February has often been a cruel month for Chelsea managers and defeat at Watford surely signalled the end for the ItalianAntonioooo. Antonio. Antonio, Antonio, Antonio. And repeat to fade.Chelsea’s travelling support had made their own loyalties clear from the first whistle, kicking off this fun, slightly hysterical game with a sustained chant in support of a manager who has always found that connection with the stands, who at times seems as fevered, passionate and all-round mad-as-bats as even the most committed fan. Related: Gerard Deulofeu inspires Watford to runaway win against 10-man Chelsea Related: Antonio Conte rejects Italy talk: ‘My intention and will is to stay at Chelsea’ Continue reading...
Michy Batshuayi might be just what Chelsea need, VAR creates fresh farce and Coventry’s on-field outlook brightens at lastCardiff are not the first team to irk Pep Guardiola this season with their aggressive style but the constant fouling and Lee Mason’s conservative use of cards meant Manchester City were lucky to get away with only one injury in their victory at Cardiff City Stadium. Leroy Sané was the victim of a heinous shin-high challenge from Joe Bennett at the end of the first half that was punished only with a yellow card, the Cardiff defender eventually being dismissed in the closing stages of the match for a late lunge on the teenager Brahim Díaz. Guardiola rightly lambasted Mason after the...
Chants aimed at Mike Ashley and swaths of empty seats at Stamford Bridge showed the depth of fans’ dissatisfactionIt was on 17 minutes that the Newcastle United supporters first made their feelings clear. “You fat cockney bastard, get out of our club,” came the chant from one corner of The Shed and it did not require Sherlock Holmes to figure out to whom their ire was directed. Mike Ashley was not in attendance but he has remained a notable figure in proceedings, on and off the pitch.First there was the chant, which could be heard again on three occasions during the second half, and then the makeup of those responsible for it. Newcastle fans regularly travel in good numbers but...
Chelsea’s Antonio Conte, rather than his debutant midfielder, should be the focus of any scorn after Barkley’s traumatically raw and rusty hour against ArsenalThere was a funny start to Ross Barkley’s Chelsea career on Wednesday night. As Willian prepared to limp off the Emirates Stadium pitch midway through the first half Barkley, his obvious replacement, was still dutifully gambolling up and down the touchline in his tracksuit.This didn’t go down well with Antonio Conte who seems, even at the best of times, to be in a state of constant eye-boggling rage at every detail of his sentient existence. This is Conte’s default mood, his baseline. But he still managed to find some even deeper gears, letting out a shriek, waggling...
Chelsea’s manager was out-tacticked by Arsène Wenger in the defeat at Arsenal and what once might have been an acceptable season is anything but in this time of super-clubsAntonio Conte’s reign at Chelsea, or at least the meaningful part of it, began with a half-time switch to a back three at the Emirates, and it feels a lot like it has ended with the same. The Champions League could yet save a drifting season – memories of that win away against Atlético have not entirely faded – but it was the feel of Wednesday night that was so damning. When, after all, was the last time anybody was out-tacticked by Arsène Wenger?It was at half-time in the 3-0 defeat away...