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Why Chelsea fans should be thrilled by first half of win over Wolves

Chelsea’s convincing 3-0 victory over Wolves was not just an emphatic win complete with a statement scoreline – it was a demonstration of structure, patience and progress under Enzo Maresca.

Rather than relying on bursts of flair or individual magic, this performance was about the system working efficiently, even without key personnel.

The first half might have looked methodical, perhaps even a bit boring – ball rotating, overloads shifting, Wolves sitting deep and uncomfortable – but that wasn’t the weakness. It was the deliberate build-up.

Chelsea assigned roles clearly: Enzo Fernández receiving the ball from defence, orchestrating the second phase; Malo Gusto hugging the touchline, stretching play; and centre-backs Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana offering stability. Wolves defended in numbers but could not match the rhythm.

After half-time, the plan came to fruition. Gusto’s first goal – coming from that wide threat role – opened the floodgates. João Pedro’s strike followed, and then Pedro Neto capped the win, once again exploiting the left-hand channel.

The blueprint is working, and the fact this was done without Cole Palmer tells you the system is no longer value-added by individuals alone, but carrying itself.

The performance carries deeper significance. Gusto’s deployment out wide suited him and addressed one of the team’s previous inconsistencies. Fernández’s licence to impose himself on the game, rather than chase it, provided the unlocking mechanisms a low-block side like Wolves demands.

Add in the growing chemistry across the left flank (Fernández + runners) and you have the makings of reliable attacking patterns.

Of course, context is king. Wolves are in transition and struggling. Beating them convincingly was expected for a title contender like Chelsea. But how you do it matters.

Chelsea did it with composure, diversity and depth. With Palmer likely returning for the big games ahead, Chelsea are inching towards a system that’s both meaningful now and scalable for the high-pressure games such as the Champions League, cups and big league clashes.

Saturday’s performance wasn’t fireworks for spectacle – it was assurance for ambition.

Tottenham’s late stutter vs Manchester United exposes familiar cracks

When Tottenham hosted Manchester United in Saturday’s 2-2 draw, the contest delivered the kind of drama we’ve come to expect between these two.

However, beneath the excitement lies a pattern of concern for Spurs: the same home-issues, the same management choices, the same failure to convert dominance into victory.

Spurs do deserve praise for the fight-back. One goal down at the break, they improved after half-time.

Manager Thomas Frank’s decision to bring on Mathys Tel for Xavi Simons drew boos from the crowd, but the Dane was vindicated when Tel scored the equaliser. Frank defended the choice, citing squad-management and impact.

And yet: this was a draw that feels like a defeat. Spurs’ home record remains patchy – only one league win at home this season and a run of three wins in their last 19 at home.

Their inability to defend a late set-piece proved costly when United’s Matthijs de Ligt headed home in the 96th minute. The same mistakes keep creeping in, particularly defending dead-ball situations.

Furthermore, questions over squad depth and decision-making linger. The substitutions helped spark the comeback – but the crowd’s reaction suggests Frank’s relationship with expectations is fragile. And the home crowd needs more than comebacks; they need control from the start.

In short: Spurs showed character, but not completeness. They have the talent and belief. But until they learn to close out games, especially at home, the message isn’t progress – it’s regression. A draw is obviously better than a loss, but for a team aiming higher, it still feels like two points dropped.

Tottenham sat third in the table at full-time and are firmly in the European picture, but Frank will be aware that the job of convincing all linked with Spurs that he can thrive in the role is far from finished.

The glaring lesson Arsenal must learn after disappointment at Sunderland

Arsenal’s 2-2 draw at Sunderland is clearly a case of two points dropped, but the more accurate takeaway is simpler: learn to control the game or risk getting overwhelmed by chaos.

Mikel Arteta’s team showed resilience, quality and nerve for most of the game, only to fall at the final hurdle.

The first half belonged to Sunderland: they were physical, bitty and deliberately disruptive. From the opening exchanges, the plan was obvious – launch the ball from deep, crowd the box, fight for the first ball and feast on the second ball.

Dan Ballard’s opener was the blueprint made flesh: win the duel, react first, punish. Arsenal didn’t adjust quickly enough and lost their rhythm to a thousand cuts.

Then came the response. For much of the second half, Arsenal were excellent – arguably as sharp as they’ve been against a low block all season.

Declan Rice set the tone with front-foot pressing, the combinations snapped into life, and Bukayo Saka’s equaliser arrived as the reward for purpose, not panic, while Leandro Trossard’s thunderbolt for 2-1 showcased a player in peak form.

However, all of that is no good if you can’t finish the game right. As Sunderland returned to type – direct balls, bodies in the area, relentless pressure on first and second contacts – Arsenal lost control of proceedings.

The goal they conceded in stoppage-time encapsulated the warnings: one lost aerial, hesitation from the goalkeeper, a defender losing his footing, and the door left ajar for Brian Brobbey to smash through.

David Raya’s front-foot aggression is part of Arsenal’s identity, but this moment asked for a calmer reading of the game; staying home likely ends the danger. You can acknowledge months of excellence at the back and still admit this was avoidable.

It’s easy to pin everything on substitutions. In truth, a thin attacking bench was never going to transform the script. Fresh legs at full-back to carry the ball and gain territory might have helped, but the deeper fix is structural: repeatable habits that make the boring bits of winning automatic.

When an opponent commits six or seven players into your box, rest-defence positions, box leadership and decision speed cannot be optional. Champions turn mayhem into routine.

Admittedly, there were a fair few positives. Trossard looks electric. Saka’s finishing off either foot now stretches game plans. Rice never hid when the game became heavy. And Jurrien Timber and William Saliba still provide a platform most teams would envy.

Context matters, too: after a demanding run and with attackers missing, Arsenal extended their position at the top. Sunderland are flying and will bloody more noses at home.

But standards, not sympathy, set ceilings. If Arsenal intend to win titles, the last five minutes must mirror the best thirty that preceded them. Bank the resilience, keep the attacking verve, and add the one non-negotiable quality of champions: the ability to suffocate chaos on command.

This draw will age well on its own. It becomes damaging only if the lesson goes unlearned.

Brentford Boss Keith Andrews Warns Against Underestimating Newcastle Ahead of Sunday Clash

Brentford manager Keith Andrews has urged his side not to underestimate Newcastle United ahead of Sunday’s clash, despite the visitors’ disappointing away record this season.

Eddie Howe’s men have yet to secure a Premier League win away from St James’ Park, their latest defeat a 3-1 reverse at West Ham. But Andrews expects the Magpies to be fully fired up when they visit the Gtech Community Stadium.

“Newcastle will be right at it on Sunday, I’ve no doubt about that,” Andrews told reporters. “They’re a very good team with plenty of top players and are coming off an excellent Champions League result against Athletic Club. It’s going to be a real challenge for us.

“We’re up against a Champions League side, and those games are always demanding. But we’ve already shown we can go toe-to-toe with the top sides this year, and we’ll look to do the same again.”

Adding to the intrigue, Brentford’s Jordan Henderson brings valuable experience and a touch of local rivalry to the occasion. Having come through the ranks at Sunderland, the former England midfielder is no stranger to facing Newcastle, and his understanding of the passion and intensity surrounding such encounters could prove crucial. Andrews will be hoping Henderson’s composure and leadership help guide the Bees through what promises to be a fierce battle.

Brentford have turned their home ground into something of a fortress this campaign, recording memorable victories over both Liverpool and Manchester United. Andrews wants his team to build on that momentum against another high-profile opponent.

“When we prepare for any match, we always look at how we can hurt the opposition,” he said. “Those big wins were important for us in terms of our journey as a club — helping us grow, develop, and believe in what we’re doing. Results like that give confidence to everyone involved — the players, staff, and supporters.”

Preview: Tottenham vs Manchester United – team news, predicted line-up, score prediction

Tottenham Hotspur will hope to build on their solid European midweek win when they host Manchester United in Saturday’s early kickoff.

Spurs’ form has been patchy of late – though they beat Copenhagen 4-0 in the Champions League, they lost to Chelsea and Newcastle in domestic competitions last week.

However, in the context of the Man United game, Tottenham are unbeaten in their last seven meetings with the Red Devils across competitions.

That said, Man United have been gradually improving and head into the game in decent shape, boasting a four-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

Team News and Predicted Line-Ups

There are no fresh injuries to report as “everyone came through the midweek game well”, according to Thomas Frank.

However, Mohammed Kudus is “touch and go” for this weekend after picking up a knock in training.

Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie, who recently had “small spells” on the sidelines, “responded well” after starting against Copenhagen on Tuesday night.

Predicted Tottenham XI (4-2-3-1): Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Palhinha, Bentancur; Kudus, Simons, Odobert; Kolo Muani

Key Battles & What to Watch

Tottenham will aim to press United high and disrupt their rhythm, using home advantage and their recent dominance in this fixture as momentum.

United, for their part, will rely on experience and resilience; breaking the recent run without a win vs Spurs would be a huge psychological boost.

Defence vs attack: Spurs’ defensive frailties have been exposed, and United will be keen to test that with quick transitions and opportunistic attacks.

Given the recent results, a tight match is likely, albeit with potential for moments of quality from both sides.

Prediction

With Tottenham’s recent superiority in this fixture and United’s desire for a breakthrough, this one looks finely balanced.

We predict a result of Tottenham 2-1 Manchester United. Spurs should edge the contest, but United will make it competitive.

Deliveroo Disguise Shooting: Gunman Found Guilty of Attacking Father and Daughter in London

A gunman who disguised himself as a Deliveroo rider before shooting an eight-year-old girl and her father in north-west London has been found guilty at the Old Bailey. The court heard that Jazz Reid fired 11 shots during the attack in Ladbroke Grove on 24 November 2024, striking the child twice and her 34-year-old father five times as they sat with family members in a parked car.

On Thursday, a jury convicted Reid, 33, of attempted murder of the father and wounding the girl with intent. He was also found guilty of another wounding offence from October last year and of several firearms offences. The Deliveroo disguise shooting was one of three attacks linked by forensic evidence to the same two guns, the court was told.

Prosecutors described the shootings as planned and executed with “precision”. Michael Goodwin KC said Reid had gone to great lengths to conceal his identity, driving to the area in a hire car, changing into a Deliveroo outfit complete with a takeaway box, and using an e-bike to reach his targets. Reid also switched mobile phones and SIM cards to avoid detection.

Reid told the court that the gun was “planted” and claimed he was being framed over a £10,000 drug debt. The prosecution rejected this account, saying his actions showed clear planning and intent. Jurors heard that Reid had previously been convicted of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs in 2013, following an earlier arrest in 2012.

The court was told that Reid frequently used hire cars from his home in Uxbridge and would park near a flat on the Swinbrook Estate in north Kensington, which he used as a “cover location”. From there, he collected his e-bike and Deliveroo uniform before carrying out the shootings. Officers later found a 9mm self-loading pistol loaded with 17 live rounds hidden under a slab of concrete outside Reid’s home. His DNA was found on the grip and muzzle of the weapon, which was linked forensically to the third shooting.

A separate firearm was used in the first two attacks, with Reid’s partial DNA found on shell casings from one of those scenes. Each incident, prosecutors said, involved a Deliveroo rider on an e-bike. Reid was arrested while driving a hire car near his home in Uxbridge two days after the Ladbroke Grove shooting. He has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on 5 January.

Electric Vehicle Congestion Charge Sparks Backlash from London Drivers

Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that the congestion charge will rise by 20% from £15 to £18 per day on 2 January. Electric vehicles, which have so far been exempt under the Cleaner Vehicle Discount, will begin paying a reduced rate in 2025 before the exemption is scrapped entirely in 2026. TfL says the changes are necessary to keep traffic under control, citing an increase in the number of electric vehicles on the road as a growing source of congestion.

Under the new plans, electric cars registered for Auto Pay will receive a 25% discount, bringing their daily charge to £13.50. Electric vans, HGVs, and quadricycles registered for Auto Pay will receive a 50% discount. From March 2027, the 90% residents’ discount will only apply to electric vehicles for new applicants. TfL argues that without these measures, congestion could worsen significantly, with about 2,200 additional vehicles expected to enter the zone each weekday next year.

However, critics argue that the move will undermine efforts to promote cleaner transport. Many fear that the introduction of an electric vehicle congestion charge could reduce the appeal of going electric and cause costs to rise for those who rely on EVs for work.

Among them is Kola Olalekan, who has driven an electric minicab in central London for six years. He says that being required to pay £13.50 per day will make the job much harder for drivers already facing tight margins. “There’s going to be a drop,” he says. “And when there’s a drop of the number of drivers available in central London, that will affect the fare that riders are going to be paying. There’s going to be a surge. This job is based on surge pricing. So absolutely fares are going to go up, there will be fewer Ubers and no-one will want an EV.”

Industry representatives have echoed his concerns. Edmund King, from the AA, says that removing the incentive for switching to electric vehicles “may backfire on London and backfire on the environment.” He argues that most motorists are still hesitant to go electric and that losing the congestion charge exemption could delay adoption further. “Getting rid of the discount, there is no doubt it will put off many drivers,” he says. “And when we look at congestion in central London, let’s be frank the speed of traffic has been the speed of a horse and cart for years so to be honest a few more electric vehicles isn’t going to make much difference. We do feel this is a negative step. Getting rid of the exemption is coming far too early.”

TfL has defended its decision, stating that the congestion charge must remain effective at reducing traffic and emissions. It argues that even as vehicles become cleaner, the goal of the scheme is to manage demand on London’s roads. The organisation previously suggested removing the electric vehicle discount entirely, and it plans further reductions in the coming years. From March 2030, discounts for electric vans, HGVs, and quadricycles registered for Auto Pay will drop to 25%, while electric cars will see their discount halved again to just 12.5%.

Supporters of the policy say that as the number of electric vehicles increases, it is reasonable that they should contribute to maintaining London’s transport infrastructure. However, opponents maintain that the electric vehicle congestion charge risks penalising those who have invested early in cleaner technology, sending the wrong message to both professional drivers and the wider public. A formal announcement confirming the final details of the congestion charge changes is expected in the coming weeks.

Construction Site Manslaughter Trial Over Death of Mother Crushed by Falling Bricks

A trial is set to take place next year over the death of Michaela Boor, a 29-year-old mother who was crushed by falling bricks after dropping her children off at school in east London. The fatal incident occurred on 27 March 2018, when a pallet carrying more than two tonnes of bricks fell from a crane at a building site on Burdett Road, Bethnal Green. The case, involving construction site manslaughter charges, will be heard at the Old Bailey.

Higgins Homes Plc faces accusations in relation to her death, alongside four men: Thomas Anstis, 68, of Banstead, Surrey; Stephen Coulson, 69, of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire; Dawood Mann, 60, of Ashford, Kent; and Alexander McInnes, 33, of Islington, north London. All defendants have denied gross negligence manslaughter.

According to the prosecution, Higgins Homes acted as the property developer, with Mr Anstis serving as site manager, Mr Coulson responsible for the lifting plan, Mr Mann as crane supervisor, and Mr McInnes operating the crane. A representative for Higgins Homes entered not guilty pleas to charges of corporate manslaughter and failing to discharge duties under the Health and Safety Act 1974.

The defendants also pleaded not guilty to additional health and safety offences. They have been granted continued bail before the construction site manslaughter trial resumes at the Old Bailey next October.

Preview: Sunderland vs Arsenal – team news, predicted line-up, score prediction

Sunderland welcome Arsenal to the Stadium of Light on Saturday 8 November 2025, kick-off at 17:30 GMT.

Arsenal currently sit top of the Premier League table, six points clear of Manchester City, and will view this as another step in their title push.

Meanwhile, newly-promoted Sunderland have made an impressive start, particularly at home, and will be determined to make life difficult for the visitors.

Form & context

Sunderland remain undefeated at home in the Premier League so far, with a mix of wins and draws.

They’ve scored in each of their home games this season, showing attacking intent at the Stadium of Light.

Their defensive record is respectable: at home they’ve been conceding under 1 goal per game in recent matches.

One big narrative involves captain Granit Xhaka, who a former Arsenal player – this adds a personal edge to the fixture.

However, the Gunners are in superb form at present, sweeping all bar Liverpool aside so far, and five Premier League wins in a row have pushed them clear.

Key battles & talking points

Sunderland will aim to use the energy of their home crowd and their solid recent form to unsettle Arsenal. Xhaka’s experience is crucial for them.

Arsenal’s defensive record means Sunderland must be efficient with any chances they create; the visitors will look to dominate possession and suffocate chances.

The absence of Gyokeres may slightly blunt Arsenal’s physical threat up front, but their other attacking options remain potent.

Sunderland have scored in all home outings, so Arsenal’s clean-sheet record will be tested. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s consistent wins and defence make them strong favourites.

Arsenal team news

Arsenal are without striker Viktor Gyokeres again, so Mikel Merino is likely deputise up top once more.

Although Gabriel Jesus is back in training, it remains to be seen whether he’ll be thrown into the mix immediately.

Martin Zubimendi is back from suspension, but centre-half Gabriel is likely to miss out.

Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke are all still missing.

Arsenal predicted starting XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Merino, Trossard

Gazette result prediction

Sunderland certainly have what it takes to get something from the Arsenal game, and they will certainly fancy their chances.

However, we feel the Gunners have just a bit too much quality and fitness to drop any points.

The home side will create opportunities, but Arsenal’s defence and consistency should see them through.

Prediction: Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal