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Chelsea failed to get themselves back on track after a defeat in midweek, drawing 0-0 away to Bournemouth.

The Cherries were the better side, frustrating Enzo Maresca’s men, who are still in search of their first Premier League win since beating Burnley at the end of November.

Despite having an almost full-strength side, which included Cole Palmer from the start for the first time since September 20th, Chelsea were lacklustre going forward. They managed just 11 shots and racked an expected goals tally of just 0.88xG.

The Blues had an early scare, too, with Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo having a goal ruled out in the opening moments of the game. The goal was cancelled due to a tight offside against striker Evanilson, giving Chelsea an early lifeline.

There was also bad news for the West Londoners on the injury front, with Liam Delap forced off after just 32 minutes. He picked up a shoulder injury, which BBC Sport report could be a dislocated shoulder. That issue could see the Chelsea number nine sidelined for as long as four months.

It was a tough day at the office for Chelsea, with Enzo Fernandez putting in a performance to forget.

Fernandez’s stats vs. Bournemouth

Chelsea were once again without Fernandez’s usual midfield partner, Moises Caicedo, after his red card against Arsenal last weekend. Up against an energetic Cherries midfield, it was a day when the 2022 World Cup winner struggled.

Indeed, without Caicedo next to him, the Argentine midfielder certainly had his work cut out in the middle of the park, having more defensive responsibility than he might if the Ecuadorian were partnered with him.

The stats from Fernandez’s performance reflect how tough of an afternoon it was for him defensively. He only managed to win five out of 11 duels, as per Sofascore, committed two fouls and failed to win his only tackle. It was certainly a day when he struggled off the ball.

Football London journalist Bobby Vincent was critical of the Chelsea number eight, too. He said Fernandez ‘looks fatigued’ at the moment, but did call it ‘understandable’ given the amount of football he has played this season.

However, it was not just the 35-cap Argentina international who struggled for the West Londoners.

Chelsea’s worst player vs. Bournemouth

It was a day to forget for left-back Marc Cucurella. The Spaniard, normally a player so reliable at full-back and composed in position, was wasteful against the South Coast outfit and put in a performance far from his best.

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It was a surprisingly sloppy showing in possession from the former Barcelona star. He had 69 touches of the ball, so he was constantly involved, but lost it 17 times.

Out of possession, he only won 50% of his duels.

One person who didn’t seem too impressed with the defender’s showing at the Vitality Stadium was Vincent. He gave Cucurella a 6/10 for his afternoon’s work down south, describing his performance as ‘nothing extraordinary’.

The games are now coming thick and fast for Chelsea. They have a busy festive period, with assignments in the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup.

After a poor performance against Bournemouth and the number of games they have, it’ll be interesting to see if Maresca keeps Cucurella in the side.

There are options if he wishes to rotate the Spaniard out of the starting 11. Jorrel Hato is the natural back-up left-back, but he hasn’t played too much this season. Reece James and Malo Gusto could also operate on that side.

How Maresca looks after the fitness of his most important players this month will be key to their form. After a poor performance from Cucurella, it gives the Blues boss a chance to rest and rotate.

Shades of Sterling & Mudryk: Maresca must axe Chelsea's "pointless signing"

The highly-rated attacker has not impressed so far this season.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

6 days ago

New Zealand recorded their first T20I victory of the home season

Tristan Lavalette06-Nov-2025Mark Chapman bludgeoned 78 off 28 balls before New Zealand survived a late onslaught to record their first T20I victory of the home season in a bounce back against West Indies at Eden Park.West Indies were down and out in the 208-run chase at 93 for 6 in the 13th over. They needed 18 an over from there but the required rate suddenly nosedived as Rovman Powell launched stunning hitting at the death.Needing 16 runs off the final over, West Indies were suddenly in the box seat after a couple of Matthew Forde boundaries meant they required eight off four balls.Related

• 'Boult-ish' Foulkes is adding breadth to New Zealand's pace depth

But Powell holed out to quick Kyle Jamieson on the fourth ball in a game-changer before Forde could only score a single off the final delivery as West Indies fell three runs short.Jamieson held his nerve with a superb slower ball in a major relief for New Zealand, who were under pressure after a seven-run defeat in the series-opener at the same ground just 24 hours earlier.After New Zealand were sent in to bat, Chapman ignited his side in favourable batting conditions and completely dominated the middle-latter overs with a slew of belligerent blows.While chasing, West Indies succumbed to spinners Ish Sodhi, the only change from either team from game one, and Mitchell Santner combining for six wickets.There was a late twist but the result snapped the West Indies’ five-game T20I winning streak.DRS was used in this match after technical issues meant the technology could not be in place for the opener.

Chapman ignites New Zealand

There was pressure on New Zealand’s batting order after a meek effort in the series-opener, where only incredible late hitting from Santner got them close.Devon Conway struggled to get going but did help lay a platform with a 55-run opening partnership with Tim Robinson, whose premeditated ramps knocked the seamers off their lengths.But New Zealand were only modestly placed at 59 for 2 in the ninth over after Robinson’s dismissal. Chapman had a sighter before launching in the 13rd over, whacking Romario Shepherd for a trio of sixes.He was on a roll, finding gaps with a mixture of timing and power to record a 19-a ball half-century – the fastest in his T20I career. It was a welcome return to form for Chapman, who had only made 39 runs from four previous T20I innings during this home season.Chapman finally miscued straight in the air in the 17th over before Santner again showed off his big-hitting at the death as he finished off the innings in style with a six.

Forde backs up, Hosein held back

There was intrigue over how Forde would pull up from game one having made a successful comeback from a shoulder injury.He once again performed exceptionally well with the new ball to prove he’s well and truly fit and firing having not played competitive cricket before this tour since July.Ish Sodhi, who replaced Jimmy Neesham, picked up three wickets•AFP/Getty Images

Forde bowled three overs on the trot in the first game before being hammered in his final over by Santner at the death. Captain Shai Hope decided to bowl Forde out and the gamble worked when he once again knocked over Conway with an almost identical delivery from the first game that seamed in wickedly.Forde finished with 1 for 17 from four overs, but West Indies’ attack struggled mightily after that. On a ground with small dimensions, Hope didn’t seem to trust left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein who bowled just one over in the first T20I.He came on in the 16th over – the latest he had ever bowled in the format. Hosein was on a hiding to nothing and greeted with a six by Daryl Mitchell before Chapman whacked consecutive blows into the crowd in an over that ultimately cost 23 runs.Other than Forde, every other bowler’s economy was over eight runs an over.

Sodhi stars in return

New Zealand was expected to stick with their line-up from the opener, but allrounder Jimmy Neesham was a late scratch after he was hit on the shoulder while batting in the warm-up.Sodhi took Neesham’s place and grabbed his opportunity having not been part of the England series. He came on in the eighth over with West Indies needing a move on after a sedate start.Alick Athanaze had him in his sights but made a hash of a reverse sweep to gift Sodhi a second-ball wicket. His tail was up with Sodhi on the next delivery unsuccessfully reviewing a caught behind shout against Ackeem Auguste.Romario Shepherd and Rovman Powell’s impressive partnership went in vain•AFP/Getty Images

But he soon dismissed Auguste, largely thanks to a terrific catch from a diving Chapman in the outfield. Sodhi then deceived Jason Holder with a googly to rattle the stumps although his figures took a little of a beating in his final couple of overs.

Shepherd, Powell and Forde’s late hitting in vain

West Indies looked dead and buried at 93 for 6 in the 13th over. But they can never be totally written off due to their muscular batting through the order. Shepherd and Powell gave them hope after they smashed five sixes in a six-ball whirlwind.Shepherd fell for 34 off 16 balls, but Powell remained undaunted and received support from Forde as the ball kept flying into the terraces. They whittled it down to 16 in the final over but ultimately fell short.In the end the task proved too great and the West Indies will rue such a slow start. But they will know that no chase is out of reach and the late fireworks will spook New Zealand, who will need to reassess their plans in the death overs.

USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino has admitted to harbouring a desire to make a Premier League return after coming "so close" to winning the title with Tottenham. The Argentine has confessed that he still feels the pull of the English top flight, even as he prepares to lead the United States men’s national team at the 2026 World Cup on home soil.

• Pochettino's love affair with Spurs

  The Argentine, now quite well settled into his new role as the manager of the USMNT, revealed that he still dreams of returning to the English top flight, a league where he came agonisingly close to winning major honours with Tottenham. His tenure in north London ended abruptly in November 2019, just months after guiding Spurs to their first Champions League final. His five-and-a-half years at the club yielded 293 matches, significant progress and a squad that, for a brief period, seemed capable of redefining Tottenham's modern history. Yet his departure left a lingering sense of what might have been.

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  Pochettino on English football’s unique pull

  Speaking in an interview with thePochettino – who also managed Chelsea – admitted that he still watches the Premier League religiously. When asked whether he misses it, the 52-year-old said: "Yeah, I watch a lot. The Premier League is the best in the world. Of course, I miss it. I am so happy in the USA, but I am always thinking about returning one day. It is the most competitive league, and of course, I would love to come back again."

  Pressed on what remains at the top of his personal wish list as a coach, Pochettino’s answer revealed a hint of longing. He said: "Talking about the Premier League, and we are in London… to win the Premier League and the Champions League. We were so close in Tottenham. I want to achieve this. I am still young, I have the energy, experience and motivation to try in the future. Outside, to make my family feel proud – my sons, my wife, my dog, my horses, my mum and dad, my granddaughter…"

  The manager revealed that he is still in touch with Daniel Levy, the former Tottenham chairman, who vacated his post earlier this year. "I was very surprised (by Levy's exit). We still keep in touch," he said. "Our relationship was always good. His legacy is there. It's amazing what he did for the club. We're in contact and one day I'd like to share a coffee with him. He made it a possibility for me to manage a club like Tottenham – one of the best clubs in the world with an amazing fanbase. I'm very grateful to him and proud to be part of the family of Tottenham."

• Pochettino REALLY wants to come back!

  This is not the first time that Pochettino has spoken about his desire to return to the Premier League. Back in March, he told of taking in a second spell at Tottenham: "To be honest, the day that I left the club always I was thinking one day to come back. It's not that I was thinking before the offer from the USA national team, I was thinking to come back.

  "The day that I left I was thinking I would love to one day come back to Tottenham because like I told in the past, I said for me, I felt empty in the moment that I left. It was like an unfinished job and that is why. It's a feeling, it's a feeling, it's a dream.

  "I don't know how you can take or I can explain or describe but I think for sure it's a club that is always going to be special for me. And I would like to one day to have the possibility again to try to arrive in a situation that we are back to finish in a different way."

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  A work in progress with the United States

  Since taking charge in September 2024, Pochettino has tried to reshape a USMNT side that holds massive potential to shine on the global stage. There will be pressure on him to deliver the goods at the World Cup next summer at home after being drawn in Group D along with Australia, Paraguay, and a third team, which will be one of Turkey, Slovakia, Kosovo or Romania. However, his contract is due to expire following the World Cup, and given the constant managerial turnover in the Premier League and Pochettino’s proven track record of elevating young squads, the prospect of him returning feels increasingly plausible.