As the Arsenal players got into an ecstatic dressing room, the man of the match wasn’t there. Goalscorer Viktor Gyokeres even came in carrying his award.
That is all because Max Dowman isn’t actually the man of the match but the boy of the match, since he’s still… just a child. Premier League rules mean he’s not actually allowed change in the same dressing room as adults. He has to go around near the referees’ room.
Maybe it also serves as another little way to keep a mere 16-year-old centred after such a moment, too, but nobody who knows the Dowmans says he needs that. His parents are said to still ground him for misbehaving, and are conscious of keeping the obvious confidence that comes with such ability in check.
There were of course among many people at Arsenal in tears after Dowman scored that crucial clinching goal against Everton. As was openly being said in the dressing room by many staff, they’d known him since he was small. You might quip that wasn’t that long ago, but it also speaks to the speed of his development.
Mikel Arteta is often criticised for a conservatism, but he still went for football’s classic roll of the dice when it was really required: the impetuousness of youth. Sir Alex Ferguson is the manager who has become most associated with that gamble over the history of the Premier League, due to everything from the “class of 92” to throwing on a 17-year-old Federico Macheda in a similar title game against Aston Villa. His logic was always clear: “if you give people an opportunity to succeed, it is amazing how much they will surprise you.”
Except, very little about Dowman is surprising. It isn’t exactly heaping pressure on a 16-year-old to say he’s being talked of as potentially the best player in the world in a few years, since so many around Arsenal say all the time. They are perhaps careful not to say it directly to him, but the Leo Messi comparisons are seen as entirely fitting.
It means Arteta is now in the exquisite position of pleading “calma” about such a prospect – as he did when asked if Dowman would start against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday – and being thrillingly excited about his talent.
Advertisement
Viktor Gyokeres, front, and Max Dowman grabbed late goals in Arsenal’s win over Everton (Andrew Matthews/PA) (PA Wire)
The Basque spoke about a “gut feeling” he’s had all week, but there’s more to it than that. Since the start of the season, Dowman has just been gliding past senior professionals in training. You could see it in the Everton game. He was beating players and opening the match in a way that Arsenal badly needed. It was the same with the ball in that finally flummoxed Jordan Pickford for Gyokeres’ goal. Direct, with purpose.
From that, Arteta had in the last few weeks apparently told his Arsenal-supporting father, Rob, that some changes might be required to Dowman’s school schedule at Brentwood. The question was obviously why. “Because there’s a title to win.”
They know he can carry it. Alongside his talent, Dowman’s football brain is described as “extraordinary”. Arteta’s tactical and pressing instructions are known to be highly complex, and it can take senior professionals months to properly internalise them. Dowman does it in seconds.
This could be seen in one of the elements that Arsenal figures were most raving about after the 2-0 win over Everton.
Advertisement
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, left, says ‘gut feeling’ made him bring on Max Dowman against Everton (Andrew Matthews/PA) (PA Wire)
With the ball in the air after Pickford went up for that 96th-minute corner, and Vitaliy Mykolenko coming in try and win it and force that equaliser, Dowman did something else unexpected. In the space of a millisecond, he decided to strain his neck muscles to head the ball down so that it would go in the opposite direction of the full-back. Mykolenko was so surprised that he fell over, as Dowman ensured he was now pulsing away on his feet and at the right pace.
From there, with Pickford also racing back, many players would have opted to immediately seize the chance and try a long-range shot. Dowman also showed mature composure with that. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was still in his way but he was evaded like a cone in training. Then he was away.
One of the things now being said about the goal at Arsenal was that the opposition half he still had to run through, and the seconds that took, offered a fitting final build-up to a moment everyone now feels they will be looking back to in years’ time.
Advertisement
Max Dowman celebrates after scoring Arsenal’s second goal (Getty Images)
They could see it coming, they could feel it. People nearby heard Dowman’s family repeat: “go on Max, go on!” Then, the arrival.
It should be acknowledged that any such moment would be special for a young player, his family and his club, something they can now always treasure. At the same time, you just can’t overlook that this is considered all the more special because of what it might mean for the future.
There will be many excited questions about that. Thomas Tuchel is no doubt going to have to face a few at his England squad announcement on Friday, and whether Dowman can be taken to a World Cup.
Advertisement
It instinctively feels like it’s a bit too early… but then you could say that about so much with Dowman. Nothing about him is surprising. This is now more than a gut feeling.
A title challenge that had become a psychological challenge for Arsenal, where they were feeling all the angst of that 22-year wait, now involves one of the most invigorating themes in football. It’s the excitement of youth, and what might be possible for the future.
On Sunday at the 2026 LIV Golf Singapore event, Bryson DeChambeau ended a winless drought with a comeback playoff victory. But not without a little help from his playoff competitor.
That player, LIV Golf wild card Richard T. Lee, shockingly missed a short putt that would have extended the playoff to another hole.
The brutal finish left DeChambeau with mix feelings when he hoisted his fourth LIV Golf individual trophy on Sunday at Sentosa Golf Club.
DeChambeau’s LIV Singapore win started with comeback charge
DeChambeau’s last LIV win came in May of last year, when he triumphed at LIV Golf Korea with a three-round score total of 19 under par. That ended an even longer LIV winless drought for the two-time U.S. Open champ, dating back to September 2023.
Advertisement
This week’s event seemed like it was Bryson’s to lose from the get-go. He led after the first and second rounds. But four bogeys on Day 3 gave DeChambeau a 72. With that he’d lost his lead and headed into Sunday’s final round one shot behind Joaquin Niemann and Lee Westwood.
DeChambeau came out firing on Sunday, holing out for eagle on the 4th hole and adding two more birdies before play was suspended due to inclement weather. Despite his hot start, which moved him to 12 under, DeChambeau found himself further off the lead at the halfway point, two shots behind Niemann.
But Niemann made three bogeys coming home, while DeChambeau drained two additional birdies, including one on the 18th hole, to pass him and reach 14 under.
Advertisement
One problem: Lee had birdied four of his last six holes, including the final two, to tie DeChambeau at 14 under. That forced a sudden death playoff.
And the playoff couldn’t have started worse for Bryson. He rinsed his tee shot at the par-5 18th, immediately putting his victory in doubt.
Lee, on the other hand, steadily set up a 10-foot birdie putt. Incredibly, DeChambeau was able to get up-and-down after losing his drive in the water, giving him a par despite the penalty.
If Lee holed his mid-range birdie, he’d win. A textbook two-putt would extend the playoff to another hole. Then disaster struck.
Advertisement
Lee’s first attempt ran by the hole by 2-3 feet. His comebacker dived toward the hole then devastatingly lipped out.
The TV cameras shot to DeChambeau. He had just won his fourth LIV Golf title, but all he could do was put his hands behind his head and register a look of shock at what had just occurred.
Bryson’s ‘incredible relief’ after wild playoff ends in victory
After his round, DeChambeau revealed his mixed feelings over the win in light of the heartbreaking finish for his competitor Lee, who earned his spot on LIV through the LIV Promotions event, as did Anthony Kim.
“Absolutely hated it for Richard [T. Lee]. He’s been playing some unbelievable golf. He’s beat me in a few of the rounds I’ve played with him, and he’s a stellar player,” DeChambeau said Sunday afternoon. “I wanted to go another hole with him. As much as winning is great, I have a lot of respect for Richard and the way he golfs his ball out there.”
Advertisement
LIV’s biggest star then shoveled more praise on Lee, admitting that coming down the stretch he thought his victory was already secure. Lee’s late charge changed that in a big way.
“It was quite impressive; I was coming down the last three holes, like all right, I think I’m one ahead of everybody, and seeing Richard go and play the way he did finishing out, he’s a real superstar, and the league should be really proud to have him on as a wild card,” DeChambeau said of Lee.
Bryson did allow himself to soak in the positives from his victorious moment a little bit.
Advertisement
“It was huge for me, especially with it being wet conditions and thick blades and struggling with my wedges,” DeChambeau said. “But to get it done was quite memorable and — even hitting it in the water on the last hole for the playoff, G-Bo is like, ‘Bryson, just go make par, that’s all you can do.’ And we went and did that.”
When asked if he felt “relief” after securing the title, DeChambeau replied in the affirmative. He also acknowledged that his LIV Singapore victory represented his first win in a four-round tournament since his 2024 U.S. Open triumph at Pinehurst No. 2.
“Oh, incredible relief,” DeChambeau admitted. “I haven’t won in four rounds since the U.S. Open 2024. Being able to come through on a golf course like this that’s super brutal and demands precision on every single shot, especially with the conditions changing, I couldn’t be more happy for my team.”
The next stop for DeChambeau is LIV Golf South Africa, which begins next week. After that, the next tournament circled on Bryson’s schedule is the 2026 Masters at Augusta National.
Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) celebrates a 3-pointer against Wisconsin with guard Nimari Burnett (4)during the second half of Big Ten Tournament semifinal at United Center in Chicago on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
With hopes for a shot at another Big Ten tournament title needing a final-minute game-winner, No. 3 Michigan turned to its top scorer to keep winning in the Windy City.
Yaxel Lendeborg and the top-seeded Wolverines will look to repeat as conference tournament champions and lock down a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament when they meet No. 18 Purdue in the championship game Sunday afternoon in Chicago.
On the road last month, Michigan (now 31-2) defeated the No. 7 seed Boilermakers 91-80 behind 17 points from Elliot Cadeau, but Sunday’s matchup came about largely by big shots from Lendeborg.
The 6-foot-9 senior produced two key moments in Saturday’s 68-65 semifinal win over No. 5 seed Wisconsin, the most obvious being a tiebreaking 3-pointer off a pass from Cadeau from the right corner. He buried a 24-footer with 0.4 seconds left in the rematch of last season’s tournament title game.
“(My teammates) strive for me to make plays like that, and I’ve always dreamed of hitting a shot like that,” said Lendeborg, the squad’s leading scorer who totaled 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. “Today was my moment to finally come through, and I did.”
Advertisement
While Lendeborg was crucial at the end, he said his team’s composure was equally important, especially in a first half when the Wolverines made just eight of 30 shots, including his trey at the end of the half to knot it 28-all.
“It’s all about composure, and we talk about how unselfish this team is,” said Lendeborg, the Big Ten Player of the Year. “We all love each other and all play for each other. And Aday (Mara) really got it going, so we decided to play through him, and everybody fell in line.”
Mara produced 16 points, eight rebounds, five blocked shots and two assists as Michigan survived Wisconsin’s three-quarter-court heave to advance to Sunday’s game.
Advertisement
A win Sunday over the Boilermakers (26-8) would allow the Wolverines to cut down the nets for a fifth time to end the Big Ten tournament, though the 1998 title was vacated due to NCAA sanctions.
Following a 73-66 win over banged up UCLA in the second semifinal, Purdue is a team brimming with confidence over the three tourney games, according to coach Matt Painter.
“(This run) is just building some confidence more than anything,” Painter said of his club, which went 2-4 to close out the regular season dating back to the Michigan setback. “Just trying to execute offensively and be efficient and be better on the basketball from a defensive standpoint.
“When we’re better on the basketball, it really helps us.”
Advertisement
Big man Oscar Cluff has been on the basketball, being the first to come up with it most of the time after missed shots.
He produced his eighth double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds in Saturday’s win, owning the paint against the Bruins with nine offensive boards.
The 6-foot-11 bearded Australian had eight points in the final 3:41 as Purdue pulled away for the win.
“He’s had some games like that,” Painter said. “He had 10 offensive rebounds against Nebraska in the regular season. He’s been a horse for us, just being physical down there posting up and getting every rebound.”
Advertisement
A win over Michigan would give the Boilermakers their third conference tournament title and first since 2023.
Man Utd will look to put the defeat to Newcastle behind them today when they face Aston Villa in a crucial game in the battle for Champions League qualification.
Welsh rugby will allow itself to savour a long overdue win but in typical fashion that will not be for too long.
One Test win will not alleviate the chaos and turmoil in which Welsh rugby remains.
Tandy’s next assignment is an uncapped match against the Barbarians at the end of June in Twickenham before three games against Fiji, Argentina and South Africa in the new Nations Championship in July.
In those three months the off-the-field disputes surrounding the future of the Welsh professional game will intensify.
Advertisement
It started just 30 minutes after the final whistle when Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) director of rugby Dave Reddin appeared on television to do a live interview, which had been pre-planned regardless of the result.
Such is the current unpopularity of the WRU, Reddin was castigated on social media for speaking at this particular time and not directly responding to a question from former Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones, which Reddin said he could not hear.
Reddin was also criticised for what he said, as he doubled down on the governing body’s plans to cut a professional men’s side, reducing the number to three.
There will now be a tumultuous period with the WRU trying to push through their controversial policies which they say need to happen to improve Welsh rugby.
Advertisement
Opponents, including fans and politicians, insist four professional teams must remain.
They blame the WRU for the mess Welsh rugby is in and criticise the governing body‘s plan and methods used in trying to implement the proposals.
The WRU faces an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) next month, which includes a vote of no confidence in chair Richard Collier-Keywood, and have a legal battle with Swansea Council who fear for the professional future of the Ospreys.
Supporters and players are still concerned about the uncertainty, while Morgan and Lake moving to Gloucester next season means half of Wales’ starting forward pack will be playing for clubs in England.
Advertisement
Those conflicts might be for another day, but those days will be very soon, probably starting this week.
So Welsh rugby fans should savour this overdue win against Italy for now because the feelings of joy might not last that long.
But let Welsh rugby have that moment at least.
Other things can wait. Even if it is just for today.
Thomas Ramos kicked a penalty after the final hooter to win the Six Nations for France with a mind-blowing 48-46 victory over a rejuvenated England on Saturday.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored four of the 13 tries in a barn-storming encounter in which the lead changed hands numerous times.
But Ramos’s kick ensured that France retained the title and denied Ireland, who had moved into pole position by beating Scotland earlier.
Bielle-Biarrey, 22, took his tally to 29 tries in just 27 Tests for France and finished this Six Nations campaign with nine, beating his own record of eight from last season.
Advertisement
He also extended another record by scoring in a 10th consecutive Six Nations match.
A week on from succumbing to a chaotic 50-40 defeat by Scotland, France were back, but so too were England, playing their part in a stunningly entertaining encounter, just a week on from slumping to their first ever defeat to Italy.
England had started well with a couple of Elliot Daly grubbers pinning France down in their 22.
But, inevitably, Bielle-Biarrey struck.
Advertisement
Ramos delayed just enough to suck in England’s defence and then chipped ahead for the flying winger to dash on to, beating Caden Murley to the ball before going over after seven minutes.
England hit back immediately, spinning the ball wide for Tom Roebuck to dive over in the corner.
But the visitors had not learned their lesson from the opening try and this time a Matthieu Jalibert grubber at an angle sent Bielle-Biarrey clear for his 27th try in as many Tests.
England were unbowed, though, and struck back soon afterwards, as Ben Spencer’s grubber was spilled by Theo Attisogbe and Murley pounced to score.
Advertisement
Two tries each but France led by four points as Ramos proved more accurate than Fin Smith with the conversion attempts.
And a penalty from Ramos stretched France’s lead to seven, only for England to level up after Ollie Chessum barged over from close range and Smith landed the conversion.
England had not come to Paris to be spectators in France’s title party and were taking on their hosts up front – and dominating.
Chessum then turned provider, passing inside for Alex Coles to dot down for the bonus point score, with Smith converting again from out wide.
And after Smith kicked a penalty from in front of the posts, England led 27-17, and by four tries to two.
But there was still time before the break in this wonderfully entertaining ‘Crunch’ for France to hit back, earning a penalty try after Ellis Genge, who was yellow-carded, collapsed a maul a yard from the tryline.
Who else?
Within 90 seconds of the restart, the tryline had been breached again, as Bielle-Biarrey finished off a flowing move to land his hat-trick.
With England still down to 14 men, France scored again as captain Antoine Dupont took a quick penalty and fired out a pass to Attisogbe to add les Bleus’ fifth try of the game, and the ninth overall.
Advertisement
France were in the mood, throwing the ball about and attacking with verve, but Chessum picked off Jalibert and ran more than half the length of the field for his second.
The festival of tries showed no sign of abating and Marcus Smith, with his first touch after coming on as a substitute, scored England’s sixth, converting to give them a one-point lead.
Once again the momentum shifted, as France turned over ball deep in their own half and Dupont hoofed it long.
Bielle-Biarrey – who else? – won the foot race for his fourth try – the first time since World War II that a French player had scored four tries in a match.
Advertisement
But seven minutes from time, replacement prop Demba Bamba was yellow-carded and Tommy Freeman scythed over for England’s seventh try – the 13th of the match – with Smith converting from under the points for a one-point lead again.
But Ramos, and France, had the last laugh, condemning England to a fourth defeat in the tournament for the first time in the Six Nations era.
Writing in his The Telegraph column, Carragher hailed Emery as an underrated manager, adding that he might not even make the list at Manchester United. He added that the Spaniard not making the list at Old Trafford is good news for Aston Villa and said:
Thanks for the submission!
Advertisement
“Unai Emery should be heading to Old Trafford this weekend as the frontrunner to become the next Manchester United manager. I suspect he does not rank high among the candidates. That is good news for Aston Villa, but it must be frustrating for one of the best, and still most underrated, coaches in Europe.”
Ranking Emery as the second-best manager in the league, Carragher said the former Arsenal coach can win trophies and comes with a clear vision for the club and his squad.
Advertisement
“For Emery not to be under serious consideration says plenty about modern football. By any metric, he would be the perfect coach to revive United. For me, only Pep Guardiola ranks higher of those currently managing in England. Here is a manager who wins trophies, has a clear football vision, a track record of revitalising clubs in need of a mini-revolution to break into the Champions League, and who demands respect while leading with authority.”
Carragher went on to add that Emery now has enough Premier League experience under his belt and wrote:
“Add the fact he is now proven in the Premier League, and such coaches are in short supply. Emery is not part of the conversation but he should be. The puzzling question is why? Sadly for Emery, and happily for Villa, the Spaniard is painted as an overachiever at clubs trying to challenge the elite, and an underachiever at those who consider themselves already part of it.”
Unai Emery has a contract with Aston Villa until 2029, having signed an extension in 2024.
Michael Carrick has a short-term deal at Manchester United
Michael Carrick was appointed at Manchester United in January, soon after the sacking of Ruben Amorim. The Englishman has done well at the club, winning six and losing one in the Premier League.
However, club legend Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville are against the idea of Carrick getting the job permanently this summer. They want a more experienced manager to take over at Old Trafford.
Advertisement
Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, and Julian Nagelsmann have been linked with the Manchester United job.
Former England striker Ellen White sits down with Manchester United forward Celin Bizet Donnum to talk through the Norwegian’s ongoing pregnancy journey – from the decision-making process to the support policies in place. They consider whether more female footballers are likely to start families during their playing careers.
Anthony Gordon said pundits Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer need to “get better at what they’re doing” after they questioned why he only played in the second half of Newcastle’s midweek draw with Barcelona.
The forward was a second-half substitute during Tuesday’s 1-1 Champions League draw at St. James’s Park after spending a number of days unable to train due to illness.
Rooney, Shearer and fellow pundit Roy Keane were part of a team covering the game live pitchside and all three made comments about Gordon not being involved from the start.
Speaking on Match of the Day after scoring the goal that ended Newcastle’s 14-year wait for a victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, the 25-year-old said: “Usually I don’t like to clear stuff up because I don’t care too much, but this one does need clearing up because it was just nonsense.
“When I got to the stadium (on Tuesday) the manager told me I wasn’t playing, which I didn’t like very much, but that’s his decision and the team played well.
Advertisement
“Saying I didn’t want to play in the biggest game of my career is absolute nonsense.
“I think Rooney said I went past and didn’t shake their hands and went into the changing room. I didn’t. I got changed by myself in a changing room the size of this. It was just me and a sink. Complete nonsense. I think they need to do better at what they are doing.”
Speaking on Tuesday, Shearer said it would take “something extraordinary to keep myself out of this game” whilst Keane wondered why Gordon was able to come on as a substitute but unable to start.
Gordon’s goal in the first half in west London, tapped in from Joe Willock’s unselfish pass after Newcastle had beaten Chelsea’s disorganised press, sent the Blues to their fourth home Premier League defeat of the season.
Advertisement
“It was a tactical issue,” said head coach Liam Rosenior of the goal. “We press in a different way to most teams. It’s a new way of pressing. We don’t step on the press and then we don’t cover in the position that we should have done. Mistakes happen.
“They had nothing in the game and we gave them a goal. The press was the reason they had to kick long balls back to us.
“It feels like at the moment, every mistake we’re making is ending up in the back of our net.”
Japan’s World Baseball Classic title defense is over. Saturday night at loanDepot Park in Miami, Venezuela rallied from behind to eliminate Japan (VEN 8, JPN 5) and advance to the semifinals. Venezuela is one step away from Tuesday’s Championship Game and Japan will head home following its worst World Baseball Classic finish ever.
Saturday’s game started with a bang. Two bangs, actually. Ronald Acuña Jr. and Shohei Ohtani have combined to win the last three NL MVP awards and they opened Saturday’s game with leadoff home runs. Acuña did the honors in the top of the first inning, then Ohtani responded in the bottom half. It’s the first-ever WBC game with two leadoff homers. This, right here, is the good stuff:
Reigning World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto got hit hard early against Venezuela. Acuña tagged him for the leadoff homer and three of the first six batters he faced had extra-base hits. Yamamoto did eventually settle down, though. He retired nine of the final 10 batters he faced, including five via strikeout. Yamamoto finished with two runs allowed in four innings.
Venezuela took a 2-1 lead into the third inning before Japan jumped on starter Ranger Suárez. Four of the first five batters they sent to the plate in the third inning reached base, and one batter who didn’t reach laid down a sacrifice bunt. Center fielder Shota Morishita, who replaced the injured Seiya Suzuki (right knee discomfort) in the second inning, slugged a three-run homer to end Suárez’s night.
Morishita’s home run gave Japan a 5-2 lead and it felt like they were in control of the game, but once the bullpen door swung open, it was advantage Venezuela. Maikel Garcia got Venezuela to within 5-4 with a two-run homer in the fifth, then Wilyer Abreu clobbered a three-run blast to turn the 5-4 deficit into a 7-5 lead in the sixth inning in an electric moment.
That’s a brand name Abreu took deep. Hiromi Itoh was the 2025 winner of the Eiji Sawamura Award, which is Japan’s Cy Young. Yamamoto held Venezuela to two runs in four innings. Five Japan relievers were charged with six runs in five innings the rest of the night. The game swung when five of eight Venezuela hitters reached base, spanning the fifth and sixth innings.
Advertisement
Venezuela’s bullpen, meanwhile, stood tall behind Suárez. Six relievers held Japan scoreless across 6 ⅓ innings, and retired 13 straight at one point. Japan’s best chance to get back into the game came in the eighth inning, when Kazuma Okamoto and Munetaka Murakami strung together back-to-back two-out singles. Andres Machado got Shugo Maki to ground out to end the threat.
Tigers minor-league lefty Enmanuel De Jesus did the heaviest lifting out of the Venezuela bullpen, soaking up 2 ⅓ scoreless innings in the middle of the game to give the offense a chance to rally. He struck out three, including Ohtani with two runners on base in the fourth inning. De Jesus was awarded the win for his effort.
Ohtani went 1 for 4 with the leadoff homer and an intentional walk against Venezuela. He struck out twice and popped up behind second base to end the game.
Venezuela will play Italy in the semifinals Monday night in Miami after Italy continued its Cinderella run Saturday with a nail-biter 8-6 win over Puerto Rico. The winter of Monday’s Italy vs. Venezuela game will advance to the Championship Game and face the winner of Sunday’s highly anticipated USA vs. Dominican Republic game.
This is Japan’s lowest-ever finish in the WBC. They won the 2006 and 2009 events, finished third in the 2013 and 2017 and won the 2023 WBC. Japan will finish either fifth or sixth in the final standings this year, depending on how Sunday’s USA vs. Dominican Republic game plays out.
As for Venezuela, this is the first time they’ve advanced to the semifinals since 2009, when they lost to Korea and finished fourth in the tournament. That is Venezuela’s best WBC finish ever. Saturday’s win also clinched a berth in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Liam Rosenior hit out at referee Paul Tierney, saying he should have focused on his job rather than on crashing Chelsea’s pre-match huddle after Newcastle won at Stamford Bridge for the first time in 14 years.
A bizarre moment before kick-off saw Tierney stand in the centre of the Chelsea players as captain Reece James spoke to the team.
Rosenior, who said he wants to “protect” his players, confirmed he would contact PGMOL, the referees’ body, to seek clarity on why the pre-game ritual was disrupted.
Defending the ritual, Rosenior said: “My players made a decision that they wanted to be around the ball, to respect the ball and show unity and leadership.”
;)
;)
