Vesper

first time Forest have won 6 top flight league games in a row since 1979 under Clough

Forest flying...............

nil 3

great assist by CHO

nil 2 Wood

Danish king changes coat of arms amid row with Trump over Greenland Design shows intent to keep control of Faroe Islands and Greenland – which Trump says he would like the US to buy https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/06/danish-king-changes-coat-of-arms-in-apparent-rebuke-to-donald-trump The new design (right) features a large polar bear and ram, representing Greenland and the Faroes. Composite: Kongehuset.de The Danish king has shocked some historians by changing the royal coat of arms to more prominently feature Greenland and the Faroe Islands – in what has also been seen as a rebuke to Donald Trump. Less than a year since succeeding his mother, Queen Margrethe, after she stood down on New Year’s Eve 2023, King Frederik has made a clear statement of intent to keep the autonomous Danish territory and former colony within the kingdom of Denmark. For 500 years, previous Danish royal coats of arms have featured three crowns, the symbol of the Kalmar Union between Denmark, Norway and Sweden, which was led from Denmark between 1397 and 1523. They are also an important symbol of its neighbour Sweden. But in the updated version, the crowns have been removed and replaced with a more prominent polar bear and ram than previously, to symbolise Greenland and the Faroe Islands respectively. The move comes at a time of increased tension over Greenland and its relations with Denmark, which continues to control its foreign and security policy. Incoming US president Trump last month said again that he wants the US to buy Greenland, and the Greenlandic prime minister, Múte Egede, recently accused Denmark of genocide in response to investigations of the forced contraceptive scandal of the 1960s and 70s. In Egede’s own new year’s address he accelerated calls for Greenlandic independence and called for the “shackles of the colonial era” to be removed. The royal household said the coat of arms, which is used on official documents and seals and elements of which date back to the 12th century, “strengthens the prominence of the commonwealth”. The three crowns, it said, had been removed “as it is no longer relevant”. The changes, it said, were made after a recommendation from a committee that was appointed straight after his accession on 14 January 2024. Last week, in his first new year speech, the king said: “We are all united and each of us committed for the kingdom of Denmark. From the Danish minority in South Schleswig – which is even situated outside the kingdom – and all the way to Greenland. We belong together.” Since 1819, the royal arms have been changed three times before now, in 1903, 1948 and 1972. But the latest changes have been met by shock in some quarters. Ever since the peace treaty of Knäred in 1613, which ended the Kalmar war, Sweden was “forced to accept the Danish king’s rights to use the Swedish symbol of the three crowns, said Dick Harrison, a history professor at the Swedish University of Lund, making its removal from the Danish coat of arms now “a sensation”. “The symbol survived the huge defeats in the wars against Sweden in the 1640s and the 1650s, the loss of Norway in 1814, the loss of Schleswig to Germany in 1864, the transition to modernity, the loss of Iceland and the German occupation in world war II,” he said. “Thus, from the point of view of history, the fact that King Frederik X has decided to remove the symbol is a sensation.” But Sebastian Olden-Jørgensen, a historian at the Saxo Institute at the University of Copenhagen, said it sends clear signals about current geopolitics, especially amid Greenlandic calls for independence. “When the Greenlanders, and in a sense also the Faroese, toy with the idea of achieving full independence, the royal house shows they support the state’s policy, which is to preserve the unity of the realm,” he told Berlingske. Royal expert Lars Hovbakke Sørensen believes the changes reflect the king’s personal interest in the Arctic, but also send a message to the world. “It is important to signal from the Danish side that Greenland and the Faroe Islands are part of the Danish realm, and that this is not up for discussion. This is how you mark it,” he told TV2. The government of Greenland has been contacted for comment.

nil 1 Gibbs-White

https://www.vipleague.pm/epl/wolverhampton-wanderers-vs-nottingham-forest-1-live-streaming https://www.vipleague.pm/epl/wolverhampton-wanderers-vs-nottingham-forest-2-live-streaming https://www.vipleague.pm/epl/wolverhampton-wanderers-vs-nottingham-forest-3-live-streaming https://redditsoccerstreams.org/event/wolverhampton-wanderers-nottingham-forest/1501236 Wоlvеrhаmрtоn – Nоttіnghаm Fоrеst England. Premier League / 6 January at 21:00

wtf

Rare training-ground time might help Enzo Maresca fix Chelsea’s soft underbelly https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6037951/2025/01/06/Chelsea-enzo-maresca-training-goals/ The sequence that enabled Crystal Palace to extend Chelsea’s winter malaise into 2025 unfolded with grim inevitability in the 82nd minute at Selhurst Park. A risky pass from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez through the middle of the pitch to Cole Palmer saw him immediately swarmed by two Palace players. The ensuing quick turnover exposed an ocean of space around Moises Caicedo for Ismaila Sarr to exploit, with Enzo Fernandez far ahead of the ball and both Chelsea full-backs spread wide rather than inverting into midfield. Palace’s Eberechi Eze recognised the potential of the situation much sooner than opponent Malo Gusto. One tackle, three quick passes, and a tap-in for Jean-Philippe Mateta made it 1-1. It was the logical culmination of a second half in which Palace brought a level of intensity to the game that Chelsea simply could not equal and were rewarded in the final stretch of a match that Enzo Maresca’s team began with a swagger but ended with a stagger. The first-half shot count was Palace 4-9 Chelsea. In the second half, it was Palace 9-6 Chelsea. Of the 15 times the visitors were dispossessed on Saturday at Selhurst Park, 11 occurred after half-time. Whether due to fatigue, structural weaknesses, complacency or a cocktail of all three, a level of carelessness crept into their game which, in the Premier League, is rarely conducive to winning. Chelsea’s head coach offered his explanation. “If I had to decide the reason why we didn’t win the game, we need to be clinical when you have the chance to kill the game,” Maresca said in his post-match press conference. “Because if it’s 2-0, the game is probably finished, but if you continue to be open, open, open, you are likely going to concede some transitions and some corners and then you can concede (a goal).” But in reality, Chelsea had few clear chances to double their lead after half-time, beyond a left-footed shot that Nicolas Jackson screwed wide in the 70th minute. Eze should have brought Palace level much earlier in the second half when he connected with Daniel Munoz’s inviting cutback unmarked in the penalty area, but he somehow failed to find the target. Sanchez was by far the busier goalkeeper, making five saves on the day to counterpart Dean Henderson’s zero. Jackson bemoans a missed Chelsea chance at Selhurst Park (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) Most of Chelsea’s best attacking work came in a bright opening 45 minutes when Jadon Sancho dazzled in combination with Marc Cucurella, Fernandez and, most effectively, Palmer, who opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Would 2-0 have been enough? Chelsea are yet to lose a two-goal lead under Maresca halfway through his debut season, but the knowledge they almost always concede at least once (the wait for their fifth Premier League clean sheet of 2024-25 goes on after this 20th fixture) would likely have been enough to keep most opponents pushing until the very end. Seven of the 24 league goals Chelsea have conceded this season have been scored after the 75th minute. Another sign of creeping fatigue? Maresca’s decision to make five changes to his starting XI against Ipswich Town on Monday seemed indicative of a belief that fresh legs were required to navigate the frantic festive schedule, but he has downplayed the notion whenever questioned about his striking reluctance to make substitutions, which was in evidence again at Selhurst Park. Jackson was the first Chelsea player withdrawn against Palace in the 81st minute and, notably, he was replaced by enthusiastic youngster Marc Guiu rather than a more expensive attacking signing in Christopher Nkunku or Joao Felix. Noni Madueke came on for Sancho five minutes later as Maresca chased a winner, but he looked ill at ease on the left. “Let me ask you: which player would you change today?” Maresca fired back at the journalist who raised his relative lack of substitutions in the post-match press conference. “I know that is my job, but sometimes when we do some changes, it is because there is one that is not good enough and we change for another one. Or simple: one that is playing is tired and is not pressing good. I think the 11 on the pitch were all good. Pedro (Neto) was very good, Jadon was good, Nico (Jackson) was good, Cole was good, Enzo was good, Moi (Caicedo) was good, Levi (Colwill) was good, Josh (Acheampong) was good… to make change for (the sake of) change, I don’t like. “I like to make changes when we know the reason why and the reason why we changed Nico was because he was pressing and was a bit tired. Marc (Guiu) was fresh, new energy, and it is exactly the same with Noni for Jadon. This is the reason.” Acheampong impressed on his Chelsea debut (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) Chelsea’s late-game execution against Fulham on Boxing Day and at Palace in particular did not justify Maresca’s bullish faith in his starters and as long as that remains the case, the impression will persist of a head coach who is simply not convinced of the viable depth of this squad in the unforgiving heat of Premier League matches. Put simply, the list of players Maresca truly trusts when it matters seems to be shrinking rather than growing — though it may have gained one new name on Saturday in teenager Acheampong, highly impressive with and without the ball in central defence next to Colwill on his full Premier League debut and surely primed for more appearances in the coming weeks at the expense of Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi. This now four-game winless run has been clarifying for the progress of the Maresca project. No longer seen as feel-good fringe title contenders, Chelsea have found a truer level in an increasingly congested race to join leaders Liverpool and second-placed Arsenal in the final top four come May. Manchester City appear to have woken from their two-month doze with successive victories and Newcastle are rapidly gaining ground, having won five straight league matches. Nottingham Forest continue to confound all expectations, Aston Villa are far from done and Bournemouth, the next Premier League visitors to Stamford Bridge on January 14, are playing well enough to dream of the first European qualification in the former non-League club’s history. Before then, Maresca has a luxury he has not had since September: a full week to work with his players in the meeting rooms and on the pitches at Cobham. A hands-on, training-ground type of coach, the Italian will not get a better chance for the rest of this season to reinforce tactical details, while a UEFA Conference League-level assignment against League Two visitors Morecambe in the FA Cup third round next weekend should enable the first string to refresh bodies as well as minds. The circumstances are there for Chelsea to snap out of their Premier League mini-slump in that match against Bournemouth, but Maresca and his players have work to do to make it happen. GO DEEPER The Briefing: Crystal Palace 1 Chelsea 1 - Blip prolonged, Acheampong's first start and what of that left flank?

Chelsea consider Trevoh Chalobah recall from Crystal Palace amid defensive injury issues https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6041025/2025/01/06/Chelsea-trevoh-chalobah-recall-crystal-palace/ Chelsea could trigger their option to recall defender Trevoh Chalobah from his season-long loan spell at Crystal Palace this month. Enzo Maresca’s side have limited options at centre-back following injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile. Maresca said last week that Fofana could miss the rest of the season while Badiashile has been ruled out until at least February. Recalling Chalobah is just one option Chelsea are open to in order to address the injuries in their defence. The Englishman has made 14 appearances in all competitions for Palace this campaign, scoring three goals and forming an effective back three with Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix at the heart of manager Oliver Glasner’s defence. The 25-year-old missed the 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Selhurst Park on Saturday due to being ineligible to feature against his parent club. GO DEEPER The end has come for Chalobah at Chelsea - this was just one battle too many Chelsea’s injury issues led to Josh Acheampong making his first Premier League start on Saturday, as the 18-year-old partnered fellow academy graduate Levi Colwill at centre-back having previously only featured at right-back for the first team this season. Maresca said on Acheampong was Chelsea’s “best player” on his full Premier League debut. Acheampong started the Palace game ahead of summer signing Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi, who has yet to be used at centre-back in the league this season. Chelsea have already recalled defender Aaron Anselmino from his loan spell at Boca Juniors with Maresca saying the plan is for the 19-year-old to train with the first-team squad before making a decision on his immediate future. Anselmino initially signed from Boca in the summer and was sent back on loan to the Argentine club for the remainder of the 2024-25 European season. GO DEEPER Rare training-ground time might help Enzo Maresca fix Chelsea's soft underbelly How Palace view the situation Glasner appeared relaxed about Chalobah’s situation after Saturday’s game, questioning whether they needed an extra defender given how many options they have. “I could see that there was (Axel) Disasi and Tosin (Adarabioyo) on the bench,” he said in his post-match press conference. “I don’t know if you need (more) if you play with two. I was just reading that Anselmino comes back so they have five (centre-backs).” “I don’t know if they need eight, I don’t know what they are planning. Trevoh is doing very well for us and we are planning with him.” Glasner did not rule out signing Chalobah permanently if the chance arose, speaking in his press conference before the game. “A deal happens if three parties are happy with it: the two clubs and the player. If all parties want to have a deal and agree then it will happen. He’s doing really well for us and we were very consistent in our defensive line.” Chalobah missed the first five games of the season with an abdominal injury sustained in his first training session with the club before being named on the bench for the 2-1 defeat by Everton. Since then he has started in all but two of Palace’s Premier League games — he was an unused substitute in the 5-1 defeat by Arsenal and could not face his parent club on Saturday. He has improved after an inconsistent start after regular minutes and becoming accustomed to Glasner’s system and his new side. Palace would miss him if he returned to Chelsea, but they feel they have sufficient options. Summer signing Chadi Riad is on his way back from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained on debut in the 4-1 win over Norwich in the Carabao Cup second round, while Chris Richards has started the last two games. If needed, Nathaniel Clyne could also cover the position. GO DEEPER Crystal Palace's wing-backs are key to their approach, but backups are needed

Wolves in talks to sign Hakim Ziyech 🤡 https://tbrfootball.com/player-Chelsea-sold-for-5-5m-skips-training-after-wolves-open-talks-to-sign-him/ A story from Sabah in Turkey now claims that Wolves have started negotiations to sign the Morocco international. Ziyech – who Galatasaray signed in a £5.5m move from Chelsea in August 2023 – has grown frustrated in Istanbul. The Turkish news outlet state that the 31-year-old skipped training ahead of the Super Lig clash between Galatasaray and Goztepe on Saturday, which saw Okan Buruk leave him out of the squad entirely. Sabah now report that Ziyech’s agent has entered talks with Wolves as he aims to find his client a new club – after bridges between the Moroccan and Galatasaray start to burn away. What Matt Doherty has previously said about Hakim Ziyech Ziyech was once amongst the hottest properties in Europe during his time with Ajax, hence why Chelsea spent £33.3m to sign him back in February 2020. Unfortunately, the man born in Dronten became a victim of Chelsea’s fire sales under Todd Boehly, with 24 players either sold or loaned out last summer, and 28 the year before. Nevertheless, Ziyech still impressed during his time in the Premier League, and Matt Doherty – who could soon become his teammate at Molineux – even praised him for netting a wonder goal against his Tottenham side back in January 2022. The Irishman said: “They managed to stick one in the top corner, which is fair enough. I guess when somebody does that, you’ve got to clap your hands to it.”

Dário Essugo: Portugal’s Next Modern Midfielder https://breakingthelines.com/player-analysis/dario-essugo-portugals-next-modern-midfielder/ Sporting Clube de Portugal, or simply Sporting, has enjoyed a resurgence in the last two decades, highlighted by five domestic titles under former manager Ruben Amorim, including a league championship that ended a 19-year drought. Beyond trophies, Sporting’s academy has been a cornerstone of its success, producing talents like Gonçalo Inácio, Eduardo Quaresma, Geny Catamo, and Geovany Quenda. Among these rising stars, one name stands out this season—not in Lisbon, but in LaLiga: Dário Essugo. At just 19 years old, Essugo is making waves during his loan spell at Las Palmas. Despite relatively quiet loan moves, first to Chaves and now in Spain, he has caught the attention of major clubs like Leeds United and Chelsea, the latter reportedly eyeing him as a prospect for their French affiliate, Strasbourg. Born in 2005, Essugo joined Sporting’s academy at nine and has been turning heads ever since. A career highlight came in the 2022 UEFA U-17 Championship, where he played a key role in Portugal’s run to the semifinals, even scoring a stunning long-range goal. Now, in his breakthrough season, Essugo has started 12 of Las Palmas’ 14 league matches, steadily cementing himself as a key figure in the starting lineup. This article will explore Essugo’s potential, analyzing his strengths both in and out of possession, while also highlighting areas for improvement. Player Profile: Dário Essugo stands at 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) and is a right-footed defensive midfielder with the versatility to play as either a lone number six or as part of a double pivot. His heat map, shown below, highlights his primary role in deep central areas of the pitch, where is tasked with anchoring the midfield. However, Essugo also demonstrates the ability to push further up the field and operate as a number eight, adding another layer of flexibility to his game. For a player of his age to excel in the number six role—arguably one of the most demanding and tactically sensitive positions in football—while also showing competence higher up the pitch, is a testament to his impressive talent. In-Possession Qualities Starting with the player’s qualities, one standout trait that immediately catches the eye—something stats can’t fully capture—is his off-ball movement when Las Palmas are in possession. Watching “El Pio-Pio,” as they’re known in Spain, it’s clear the team prefers a direct approach to the game. They frequently draw the opposition into their own defensive third before launching long balls to exploit the space created for their wide players to attack or chase. The graph below highlights this tendency, illustrating the team’s preference for a more vertical style of football over slower, patient build-up play. transitions and link up play effectively. snip much more at the top link

Alexander Isak to Arsenal latest - the Newcastle striker is reportedly set to be a “key target” for the Gunners, though his asking price is £150m

Rumours flying about that Trent & Virgil squared up to each other in the changing room, With Virgil blaming Trent for the goals. Them cracks are coming. The look of disgust here is clear for all to see

https://thedailybriefing.io/i/154198329/Chelsea Wesley Fofana is confident of returning ahead of schedule from his injury. The Chelsea defender hopes to be back around the middle or end of March in order to help for the final few months of the season.

and perhaps VVD, who is also out of contract As they could lose lose all 3 on frees, they will have to pay insane money, on net, to replace them, unless they just go down the 'potential' route and buy non WC established players for left footed right wingers who are actually available the main targets would be (Sane turns 30yo in middle of next season, so they likely may not go for him) Raphinha (and is he actually available?) Mohammed Kudus Bryan Mbeumo Arda Güler (and is he actually available?) Johan Bakayoko Maghnes Akliouche Geovany Quenda (turns 18yo on April 30th) RB they will be looking at Jeremie Frimpong Achraf Hakimi Jules Koundé CB (IF VVD leaves) Alessandro Bastoni Ronald Araujo Murillo Castello Lukeba Giorgio Scalvini Gonçalo Inácio Bremer (if recovered, but that is not so likely) Jarrad Branthwaite Ousmane Diomande Piero Hincapié Jonathan Tah António Silva

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/enzo-maresca-Chelsea-fc-crystal-palace-top-four-race-b1202953.html For the best part of six months, Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea reign swept through a giddy honeymoon, extending beyond the stage of a debut season at which some of his predecessors had already begun sweating on divorce. No one expected it to last forever, least of all the man himself, but nor can he have forecast that its end would be quite so abrupt. A 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace confirmed that Chelsea are now well and truly in a rut, winless in four and having taken just two points from meetings with Everton, Fulham, Ipswich and now Oliver Glasner’s much-improved Eagles over the festive run. Newcastle, winners at Tottenham earlier on Saturday, are breathing down Blue necks and the race for the top four is on. Maresca eventually corrected a similar blip during during his ultimately triumphant season at Leicester last season, when the accusation was that rivals had figured out too stubborn and predictable a script. The Italian could not be accused of that here, tinkering again with half-a-team’s worth of changes, including a surprise first Premier League start for 18-year-old defender Josh Acheampong amid a centre-back injury crisis that may yet take some January transfer activity to resolve. There are obvious problems here in a team missing two key elements of its spine - Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia - and in Maresca’s strange reluctance to make the most of his depth with in-game personel tweaks. The headline flaw, though, is that for a team that did not keep clean sheets with any ease even at its best, the goals have now horribly dried up. Enzo Maresca’s side have lost their form in front of goal Getty Images Cole Palmer’s opener here, brilliantly made by Jadon Sancho, was just the Blues’s second in that four game winless streak and fistfuls of chances created between that strike on 14 minutes and Jean Philippe Mateta’s deserved leveller on 82 could not extend the tally. Beyond their goal, Chelsea managed 14 shots, but not a single one of them on target. It was the same wastefulness that cost Maresca’s side in the reverse fixture, when Palace again rescued a 1-1 draw with a second-half equaliser. They should have put Fulham out of sight at Stamford Bridge last month, only to be stung by a late comeback, and paid for not breaking a stubborn Everton early in the goalless draw at Goodison Park, too. Nicolas Jackson’s ruthless knack has suddenly faded, the Senegalese back to last season’s loose form in front of goal and now with just one goal in six in the league. Christopher Nkunku was not even brought off the bench here, Maresca instead turning to Marc Guiu for the first time in the Premier League since the opening day. Most egregiously, Pedro Neto fluffed the simplest of openings to set up the Palmer second that may have killed the game before half-time. The marquee summer signing still has not delivered the numbers to match his obvious talent, a flaw that extends back into his final injury-hit seasons at Wolves. Sancho at least, is bringing something tangible to the party; his assist via a glorious dummy on halfway was his sixth in 15 Chelsea appearances - as many as he managed in 83 in a Manchester United shirt. Inevitably, Chelsea’s lack of goals just as the January window slides open will reignite what seemed a closed debate over whether a truly elite No9 is required as a matter of urgency. Whether such a centre-forward would be available this month anyway seems doubtful. Chelsea were not exactly alone in trying and failing to find one last summer. Next weekend’s meeting with Morecambe in the third round of the FA Cup looks a timely chance to rediscover some scoring form; who knows, perhaps Maresca’s men are simply missing the weekly opportunity to stick a four or five (or eight) past a third-tier European minnow. When the Conference League group stage ended only a few weeks ago, Chelsea were second in the Premier League and seemingly nailed-on for a return to the Champions League top table next term. That remains an achievable aim halfway through the season, but no longer feels such a sure thing.

No. Not even close.

Mike Dean blasts 'definite' penalty decision officials got wrong in Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Reaction from Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea as former Premier League referee Mike Dean says Pedro Neto should have been awarded a penalty https://www.football.london/Chelsea-fc/news/mike-dean-blasts-definite-penalty-30709737 Former Premier League referee Mike Dean believes Chelsea should have been awarded a second-half penalty in their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon. For Enzo Maresca the frustration grows. He may have said his team were not part of this season's title battle and four winless top-flight fixtures has all-but confirmed this over the festive period. A draw to Everton, losses to Fulham and Ipswich Town, now a stalemate at Selhurst Park with Oliver Glasner's Eagles leaves Chelsea nine points adrift of Liverpool, who have two games in hand at the top. Cole Palmer put the Blues ahead early and the visitors looked to press on. Somehow a cushion did not arrive, allowing Jean-Philippe Mateta to equalise with less than 10 minutes remaining. However, it might not have come to that if this afternoon's referee Tim Robinson had pointed to the spot in the 63rd minute, as Dean believes he should have. Pedro Neto raced towards the loose ball in Palace's 18-yard box - marginally trailed by opposite full-back Tyrick Mitchell. "I think it’s a penalty kick. I think Neto’s got there first, knocked the ball away and Mitchell’s caught him from behind," Dean said as Sky Sports' referee analyst upon review. The Blues man went to ground as a result of the challenge but play was waved on. VAR Paul Tierney did not look to influence a rewrite of his colleague's call, nor has the Premier League's Match Centre account on X released a statement as they would do for reviewed decisions. Dean conclusively added: "So, I think it should be a penalty. He’s probably looked at it and thought he might have got a touch on the ball but I’ve slowed it down a few times and he hasn’t touched the ball. I think it should have been an intervention and a definite penalty."

Manchester United have triggered a one-year option to extend Harry Maguire’s contract until June 2026.

Ian Wright whingeing about................... ANTHONY TAYLOR who has fucked us so hard v Arse over the years

1 1 FT at least Arse dropped points

am good with any of these 3 Joel Ordóñez I need to see more of, but he also has huge potential Guehi is too expensive for the quality