Chelsea make history in Poland

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Real Betis 1 - 4 Chelsea  Enzo Maresca’s bold tactical reshuffle and astute use of personnel steered Chelsea to victory over Real Betis in the Conference League final. Author | Lewis W Stadium | Stadion WrocĹ‚aw The opening 45 minutes had offered little encouragement for the Premier League side. Betis were deservedly in front at the interval, with Isco orchestrating the first half and providing a no-look assist for Abde Ezzalzouli, who surged through to fire the Spaniards ahead inside nine minutes. But the match flipped after the break. Cole Palmer was afforded greater freedom and, capitalising on the injury-enforced withdrawal of Betis left-back Ricardo RodrĂ­guez, delivered a commanding display that earned him player of the match honours. Palmer's teasing, dipping delivery from a central area was then expertly glanced in by Enzo Fernández just after the hour mark. READ MORE | A recap of our live coverage from the night READ MORE | Chelsea fan reaction on London Super News ...

Recap | Conference League final coverage

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Chelsea v Real Betis This is the place for the best news and stories from the 2025 Conference League Final Author | Lauren W Keep reading for updates from throughout the day and match. Chelsea fans display before kick off. The Chelsea party can start now  | Real Betis 1-4 Chelsea A fantastic second-half performance by Chelsea that has seen them score four goals. Moises Caicedo - who has started all 38 Premier League games this season - had a shot from the edge of the box that took a slight deflection on its way into the net. That has to be game over now  | Real Betis 1-3 Chelsea With seven minutes of left to play, Jadon Sancho has extended Chelsea's lead.  It was a goal delivered by the substitutes bench as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's ball bobbled into the path of Jadon Sancho. The player, who is still on loan from Manchester United, curled the ball beyond Adrian, probably sealing Chelsea's spot in the history books. They will be the only team to have won all four ma...

Chelsea earn Champions League place after win at Forest

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Nottingham Forest 0 - 1 Chelsea Chelsea secured their place in next season’s Champions League with a narrow, hard-fought win at Nottingham Forest Author | Kieran M Stadium |  The City Ground The result confirmed a fourth-place finish for Enzo Maresca’s side and dashed any lingering hopes Forest had of qualifying for Europe’s premier competition. The decisive moment came five minutes after the break, when Levi Colwill bundled home from close range. It was enough to ensure Chelsea met the expectations set for them at the start of the campaign.  Maresca admitted afterwards that their summer transfer plans were shaped by which European competition they would be in. The win also provides timely momentum ahead of Chelsea’s appearance in the Europa Conference League final against Real Betis in Poland on Wednesday. For Forest, who battled to survive on the final day last season, this campaign represents significant progress. Despite falling short of a Champions League spot, sevent...

Chelsea edge past United to boost Champions League hopes

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Chelsea 1 - 0 Manchester United Chelsea have strengthened their chances of securing a Champions League place next season after Marc Cucurella’s second-half header clinched a hard-fought victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. Author - Lauren W Stadium - Stamford Bridge The Spanish full-back met Reece James’s superb delivery from the right to nod in what proved to be the winner, lifting Chelsea into fourth in the Premier League with just one round of fixtures remaining. They went into the match knowing that victory was crucial to keep control of their own European fate. They are now level on points with Aston Villa but edge ahead on goal difference, and sit one point clear of sixth-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand. Despite a looming Europa League final against Tottenham on Wednesday , United manager RĂşben Amorim fielded a strong side in west London. His decision nearly paid off when Harry Maguire volleyed home midway through the first half, only for the goa...

Chelsea climb back into Champions League places

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Chelsea 1 - 0 Everton Chelsea climbed back into the Champions League positions with a narrow victory over Everton. Author - Lauren W Stadium - Stamford Bridge The result lifts the Blues to fourth in the Premier League, level on points with Nottingham Forest and one ahead of Newcastle, who face Ipswich later on Saturday. With Forest and Aston Villa involved in FA Cup semi-finals this weekend, Chelsea are guaranteed to stay in the top five at least until Thursday, when Forest take on Brentford. Nicolas Jackson secured the decisive three points, ending a 13-game goal drought dating back to December. The striker struck instinctively from 20 yards, firing low past Jordan Pickford into the bottom corner after 27 minutes. Although Chelsea were the more dominant side, they failed to put the game beyond doubt. With the race for Champions League qualification finely poised and a challenging run-in ahead, there were anxious moments as Everton improved late on. Robert Sanchez was called into a...

Chelsea move closer to another WSL title

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Manchester City 1 - 2 Chelsea Erin Cuthbert struck a dramatic injury-time winner at Manchester City as Chelsea recovered from their midweek Champions League setback to keep their pursuit of a sixth consecutive Women’s Super League title on track. Author - Macca Stadium - Etihad Stadium The Scotland midfielder’s diving header settled a thrilling third meeting between the sides in just eight days, a contest that saw City’s Jess Park have a goal controversially ruled out after the referee failed to play advantage. Chelsea’s 31-game unbeaten run across all competitions was ended on Wednesday when City claimed a 2-0 win in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Joie Stadium. That result avenged City’s League Cup final defeat four days earlier, with the sides set to meet again in the return leg on Thursday night. Nick Cushing’s team looked on course for back-to-back victories after dominating the first half, with winger Kerolin opening the scoring in the 32nd minute wit...

Chelsea win Women's League Cup

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Chelsea 2 - 1 Manchester City Chelsea claimed their first trophy under Sonia Bompastor with a narrow victory over Manchester City in the Women’s League Cup final, keeping their pursuit of a historic quadruple firmly on track. Author - Macca Stadium - Pride Park Bompastor has made an immediate impact since replacing Emma Hayes last May, winning 26 of her 28 matches in charge. Mayra RamĂ­rez gave Chelsea the perfect start at Derby County’s Pride Park, bundling home from close range after City captain Laia Aleixandri inadvertently diverted the ball into her path. Aoba Fujino levelled after the break with a stunning strike, but an unfortunate own goal from Yui Hasegawa restored Chelsea’s advantage and ended their three-year run of heartbreak in League Cup finals. City, playing their first match under interim boss Nick Cushing following Gareth Taylor’s sacking just five days ago, dominated possession after Chelsea’s early breakthrough. READ MORE: Latest Manchester City news from our frie...

Chelsea take control of Conference League tie

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FC Copenhagen 1 - 2 Chelsea Chelsea took a significant step towards the Europa Conference League quarter-finals with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Copenhagen in Denmark. Author - Lauren W Stadium - Parken Enzo Maresca’s side were uninspiring in the first half, failing to register a shot on target, but they burst into life immediately after the break. Marc Cucurella, introduced at half-time for the injured Malo Gusto, made an instant impact by surging down the left and cutting the ball back for captain Reece James, who lashed a superb low drive into the bottom corner from 30 yards out. Copenhagen came agonisingly close to an equaliser moments later when Viktor Claesson’s angled strike cannoned off the inside of the post and fell kindly into the hands of relieved Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. The Blues made their hosts pay for that missed opportunity in the 65th minute. Cucurella, once again influential, won possession high up the pitch before Christopher Nkunku played in T...

Chelsea boost top four hopes

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Chelsea 4 - 0 Southampton  Chelsea boosted their top four hopes and ended their three-match losing run with an emphatic win over Southampton at Stamford Bridge. Author - Lauren W Christopher Nkunku put Chelsea ahead in the 24th minute, nodding home after Tosin Adarabioyo flicked on a corner. Twelve minutes later, Nkunku turned provider, slipping in Pedro Neto, who slotted past Aaron Ramsdale with a composed low finish. They extended their lead just before half-time, with Levi Colwill outjumping the defence to guide in Neto’s wide free-kick. The victory was sealed in the 78th minute when substitute Tyrique George teed up Marc Cucurella, who capped off a swift counter-attack with a precise drilled finish. Click here for more Premier League news and stories Chelsea were desperate for this win After a strong start to the season—winning 18 of their first 26 games in all competitions—the Blues had managed just three wins in their previous 12 matches before facing Southampton. However...

Chelsea need to get back to winning ways

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Chelsea v Southampton preview Two struggling teams in dire need of a turnaround meet on Tuesday night, as Chelsea host relegation-bound Southampton at Stamford Bridge. Author - Lauren W Chelsea players celebrate scoring at Southampton Enzo Maresca’s side come into the game off the back of three consecutive defeats in all competitions, the latest being a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa . Meanwhile, Southampton offered little resistance in a heavy 4-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. There were at least some positives for Chelsea in their response to a 3-0 hammering by Brighton earlier this month .  Maresca reportedly admitted that this loss was the "toughest" of his tenure so far. Their troubles away from home continue, with the Blues now winless in seven on the road and suffering four straight defeats. However, Stamford Bridge has been far more forgiving. Chelsea have won three of their last four home games, scoring at least twice in each, with their only defeat in their las...

New signings combine for Aston Villa

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Aston Villa 2 - 1 Chelsea New signings Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford combined twice as Aston Villa came from behind to beat Chelsea, grabbing three valuable points in their push for European qualification. Author - Lauren W Stadium - Villa Park An excellent piece of play out wide from Pedro Neto fashioned a ninth-minute opener for Chelsea, with the winger skipping past Ian Maatsen before drilling a low delivery across the face of the goal which only required a slight prod from Enzo Fernandez to turn it past Emiliano Martinez. Although Chelsea appeared to have the upper hand, they failed to maintain control of the match. The introduction of Rashford at halftime proved crucial; he was initially ruled offside, but the video assistant referee overturned that decision. Rashford then assisted Asensio by tapping a Matty Cash cross across the six-yard box, allowing Asensio to score for Aston Villa and level the game. After again being fed by fellow mid-season recruit Rashford, Asensio ...

Chelsea’s top four hopes dented by Brighton

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Brighton & Hove Albion 3 - 0 Chelsea Kaoru Mitoma scored a sensational opener as Brighton loosened Chelsea's grip on a place in the top four of the Premier League with their second win over the Stamford Bridge club within a week. Author - Lauren W Stadium - Amex Stadium The result means the Seagulls, who also knocked Enzo Maresca's side out of the FA Cup last Saturday, move up to eighth in the table. They are now only four points behind Manchester City in fifth. There's still a chance that finishing fifth could earn someone a Champions League place for next season. A closer look at what happened Mitoma set the home side on their way, superbly controlling goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen's long pass forward with a fantastic touch. He then cut inside Trevoh Chalobah and curling a low effort past Filip Jorgensen into the right corner of the Chelsea net. A Brighton win never looked in doubt from that point. They deservedly recorded their first home league win since Novem...

Brighton come from behind to beat Chelsea

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Brighton & Hove Albion 2 - 1 Chelsea Brighton staged an impressive comeback to knock Chelsea out of the FA Cup and secure their place in the fifth round. Author - Jack L Stadium - Amex Stadium Chelsea took a somewhat fortunate lead early on when Cole Palmer’s lofted cross from the left was spilled into his own net by Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. But the Seagulls responded well, with Georginio Rutter heading home from Joel Veltman’s delivery to bring them level. The turnaround was completed when Rutter turned provider, picking out Kaoru Mitoma—whose £54m move to Saudi side Al-Nassr fell through before the transfer deadline—who calmly lifted the ball over Robert Sánchez. Chelsea were incensed, arguing the goal should have been disallowed after the ball struck Tariq Lamptey’s arm in the build-up. However, with no VAR in operation for the fourth round, their protests were waved away. Click here for more Brighton news Carefree: This is the place for Chelsea stories and match...

Felix completes loan move to San Siro

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Chelsea forward JoĂŁo FĂ©lix has joined AC Milan on loan until the end of the season. The Italian giants have paid a £5m loan fee for the 25-year-old Portugal international, but there’s no obligation to make the move permanent in the summer. Author - Lauren W Felix on his first spell for Chelsea in 2023 Although the deal was only officially announced on Tuesday, all the necessary paperwork had been submitted ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline for both Serie A and the Premier League. FĂ©lix signed a seven-year contract with Chelsea last August when he completed a £45m permanent switch from Atletico Madrid, following a loan spell at Stamford Bridge during the second half of the 2022-23 season. His move came about in unusual circumstances, as Chelsea and Atletico effectively swapped players—academy graduate Conor Gallagher heading to Spain in a £33m deal. Click here for more February 2025 Deadline Day news Chelsea had initially been in talks to sign Atletico striker Samu Omorodion, but ...

Chelsea beat Wolves to end five-game winless run

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Chelsea 3 - 1 Wolves Chelsea ended their five-match winless streak in the Premier League with an impressive second-half performance against Wolves, securing a much-needed victory that lifted them into the top four. Author - Lauren W After Tosin Adarabioyo’s opener was cancelled out by Matt Doherty, quickfire goals in the second half from Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke ensured the hosts took all three points at Stamford Bridge. Cucurella, making his 100th Premier League appearance, found the net from close range after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall flicked on Madueke’s cross. Moments later, Madueke doubled Chelsea’s lead, heading in from a corner after Trevoh Chalobah—back in action following his loan spell at Crystal Palace—rose highest to nod the ball into his path. The goals came as a relief for Chelsea, particularly goalkeeper Robert Sánchez, who was at fault for Wolves’ equaliser just before half-time. Spotting Sánchez off his line, Matheus Cunha whipped in a teasing delivery that the ...

Crystal Palace hold Chelsea at freezing Selhurst Park

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Crystal Palace 1 - 1 Chelsea Crystal Palace snatched a late point with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Selhurst Park, extending the Blues’ winless run into 2025. Author - Lauren W Jean-Philippe Mateta struck in the 82nd minute to cancel out Cole Palmer’s early opener, just as Chelsea seemed on course for a much-needed victory. The result deepened Chelsea’s festive woes, stretching their winless streak to four games and further derailing their fading title ambitions. A closer look at what happemed Palmer’s goal, slotted past Dean Henderson in the 14th minute, was a moment of class. The finish was clinical, but it was Jadon Sancho’s assist that truly stole the spotlight. Sancho skilfully outmanoeuvred Chris Richards before delivering a precise cross into the box for Palmer to convert. Chelsea dominated the early stages, with their wingers enjoying plenty of joy against Tyrick Mitchell and Daniel Muñoz. The visitors almost struck within three minutes when Pedro Neto’s inviting cross fou...

Ipswich Town stun Chelsea

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Ipswich Town 2 - 0 Chelsea Liam Delap's standout performance inspired Ipswich Town to their first home victory of the season, dealing a blow to Chelsea’s dwindling Premier League title ambitions. Author - Marcus Ipswich Town v Chelsea European Super Football has all the reaction- eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com/p/premier-le... [image or embed] — European Super Football ( @superfootball.bsky.social ) 31 December 2024 at 15:10 The 21-year-old striker opened the scoring in the 12th minute, confidently converting a penalty he earned after VAR determined goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen had made sufficient contact as Delap weaved past him. Just eight minutes into the second half, Delap turned provider, seizing on Axel Disasi's wayward back pass to set up ex-Chelsea winger Omari Hutchinson for Ipswich's second goal. Despite dominating possession, Chelsea were wasteful in front of goal, with Joao Felix’s would-be first-half equaliser ruled out by VAR after a lengthy offside check. I...

Christmas drama at Stamford Bridge back in 2007

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December 2007: Chelsea 4 - 4 Aston Villa Seventeen years ago, Gareth Barry's late penalty rescued a dramatic draw for Aston Villa in what was a truly remarkable match. Author - Peter Grainger What happened in the match? The tone for a dramatic match was set from the outset as Chelsea made a sloppy start and early mistakes by full-backs Ashley Cole and Paulo Ferreira saw Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor drag efforts narrowly wide. Shaun Maloney eventually fired Villa into the lead with a volley before Petr Cech’s blunder gifted him a second. However, Zat Knight’s red card swung the momentum, allowing Andriy Shevchenko to convert a penalty. Shevchenko then powered in an equaliser, and Alex smashed Chelsea into the lead. But Villa fought back, with Martin Laursen levelling the score before Ricardo Carvalho was sent off for a reckless challenge. Michael Ballack’s superb free-kick looked to have sealed the win for Chelsea, but Gareth Barry kept his cool to make it 4-4 after Ashl...

Chelsea held by determined Everton

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Everton 0 - 0 Chelsea The blue side of Merseyside did the red side of Merseyside a huge favour by holding Chelsea to a draw at Goodison Park Author - Sarah W  Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca dismissed talk earlier in the week about his team being Premier League title contenders – and based on this result, he may have been right. While the Italian may have privately harboured different thoughts, Chelsea’s eight-match winning streak across all competitions came to an end, delivering a blow to their hopes of reclaiming the league trophy for Stamford Bridge. Star performer Cole Palmer, who stole the show with four goals – including a stunning first-half hat-trick – in a 6-0 demolition of Everton back in April, struggled to make an impact this time. He dragged an early shot wide and set up Jackson for a glaring miss. Premier League: Latest news from the 2024/2025 season Click here to find more Chelsea match reports news Jackson, who should have done better with a free header that struc...