Chelsea fans turn on Eghbali as Rosenior witnesses size of task ahead after Fulham defeat

5 days ago 1

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Liam Rosenior might have felt a little uncomfortable in his seat next to Behdad Eghbali, as Chelsea’s visiting supporters turned on the club’s co-controlling owner.

Chelsea’s new head coach could not have failed to hear the chants of “f--- off Eghbali, you’re not wanted here” as his new squad made it just one win in nine.

Rosenior’s going to have to hit the ground running if he is to reinvigorate Chelsea’s season after goals from Raúl Jiménez and in-form Harry Wilson were enough to secure victory for Fulham.

At least Rosenior’s top priority as Chelsea’s should not need too much time on the training ground. Simply keeping 11 men on the pitch will represent progress.

Flanked by Eghbali and sporting director Sam Jewell in the posh seats at Fulham’s Craven Cottage, Rosenior watched Chelsea lose control yet again and slip outside the Premier League’s top five.

Rosenior could not even put it down to a lack of experience, as 27-year-old Marc Cucurella – a relative veteran in the young squad – became the seventh Chelsea player to be shown a red card this season.

Liam Delap scored his first league goal for Chelsea, but that was scant consolation for Rosenior and Calum McFarlane, who finished his two-game spell in caretaker charge with a costly defeat.

Enzo Maresca, the former Chelsea head coach, always denied that his team had a discipline problem, but Rosenior saw that theory debunked in the first 25 minutes of watching his new squad from the Craven Cottage stands.

In an astonishing few minutes, Chelsea had Cucurella shown a red card and captain Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer and Tosin Adarabioyo were all booked.

Cucurella was sent off for tugging the arm of Harry Wilson, who had got in front of him to charge down a long punt up field from Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

It was a clear denial of a goalscoring opportunity, but somehow the Chelsea players found it within themselves to complain to referee Peter Banks. Tosin, Fernandez and Palmer were all booked for their complaints, as was Fulham manager Marco Silva who appeared angry that a penalty was not awarded following a VAR check.

Other than cheering Cucurella’s red card, the Fulham fans were delighted to see a yellow card for the club’s former defender Tosin who had been loudly booed every time he went near the ball.

Incredibly, Cucurella’s 22nd-minute red card made it seven for Chelsea in all competitions this season and Maresca was also sent from the touchline against Liverpool. Cucurella will now miss Rosenior’s first game in charge of Chelsea against Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup.

McFarlane responded to the blow by sending on Jorrel Hato in place of Andrey Santos, who had fortuitously hit the crossbar when Fernandez’s corner had unwittingly cannoned off his shoulder and back off the Fulham woodwork.

Fernandez had also gone close from an earlier corner that Leno had to stop going straight in with a firm punch.

As has become a theme in times of turbulence since the 2022 takeover, Chelsea’s visiting supporters chanted the name of former owner Roman Abramovich. A banner with the slogan ‘BlueCo out’ was also displayed.

It almost got worse for those supporters just before half-time, as Emile Smith Rowe caught a shot from the edge of the penalty perfectly but the ball whistled just over the crossbar.

And Chelsea survived another VAR check in time added on for stoppages at the end of the first half. Wilson thought he had given the hosts the lead, but replays showed that Jiménez had run back from an offside position and the goal was chalked off.

Silva signalled his intention to take advantage of Fulham’s man advantage by sending on winger Kevin in place of Jorge Cuenca and the home side went ahead in the 55th minute.

Sander Berge sent an inviting cross into the box, but Jiménez still needed to beat Trevoh Chalobah to the ball and produce an excellent header to beat Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

Craven Cottage erupted in celebration and Fulham were in no mood to defend their lead, as Kevin quickly ran forward and struck the side-netting with a right-foot shot.

Another long ball up the pitch caught Chelsea out again and sent Wilson running at goal, but this time Hato recovered to nod the ball back to Sanchez.

Chelsea’s fans turned their frustration on Eghbali and Clearlake. There were loud chants of “f--- off Eghbali, you’re not wanted here”, and a song that went “we don’t care about Clearlake, they don’t care about us”.

As the visiting supporters serenaded Eghbali, Delap, who had been without a Premier League goal for Chelsea, was sent through but could not lift the ball over Leno.

But Delap did break his duck in the 72nd minute. Pedro Neto’s corner was headed on to his own post by Antonee Robinson and the striker reacted quickest to poke the ball into the net.

Eghbali stood up to celebrate the equaliser, but the goal did not stop the Chelsea fans singing against him and Clearlake, and the visitors were not level for long.

Wilson maintained his superb form with a brilliantly taken goal eight minutes from time after Sanchez had saved from Smith Rowe. Rosenior has work ahead of him and Eghbali has a target on his head.

09:52pm

Wilson’s lucky charm

The secret to his scoring streak? It could be having one pair of laces longer than the other.

Wilson said: “It was a couple of months ago, I went into a tackle and my laces snapped. The kitman had a longer lace to put in my boot and that was kind of the start of my good run.”

09:35pm

Fulham into the top eight

09:30pm

FT: Fulham 2 Chelsea 1

What a few months Harry Wilson is having, and now he has a winning goal against Fulham’s local rivals to his name. I think we can close the voting on Fulham’s player of the season already. Marco Silva’s team have enjoyed a really strong festive period, four wins from six, and they are now above Sunderland into eighth.

As at Man City, Chelsea showed their ability to dig themselves out of a hole. Liam Rosenior’s job is to ensure they do not find themselves in so many. Or at least make the holes less deep. Chelsea miss the chance to go above Liverpool, and a fifth red card of the league season is to blame.

Harry Wilson of Fulham shoots at goal during the Premier League match

09:28pm

94 minutes: Fulham 2 Chelsea 1

Chelsea now have the ball in Fulham’s half, but the pressure abates when a cross floats harmlessly behind for a goal kick. Fulham can see the finish line now.

And from Leno’s goal kick, Traore picks up a loose ball and he heads for the corner.

Hato trips him, and that should be that with 30 seconds on the clock.

09:26pm

92 minutes: Fulham 2 Chelsea 1

Fulham have put their foot on the ball in the last few minutes, which has successfully eaten into some of the stoppage time.

09:23pm

90 minutes: Fulham 2 Chelsea 1

You do not want to be caught between stools in this scenario, and it looks like Fulham and Silva have made the decision to try to hold out from here. Jimenez has been booked for catching Chalobah with a challenge from behind.

Harry Wilson is substituted to a standing ovation from the home crowd; Adama Traore replaces him.

FIVE minutes of stoppage time to play.

09:22pm

88 minutes: Fulham 2 Chelsea 1

Free-kick Chelsea after Caicedo is caught on halfway. They cannot make anything of it, and Fulham do well to keep the ball and play their way out of their defensive third. They cannot make it stick up front though, and Chelsea have possession again.

09:20pm

86 minutes: Fulham 2 Chelsea 1

Chelsea gather themselves, and are pushing for a second equaliser. Fulham fans will be watching through the fingers as their team have another corner to defend. They defend one, but soon there is another. A header falls down to James to deliver a second-phase cross, but the flag goes up for offside. It is not beyond Chelsea to score again.

09:17pm

83 minutes: Fulham 2 Chelsea 1

Fulham go in search of the goal that would finish it off, but Chalobah ushers the ball back to Sanchez. Fulham have made hard work of this in truth, but any win over Chelsea is one for their fans to savour. They had won just three of 37 in the Premier League before tonight.

09:15pm

GOOOOAAALL! Wilson scores with his right foot

VAR might look at an offside in the build up again, but Wilson deserves this goal. In the first instance, it was a cute reverse pass to free Smith Rowe in the box, and his driven shot was beaten away by Sanchez. Fulham kept the pressure on, and the ball broke for Wilson to strike with his weaker right foot. It skidded off the diving Reece James’ and beyond the despairing dive of Sanchez.

Check over! Goal stands.

09:13pm

80 minutes: Fulham 1 Chelsea 1

Scramble in the Chelsea box, Jimenez nodding down at the back post, before he got a second bit at it. Sanchez narrowed the angle to stop the header as Jimenez clattered into the post. Chelsea clear their lines. Better from Fulham after that flat spell.

09:11pm

78 minutes: Fulham 1 Chelsea 1

Tremendous block to deny Wilson by James before another blue shirt throws himself in front of the Welshman. Committed defending from Chelsea, who have once again showed some resolve in adversity tonight. Castagne has been booked for a cynical foul.

09:09pm

74 minutes: Fulham 1 Chelsea 1

A double change from both managers. For Fulham: Sessegnon and Lukic on for Robinson and Cairney. For Chelsea: Acheampong replaces Gusto and Pedro replaces Palmer.

09:06pm

GOOOOAAALL! Delap levels for Chelsea

A set-piece goal has been on the cards all night for Chelsea, Fulham have looked hopeless at defending these inswinging corners. Robinson flicked the ball on at the near post, it bounced off the far post, and fall for Delap to score from close range. Rosenior and Behdad Eghbali jump up and punch the air in the stands.

Delap atones for his miss and that is Delap’s first league goal for Chelsea.

09:04pm

71 minutes: Fulham 1 Chelsea 0

Cole Palmer with a shot from a tight angle which Leno is equal too, but yet again Fulham look unsteady when defending a corner to the near post. Chelsea keep the pressure on and there is going to be another corner for Fulham to defend.

09:02pm

69 minutes: Fulham 1 Chelsea 0

Chelsea knocking on the door now, some neat interplay to work the ball along the edge of the box to Caicedo, but after working a yard he fired straight at Leno. McFarlane’s changes had the desired effect at City, will it be the same story tonight?

09:01pm

67 minutes: Fulham 1 Chelsea 0

That was a warning for Fulham about the quality Chelsea still possess. Neto with another cross from the left, which is over the head of everybody. Neto carries such one-on-one threat but is also very frustrating.

08:58pm

64 minutes: Fulham 1 Chelsea 0

What a chance for Chelsea and Liam Delap (with his former Hull boss Liam Rosenior watching on)! The striker was clean through in the box and could see the whites of Leno’s eyes, but he tried to dink the goalkeeper and the German blocked the shot with an outstretched right arm. Not enough behind it from Delap.

Chelsea sub: James replaces Fernandez.

08:55pm

62 minutes: Fulham 1 Chelsea 0

Sander Berge always impresses in the Fulham midfield, and he delivers another tempting cross from the right which is just behind the white shirts in the penalty area.

Then Chelsea break, with Neto the outlet again, but nine Fulham players sprint back to slow the move down and defend.

08:53pm

60 minutes: Fulham 1 Chelsea 0

Once again, a long ball down the gut of Chelsea’s defence causes a problem, with Wilson proving a pest again (in the best possible way). Hato did well to put enough pressure on, and head back to Sanchez when it would have been easy to head over the goalkeeper.

08:51pm

57 minutes: Fulham 1 Chelsea 0

Craven Cottage is alight now, and Kevin almost gave them a second goal to celebrate, running at the back-peddling Chelsea defence and letting fly with his right foot from 25 yards. Not far wide of the near post. We should be in for an eventful finale now Chelsea have to gamble.

08:49pm

GOOOAALLL! Jimenez with a textbook header

And the swan dive celebration to match. Chelsea had defended the crosses well until this point, but Berge floats a right-footed cross in from the about 30 yards out, and Jimenez gets across his man to find the bottom corner. Fulham were not convincing in their efforts to break down 10 men, but now they have their goal.

08:46pm

52 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

Fulham with a concerted spell of pressure now, but Chelsea are repelling the crosses. Tosin and Chalobah standing firm, helped by Hato (who has played as a centre-half) at left-back.

Then Palmer does ever so well to find Fernandez in space in midfield, and Chelsea sweep forward through Neto who wins a corner.

Good delivery to the near post, but Hato glances over.

08:43pm

49 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

Chelsea showing some intent in the early minutes of the half, and they felt they should have had a free-kick near the Fulham box for a foul on Neto but Bankes waves it away.

At the other end, a long-range Wilson shot deflects off shins and spins behind for a corner. Diop glances a header wide.

08:41pm

47 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

A promising counter-attack for Chelsea after a Fulham cross was cleared, with Neto tearing down the left. He had no support, so it was worth taking the shot on, but he skewed it horribly high and wide. Neto had a bit of a stinker on an otherwise positive day at the Etihad on Sunday.

08:39pm

We are back under way!

Chelsea kick off in the second half.

08:38pm

Here is that Fulham half-time change

Marco Silva is not going to make the same mistake as Ruben Amorim against 10 men: off goes defender Cuenca, and on comes Kevin.

08:25pm

HT: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

Indiscipline continues to be a theme of Chelsea’s season as they finish the first 45 minutes of this London derby with one red card and three yellows. They can have no complaints about Cucurella’s red for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, and failed to deal with a hopeful punt forward from Leno. It has been a decent response from Chelsea though, with Fulham looking short of ideas before that disallowed Wilson strike in stoppage time.

08:22pm

45 minutes+6: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

Right on half time, Cuenca is booked for pulling down Palmer. Much to the annoyance of the home crowd, it looked like Bankes was going to keep his cards in his pocket until Palmer complained.

08:21pm

NO GOAL: Jimenez was coming back from an offside position

That is poor from the striker in truth, failing to get himself back onside has cost Fulham the opening goal.

08:20pm

GOOOALLL! Wilson does it again

The new Welsh Wizard has swept the ball into the bottom corner on the turn with his left foot, but there are two tight offside to for VAR to check. I think Wilson himself was onside, but it was in a previous phase of the attack.

I fear Fulham’s joy will be short-lived...

08:16pm

45 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

There will be SIX minutes of stoppage time to play.

08:15pm

44 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

Not for the first time in the half, Caicedo is down and holding his ankle. Rather than a serious injury, it looks like he was drawing the referee’s attention towards a possible Fulham foul. Peter Bankes orders Caicedo off the pitch to receive treatment.

Chelsea down to nine men temporarily, but Caicedo is now back on.

08:13pm

42 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

Decent effort from Smith Rowe, receiving the ball in a pocket of space just outside the box and firing just over the bar with a swerving shot. Smith Rowe once scored a winner for Arsenal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

08:12pm

41 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

I wonder if Silva will consider switching to a back four at half-time, now the game is 11vs10. The home team are looking a little blunt at the moment.

Good centre-forward play from Delap to help Chelsea shift up the pitch, but Palmer’s curling shot from just outside the box was straight at Leno.

08:09pm

38 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

Lots of frantic attacks from Fulham since the sending off, but there has not been much in the way of quality of clear-cut chances. Chelsea just need to get themselves to half time, organise and, perhaps more importantly, calm down.

08:07pm

36 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

Chants of “Roman Abramovich!” from the Chelsea fans. This is a banner in the away end tonight:

Chelsea fans display a flag inside the stadium before the match

08:05pm

34 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

Berge and Caicedo in a midfield tussle that looks like it could bring more cards, but in the end the referee tells them to get on with it. It was a strong challenge by Berge but fair, and Caicedo took exception and made sure his studs scraped across Berge’s ankle when they were on the turf. Nothing violent from either player, right decision. The needle continues.

08:03pm

32 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

Harrison Reed out warming up to a great ovation from the Fulham fans after his rocket against Liverpool. The Fulham fans have a great chant in his honour: “Tony Khan went down south in a Ford Fiesta, got us our new centre-mid, Ginger Iniesta!”

08:00pm

29 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

Fulham trying to sink their teeth into Chelsea’s 10 men straight away, but they fail to find an accurate cross or pass around the box. It looked like Delap had passed the ball straight out of play, but the Chelsea striker was awarded a foul.

07:59pm

27 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

Wilson, eventually, was able to take the free-kick he won but his powerful effort struck Caicedo in the stomach. Chelsea are going readjust with a substitution: Andrey Santos is going to make way, replaced by former Ajax defender Jorell Hato.

07:56pm

25 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

To make matters worse for Chelsea, they have spent three minutes or so complaining about the decision and they have picked up three yellow cards for dissent: Palmer, Fernandez and Tosin all booked for verbals.

Somehow, Marco Silva has managed to get himself a yellow too! Perhaps he was complaining about the Cucurella foul being a free-kick not a penalty, but that aspect was checked and cleared by VAR.

07:54pm

CHELSEA RED CARD! Cucurella off for Dogso

Fulham were struggling to keep their heads above water, but one long punt from Leno caused a major problem in the heart of the Chelsea defence. That is why you do not let the ball bounce, with Wilson getting the wrong side of Cucurella and driving towards goal. Chelsea’s left-back pulled him back, and the covering defender was not close enough to provide mitigation. The foul was outside the box, so a Fulham free-kick on the edge.

07:52pm

21 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

Chelsea with some slick interplay through the middle of the pitch, and the ball deflects behind for another corner. Fernandez with another inswinger with Leno crowded, and the ball bounced off the near post and behind.

07:50pm

19 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

Chelsea have another corner which will be an inswinger from Fernandez. It was won by a Neto surge down the left.

Chaos reigns once again as the ball drifts over Leno, and Santos hit the bar from a yard or two out! He did not know much about it; off his shoulder and then the woodwork. A let off for Fulham. Leno then made a smart save to keep out a rebound.

07:47pm

16 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

Enzo Fernandez is enjoying plenty of touches for Chelsea, usually left of centre. This time he spreads play to Palmer on the right, who goes down looking for a foul against Robinson. Palmer tries to referee the game himself by putting his hand on the ball, but the actual referee Peter Bankes penalises him for handball.

07:46pm

14 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

Diop is fortunate to get away with a misplaced pass at the edge of his box, with Chelsea failing to make him pay.

At the other end, Sanchez slices a clearance that comes down with snow on it to the feet of Smith Rowe, and from 25 yards Wilson curled a shot into the Chelsea goalkeeper’s gloves.

07:43pm

12 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

Chelsea have a fairly strong grip on the game now after that bright Fulham opening, keeping possession. No clear chances for either side though, not much clicking in the final third.

07:41pm

9 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

Chelsea have a corner after an overlap down the left flank by Cucurella. His cross was blocked and deflected behind.

It was a menacing inswinger from Fernandez, and Leno did well to palm away from danger right on the line. The German ended up sprawled in his net, but Fulham survived.

Marco Silva screams at this players to “GO!” and press, but Caicedo knocks the ball around Smith Rowe and Chelsea are out.

07:38pm

6 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

Chelsea with their first spell of pressure, but Fernandez’s cross is cleared before their captain’s attempted through ball is overhit and runs for a Fulham goal kick. Cole Palmer is operating from the right so far, but Robinson is dealing with the threat well.

07:35pm

4 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

Fulham fans are singing a song that calls their former defender Tosin Adarabioyo, now of Chelsea, a merchant banker. Or words to that effect.

Chelsea have not managed to get the ball down in the first few minutes, Fulham have been aggressive without the ball and are hunting in packs.

07:33pm

2 minutes: Fulham 0 Chelsea 0

Fulham get the ball down inside their own half and look to build play patiently; Chelsea on the front foot trying to press them.

The home team find a way out to Robinson on the left flank with Caicedo down on the turf, and the move ends with Wilson finding some space in the box.

Fulham’s in-form player took the shot early on his weaker right foot and it was an easy save for Sanchez at the near post. Wilson had more time than he thought, there.

07:31pm

KICK OFF!

Fulham get the game started.

07:26pm

The players are in the tunnel

Or should that be the alley at Craven Cottage? It is not really tunnel of any description. It looks more like an astroturfed smoking area outside a charming pub.

07:18pm

Robert Sanchez is back in goal for Chelsea tonight

Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez before the game

07:04pm

Rosenior on his style

Every manager has an idea of the way that they want to play. That’s what makes you a coach. For me I have an idea of the way that I want to play, it has to suit the players. I think that is one of the reasons I have been brought to the club, it suits the players perfectly, but you have to be able to adapt in terms of tactics, systems, formations. The most important thing for me is intensity, running, spirit and quality, and you can do that in many different ways in football.

06:46pm

Rosenior: Chelsea is built on winning

For sure [if Chelsea can compete for major trophies next season]. There’s still three trophies to play for this season: the Champions League, a big game at the weekend in the FA Cup and a massive game next week against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup as well as trying to fight in the league.

Chelsea is built on winning, I’m aware of that. The fans should be proud of the history of the club. My job... I want to entertain as well, but the game at this level is about winning games of football. I’m not going to make excuses.

I’m very proud of the work I have done so far at different clubs, this is a different kettle of fish in terms of the quality and in terms of the competition. One thing I’m definitely going to do is enjoy every moment.

06:41pm

The team news assessed

Marco Silva does not have a wealth of options to choose from at the moment, and so Sander Berge for Sasa Lukic is the only change to the team that drew with Liverpool. Ryan Sessengon returns but is only fit enough for the bench. Silva has stuck with a back five, which will look more like a 3-4-2-1 with Smith Rowe and Wilson behind Jimenez.

Six changes for Chelsea with Reece James given a breather. Andrey Santos is rewarded for his positive cameo against City with a start in midfield alongside the returning Caicedo. Cole Palmer stays in the team as he looks to build fitness.

06:35pm

Rosenior speaking on Sky

My biggest focus is not being Chelsea manager it’s about being a winning Chelsea manager.

06:18pm

Chelsea team news: Caicedo, Delap and Andrey Santos come in

Starting XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella, Santos, Caicedo, Palmer, Fernandez, Pedro Neto, Delap

Subs: Jorgensen, Bynoe-Gittens, Joao Pedro, Hato, James, Fofana, Acheampong, Estevao, Garnacho

06:17pm

Fulham team news: Berge replaces Lukic as Silva sticks with back five

Starting XI: Leno, Diop, Andersen, Cuenca, Castagne, Berge, Cairney, Robinson, Wilson, Smith Rowe, Jimenez

Subs: Lecomte, Reed, Traore, Kusi-Asare, Lukic, Kevin, Sessegnon, Amissah, Ridgeon

06:10pm

Matt Law: Rosenior appointment could make or break Chelsea project

Pochettino and Maresca concluded that they did not want to work inside the parameters of the Chelsea project, which is essentially run by five sporting directors, plus co-controlling owners Behdad Eghbali and Boehly.

If Rosenior reaches the same conclusion at any point, or he simply cannot deliver success, then it will be time to ask serious questions of a project and its ability to deliver real success – the type of which Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool take seriously.

06:00pm

Rosenior on his old stomping ground but not in the dug-out

Fulham away is an appropriate fixture for new Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior to observe from the stands, with his first match proper coming at Charlton in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Rosenior played 79 games for Fulham as a full-back, and has spoken about how taking the Chelsea job is a home-coming of sorts after his work with Strasbourg in France.

Calum McFarlane will be in the Chelsea dug-out having taken training in the days since a creditable 1-1 draw with Manchester City. Enzo Fernandez scored in stoppage time to reward an under-strength Chelsea for an enterprising second 45 minutes.

Fulham should also be energised by their last game, when they more than matched Liverpool for long spells before Harrison Reed’s goal of the season contender salvaged a draw in the dying seconds.

Chelsea have lost only three of 37 Premier League derbies against Fulham, and have won six of the last seven at Craven Cottage.

Victory for Chelsea tonight would take them above Liverpool into fourth on goal difference, with the reigning champions playing at Arsenal tomorrow night.

For Fulham, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze remain at the Africa Cup of Nations while Josh King, Rodrigo Muniz and Kenny Tete are injured.

Chelsea are hopeful that Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez will be fit again with Moises Caicedo available after suspension.

Cole Palmer played his first 90 minutes for three-and-a-half months at the Etihad so could be rested, or Chelsea might take the chance to do just that in the FA Cup.

It is fair to say Palmer is still searching for his best form following that troublesome groin injury, and restoring him to his best form will be one of Rosenior’s priorities.

Full team news on the way shortly.

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