FOOTIE fans are convinced Jadon Sancho took a sly dig at Arsenal during Chelsea’s win over Tottenham.
The Blues ran out 4-3 winners over the north Londoners on Sunday evening – despite conceding two goals in the first 11 minutes of the match.
Sancho reduced the deficit in the 17th minute before a Cole Palmer brace from the penalty spot and an Enzo Fernandez strike secured a massive win for Enzo Maresca’s troops.
And some footie fans are convinced that Manchester United loanee Sancho took a subtle dig at Arsenal while Chelsea celebrated Fernandez’s goal.
Sancho, 24, picked up the corner flag and threw it to the floor as the Argentine was mobbed by his team-mates.
And some viewers of the match are convinced his throwing of the flag was a refence to Arsenal’s apparent reliance on corners to score goals.
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One wrote on X: “Sancho telling Arsenal, ‘We do not need corners.'”
Another said: “Sancho telling these man, ‘We dont need corners.'”
And another said: “Still can’t believe Sancho & Palmer dismantled Spurs’ corner flag signalling Arsenal that we don’t need corners to score.
“Destroyed North London.”
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Chelsea ratings vs Tottenham
CHELSEA came from two goals behind to beat Spurs 4-3 in a chaotic game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium,
Here’s how the Blues players rated…
Robert Sanchez – 4
The home fans were on to him for the entirety of the first half after he lumped the ball out of play early on.
Not an awful lot he could’ve done about the goals, and he did recover well in the second half.
Moises Caicedo – 6
Chelsea’s best defender on the day, he put in some strong challenges inverting into midfield and put in a solid performance once again.
Fortunate to escape a card for a late challenge on Pape Matar Sarr, before a brilliant second half.
Benoit Badiashile – 4
Looked uncomfortable playing as a left-footed centre-back on the right-hand side.
Often didn’t help Robert Sanchez by playing him into trouble, and looked awkward when trying to progress from the back.
Levi Colwill – 6
Allowed Solanke to get in front of him and finish brilliantly at the near post for the opening goal.
Didn’t have an awful lot to do in the second half, which was perhaps a good sign, as the whole defence was improved.
Marc Cucurella – 4
Slipped at the vital moment to practically set Spurs through and open the scoring within five minutes, before slipping AGAIN which saw Kulusevski double the lead.
Recovered really well after swapping his ice skates for football boots, nabbing the assist for Sancho’s goal and giving a solid showing for the whole second half.
That said, he has to be marked down for the two goals.
Romeo Lavia – 8
Energetic, strong and smooth on the turn in midfield, with some brilliant line-breaking passes too.
Much the same as Caicedo, he is becoming a dependable, impressive body in the Chelsea midfield.
Came off at half-time for Malo Gusto, which must have been a tactical switch.
Enzo Fernandez (c) – 9
Didn’t misplace a single one of his 28 passes in the first half, the same as Lavia – before adding a stunning, game-winning, left-footed volley to his myriad of impressive actions.
His best game in a Chelsea shirt came in one of their biggest matches of the season, as he continues his remarkable run of goal contributions.
Pedro Neto – 7
A threat on the right wing in the first half for Chelsea, he pressed well and came close to scoring Palmer’s deflected effort.
A constant danger, he was creative but slightly lacked in end product if you’re being critical.
Cole Palmer – 9
Mis-kicked a chance in the first twenty minutes you would usually bet your house on him scoring, before coming close again with a shot from range moments later.
Calmly dispatched his equalising penalty into the bottom corner, before setting up Enzo Fernandez to put his side in the lead.
Added the cherry on the Chelsea cake with an ice-cold panenka from the penalty spot.
Jadon Sancho – 8
Excellent finish to pull one back for the Blues and spark hope among supporters.
Generally sharp in build-up, and tricky feet as always, with a great slide-rule pass to see Caicedo win the penalty for Chelsea’s equaliser.
Nicolas Jackson – 6
Looked a threat going forward for Chelsea in spells, but failed to get himself on the scoresheet on this occasion.
Seemed troubled as he departed the pitch for the oncoming Christopher Nkunku.
SUBS…
Malo Gusto (Romeo Lavia, HT) – 5
Was more direct and definitely an improvement on Malacia, albeit on the opposite flank.
However, still wasn’t able to be the difference which Ruben Amorim would’ve been looking for in this one.
Christopher Nkunku (Nicolas Jackson, 76)
Got in some good positions and pressed well, remaining an outlet for the Chelsea attack when they countered.
Ultimately not enough time to have the impact he would’ve liked.
Noni Madueke (Pedro Neto, 86)
Not enough time to impact the game in any way.
Renato Veiga (Marc Cucurella, 90)
Not enough time to give a solid review, hardly touched the ball.
Joao Felix (Cole Palmer, 90)
Came on with seven minutes to go, in which Chelsea were defending for the most part.
One remarked: “Jadon Sancho is a proper Chels man x Cole Palmer.
“Telling Arsenal we don’t do corners.”
Arsenal have bagged a whopping 23 goals from corners since the start of the 2023-24 season – the most across Europe‘s top five leagues.
Mikel Arteta’s side added another to the collection on Sunday with a William Saliba goal in a 1-1 draw with Fulham.
While Arsenal were drawing, Chelsea further strengthened their hold on second place in the Premier League with victory over hapless Spurs.
But Blues boss Maresca has played down talk of his troops being in the title race.
He said: “After the game, my message to the players is to be focused in the day‑by‑day, our sessions, the next game on Thursday and then Sunday.
“The main focus has to be to enjoy the day off and when we come back train well, go for the game.
“The fans can dream because from the outside it is quite clear and inside the reality is we are not ready.
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“The important thing is we improve day by day.”
Chelsea will be back in acton on Thursday, travelling to Kazakhstan to take on FC Astana in the Europa Conference League.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
