“Let’s make issues proper, collectively,” says Cole Palmer in his the evening earlier than Chelsea tackle Everton, again at Stamford Bridge after three right away, two of which we misplaced in fairly disappointing trend. In truth, it’s now 4 and not using a win, matching the longest streak of Enzo Maresca’s tenure as Blues boss.
After all, lengthy Decembers are simply as common ‘spherical right here as within the catalog of the Counting Crows — na na na na, yeah — however we had cause to consider that we may rise above one other top-four scrap this season. Possibly subsequent yr.
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For now, having dropped to fifth behind a surging Manchester Metropolis and Aston Villa (video games towards each arising in a pair weeks, too), the struggle could be very a lot on for Champions League locations. 4 factors separate fourth from twelfth. Winter will declare a number of victims; can we halt the slide and survive?
Date / Time: Saturday, December 13, 2025, 15.00 GMT; 10am EST; 8:30pm ISTVenue: Stamford Bridge, SW6Referee: Tom Bramall (on pitch); Stuart Attwell (VAR)Forecast: Sunny, although not heat
On TV: none (UK); USA, Universo (USA); Star Sports activities Choose HD2 (India); SuperSport MaXimo 1, Canal+ Sport 4 (NGA); Streaming: none (UK); NBC Sports activities Dwell, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo (USA); JioHotstar (India); DStv Now (NGA)
Chelsea group information: Chelsea let one other lead slip on Tuesday evening as Atalanta got here from behind to win, 2-1. Enzo Maresca blamed it on the group shedding “management” within the second half, however that appeared a reasonably beneficiant evaluation of the state of the sport. We conceded an equalizer and a seemingly inevitable winner with out the house facet having to work significantly onerous for both. In order that’s three frustratingly subpar performances from the group after the highs of a pair weeks in the past, after we beat Barcelona so impressively and went toe-to-toe with Arsenal regardless of enjoying with simply ten gamers.
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It ought to be useful to have somebody like Cole Palmer match, however I’m not solely certain this form of factor may be solved by one or two particular person gamers. Constant excellence requires collective excellence, in addition to your stars displaying up most, if not each evening. Talking of whom, Palmer didn’t journey midweek so hopefully he’s in higher situation than final week. That was his first recreation again, and it confirmed.
One bit of excellent information is that Wesley Fofana’s eye is okay, after it began swelling up and affecting his imaginative and prescient following an unintended boot to the face by an Atalanta participant. And although Liam Delap, Levi Colwill, Dário Essugo, and Roméo Lavia are all out, this would be the final recreation of Moisés Caicedo’s three-match ban.
Everton group information: Winners of 4 of 5, the Toffees have shot up the desk and at the moment sit seventh, only a level and two locations behind us. They could not rating rather a lot, however additionally they don’t concede many, and saved a clear sheet in all 4 of these wins.
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Former Chelsea spare half Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor is flourishing on Merseyside, main the group with 4 targets, together with three in his final 4. Fellow summer time arrivals Jack Grealish (on mortgage from Manchester Metropolis) and Thierno Barry have additionally made a constructive influence, even when it’s taken 17 video games for Barry, a £37m striker from Villarreal, to open his account final weekend.
Barry ought to be match after a shoulder damage scare in that very same recreation, whereas Tim Iroegbunam and Gana Gueye are set to return from suspensions. Gana was despatched off for hanging his personal teammate, Michael Keane — violent conduct is violent conduct, in any case, no matter goal — so we’ll see to what extent he’s welcomed again to the group. (He’s leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations anyway after this recreation.) Seamus Coleman, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Merlin Röhl are injured.
View from the enemy:
Beforehand: Chelsea haven’t misplaced at house to Everton since 1994: 30 straight on the Bridge with out defeat (even Spurs solely went 28 straight). Supervisor David Moyes in the meantime has by no means gained on the Bridge in his lengthy profession; this will likely be his twenty first attempt. Nicolas Jackson scored the one aim on this fixture final season, which was sufficient as Everton have failed to attain in 4 straight towards us, house or away.