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      Chelsea target Graham Potter once got his players to perform ballet Swan Lake, and his assistant Billy Reid to rap

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      PRAY for Kalidou Koulibaly that they have a pair of pointed shoes that fit.Chelsea are sensationally locked in talks with Graham Potter to take over as their new boss, after disposing of Thomas Tuchel.
      Brighton manager Graham Potter is in talks to become the next Chelsea managerCredit: Andrew Hasson – The
      Should that happen Potter could turn the Blues in a ‘Culture Club’ like he did in Sweden with Ostersunds.
      Well before the English coach, 47, arrived on our shores with Swansea and then Brighton, he was making waves in Scandinavia.
      But his management style was a little bit different to others.
      He encouraged the arts on his players and staff – and in his time with the Allsvenskan club they wrote a book, put on an open-air rock concert and, most memorably, staged their own version of ballet Swan Lake.
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      Better still, his trusted assistant Billy Reid – who has loyally followed him on this journey – penned a self-written rap which he also performed live.
      Embracing culture
      From 2011-18, Potter was a hero with Ostersunds.
      He led the Swedish minnows from the fourth tier all the way to the top flight in just six years.
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      They even enjoyed a miraculous run in the Europa League, beating Hertha Berlin and, more famously, Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in 2018.
      Behind-the-scenes, they worked with local artist Kevin Wahlen to create ‘culture academy’ to bring players and staff out of their comfort zones and challenge them outside of football.
      Wahlen, in effect, became the world’s first culture coach.
      “The players hated it at first,” Wahlen told Sky Sports in 2020.
      “But we ended up having a lot of fun and life time memories. And it gave them courage, too. It’s not always the one who is the bravest on the pitch that is bravest on stage.
      “It was controversial having a football club in the Swedish top-flight working with culture.
      “People assumed that men can’t or won’t have the possibility to think about anything besides football, or perhaps FIFA when they get home.
      “There was something exciting about getting a group of men to do ballet. The risk is that if we assume that men don’t have the capacity to do anything besides play football or video games, then it can becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.
      “Graham was a true inspiration to work with – and he always took a lead role, even if he thought it was scary.”
      From 2011 to 2018, Potter managed Swedish minnows OstersundsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Alongisde trusted assistant Billy Reid, Potter led the club to Europa League success against ArsenalCredit: Reuters
      From Swan Lake to spitting lyrics
      Back in 2013, Scottish coach Billy Reid joined Potter in Sweden following a long stint with Hamilton Academical.
      Two years later, he found himself performing a dance routine to world-renown ballet Swan Lake.
      A month later, Reid found himself channelling his inner Eminem.
      Reid told Inside Sport in 2017: “The culture aspect is a massive part of what we are doing at Ostersunds.”
      He added: “It’s different but it is tremendous for team bonding. It takes people out of their comfort zone and puts them in different places.
      “But it’s really helped us on the pitch too, and what we are doing is big news in Sweden.”
      Potter, too, understood the values in what they were creating.
      “It was about being open to new things, stripping away the barriers which sometimes exist in a team, all the hierarchies, and developing players as people,” he recalled in 2020.
      Under Potter, Ostersunds became a club that embraced cultureCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The side stepped out of their comfort zone to perform Swan LakeCredit: Pressteam
      “You get to see people at a human level.
      “It would be wrong for me to pick up that and copy and paste it here. I’ve kept the theoretical reasons why we would do that and tried to apply them in a different way.
      “It’s fundamentally about whether you can build an environment which is empathic, where players can appreciate the differences amongst us, sometimes we want everyone to think how we think. Teams and groups can be better when there’s a difference.
      “We’ve got a multicultural environment here, which is a gift, something we should cherish and appreciate. Just because we see the world one way doesn’t mean the guy sitting next to us does, and we talk about that a lot.”
      Build him a statue
      Although it never quite happened, Potter’s success in Sweden led to an Ostersunds resident writing to his council to build a statue of the Solihull-born tactician.
      Potter modestly said when it was proposed five years ago, “I’m hoping they can spend their money somewhere else – it is very embarrassing.”
      What isn’t embarrassing is Potter’s epic rise.
      Although a Swedish Cup is all he has to show in terms of silverware in his management career, his teams have always won admirers for the way they play the game.
      When he was coming up in the game, he studied Roberto Martinez’s training methods at Swansea and became inspired by his possession-based approach, along with the “holistic” training principles he observed during his travels to Spain.
      A student of the game, Potter has studied the philosophies of Roberto Martinez, Pep Guardiola and Raymond VerheijenCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Over the years, Potter’s sides have earned much acclaim for the way they’ve played the gameCredit: Getty
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      Potter also cites the philosophy of Pep Guardiola and Raymond Verheijen’s periodisation model among his influences.
      Should Todd Boehly make him his next appointment, expect Blues stars to be put through a different approach. More

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      How ‘shocked’ Thomas Tuchel was axed in brutal 10-minute training ground PHONE CALL as chiefs ignored plea for more time

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      THOMAS TUCHEL was left “totally shocked” after being sacked by Chelsea in a brutal 10-minute PHONE CALL today.SunSport can reveal Todd Boehly ended Tuchel’s 18-month Stamford Bridge love affair in swift fashion following last night’s defeat to Dinamo Zagreb.
      Todd Boehly’s time as Chelsea boss ended in a brutal 10 minute phone call todayCredit: AFP
      New owner Todd Boehly made it clear to Tuchel that he had run out of timeCredit: Rex
      Champions League winner Tuchel rocked up to Cobham this morning to give his flops a post-match dressing down.
      But when he arrived at Chelsea’s training ground there was nobody there to greet him.
      Tuchel was then thrust into a call conference with the Chelsea hierarchy.
      In a relentless 10 minute meeting, Tuchel pleaded for more time as he urged for a chance to turn things around.

      But his request fell on deaf ears as the Stamford Bridge top brass informed the German there was simply no time left.
      Tuchel was left “totally shocked” as the news sunk in.

      It comes as:

      The fan favourite then quickly gathered his belongings before saying goodbye to staff and leaving the complex.
      It is unclear whether Chelsea’s underperforming stars were present as Tuchel bid farewell to the club.
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      His backroom staff have been kept on for now and are tasked with getting a team ready for Saturday’s derby against impressive Fulham.
      In the meantime, Chelsea are now on the hunt for a new manager to take charge after a record near-£260million summer spending spree.
      SunSport understands Brighton’s Graham Potter is on a three-man list with Mauricio Pochettino and Zinedine Zidane.
      Boehly hopes to open talks with the Seagulls shortly, having already spent £62m to sign Marc Cucurella from them last month.
      Chelsea are currently sixth in the Premier League table with three wins and two defeats in six matches. More

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      Chelsea stars Reece and Lauren James become the first brother and sister pair to play for England and are ‘living dream’

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      IN the case of the James clan, it’s very much about keeping it in the family.This weekend, Lauren James earned her first cap for England – coming as a substitute against Austria as Sarina Wiegman’s European Champions booked their place at the World Cup with a 2-0 win.
      Chelsea stars Reece and Lauren James are the first brother and sister to play for EnglandCredit: EPA
      Reece and Lauren James have become professional footballers with the help of dad NigelCredit: Instagram / @rjames
      James made her debut for the Three Lions against Austria over the weekend
      In doing so, she joined her famous brother Reece in becoming a full England international. They are now the first brother and sister to play for the Three Lions, in what is a remarkable achievement.
      While Reece has just signed a new five-year deal with the Blues

      It’s astounding that two talented footballers of the men’s and women’s game are even playing professionally, not to mention representing their country.
      But the London-born pair are living the dream. Part of their success is due to their incredible father, Nigel.
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      A motorbike accident halted his promising career, after spells at Luton Town and Southampton.
      Nigel found his true calling through mentoring youngsters and later set up Nigel James Elite Coaching programme.
      It’s testament to him, his son and his daughter would eventually become pros.
      PARKLIFE
      Reece, 22, and Lauren, 20, grew up in London with football an ongoing backdrop in their lives.
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      As well as a father with footballing aspirations, their elder brother Joshua was on the books of Fulham and Reading. Their mother Emma worked admirably for the NHS.
      If the three siblings weren’t kicking a ball against a wall, they would be down the park honing their skills.
      Often, their dad who would pass on his knowledge and put the three through training drills and exercises.
      Lauren and Reece have always shared a tight bond together
      The siblings grew up in London with football as their backdrop
      Reece and Lauren enjoy a kickabout togetherCredit: Instagram @laurennjjames
      Dad Nigel coached Reece, Lauren and their brother Joshua in the local park
      “We grew up as a three,” Reece of Chelsea proudly told the Blues official website.
      “Obviously, Josh learned from my dad and then it just passed its way down. I started playing because my brother played, and my sister played because I played.
      “We all used to play every day together at the park and over time we all gradually got better. There was a field behind my house, with two pitches, and every day I’d be playing football, either in the field or in the street.”
      Lauren, who joined her brother at Chelsea this summer, echoes the sentiment that the beautiful game dominated their lives.
      “All I ever knew was football, football and football,” she told The Telegraph.
      “My brothers got me into football. Whether it was when Josh was at Fulham or when Reece was at the Chelsea academy, I was there kicking the ball against the fence.
      “I’ve always had a football and it has just taken me to where I am now.”
      PATHWAY TO SUCCESS
      Reece was an early bloomer when it came to his footballing talent.
      By the age of six he joined Chelsea’s impressive development academy, where he progressed through the ranks.
      James joined Chelsea’s youth set-up aged six
      James progressed through Chelsea’s youth teams and won a FA Youth CupCredit: Getty – Contributor
      However, it took him some time to find his best position. He started off as a striker, moved into midfield and then had to learn the art of defending.
      Once he cemented the right-back as his own, there was no stopping him. In the 2017-18 season, he appeared for England at U18, U19 and U20 level.
      A loan at Wigan Athletic the following campaign saw Reece named as their Player of the Year.
      Once he made his debut against Grimsby in the EFL Cup in 2019, scoring one and assisting two, he could no longer be ignored for a first team spot.
      Lauren might be slightly younger than Reece, but her achievements are just as impressive.
      At 13 she joined Arsenal, and because of her experience with playing with her brothers was encouraged to train with the boys’ team.
      Two years later, the prolific forward made her first team debut for the Gunners women’s team – beating Reece to the punch there.
      She created history in the process becoming the youngest player in Arsenal’s history male or female to make their bow for the club.
      In 2017, she moved to the newly reformed Manchester United women’s team to take on a new challenge in a city she never knew.
      In 2017, Lauren James joined Manchester United’s newly formed women’s teamCredit: Getty
      Since joining the Red Devils, James has thrived scoring 27 goals in 54 gamesCredit: Getty
      But that didn’t deter the brave teen, who scored 14 goals in 18 league games as the Red Devils won promotion from the Championship at the first time of asking to the Women’s Super League.
      This summer, Lauren joined Reece at Chelsea – where she has scored once in her five games so far this campaign.
      BATTLING RACISM TOGETHER
      As is a sad indictment of our times, both Reece and Lauren have been targeted with online racist abuse.
      They are united in their efforts to encourage social media companies to do more with their platforms in stopping racism.
      “When we both get messages like that, we turn to each other and discuss it,” Reece said.
      “I think everyone agrees and knows that what’s happening with social media and racism is wrong. Everyone says they want to change, but not many things are changing.”
      MUTUAL RESPECT
      Although they share a competitive nature on the pitch, Reece and Lauren only have a mutual respect for each other’s achievements.
      But Lauren knew she had to emulate her brother by following his footsteps into the England squad.
      “We are not usually competitive,” she revealed.
      “When he got his senior England call-up, it was like, “Right, he got his, I’ve got to get mine now. That’s probably the only time and I laugh about it now.”
      Reece earned his first cap against Wales last October, while a month later Lauren received a senior national team call-up as part of a 29-player training camp at St George’s Park.
      Despite their careers mirroring one another, Reece is adamant they can’t be compared.
      Reece James has become a regular in the England squad since his first call-up last OctoberCredit: Marc Aspland – The Times
      His sister Lauren James celebrated an England call-up last November when she was included in a 29-man squadCredit: Getty
      “I wouldn’t say there’s competition,” he said.
      “You know, she is my sister. Our games are the same, our professions are the same, but it’s still different. I play men’s football when she plays women’s football, you can’t compare them.”
      No. But you can applaud their success. They are, after all, living the dream. More

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      Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger reveals hardest XI he has faced from ‘best ever’ Lionel Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo

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      REAL Madrid star Antonio Rudiger named his best XI of stars he has faced during his career – reserving special praise for the ‘best ever’, Lionel Messi.The German defender, now 29, revealed all in an interview with Sky Sports in 2020.

      And he named a host of Premier League stars, including two current Liverpool players.
      But when asked who he believed to be the greatest player of all-time, Rudiger aimed to settle the debate by claiming it would be Messi for him.
      The Blues defender – who left the Blues this summer for LaLiga- said: “If I had to pick one it would be Messi.
      “Is he the best ever? I didn’t see Pele or Diego Maradona playing because that was not my time, so it’s Messi.”
      Check out what Rudiger had to say on every player in his best XI…
      GOALKEEPER – Manuel Neuer
      “There were some times, around 2014, where he was unbeatable. He was the goalkeeper.
      “There are a lot of good goalkeepers, I played with Alisson at Roma, he’s a beast, and I’ve played with Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Bernd Leno.
      “There are a lot of good goalkeepers, but I pick Neuer.
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      “In the 2014 World Cup against Algeria, I was watching from home and he was unbeatable, he was almost playing like a defender, clearing up the long balls Algeria put over the defence.
      “He took everything and I was shocked.”RIGHT-BACK – Aaron Wan-Bissaka
      “This guy is hard to beat, with his tackles – his sliding tackle is amazing.
      “He is progressing very well, and I like him very much.”
      CENTRE-BACK – Sergio Ramos
      “Everyone knows why, this guy knows how to do his job in defence and is also very important at offensive set pieces.
      “He is a commanding defender and a great anywhere.”
      Van Dijk and Robertson both make it into Rudiger’s best XI
      CENTRE-BACK – Virgil van Dijk
      “In the last two years, he’s shown he is definitely one of the best, even maybe the best at the moment. He is a beast.
      “You always look up to those kind of players because these two centre-backs are, at the moment, the best centre-back, so of course you can learn something from them.
      “Everyone has their own style of playing, but you can learn from them.”
      LEFT-BACK – Andrew Robertson
      “This guy doesn’t stop running, he is active the whole time, going forward and backwards.
      “He is very good at crossing and overall, both defensively and offensively, he is doing a very good job.”
      CENTRE-MID – Andres Iniesta
      “The vision he had for football was massive, I’d never seen anything like it.
      “His combination game was top class.”
      Kante and De Bruyne start in the midfield of Rudiger’s XI
      CENTRE-MID – N’Golo Kante
      “The guy is everywhere, and he loves to tackle.
      “These kind of players look for the contest, they find it and they win it, that is impressive, especially when you consider what kind of guy he is.
      “Wow.”
      CENTRE-MID – Kevin De Bruyne
      “I played against him in Germany.
      “In those days, it was hell to play against Wolfsburg because they were a really tough side with good quality players, and of course he was the best in that team.
      “He has everything; his crossing, passing, the way he shoots on his left and right foot and his technical ability – he is really, really good.”
      Ronaldo and Messi start on the wings in Rudiger’s toughest opponents XI
      RIGHT-WING – Lionel Messi
      “The next two stand out, they are in a different world, they are different quality.
      “When you’re playing against Messi, the feeling you have is that it’s just up to him, if he is in a good mood or is having a good day you cannot stop him.
      “That is my honest opinion.”
      LEFT-WING – Cristiano Ronaldo
      “The same applies with Ronaldo. They have two different ways of playing, one to try and score goals and the other is enjoying his football.
      “If I had to pick one it would be Messi. Is he the best ever? I didn’t see Pele or Diego Maradona playing because that was not my time, so it’s Messi.”
      STRIKER – Sergio Aguero
      “For me, he is a top striker. He’s small, compact and a goalscorer who scores for fun.
      “He’s the type of striker that if you give him an inch that’s enough, it’s tough to mark him.
      “For a big defender, his centre of gravity is very low and it’s difficult because of his good movement.” More

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      Chelsea’s new £12.6m transfer Cesare Casadei sent off on debut in Papa John’s Trophy defeat to League Two Sutton

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      CHELSEA’S new £12.6million midfielder Cesare Casadei became the latest Blue to see red.That’s after he was sent off on his debut in Wednesday’s Papa John’s Trophy first-round defeat to League Two Sutton.
      New Chelsea signing Cesare Casadei was sent off on his debut for the devleopment squadCredit: Rex
      Casadei picked up a second yellow in the Papa John’s Trophy defeat to SuttonCredit: Rex
      Casadei, 19, was snapped up by Chelsea from Inter Milan this month after being targeted by Arsenal.
      The playmaker, who also had an offer from Sassuolo, was thrust straight into Neil Bath’s U21s squad.
      And Casadei lined up in Chelsea’s development side for tonight’s cup clash against Sutton.
      Casadei wasn’t the only new youngster making his debut tonight, with former Arsenal ace Omari Hutchinson also featuring.
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      But disaster struck as the minnows secured a 1-0 win over Chelsea’s talented starlets.
      And Casadei’s night went from bad to worse when he was shown a second yellow card in the 85th minute after grabbing the ball while falling over to prevent a counter-attack.
      He now becomes the latest Blue to be sent off after Kalidou Koulibaly and Conor Gallagher received their marching orders in two of Chelsea’s last three Premier League games.
      The only good news for Casadei is that his red card will not prevent him from playing in the senior squad’s next game as suspensions can only be served in the Papa John’s Trophy.
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      But even though Thomas Tuchel is suffering from a crisis in midfield, he is unlikely to call upon the Italian any time soon.
      That’s because the German tactician is hoping to boost his options with a £43million swoop for Ajax’s Edson Alvarez.
      The Mexican anchorman has already snubbed a move to Newcastle this summer but would jump at the chance to join Chelsea.
      However, Ajax are reluctant to sell having already lost SIX first-teamers this summer.
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      Lisandro Martinez and Antony joined Manchester United, while Noussair Mazraoui and Ryan Gravenberch moved to Bayern Munich.
      Nicolas Tagliafico was snapped up by Lyon, and Borussia Dortmund moved for Seb Haller. More

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      Chelsea 2 Leicester 1: Raheem Sterling double secures huge win for 10-man Blues after Conor Gallagher red card

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      RAHEEM STERLING took the first steps towards winning over the Chelsea fans.And he did it in the best possible way with his first goals for the club to save the day which was looking decidedly dodgy at one point.
      Raheem Sterling’s double secured a 2-1 win for Chelsea over LeicesterCredit: Getty
      Chelsea had play a lot of the game with 10 men after Conor Gallagher was sent offCredit: Reuters
      Conor Gallagher’s sending off after only 28 minutes put Chelsea up against it with only ten men for more than an hour.
      But a stunning solo goal followed by a tap in was just enough to see off stubborn City and clinch a much-needed win.
      It wasn’t quite enough to get the home fans singing his name but more of this and it won’t be long before Sterling’s name rings out from The Shed End at Stamford Bridge.
      It is fair to say that relations between the tricky winger and Chelsea fans have been frosty.
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      He was always public enemy number one on visits with Manchester City, was racially abused here and suffered relentless stick.
      But Sterling says he is determined to make the punters love him and there is no better way than to lead your team-mates to victory against the odds.
      Gallagher’s early walk for picking up a second yellow card after less than half an hour should have opened the door for Leicester to walk over a midfield already low on numbers.
      His rash tackle on Harvey Barnes symbolised the frustration running through the camp after tossing away the lead twice against Tottenham then getting pulverised at Leeds last weekend.
      Gallagher was already booked when he took down Harvey Barnes in the 28th minuteCredit: Reuters
      There was no mercy as the midfielder was sent off on his home debutCredit: Reuters
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      Discipline has slipped down the agenda making it hard for Chelsea to string together any early season momentum.
      Gallagher looked distraught as he trudged off and well he might because Chelsea can barely spare a man at the moment.
      With injury to inspirational midfielder N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic only just fit enough for the bench there are holes right in the heart of Tuchel’s team.
      The German got a bird’s eye view of the incident from his seat in the upper tier of the East Stand.
      Tuchel was serving a one match ban of his own for getting sent off in the last home game having picked a fight with Tottenham boss Antonio Conte and come off worse.
      There followed a red card for new defender Kalidou Koulibaly at Leeds and now Gallagher.
      Chelsea needed a hero and one arrived in the 5ft 7in form of Sterling who was regularly accused of ‘running like a girl’ from the locals here. 
      They were as relieved as anyone when ref Paul Tierney blew the final whistle after six minutes of injury time and another afternoon in which the officials copped it too.
      He awarded Chelsea and 11th minute penalty only for it to be ruled out for an offside against Kai Havertz when VAR backtracked.
      Sending off Gallagher made him even more unpopular although disallowing a Leicester goal for a foul by Barnes on Edouard Mendy got him back in the good books.
      Chelsea cannot do things easily at the moment and that is why boss Tuchel is still hoovering up new players with a deal for City defender Wesley Fofana now a formality after the two teams agreed a fee in excess of £70 million.
      But new summer signing Sterling was the man in the limelight yesterday, even though Chelsea did their best to erase the comfort of the two goal cushion he gave them early in the second half.
      He had provided relatively little in the first half. As assist for Ruben Loftus-Cheek to have a shot saved, then a dramatic fall to ground to win a free kick.
      His goal was a work of art and just what under-pressure Chelsea needed at just the right time.
      Barely a minute into the second half and left back Marc Cucurella advanced towards the City box before fine-cutting a pass inside to Sterling.
      A gentle stroke with his right foot launched the ball up and over keeper Danny Ward, on the kind of trajectory Rory McIlroy would be proud of with a nine iron.
      A goal from nothing and the first instalment of Chelsea’s £47.5 million transfer fee was repaid in one virtuoso act of skill.
      With his tail up, Sterling was desperately unlucky not to make it two just three minutes later when a charging run by Cucurella again set him up only for his shot to hit the foot of the post and rebound to safety.
      But with his juices flowing, Sterling was not finished by a long chalk and settled the game with a much simpler second on 63 minutes.
      This time it came from the opposite flank and a precise yet powerful cross from Reece James which arced through the six yard box and found Sterling unmarked at the back to bury the ball in from no more than two yards out.
      Leicester replied through the industrious Barnes just 180 seconds later to test the resolve of Chelsea’s ten overworked players.
      City leaped upon a poor goal kick from Edouard Mendy, whose blunder cost his team at Leeds last week. Jamie Vardy swapped passes with Barnes who then blasted in at the near post from a tight angle.
      He went close again some time later, although Leicester did not take nearly enough advantage of having the extra man.
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      Mendy made up for his earlier slip with a save from Vardy at point blank range. Chelsea’s 6ft 5in keeper performed even better when he forced Leicester’s veteran striker wide with composed but firm body language with six minutes left.
      Sub Ayoze Perez hit the bar late on and Chelsea have a sterling performance from their new little winger for giving them the early edge for a much-needed three points. More

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      ‘Don’t get the same’ – Fuming Chelsea boss Tuchel claims he is victim of double standards over Conte bust-up punishment

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      THOMAS TUCHEL claims he is a victim of FA double standards over his one-match touchline ban for improper conduct.The FA confirmed last night that the Chelsea manager must watch today’s home clash with Leicester from the stands, as punishment for a shocking bust-up with Tottenham’s Antonio Conte.
      Thomas Tuchel is unhappy he’s received a touchline ban while Antonio Conte hasn’t after their clashCredit: Getty
      But Tuchel’s rival escaped with just a £15,000 fine — and will be in the dugout at Nottingham Forest tomorrow.
      Tuchel said: “My understanding was that we both had our impact in this situation and both got sent off. I understand that I get a ban, I get a fine.
      “What I don’t understand is that the other coach does not get the same punishment.”
      Tuchel accused Conte of disrespect — by not looking him in the eye as they shook hands at full-time.
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      Both were sent off by  referee Anthony Taylor.
      The German challenged the  disciplinary panel’s findings  but that was rejected by an FA appeal board, who  deemed him the aggressor.
      That showdown was the  climax to an explosive match in which Chelsea twice blew the lead  to draw 2-2 against one of their fiercest rivals.
      Tuchel was fined £35,000 in addition to being forced to take a back seat at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.
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      But the Blues boss says he has already sourced the best spot from which to direct the team from a distance. He said: “I will squeeze into a seat in the stand.
      “We have figured out where I will be. It will be above the dugout on the first level. But still close to the changing rooms.
      “The distance to the pitch will also help me to be a bit more distant emotionally.”

      VAR on the day Mike Dean later admitted he failed to act on a hair pull by Cristian Romero on Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella in the build-up to Tottenham’s second equaliser.
      Tuchel said: “What’s hard to accept is the context. I don’t think I started the aggression, it started earlier.
      “I don’t think I was the only person involved — we both got a red card.
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      “A player pulled another player by the hair. He can play on, he is not banned.
      “For a firm handshake at the end of the match, one coach is banned.” More