Chelsea

Chelsea defender Reece James could be out for weeks with a hamstring injury, says head coach Liam Rosenior.

The Chelsea captain will miss his side’s Champions League home match against Paris St‑Germain, following their 5-2 first‑leg defeat in France.

An exact time frame was not given, but when asked whether it could be that James misses a number weeks, Rosenior replied “it could be”.

The 26‑year‑old may miss the upcoming England internationals later this month, with Thomas Tuchel’s squad to be announced on Friday.

He sustained the injury in Saturday’s 1-0 Premier League defeat by Newcastle.

“With a hamstring injury, it is never great and for Reece we can hopefully get him scanned, find out the full extent and then we will know more because we know how important he is and what a leader he is in the group,” added Rosenior.

“He felt something in his hamstring at the end of the game against Newcastle. It’s really frustrating and a disappointing one for us. We don’t know the full extent for us but it rules him out for tomorrow.”

James has largely enjoyed an injury‑free season until now after being carefully managed by Chelsea following several disrupted campaigns in recent years. On Friday, he signed a new six‑year contract to keep him at the club until 2032.

Chelsea are also without winger Jamie Gittens, goakeeper Filip Jorgensen and defender Levi Colwill but Brazil forward Estevao Willian returned to training and is in contention having not featured since early February.

Right-back Malo Gusto missed training through illness but could still be available on Tuesday, while winger Pedro Neto is eligible to play after receiving just a warning from Uefa for pushing a ball boy in the closing moments of last week’s defeat at the Parc des Princes.

Rosenior added: “There was no real bad intention, it was just a will to get on with the game so I think Uefa made the right decision.”

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenoir says his team’s huddle in the centre circle of the pitch is a “show of respect” to each other rather than to annoy the opposition, after referee Paul Tierney disrupts the pre-match ritual in Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle.

MATCH REPORT: Premier League – Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle

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Chelsea’s dominant record over United extends to the WSL, where they have never lost in 12 meetings, winning 10 of them.

But the gap has been closing.

This season, Chelsea needed an extra-time winner to knock United out of the FA Cup in their fifth-round tie and were held to a 1-1 draw in their WSL meeting in October.

It has been a turbulent time for the Londoners as they have fallen nine points behind WSL leaders Manchester City. Manager Sonia Bompastor has come under pressure and off-field issues – including the departure of much-loved head of women’s football Paul Green – have sparked debate and concern.

Suddenly, the ‘mentality monsters’ appear vulnerable – but can United take advantage?

“I don’t want to use this moment of vulnerability to do anything other than pretend we’re playing them at their best. Prepare for their best, and you can beat Chelsea,” Skinner said.

“We all know they’re an incredible team. Nobody’s denying that. But if we can get to our best levels in any game, I genuinely believe we can beat any team.

“Whatever form Chelsea are in, I’m going to challenge my team to be ready and focused on winning that game of football.

“Chelsea will do that. They’re not bothered about Manchester United, so we won’t be worried about them.”

Despite United’s strong campaign so far, some fans remain unconvinced.

This is the fourth successive season in which they have reached a domestic cup final, but they are yet to mount a genuine WSL title challenge and have lifted just one major trophy, the 2024 FA Cup, in their eight-year professional existence.

So can the club achieve more? Is Skinner getting the best out of his squad? Should United’s ambitions be more than just reaching finals?

“When you reach a certain level of experience in finals, you don’t want to not be experiencing them year-in, year-out. We also know that [in] the league, the teams behind the top four are investing more than enough to make it an open league,” said Skinner.

“The top-tier teams still spend the most and London City Lionesses are not far behind. We have to set our own markers at Manchester United. Whether you love it, or hate it – we’ve just got to compete. Sometimes we have to find different ways to do it.

“I’m not going to say my job isn’t to get us into cup finals and try to win them every year. All I’d ask is that if there’s a season where that doesn’t happen, you look at the context.

“If you’re not doing a good job [as a manager], then we all know what happens. You don’t have it any more and we move on.”

With a population of just 900,000, Reunion is better known for its volcanoes, wildlife and tropical climate rather than professional footballers.

On the men’s side, former West Ham star Dimitri Payet and Newcastle winger Laurent Robert are two that fans may remember – but those that make it all the way form a short list.

Growing up, Malard tried her hand at boxing, karate, judo and handball before discovering football.

“When I tried football, I said ‘that is my sport’ because I could put in a lot of energy and could play free,” she says.

She began playing in the island’s capital for Saint-Denis FC before the chance meeting with Bompastor, who was managing the Lyon academy at the time.

“She tells me, ‘Mel, I like you, come to Lyon’. I had two months to think but I said yes right away because it was a big opportunity in my life,” Malard says.

The transition from sunny Reunion to the bitter winters of Lyon all alone at the age of 14 was a shock to her system.

“It was so difficult but I knew what I wanted and I knew it was football,” she says. “Every morning and every night, I would put my boots on, go to the pitch and I would be happy.”

Seizing those early opportunities has paid off handsomely for Malard – three league titles, four Champions League medals and the experience of playing alongside some of the best in the world at Lyon and the France national team.

Now, in Manchester, she is continuing to love her experiences – despite that gloomy weather.

“Every time I pass Old Trafford, it’s a dream for me,” Malard says. “The people are so nice when I play football, singing my name at the stadium. The club is very big, has a lot of history and I enjoy it a lot here.”

And it will be a full-circle moment for Malard against Chelsea, managed by Bompastor, in the cup final.

“I’m excited, it’s good for us and this club deserve that,” says Malard, who featured in the 4-0 win against Tottenham in the 2023-24 FA Cup final as United lifted their first major women’s trophy.

“I’m also excited to play against my [former] coach. If we win, we put the name again in history and that is what we want.

“I’m confident because I believe in this team – I believe in this club. We are here to win everything we can.”

Arsenal won their set-piece battle with 10-man Chelsea as Jurrien Timber sealed the Premier League leaders’ crucial 2-1 victory over their London rivals.

Mikel Arteta’s side struck twice from corners and also conceded from the same route in a match on Sunday that underlined the increasing importance of set-pieces in the Premier League.

William Saliba’s first goal since December 2024 put Arsenal ahead in the first half at the Emirates Stadium.

Piero Hincapie’s own goal drew Chelsea level from one of Reece James’ deadly corners just before the break.

But Timber won a priceless three points for Arsenal with his second-half header before Chelsea winger Pedro Neto was sent off for a second booking.

The Gunners’ second successive league win reestablished their five-point lead over second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand and had closed the gap with a 1-0 victory at Leeds on Saturday.

After enduring scathing criticism of their mentality during a recent wobble that breathed new life into the title race, Arsenal have got back on track just in time as they followed last weekend’s 4-1 rout of Tottenham with a far more tense triumph.

Arsenal travel to Brighton on Wednesday with nine games left in their bid to win a first English title since 2004.

The Gunners, through to the League Cup final, the Champions League last 16 and the FA Cup fifth round, have just one top-flight match left against sides currently in the top six – a potentially decisive trip to Manchester City on April 18.

Chelsea’s third consecutive game without a win was a blow to their bid to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

They dropped to sixth place after losing to Arsenal for the third time in Liam Rosenior’s brief reign.

Robert Sanchez nearly gifted Arsenal an early goal when the Chelsea goalkeeper stumbled under pressure from Viktor Gyokeres, but he managed a last-ditch clearance to avert the danger.

When Sanchez gave the ball away with another nervous clearance, Rosenior held his head in frustration.

Arteta preyed on Chelsea’s weakness at the back to take the lead with one of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover’s trademark routines in the 21st minute.

Gabriel Magalhaes towered above Reece James and Joao Pedro to nod Bukayo Saka’s corner into the six-yard box, where Saliba’s goal-bound header deflected in off Chelsea’s Mamadou Sarr.

Chelsea have conceded eight goals from set-pieces in Rosenior’s first 13 matches and four of those have been against Arsenal.

But the Blues got their revenge on the stroke of half-time.

Arsenal were given a warning when James’ corner hit Declan Rice’s shoulder, forcing David Raya to make a superb save.

But they did not learn the lesson and from the resulting corner, James’ in-swinger was headed into his own net by Hincapie.

Arsenal remained vulnerable from James’ corners and Joao Pedro should have done better than head straight at Raya before nodding wide from another of the Chelsea captain’s teasing set-pieces.

Those misses proved costly for Chelsea as Arsenal once again showed their own set-piece prowess in the 66th minute.

Timber made a perfectly timed run to head home from Rice’s corner, with Chelsea’s furious appeals for a foul on Sanchez failing to get the goal overturned.

It was the 16th league goal scored from a corner by the Gunners this season and their jubilant fans celebrated by chanting “set-piece again, ole, ole”.

Neto, booked for protesting in the aftermath of Timber’s goal, rashly took out his frustration on Gabriel Martinelli, chopping down the Arsenal winger to earn his marching orders in the 70th minute.

Arsenal still needed a brilliant stoppage-time save from Raya to deny Alejandro Garnacho before they could celebrate.

Timber said it Arsenal should “enjoy” the thrilling title race.

“We have to enjoy it. It is a privilege to be standing here with my teammates fighting for this title. It is a beautiful place,” he said.

“There are nine games to go, but we have to go game by game. Hopefully, there will be something beautiful at the end of it.”

James, meanwhile, admitted that Chelsea are receiving too many red cards due to ill discipline.

“We have spoken. It has come up a number of times. Every time, it is someone different. We need to review it internally,” the Chelsea captain said.

“Of course, it is a problem. We are playing in the toughest league in the world. 11 vs 11 [players] is tough. 10 vs 11 is even harder, no matter who you’re playing.”

Earlier on Sunday, Manchester United climbed up to third place in the Premier League with a 2-1 win against Crystal Palace.

Benjamin Sesko’s seventh goal in eight games sealed the win at Old Trafford that moved United above Aston Villa on goal difference.

“It feels like a big result,” said United captain Bruno Fernandes, who scored from the penalty spot.

At the other end of the table, Tottenham’s winless run extended to 10 games after a 2-1 loss at Fulham – leaving them mired in a fight to avoid relegation.

Nottingham Forest also failed to pull further away from the drop zone after a 2-1 loss at Brighton.

Follow the build-up, analysis and live text commentary of the London derby as league leaders Arsenal face Chelsea.

Elsewhere, Barcelona will face Newcastle, Tottenham will play Atletico Madrid, and Arsenal will take on Bayer Leverkusen.

Real Madrid will play Manchester City while defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will face Chelsea in the pick of the 2025/26 Champions League last 16 games after the draw was made by UEFA in Nyon, Switzerland.

The draw for European football’s biggest club competition on Friday determined that City will face Madrid for the fourth consecutive season in a knockout Champions League clash.

Meanwhile, PSG and Chelsea will repeat their FIFA 2025 Club World Cup final, which the Premier League side won 3-0.

Elsewhere, Barcelona will face Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur will play Atletico Madrid, and Arsenal will take on Bayer Leverkusen.

Liverpool will renew hostilities with Galatasaray in a rematch of their league phase game, which the Turkish giants won 1-0 in Istanbul.

Norwegian minnows will face Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon, while the only Italian side left in the competition face a daunting encounter with German champions Bayern Munich.

The first legs will be played on March 10-11 and the second legs will be played on March 17-18.

The eight seeded teams – who finished in the top eight spots in the league phase – will be at home for the second legs against the eight teams who qualified through the playoff round.

The last 16 draw in full:

• Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea
• Galatasaray vs Liverpool
• Real Madrid vs Manchester City
• Atalanta vs Bayern Munich
• Newcastle vs Barcelona
• Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur
• Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting
• Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal

Familiar foes

Real Madrid knocked City out in the last 16 last season, as they did in the 2024 quarterfinals and 2022 semifinals.

City beat Madrid in the 2023 semifinal en route to lifting the Champions League trophy for the first time.

The two clubs have played each other on 15 occasions, with each team winning five games and the rest ending as draws.

City and Madrid have already faced each other in the league stage this season, with City coming from behind to win 2-1 in December.

PSG will be eager to take revenge on Chelsea after the Blues stunned the French champions to win the inaugural the Club World Cup title in a bad-tempered game last year.

The clubs have previously faced each other in the Champions League, with Chelsea triumphing in a 2014 quarterfinal and PSG eliminating the Blues in the last 16 in 2015 and 2016.

The draw on Friday also mapped out the potential route to the final, to be held in Budapest on May 30, as every team now knows their possible quarterfinal and semifinal opponents.

In the quarterfinals, City or Madrid will face the winner of Bayern Munich vs Atalanta, while PSG or Chelsea will take on either Liverpool or Galatasaray.

Quarterfinal draw

• Paris Saint-Germain or Chelsea vs Liverpool or Galatasaray
• Real Madrid or Manchester City vs Bayern Munich of Atalanta
• Newcastle or Barcelona vs Tottenham or Atletico Madrid
• Sporting Lisbon or Bodo/Glimt vs Arsenal or Bayer Leverkusen

Semifinal draw

• Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Liverpool or Galatasaray vs Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich of Atalanta
• Newcastle,Barcelona, Tottenham or Atletico Madrid vs Sporting Lisbon, Bodo/Glimt, Arsenal or Bayer Leverkusen

Champions League knockout round schedule:

• Last 16 : March 10-11 and March 17-18, 2026
• Quarterfinals: April 7-8 and April 14-15, 2026
• Semifinals: April 28-29 April and May 5-6, 2026
• Final: May 30, 2026

Chelsea were 2-0 down in the match but went on to win 3-2 thanks to Enzo Fernandez’s injury-time goal, which came before the confrontation.

In its written reasons, the independent regulatory commission stated “this was a serious incident” involving a number of Chelsea‘s players.

It added: “It was not accepted that Mr Cucurella was wholly without fault. He was aware of his actions after conceding the corner kick and returning to his feet.

“He sought to invite a reaction from Mr Traore. That is not to justify Mr Traore’s disproportionate reaction from which the mass confrontation ensued.

“Furthermore, the commission noted that three of the Chelsea players were in some way seeking to incite the crowd during and towards the end of the incident.

“There is no justification for this behaviour, irrespective of what had happened during the course of the game or within the mass confrontation itself. It was accepted that the club had admitted the charge and was contrite.”

The commission said both clubs “contributed to the incident” and that Traore’s “disproportionate reaction to Mr Cucurella’s movement as he returned to his feet, was the catalyst for what occurred”.

It also stated: “It was accepted that there was no violent conduct from any other West Ham United players beyond the behaviour of Mr Todibo.

“However, a large number of West Ham United players did behave in an improper and provocative manner and contributed to what was a serious, unsightly incident.”

Newcastle are certainly enjoying life back at Europe’s top table.

Howe’s side are the top scorers in the Champions League with 26 goals, and have won six games in a single campaign in the competition for the first time.

It has been quite a turnaround in the last two-and-a-half weeks.

Howe was the first to admit he was not doing his job “well enough” after his side were booed off by a section of supporters following a 3-2 defeat against Brentford in the Premier League in their previous game at St James’ Park earlier this month.

The Newcastle head coach embarked on some soul searching in the aftermath of the loss, while his players set out to “fight for the manager”.

Newcastle have won four of their last five games in all competitions since, and secured a place in the knockout stage proper.

Given the revenue gap between the Premier League and a number of clubs on the continent, and the competitiveness of the top-flight, outsiders may question whether that should necessarily come as a huge surprise.

Even beleaguered Tottenham Hotspur, who are hovering above the relegation zone in the Premier League, finished in the top eight of the league phase.

Yet the manner of Newcastle‘s six Champions League victories against Qarabag, Benfica, PSV Eindhoven, Athletic Club and Union Saint-Gilloise were far from foregone conclusions.

Qarabag, for instance, had drawn against Chelsea and defeated Benfica, Eintracht Frankfurt and Copenhagen. Newcastle hammered the Azerbaijan Premier League champions.

Although Howe wanted more from his much-changed side in the 3-2 second-leg win on Tuesday night, Newcastle have shown they can battle the continent’s elite on their day.

Newcastle drew 1-1 against holders Paris St-Germain in the French capital last month and suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat at the hands of Barcelona in their opening game of the competition.

No wonder, then, defender Dan Burn feels Newcastle can “compete with anybody” at their best.

“We’ve shown that, especially against Paris St-Germain, how good we can be,” he wrote in his programme notes.

“I think we elevate our game going into those games because there are bigger, better teams at this stage of the competition.”

Mohammed Salah, Liverpool, £14m – Nottingham Forest (a)

Is Salah back as an FPL option?

He’s had a terrible season by his standards and is only the 41st-ranked midfielder in FPL but…

In the four games since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations, the signs are there that a haul is imminent.

Salah’s had 14 shots in that time (more than anyone else in the league), 12 in the box, three big chances yet no goal to show for it. He does have three assists.

Forest have been flakey to say the least this season and Liverpool are hitting a bit of form.

Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United, £9.8m – Everton (a)

Fernandes has been fantasy gold dust since his return from injury in gameweek 21 so don’t let his blank at West Ham last time out put you off.

The Portuguese has 44 points in those six games and there’s not even a penalty in there. By contrast, Cole Palmer has the same amount of points in six games but with four penalties.

Fernandes’ potential is off the charts and Everton have only one clean sheet in their past seven.

Cole Palmer (captain), Chelsea, £10.6m – Burnley (h)

He might have relied on penalties for his recent surge in form but that is what makes Palmer such a great FPL asset in the first place.

If you’re chasing points in your mini-league, Palmer is the best differential with just a 15% ownership.

And Burnley at home… well it doesn’t get much better!

Antoine Semenyo, Manchester City, £8.0m – Newcastle (h)

Any worries that Semenyo’s production might suffer from his move to City, with so many forward options, have been unfounded.

He’s scored in both his home matches and now takes on a Newcastle side who have conceded eight in their past three games.

Chelsea FC footballers have been blasted on social media after they appeared to snub young mascots before their clash with Hull City ahead of Friday night’s match

Chelsea FC players have been slammed for the treatment of young mascots at their FA Cup game. Ahead of match against Hull City, the stars of the Premier League side appeared to snub the mascots of their opposition.

Ahead of kick off on Friday night, the official X, formerly known as Twitter page for the Blues, shared footage of players, led by Reece James, walking out, and completely ignoring the young mascots who were eagerly waiting to see them dress in their Hull kits.

While the smiling young lads appeared ready to engage with the Chelsea players, they were relentlessly snubbed by the players who walked on by without acknowledging them. Liam Delap looked as if he was walking towards the boys, but later hugged a member of the Hull team, having previously spent time on loan with the Yorkshire club in his earlier career.

The Blues’ actions have been slammed by stars including Baroness Sharron Davies, who said on X: “Very disappointing @chelseafc could no one be bothered to even say hello to those young footballers as they passed? 5 seconds of their time!”

Former Apprentice star turned GB News presenter, Michelle Dewberry, fumed on social media: “You should be ashamed your players act like this with little boys. Instead, you’re proud and desperate to share it. Gross.”

Meanwhile, fellow anchor Bev Turner commented: “Say hello to the children you fools!! You only kick balls for a living. But you would give these kids a massive thrill. Give them high fives! Anything!!”

Fans have also criticised the move, with one saying: “Not one Chelsea player acknowledging or high-fiving the mascots. Who stole the soul?” Another added: “(It would) be nice if they looked at the mascots at all, even a smile, a glance or a wave. Would mean the world to those kids.”

A third penned: “We have a great video of our overpaid, arrogant and self-centred players walking past a bunch of kids and ignoring them. Great for social content.” However, it remains unclear if the Chelsea players interacted with the mascots after the cameras stopped rolling.

Elsewhere, Jeff Stelling said on talkSPORT earlier today: “Chelsea players are getting a bit of stick online for apparently snubbing Hull City mascots on arrival. You can see the mascots in the background there, all standing to attention, and the Chelsea players do not bat an eyelid and walk straight past.”

Meanwhile, Ally McCoist added: “It’s not a good look!” Jeff went on to add: “It’s not a good look, is it? Do they need reminding that they have some responsibilities?” Ally went on to say: “Never mind not a good look, it’s not good. One of the best I’ve seen at it is Jack Grealish, right?

“Jack Grealish to me, plays a game with a smile on his face. He looks as though he’s very thankful to the opportunity that has been given to him to play football. I just think he’s brilliant, and I don’t know, I’m not watching him all the time, but any time I see him arriving at grounds, he’s always got a word for whoever that is, the guy at the front door, the kids waiting to see them. It costs nothing.”

Ally continued: “You may be underestimating how much it means to people, those kids, for sitting there. Imagine the kid in the playground, ‘You know, so and so came up and said hello to me.’ I’m loath to use the word wee things like that because those wee things are big things in the grand scheme of things, Jeff. That is not a good look at all. What does it take to come out of your way and walk and give the kids a wee high five on the way through?”

Chelsea eventually won 4-0 following a hat-trick from Pedro Neto and a goal from Estêvão, meaning that they’re in the hat for the fifth-round draw later today.

The Mirror has approached Chelsea FC for comment.

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