LONDON: Timo Werner fired Chelsea to the top of the Premier League as the German’s late goal inspired a controversy-filled 3-1 win against 10-man Southampton on Saturday.
Thomas Tuchel’s side ended a frustrating week on a high note thanks to Werner’s contribution to a dramatic finale at Stamford Bridge.
After successive 1-0 defeats against Manchester City and Juventus, the Blues were in danger of another disappointing result with just minutes remaining in rain-soaked west London.
Trevoh Chalobah’s early opener for Chelsea had been canceled out by a James Ward-Prowse penalty in the second half.
But Ward-Prowse was sent off for an ugly lunge on Jorginho and Chelsea took full advantage as Werner restored their lead with six minutes left before Ben Chilwell wrapped up the points.
Chelsea sit two points clear of second-placed Liverpool, with Jurgen Klopp’s side able to regain pole position if they beat champions Manchester City on Sunday.
Failure to defeat a Southampton side still seeking their first league win this season would have raised serious questions about the European champions.
So it was a huge relief for Tuchel to get back on track heading into the international break as Chelsea put one of their rare blips of the German’s reign behind them.
“After two defeats we had to be careful that we didn’t start being too sad or too worried,” Tuchel said.
“It was important to have a better performance than the last two games, that we sharpened our mindset so that we are not afraid to lose.
“It was nice to play the way we did and get a deserved win.”
Frustrated by what he labelled a “strange display” against Juventus on Wednesday and an equally lacklustre loss to City last weekend, Tuchel made five changes in a bid to shake up his “tired” team.
For a man who has hardly put a foot wrong since taking charge in January, Tuchel showed he had not lost his Midas touch as three of the players he brought into the team combined for the ninth-minute opener.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek towered above the Southampton defense to flick Chilwell’s corner to the far post, where Chalobah dived to head home from close range.
Werner thought he had doubled Chelsea’s lead just before half-time when he rose above two defenders to head in from Callum Hudson-Odoi’s cross.
But, with both teams back in position to kick off, a late VAR intervention convinced referee Martin Atkinson to rule that Cesar Azpilicueta had clipped Kyle Walker-Peters’ heel much earlier in the build-up to the goal.
It was a debatable decision and Tuchel was incandescent with rage, waving his arms in protest as he briefly marched into the pitch — an incursion that earned a booking as boos cascaded down from the stands.
“I was very angry because I could never believe this could happen in the Premier League. It was a 50-50 that wasn’t even in close connection to the goal,” Tuchel said.
“I understood before the season that we didn’t want soft fouls, that we wanted a contact game.”
Shaken by that controversial moment, Chelsea lost their grip and Southampton equalized in the 61st minute.
Teenage right-back Tino Livramento, who left Chelsea in the close-season, made an incisive raid that forced a panicked foul from Chilwell in the penalty area.
Atkinson pointed to the spot and Ward-Prowse stepped up to send Edouard Mendy the wrong way with the penalty.
But Ward-Prowse could have no complaints when Atkinson sent him off for nasty foul that left Jorginho writhing in pain with 14 minutes left.
That proved the turning point and Chelsea went in front in the 84th minute.
Ross Barkley sprayed a fine pass out to Azpilicueta and his half-volleyed cross was perfect for Werner to drill home from close-range.
Five minutes later, Lukaku and Azpilicueta hit the post in quick succession before Chilwell steered in the rebound.
Chelsea seize Premier League top spot after dramatic win over Southampton
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Chelsea seize Premier League top spot after dramatic win over Southampton
- Chelsea sit two points clear of second-placed Liverpool, with Jurgen Klopp’s side able to regain pole position if they beat champions Manchester City on Sunday
Paul Hughes set for Bellator debut in Dublin
- ‘Big News’ Hughes first Bellator appearance will be against Hawaii’s Bobby King, Saudi-backed PFL announces
- Bellator Welterweight Champion Jason Jackson defends title against undefeated Ramazan Kuramagomedov
NEW YORK: The Professional Fighters League has announced that Ireland’s Paul Hughes (11-1) will make his promotional debut against Hawaii’s Bobby King (12-6) in a Lightweight bout on Saturday, June 22 at Bellator Champions Series at 3Arena in Dublin.
Bellator Champions Series Dublin is headlined by Welterweight World Champion Jason Jackson (18-4) facing undefeated Ramazan Kuramagomedov (12-0), and the stacked fight card also features a Women’s Featherweight clash between two former title challengers, when Ireland’s Sinead Kavanagh (9-6) takes on Australia’s Arlene Blencowe (15-10).
A Bantamweight No. 1 contender matchup is also on the docket, as Kasum Kasumov (15-1) of Russia goes toe-to-toe with Brazil’s Matheus Mattos (14-2-1). At Middleweight, undefeated Hungarian Norbert Novenyi Jr. (7-0) will look to remain undefeated when he faces American Top Team’s Dalton Rosta (8-1). A previously announced contest pitting Peter Queally against Yancy Medeiros has been scrapped from the card.
At 27 years old, Hughes accomplished everything possible on the regional stage before entering free agency, and was sought after by every major mixed martial arts promotion on the planet before choosing to join PFL. A former Cage Warriors Featherweight champion prior to making the leap to Lightweight, Hughes has won eight of his 11 professional wins via stoppage and now will try his hand against Bobby King when he competes on June 22.
A six-fight veteran of Bellator, King proudly hails from Hawaii and has faced some of the toughest tests Bellator’s Lightweight division has to offer, facing names the likes of Alexander Shabliy and Gadzhi Rabadanov.
The 2024 Bellator Champions Series schedule is as follows:
- Friday, May 17 — Bellator Champions Series Paris — Accor Arena
- Saturday, June 22 — Bellator Champions Series Dublin — 3Arena
- Saturday, Sept. 7 — Bellator Champions Series San Diego — Pechanga Arena
- Saturday, Sept. 14 — Bellator Champions Series London — OVO Wembley
- Saturday, Oct. 12 — Bellator Champions Series Chicago — Wintrust Arena
- Saturday, Nov. 16 — Bellator Champions Series Paris — ADIDAS Arena
- Tuesday, Dec. 31 – Bellator Champions Series – TBD
Updated Bellator Champions Series Dublin main card:
Welterweight World Title bout: C-Jason Jackson (18-4) vs. Ramazan Kuramagomedov (12-0)
Lightweight bout: Paul Hughes (11-1) vs. Bobby King (12-6)
Women’s Featherweight bout: Sinead Kavanagh (9-6) vs. Arlene Blencowe (15-10)
Middleweight bout: Norbert Novenyi Jr. (7-0) vs. Dalton Rosta (8-1)
Bantamweight No. 1 Contender bout: Kasum Kasumov (15-1) vs. Matheus Mattos (14-2-1)
Light Heavyweight bout: Simeon Powell (9-1) vs. Abdullah Er-Ramy (7-1)
Bantamweight bout: Brian Moore (16-10) vs. Francesco Nuzzi (10-1)
Bantamweight bout: Sarvarjon Khamidov (15-0) vs. Marcirley Alves (12-3)
Featherweight bout: Nathan Kelly (10-2) vs. Fabacary Diatta (9-1)
Women’s Featherweight bout: Olena Kolesnyk (9-6) vs. Sara Collins (5-0)
Women’s Featherweight bout: Michelle Montague (4-0) vs. Karolina Sobek (4-2)
Evans and Cassidy give Jaguar a 1-2 finish in Monaco E-Prix
- Duo recorded the team’s second such triumph in Formula E history
- Evans broke a streak of four previous misses where he led but did not secure a win in the principality
MONTE CARLO: Mitch Evans claimed victory in the 2024 Monaco E-Prix, breaking his streak of four prior misses where he had led but failed to win.
Leading his Jaguar TCS Racing teammate Nick Cassidy, Evans executed the team’s strategy flawlessly, securing a dominant 1-2 finish for the British team. Their tactics, including strategic use of ATTACK MODE boosts, propelled Evans to his first Monaco win and Jaguar TCS Racing’s second 1-2 finish in Formula E.
“It feels mega, and a lot of relief to finally get that first win here,” said Evans after his win. “It feels like it should have come a few years earlier, but finally got it done today. Extra special as it’s my first win of the season as well here. Hopefully, this is a turning point for me and I can start to consistently get big points. I’ve been chipping away at it but nothing too crazy, so it’s come at a crucial time. It just feels amazing, and a massive team effort with Nick today to get a Jaguar 1-2 here in Monaco.”
With this victory, Evans bumps himself up to fifth in the drivers’ standing and solidifies his position as a championship frontrunner for Season 10, while Jaguar TCS Racing maintains its impressive lead in the Teams’ running.
Behind the top three, Stoffel Vandoorne’s teammate Jean-Eric Vergne was close behind in fourth. Pascal Wehrlein of TAG Heuer Porsche finished fifth, while Oliver Rowland of Nissan Formula E Team crossed the line sixth. Seventh place went to Antonio Felix da Costa of TAG Heuer Porsche, followed by Nissan’s Sacha Fenestraz of Nissan Formula E Team. Captain of consistency, Maximilian Gunther of Maserati MSG Racing, took ninth place securing more points for the Monaco-based outfit, while Norman Nato of Andretti Formula E rounded out the top 10.
As the season progresses, the stage is set for further excitement and fierce battles on the track, with the next rounds scheduled to take place in Berlin for the next double-header on May 11 and 12.
“It’s an unreal feeling, it’s been an epic day,” Cassidy said. “Last year, we were 1-2 as well so it’s pretty cool actually that it’s the other way around. I’m really happy for him. We can be really proud of our effort today and it’s a great result for Jaguar TCS Racing.”
Away from the on-track action, British boxing champion Anthony Joshua also stole the show, engaging with drivers and dropping hints about his upcoming fight. Amid the buzz of the pre-race media activities, Joshua revealed the date for his next match at Wembley Stadium in London.
Sharing insights from his illustrious career, Joshua drew parallels between boxing and motorsport, emphasizing the importance of teamwork for success. As the crowd eagerly awaited news of his next opponent, Joshua tantalized with names like Filip Hrgovic, Daniel Dubois, and Deontay Wilder, hinting at a potential showdown with Tyson Fury.
With royalty in attendance, including Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, the event culminated in the presentation of trophies to the podium-sitters, marking yet another thrilling chapter in Monaco’s motorsport history.
The next race in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is the 2024 Berlin E-Prix double-header on Saturday and Sunday, May 11-12.
Champions Al-Nassr end women’s Premeir League season on a high
- Celebrations included firwroks display after 1-0 win over Al-Ittihad in Riyadh
RIYADH: Al-Nassr women’s football club, winners of the 2023-2024 Premier League, ended their season on a high with a 1-0 victory over Al-Ittihad on Sunday night.
Al-Awwal Park Stadium was lit up with fireworks as Al-Nassr were crowned champions for a second year in a row, having already won the title last month against Al-Hilal.
Al-Nassr midfielder Lina Boussaha scored the winning goal in the second minute.
Members of Al-Nassr men's team Otavio and Alex Telles were spotted cheering from the sidelines as the team secured the league win.
Fans enjoyed a half-time show with prizes including signed Al-Nassr football shirts.
Williamson to lead as New Zealand announce T20 World Cup squad
- Veteran New Zealand seamer Tim Southee will play in his seventh T20 World Cup in June
- Kane Williamson’s squad have reached the semifinals of the last three T20 World Cups
WELLINGTON, New Zealand: Veteran seamer Tim Southee will play at his seventh Twenty20 World Cup after being included Monday in an experienced New Zealand squad for the tournament starting June 1 in the Caribbean and United States.
Kane Williamson will make his sixth T20 Cricket World Cup appearance and will captain the team at the tournament for the fourth time. He is warming up for the tournament in the Indian Premier League.
Southee’s regular new ball partner Trent Boult has been included to play at his fifth world T20, despite no longer having a central contract with New Zealand Cricket.
The 35-year-old Southee is New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker in T20 internationals with 157 and is also the Black Cap’s top wicket-taker at T20 World Cups with 29, five more than Boult.
The New Zealand selectors have sprung a minor surprise by selecting Matt Henry among four specialist seamers and ahead of Ben Sears, who was named as a traveling reserve. Henry, 32, will be playing at a T20 World Cup for the first time and has made only 20 previous appearances for New Zealand in the short format.
“Matt has worked exceptionally hard on his skills across the phases of a T20 game to come back into selection consideration,” head coach Gary Stead said.
Lockie Ferguson is the other specialist seamer in New Zealand’s 15-man squad. Adam Milne and Kyle Jamieson were unavailable because of injury.
Allrounder Rachin Ravindra also will play at a T20 World Cup for the first time, after being one of the breakout stars of last year’s 50-over World Cup. He adds to New Zealand’s spin options along with Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, Ish Sodhi and Glenn Phillips.
“Rachin has made every post a winner in the past 12 months and it was exciting to see him continue that trajectory over the summer in the T20 format against Australia,” Stead said.
Wicketkeeper Tim Seifert has been omitted, meaning Devon Conway and Finn Allen will share the gloves. Conway is still recovering from a thumb injury sustained in New Zealand’s T20 series against Australia last month while Allen recently has been sidelined with a back injury.
Thirteen of the 15 squad members took part in New Zealand’s last tour to the West Indies in 2022. Six have played in the Caribbean Premier League.
“We expect the venues in the West Indies to offer quite varied conditions and feel we’ve selected a squad with the scope to adapt to those conditions,” Stead said.
New Zealand has reached the semifinals of the last three T20 World Cups, losing at that point to India in 2016 and Australia in 2022. The Black Caps lost to Australia in the final in 2021.
New Zealand’s first match is against Afghanistan at San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago on June 8. They meet co-host West Indies at the same venue on June 12.
The tournament final will be played at Kensington Oval, Barbados on June 30.
Arsenal, Man City win to keep it tight at the top in race for league title
Arsenal survived a late scare at Tottenham to stay narrowly ahead in the race for the Premier League title on Sunday.
A 3-2 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ensured Mikel Arteta’s team remained at the top of the standings, ahead of defending champion Manchester City, which won 2-0 at Nottingham Forest.
But Arsenal had to endure a nervous finish despite powering to 3-0 lead in a London derby that was supposed to be one of its biggest tests in the title chase.
“The last 20 minutes wasn’t nice, but it was worth it,” Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka said afterward. “We know it is a big derby and they don’t want to lose 3-0 at home. Momentum shifted their way, but I am proud of the boys — we managed to get the three points.”
An own-goal from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and further strikes from Saka and Kai Havertz put Arsenal into a commanding position at the break. But in the face of a potential rout, Tottenham responded in the second half through Cristian Romero and a penalty from Son Heung-min in the 87th minute.
Under pressure, Arsenal held on and remains one point clear at the top, having played a game more than City.
The advantage is still with Pep Guardiola’s team, which will clinch a fourth-straight title if it wins its remaining games this season and responded to Arsenal’s win with victory of its own at relegation-fighting Forest.
With Liverpool’s title hopes further diminishing after dropping five points in two games this week, it is down to Arsenal to challenge City’s domestic dominance.
Having collapsed late on in last season’s title race, Arteta’s players look more capable of going the distance this time around.
An away fixture against its fiercest rival, Tottenham, was a major test of its credentials at this stage of the campaign. And while Arsenal was guilty of letting Spurs back into a game that should have been killed off much earlier, victory when tension was high was a test of character.
“Maybe last season that could have ended in a draw and we showed we have the experience,” Saka said. “We know City are an amazing team, but they are not perfect, we just need to do our job.”
MAN CITY WINS
Arsenal’s win meant the pressure was on City to keep the heat on its title rival.
It was always favorite to beat a Forest team that is desperately fighting for survival but without Phil Foden, who was ill, and Erling Haaland on the bench, Guardiola was without two of its big match-winners in the starting 11.
An injury to goalkeeper Ederson also forced City into a change at halftime.
But Guardiola’s team looks to be in unstoppable form and a 2-0 win extended its unbeaten record in the league to 19 games, dating back to a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa at the start of December.
Back then there were questions about City’s ability to win a sixth title in seven years. While Arsenal may lead the way, City’s title-winning know-how could make the difference.
So could Haaland, who stepped off the bench to score the goal that effectively killed off Forest’s challenge.
Josko Gvardiol headed City in front in the first half, but Chris Wood had two clear chances from close range to score for Forest.
Haaland missed City’s last two games through injury, but was quickly back on the scoresheet with a clinically taken goal just nine minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Among those in the crowd to watch were his father, Alf-Inge, and rock star Noel Gallagher.
The goal saw Haaland move clear of Cole Palmer as the league’s top scorer with 21 goals.
“It’s an important win, it does not matter how we do it, and it is good to be back,” Haaland said. “We knew it was going to be a fight, and the pitch was not the easiest to play on but we cannot complain, it is about winning and that is exactly what we did.”
BOURNEMOUTH RECORD
Without a win in its first nine league games this season, Bournemouth is now in the top half of the table and has set its own Premier League points record.
A 3-0 win against Brighton moved Andoni Iraola’s team up to 10th and on 48 points. Bournemouth’s previous best in the top flight was 46 points in the 2016-17 season under former manager Eddie Howe.
Goals from Marcos Senesi, Enes Unal and Justin Kluivert secured victory against a Brighton team that is going in the other direction after six games without a win.
