Soccer

FOR THE SECOND Premier League game in a row Chelsea had to come from behind.But while Forest threw a large spanner into the works of the Blues’ goal machine, nothing can short fuse the electricity when Enzo Maresca’s team is in full flow.Noni Madueke sealed a point for Chelsea in their 1-1 draw with ForestCredit: GettyThe visitors put in a resilient defensive performance after a goal from Chris WoodCredit: PAJust like last weekend when Brighton were beaten 4-2 in a thriller, the spills and ills of this feisty young team took over to produce an absolute cracker of a climax that had everything.Bust ups, brawls, brilliant saves and Chelsea head coach Maresca taking an unexpected flight into the air when clattered by one of his own defenders in the technical area.Just three days ago Maresca talked of the quiet calm inside his camp and how he is unaffected by ‘noise’ that follows his club around.That may be but he should try telling that to his players – and those of feisty Forest – who combined to produce an explosive ending to a game that started out as a Sunday afternoon kickabout.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEleven bookings in all – including two for James Ward-Prowse that meant the visitors held on for 12 minutes of normal plus 13 of added time with ten men to claim a draw and stay unbeaten on the road this season.Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo was also given a yellow card as the tension and temperature cranked up with two teams scrapping for a point in October as if Premier League survival depended on it in May.Chris Wood and Noni Madueke scored the goals but what normally constitutes the pivotal act of a game became minor talking points.Chelsea’s recent blistering run of five straight wins came to an end, as did the incredible scoring run of Cole Palmer. Four in the first half alone against Brighton.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe club’s top four hopes took a minor dent and they will be fined £25,000 for the second time this season for picking up six bookings or more in one match. As they did at Bournemouth.They will also have defenders Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella banned for their next league game after the international break – a trip to Liverpool.Watch incredible moment ex-Chelsea star Diego Costa starts BRAWL during U20s game as fans ask ‘what did they expect-‘Chelsea have also become the first team to have players banned for picking up five bookings this season as the testosterone rush of Maresca’s young squad took over from football discipline.But anyone whose mortgage doesn’t depend on having 11 players available for a game will not be complaining.From the moment Forest took the lead five minutes into the second half, the starting gun went off on a crazy fifty minutes.The high point – if you like a punch up – was the full on scuffle triggered by Neco Williams pushing Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella as they tussled for a ball heading for the touchline.Wood put Forest ahead just minutes into the second halfCredit: PAThe visitors were jubilant with their shock lead at Stamford BridgeCredit: ReutersThe Spaniard was bundled into his boss who went a**e over t*t, prompting a furious reaction from Levi Colwill in particular.More than a dozen players became embroiled in the heated shoving match with Chelsea Nicolas Jackson leaping from the dugout to get involved, having already been taken off.In the melee, few even noticed Chelsea scorer Noni Madueke being helped from the pitch by one of the backroom staff as he hobbled off with injury.How ref Chris Kavanagh maintained a sense of order is testament to his professionalism although Palmer wasn’t best pleased and confronted the officials at full time.Madueke levelled things up 10 minutes laterCredit: GettyThe winger had missed several chances beforeCredit: PAIn injury time Forest keeper Matz Sels double-saved from Palmer and denied Malo Gusto AND Chris Nkunku. Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez, guilty of a horrendous howler last week, saved one-handed from Jota Silva as Stamford Bridge erupted in excitement.Ultimately, Chelsea failed to break down ten men of stubborn resistance who showed you can hold out against Maresca’s team if you are prepared to give everything.Forest took the lead from a set-piece when Jackson pushed Ward-Prowse over in the centre circle. Chelsea played out the last 12 minutes, plus the 13 of stoppage time, a man upCredit: GettyJames Ward-Prowse saw a second yellow for stopping play with a handballThe dead-ball specialist delivered a swinging cross into the box and Nikola Milenkovic provided the knockdown for Wood to poke the ball in.Chelsea levelled seven minutes later when Madueke cut in from the right to score with his left. A probing shot across the face of goal into the opposite bottom corner.And as the rejuvenated Blues pushed for a winner, Ward-Prowse, already booked for a foul on Palmer, took one for the team by diving onto and grabbing the ball as he tried to stop Jackson from breaking away.Forest, experts at ‘game management’, sought to frustrate Chelsea and hold on, which caused frustration to rise.READ MORE SUN STORIESA mass brawl broke out near the end of the gameCredit: AFPBooking were shown to Neco Williams, Levi Colwill and Marc CucurellaCredit: Premier LeagueAnd as if the Chelsea players weren’t battered enough during the shoving match in front of the dugouts they will be kicking themselves for not winning.Palmer was desperately unlucky in the first half when he shot through the legs of Sels only for the ball to hit the foot of the post and rebound into the keeper’s grateful hands. More

CHELSEA were held by ten-man Nottingham Forest as frustration filled Stamford Bridge. Chris Wood opened the scoring before Noni Madueke capped off a sublime performance with a goal. Joao Felix looks on in frustrationCredit: AFPThe Blues pressed for a winner by Forest stubbornly held out to prevail with a well-earned point. Here is how Jack Figg rated Enzo Maresca’s side. Robert Sanchez – 8 Excellent positioning to snuff out Forest counter on hour mark and made two sensational late saves to deny the visitor’s a winner.Malo Gusto – 6 Wasn’t able to prevent Nikola Milenkovic’s flick on to set up Wood’s opener but he produced a great block to deny Gibbs-White in the box. READ MORE IN footballWesley Fofana – 7 Forming a good partnership at the back with Colwill. Finally some consistency at centre-half for Chelsea. Levi Colwill made some important blocksCredit: GettyLevi Colwill – 7 Made a huge block to prevent Yates in the first half. John Terry-esque defending. Marc Cucurella – 5 Lacked attacking creativity down the left having filled in at centre-back at times. Failed to form much of a threat with Sancho.Moises Caicedo – 6 Agonisingly close to getting ahead of Wood to prevent the Forest opener. Took the role as deep-lying midfielder in front of back line. Most read in FootballMoises Caicedo put in a good defensive shiftCredit: ReutersEnzo Fernandez – 5 Still looks to be finding his best position under Maresca. Not a natural holding midfielder but denied preferred advanced role by Palmer. Cole Palmer – 6 Looked lively when afforded space in the centre but the Chelsea superstar saw a huge chance saved thanks to Matz Sels double save. Noni Madueke – 8 Constant threat down the right side with his goal well deserved. But the winger finds himself guilty of making the wrong choice in the final third.Noni Madueke was a bright spark throughoutCredit: EPAJadon Sancho – 4 Largely absent throughout the match with Aina doing a stellar job in keeping the tricky forward quiet. Lacked killer instinct going forward. Nicolas Jackson – 4 Apart from pressing, quiet throughout. Slow to react in the box in a frustrating sign of inconsistency after recent goalscoring form. Spent more time arguing with team-mates at points. Subs Joao Felix (for Fernandez 80 mins) – 6Christopher Nkaunku (for Jackson 80 mins) – 6Mykhailo Mudryk (for Sancho 89 mins) -5READ MORE SUN STORIESPedro Neto (for Madueke 89 mins) – 6Tosin Adarabioyo (for Colwill 90+3 mins) – 5 Enzo Maresca insists identity of Chelsea is starting to take shape More

HARRY MAGUIRE left Villa Park in a plastic boot after being helped off the pitch by a club doctor.The England defender was removed at half-time after he was handed a shock Manchester United start for Sunday’s all-important Premier League clash, which ended 0-0Harry Maguire was helped to the sidelines before half-time of Ten Hag’s crunch matchHis knee looked to have locked before his sock was rippedMaguire was later subbed off injured during the breakHe was helped by a team doctor before the whistle blewMaguire’s knee looked to have locked during a Villa set piece on the brink of half-time.The back of his sock was completely ripped, with a huge hole showing his full calf as keeper Andre Onana assisted him to the sidelines.Maguire was holding his calf before he was helped off by three members of Man Utd’s medical staff after referee Robert Jones’ whistle.And the Telegraph claims the England centre-back left Villa Park in a protective boot to leave Erik ten Hag sweating over his fitness.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSMaguire’s counterpart Jonny Evans also looked to be struggling in the first half after a crunching challenge on Leon Bailey – but went onto win Man of the Match.Maguire and Noussair Mazraoui were subsequently subbed at the interval, with Matthijs de Ligt and Victor Lindelof brought on as replacements.Maguire also picked up a yellow card for leaning into Ollie Watkins’ face with his arm in the 36th minute and will now undergo tests to determine the extent of his problem.The 31-year-old missed Euro 2024 amid ongoing issues with his calf.Most read in FootballMaguire had been handed a shock start over Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro MartinezThe defender wasn’t deemed fit enough to come out for the second halfAnd Man Utd now face an anxious wait over their former captain, who scored a last-gasp equaliser for Ten Hag’s side in a 3-3 draw with Porto in the Europa League on Thursday.Ten Hag is under mounting pressure to save his job following a nightmare start to the season.SunSport reported this week that the Dutchman had two games to persuade Old Trafford chiefs of his ability.Erik ten Hag criticises Man Utd’s desire in Twente draw But with Maguire off, Villa stepped up the intensity after a pretty tame first 45 minutes from both sides.Marcus Rashford was lucky to somehow escape a second yellow for lunge in on Bailey shortly before he was hauled off in the 64th minute.Bruno Fernandes came closest to scoring for the away side, with his powerful free-kick strike smacking off the crossbar inside 68 minutes.But despite the obvious defensive personnel changes, the Red Devils defended valiantly – although both sides showed a real lack of quality going forward.Ten Hag’s crunch clash ended goalless, with the Dutchman’s fate out of his hands for now as Man Utd sit 10 points behind leaders Liverpool in 14th. More

ARSENAL have suffered a potential injury blow after Kai Havertz withdrew from the latest Germany squad with an ankle issue.The former Chelsea star hit headlines on Saturday as he continued his fine goal-scoring run against Southampton.Arsenal star has withdrawn from the latest Germany squad with an ankle problemCredit: RexHavertz led the way after the Saints took a 1-0 lead in the second half, pegging the visitors back just moments after Cameron Archer’s 55th minute opener.Gabriel Martinelli then put Arsenal ahead before Bukayo Saka sealed all three points late on.And the result means Mikel Arteta’s men are level with Man City while breathing down the necks of league leaders Liverpool.Plenty of Gunners stars have now departed for the upcoming international break.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut Havertz is no longer linking up with Germany due to an injury worry.Julian Nagelsmann’s side are set to play Nations League qualifiers against Bosnia and the Netherlands.And they will have to do it without 53-cap Havertz, who has withdrawn from the side due to an ankle problem.The forward will remain in London to be assessed by Arsenal’s medical team.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut with stars like Martin Odegaard and Ben White already out injury, Arteta will be praying tests show that Havertz is not set to miss any domestic action.The versatile attacker already had six goals in 10 matches this season, an impressive return after he netted 14 times last term.How Arteta’s tactical masterstroke turned Havertz into Arsenal’s most important playerMeet the Arsenal Wags from Strictly star to a flight attendantTolami Benson – partner of Bukayo SakaBenson and Saka have kept information on their relationship largely quiet.They do not appear on each others Instagram pages but she was seen speaking to Saka at the 2022 World Cup.Helene Spilling – partner of Martin OdegaardA professional dancer from Norway who rose to fame in the country’s version of Strictly Come Dancing, the pair were first spotted together at the Football Awards in March 2023. Sophie Weber – partner of Kai HavertzWeber works as a model and social media influencer and is the most high profile member of the group on online with almost 400,000 followers on Instagram.They are childhood sweethearts having grown up in the same neighbourhood.Milly White – partner of Ben WhiteThe couple got engaged in 2022 before tying the knot officially in May last year. They have matching “I love you tattoos” on their wrists. Milly White works as a model.Laura Trossard Hilven – partner of Leandro TrossardThe pair met in 2014 before getting married in 2019.They have two sons together, Thiago and Amadeo.Lauren Fryer – partner of Declan RiceLauren Fryer and Declan Rice have been together since 2015. She tends to keep a lower profile compared to some of Arsenal’s other Wags but is no less stunning.She sadly deleted all pictures on her Instagram after suffering horrific abuse by vile trolls.Georgina Ramsdale – partner of Aaron RamsdaleGeorgina Ramsdale works as a flight attendant.The couple got married last June after the Arsenal star proposed in 2022. They originally met in 2019.Following an initial sticky patch following his £65million move from Chelsea in 2023, Havertz has become a fan favourite at the Emirates.And Arteta hailed the German in the wake of yesterday’s latest victory.He said: “You can tell [his confidence has grown]. The way he holds the ball, the positions he takes in the box. He’s an attacking midfielder but he plays as a nine so you don’t know where he is.”That’s his football brain and for sure his focus now is I’m going to win the game, I’m going to do it’ and that’s a different thing.”He’s practising and he wants more. He’s not satisfied with what he is doing because there is still another level for him.”He’s surrounded by incredible players but something has changed in him and that confidence you really sense it. And now he’s scoring in games and winning football matches which is great.” More