Sports
Chelsea Stage Fightback To Beat West Ham, Climb To Fourth Place
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Enzo Fernandez’s stoppage-time winner capped Chelsea’s thrilling fightback from two goals down to beat West Ham 3-2 in a dramatic London derby on Saturday.
Liam Rosenior’s side trailed to first-half goals from Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville at Stamford Bridge.
But Chelsea ignored the half-time jeers from their angry fans, staging a brilliant revival after the break.
Joao Pedro reduced the deficit before Marc Cucurella headed the equaliser.
For the first time in the Premier League era, Chelsea came from two down at half-time to win thanks to their captain, as Fernandez netted in stoppage-time.
West Ham’s Jean-Clair Todibo was sent off for violent conduct after tempers boiled over in the final seconds.
Rosenior Continues Impressive Start
In what Rosenior had labelled Chelsea’s “biggest match of the season,” the Blues showed their character in memorable fashion.
They climbed to fourth in the Premier League as Rosenior became only the fourth English manager to win his first three Premier League games after Bobby Gould, Sam Allardyce, and Craig Shakespeare.
Rosenior has overseen six wins from seven games in all competitions since arriving from Strasbourg to replace Enzo Maresca.
The highlight of Rosenior’s impressive start had come on Wednesday when the Blues fought back from 2-1 down to beat Napoli 3-2 in Italy, securing a place in the Champions League last 16.
But this was arguably even more eye-catching than that success, given how Rosenior turned the tide after Chelsea’s wretched first half.
Rosenior will bid to work another miracle on Tuesday when Chelsea look to overturn a 3-2 deficit in the League Cup semi-final second leg at Premier League leaders Arsenal.
From Boos To Bedlam
He made seven changes after the victory in Naples, with Cole Palmer back in the starting line-up after starring from the bench in midweek.
Chelsea looked out of sync following the reshuffle, and West Ham took advantage to go ahead in the seventh minute.
Bowen wriggled into space on the edge of the penalty area before curling in a cross that eluded the outstretched boot of West Ham striker Pablo and caught Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez flat-footed as it drifted into the far corner.
Rosenior suffered another blow when winger Jamie Gittens limped off injured after a challenge with Summerville.
Summerville inflicted more pain on Chelsea in the 36th minute.
In a flowing move from West Ham, Bowen picked out Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and his cross was perfectly weighted for Summerville to thump a superb finish past Sanchez from 12 yards.
Alejandro Garnacho’s dismal display drew the ire of angry Chelsea fans, and the Argentine winger was put out of his misery as Rosenior took him off at half-time.
Rosenior also removed Benoit Badiashile and Jorrel Hato, but Sanchez had to save a fierce blast from Mateus Fernandes after the restart.
Sanchez saved again to repel Bowen’s snap-shot, yet just as Chelsea looked down and out, Rosenior’s changes finally paid dividends.
Wesley Fofana’s buccaneering run climaxed with a precise cross towards Joao Pedro, who rose highest to head past Alphonse Areola from close-range.
The Brazilian’s fifth goal in his last five games was followed by Chelsea’s 70th-minute leveller.
Malo Gusto nodded Enzo Fernandez’s cross to Liam Delap for a chance that bounced down off the bar towards Cucurella, whose diving header beat Areola from close-range.
Chelsea were rampant, and Fernandez bagged the winner two minutes into stoppage-time.
Joao Pedro pulled his pass across goal, and Fernandez thumped past Areola to celebrate his 150th Chelsea appearance in memorable fashion.
Todibo couldn’t handle West Ham’s collapse and he saw red after grabbing Joao Pedro around the throat.
Sports
EPL: Fernandes Announced Premier League Player of the Season
Bruno Fernandes has been announcd the Premier League Player of the Season following an outstanding campaign with Manchester United.Soccer
The Portuguese midfielder, who captains the club, added the latest honour to an already impressive season after previously winning the Football Writers’ Association Men’s Player of the Year award earlier this month.
Fernandes played a crucial role in United’s strong league campaign, helping the Red Devils finish third and secure qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
The 31-year-old matched the Premier League record for assists in a single season after providing his 20th assist during United’s clash against Nottingham Forest last weekend.
In addition to his creativity, Fernandes also contributed eight league goals in 37 appearances for Manchester United this season.
No player in the Premier League created more chances than Fernandes, who recorded an impressive 132 chances — 43 more than the next closest player, Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool FC.
Fernandes becomes the first Manchester United player to win the prestigious award since former defender Nemanja Vidić claimed it in 2011.
The award was decided through a combination of public voting and selections made by a panel of football experts.
Other players shortlisted for the honour included David Raya, Gabriel Magalhães, Declan Rice, Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo, Igor Thiago and Morgan Gibbs-White.
Manchester United will round off their Premier League season with an away fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion FC on Sunday.
Sports
Europa League: UEFA names Team of the Season [Full list]
UEFA on Thursday named the Europa League Team of the Season following the conclusion of the competition on Wednesday.
Recall that Aston Villa won the Europa League after beating Freiburg 3-0 in the final in Turkey.
However, UEFA’s Technical Observer Group has now selected its 2025/26 Europa League Team of the Season.
Aston Villa have four players in the official Europa League Team of the Season.
Here is the team in full:
Goalkeeper
Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)
Defenders
Victor Gómez (Braga)
Matthias Ginter (Freiburg)
Morato (Nottingham Forest)
Oscar Mingueza (Celta)
Midfielders
Maximilian Eggestein (Freiburg)
John McGinn (Aston Villa)
Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
Forwards
Antony (Real Betis)
Igor Jesus (Nottingham Forest)
Emiliano Buendía (Aston Villa)
Sports
EPL: Four Arsenal super stars to play their last league game against Crystal Palace
No fewer than four Arsenal stars could be playing their last Premier League match for the club this weekend.
The Gunners close out their title-winning campaign when they take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s men were confirmed champions on Tuesday night, following Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.
Arsenal will now receive their trophy against Palace.
However, some members of the current squad may be sold when the next transfer window arrives.
Christian Norgaard could be heading out of the door, despite only joining Arsenal last summer from Brentford.
Arteta has left Norgaard out of the last two matchday squads and the Danish midfielder might have to seek new pastures.
Ben White, who is currently injured, has also been linked with Everton.
Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz are now undoubtedly ahead of Gabriel Jesus in the pecking order and the Brazilian striker could depart in search of more playing time.
Myles Lewis-Skelly is less likely to leave than Jesus and Trossard, despite starting only four league fixtures, he has also been linked with a shock move to Manchester United.
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