Nusken double steers Chelsea to comfortable victory at Ajax

Chelsea have one foot in the semi-final after an emphatic 3-0 victory over Ajax in the first leg of their Women’s Champions League quarter-final.

Lauren James and Sjoeke Nusken, the emergency strike partnership who saw off Arsenal in the WSL on Friday, did it again in Amsterdam. James opened the scoring before Nusken scored twice to continue her outstanding form. After going almost four months without a goal, Nusken has now scored four in five days.

James thought she was offside when she walked round Regina van Eijk in the 20th minute, but VAR proved otherwise. Nusken inadvertently caused a Guro Reiten goal to be disallowed on the stroke of half-time – but she made amends moments later by sliding Reiten’s superb cross into the net.

A young Ajax side had started well, with their record goalscorer Romee Leuchter hitting the post early on, but the timing of Chelsea’s second goal flattened them.

Chelsea managed the second half expertly, controlling the game without ever needing to hit top gear. The only question was whether they would get any more goals. Nusken provided the answer with a bullet header from the substitute Catarina Macario’s cross.

More to follow…

Sterling wants Chelsea stay despite Saudi Arabia transfer interest – Paper Round

Sterling wants to fight on at Chelsea

Raheem Sterling is determined to stay at Chelsea beyond the summer despite facing jeers from his own supporters, the Standard reports. Sterling missed a penalty in the 4-2 FA Cup quarter-final win over Leicester and was subsequently booed when he was substituted.

The 29-year-old missed other chances, but despite interest from abroad he wants to remain at the club and fight for silverware.

The Standard adds: “Blues fans have been critical of Sterling since his £47.5m move from Manchester City in 2022, but it is understood he wants to fight to win them over.

“Sterling is ready to snub reported interest from Saudi Arabia this summer and is determined to win big trophies with Chelsea.

“He still has two-and-a-half years left on his contract and is happy at Stamford Bridge. His £300,000-a-week wages and the asking price Chelsea would seek are also likely to rule out a move to any rival Premier League club.”

Kimmich to the Premier League?

Arsenal and Liverpool are among the clubs in contention to sign Joshua Kimmich from Bayern Munich, The Sun reports. The Germany international’s future is unclear, and it is believed he isn’t ruling out the prospect of a summer move.

The other clubs included in the list are Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The Sun adds: “Bayern tried to flog the versatile midfielder to Newcastle last summer in a deal involving defender Kieran Trippier, who they tabled three bids for.

“And they remain keen to sell the former RB Leipzig man this summer so as not to lose him on a free transfer next year.

“Arsenal are said to be one of five teams keen on acquiring the services of Kimmich, who is said to be open to the idea of potentially moving to the Emirates.”

Man Utd want Dortmund swap

Manchester United would be willing to sell Jadon Sancho to Borussia Dortmund this summer providing Donyell Malen moves in the other direction, The Sun reports. With Liverpool also said to be interested in Malen, United hope the swap deal makes them favourites to sign the former Arsenal player.

Arsenal themselves are also said to want Malen back, the 25-year-old having spent two years at youth level with the Gunners before joining PSV in 2017.

The Sun adds: “Malen, 25, has been in great form for Dortmund this season, scoring 13 goals and racking up five assists in 33 appearances in all competitions.

“Sancho, 23, has scored once and notched one assist in his nine Bundesliga games so far in his second stint with the black and yellows.

“Sancho’s contract with Manchester United expires in the summer of 2026, although the Red Devils have the option to extend it for a further year.”

Chelsea’s Cuthbert says ‘it’s hard not to dream’ of Champions League success

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Man City v Chelsea in FA Cup semi-finals, Coventry to face Man Utd

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Pochettino defends ‘amazing’ Sterling after boos, says fans need to ‘trust’ his decisions

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Chelsea v Leicester City – FA Cup quarter-final LIVE

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Late goals help Chelsea withstand 10-man Leicester fightback to reach semis

Chelsea came out on top 4-2 in a rollercoaster FA Cup quarter-final clash with 10-man Leicester City at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues looked all set to progress with ease to the last four after goals from Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer put them well in control by half-time, though they ultimately had to rely on stoppage-time efforts from substitutes Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke to get the job done.

Axel Disasi’s calamitous own goal dragged Leicester back into the contest early in the second half, with Stephy Mavididi subsequently hauling The Foxes level just after the hour.

Yet Leicester’s hopes were dented when Callum Doyle saw red for a desperate foul on Nicolas Jackson, and Chelsea’s numerical advantage eventually told through Chukwuemeka’s 92nd-minute effort.

Madueke, on in place of the out-of-sorts Raheem Sterling – who missed a first-half penalty and endured a miserable day all-round – rounded off the win with a superb solo goal as Chelsea booked their place at Wembley.

It seemed set to be something of a Sunday stroll for Chelsea when Sterling teed up Palmer to make it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time.

Sterling had just missed a great chance when one-on-one with Leicester goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk, who had earlier denied the winger from the penalty spot.

That spot-kick came on the back of Cucurella’s 13th-minute opener, with the full-back able to tap into an empty net after fantastic work from Jackson.

Yet Disasi’s own goal – in which the centre-back caught Robert Sanchez cold with a wild attempt at a backpass – gave Leicester hope, and Mavididi soon restored parity with a sensational curling strike.

Chelsea thought they had another penalty when Doyle fouled Jackson, but VAR deemed the foul to have been outside of the Leicester area. But The Foxes’ reprieve was short lived, with referee Andy Madley upgrading Doyle’s yellow card to red.

Mauricio Pochettino was jeered with chants of ‘You don’t know what you’re doing’ from some Chelsea fans when he replaced Mykhailo Mudryk with Chukwuemeka, but the former Aston Villa youngster repaid his manager’s faith with a cool finish to put The Blues back ahead.

Madueke put the result beyond all doubt, and Chelsea joined Manchester City and Coventry City in the semi-finals.

Talking Point – Sterling’s struggles rumble on

It was a bad day at the office for Sterling, who pulled rank over Palmer for the penalty midway through the first half, only to send a tame effort at Stolarczyk. He then swiped horribly at another gilt-edged opportunity, though did atone with a fine run and pass for Chelsea’s second goal.

However, Sterling – who looks completely out of the picture when it comes to England ahead of Euro 2024 – was booed by his own supporters when he lashed a free-kick high and wide just after Doyle’s red card. Most of the Stamford Bridge faithful applauded the 29-year-old when he was subbed off, but this break from club action has probably come at the right time.

Player of the Match – Cole Palmer (Chelsea)

Whereas Sterling flailed, Palmer thrived – again. In this form, he seems sure to head to Euro 2024 with England, as the youngster took his tally of goal contributions to the season to 28 in all competitions with a goal and an assist – 26 of those contributions have come for The Blues, and two for Manchester City.

There is little doubt about it, Palmer is Chelsea’s main man.

Player Ratings

Chelsea: Sanchez 5, Gusto 8, Disasi 4, Chalobah 6, Cucurella 7, Caicedo 7, Gallagher 6, Palmer 8*, Mudryk 7, Sterling 3, Jackson 8. Subs: Chilwell N/A, Chukwuemeka 7, Madueke 7.

Leicester: Stolarczyk 7, Choudhury 5, Faes 6, Vestergaard 5, Doyle 5, Winks 6, Ndidi 6, Fatawu 6, Dewsbury-Hall 8, Mavididi 7, Daka 5. Subs: Akgun 6, Coady 5, Justin 5.

Match Highlights

13’ – GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Leicester (Cucurella): That’s too easy for Jackson, and Chelsea take the lead! Leicester boss Enzo Maresca will be far from impressed with his side’s defending, as Cucurella is presented with a simple finish after Jackson easily bursts beyond Vestergaard and plays a neat ball across the face of goal. Choudhury had switched off, and Cucurella could not miss.

26’ – PENALTY MISSED! Chelsea 1-0 Leicester (Sterling): Oh dear oh dear! Sterling is in desperate need of a goal, but he won’t get one by taking penalties like that! The 29-year-old sent a tame effort just to the left of centre, and with Stolarczyk having guessed the right way, the Leicester shot-stopper was able to make the save with his legs. Could that be the slice of luck Leicester needed??

46’ – GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Leicester (Palmer): Now Chelsea double their lead, and it’s Sterling who sets it up! Atoning for his miss from moments earlier, Sterling races in behind down the left and lays a crisp ball towards the front post where Palmer is on hand to tuck home from point-blank range.

51’ – OWN GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Leicester (Disasi): Oh. My. Word. What is Disasi doing?! That’s an all-timer! One for the own-goal blooper reel as Disasi, who was heading back towards his own goal, thumps a backpass to where he thinks Sanchez was, but instead, the goalkeeper was on the edge of his own area, and the ball sails beyond him and into the back of the net. From absolutely nowhere, Leicester are right back in this. What a calamity from Chelsea!

62’ – GOAL! Chelsea 2-2 Leicester (Mavididi): The Leicester fans are in raptures now! Chelsea have fallen apart! A great – albeit simple – move saw Leicester pass their way through the middle of the pitch, with Winks moving it to Dewsbury-Hall, who in turn found Mavididi. Having taken it under his spell with a great first touch, the winger cuts onto his stronger right foot and curls a sensational effort into the right-hand corner. Sanchez had no chance, and it’s all square!

73’ – RED CARD! Chelsea 2-2 Leicester (Doyle): Well, we have absolute carnage here! First, the referee is instructed to overturn his original decision to award a penalty, with the foul having been committed outside of the area. That call brings about huge cheers from the Leicester fans at the other end of the ground, but then it is the home supporters who are pleased when referee Madley then cancels his yellow card and instead brandishes a red card in Doyle’s direction, with any element of ‘double jeopardy’ having seemingly been cancelled out. So, Leicester are down to 10, and Chelsea have a free-kick right on the edge of the box.

92’ – GOAL! Chelsea 3-2 Leicester (Chukwuemeka): Surely that’s the winner for the Blues?! It’s substitute Chukwuemeka who has got it, with the youngster slotting home after brilliant interplay with Palmer in a tightly congested penalty area. Six minutes now for Chelsea to hold on, and then they will be heading back to Wembley. What a cruel blow for Leicester, but it had been coming.

98’ – GOAL! Chelsea 4-2 Leicester (Madueke): What a goal to round it off!! Madueke cuts inside from the right, wiggles through a glut of defenders and, from around 20 yards out, bends a brilliant strike into the top-left corner, putting this tie to bed once and for all!

Key Stats

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Manchester United eye Guimaraes with Amrabat linked with Juventus move – Paper Round

Juventus keen on Amrabat

Manchester United’s on-loan midfielder Sofyan Amrabat could be a target for Juventus this summer.

The Sun reports that the Moroccan is a potential replacement for Adrien Rabiot, who may leave at the end of the season.

The paper explains: “Sofyan Amrabat will be offered an escape route following his nightmare loan stint at Manchester United.

“Amrabat, 27, signed for United on an £8.5million loan with £17.2m option to buy last September after a transfer saga that lasted the whole summer.

“Juventus have already qualified for the Club World Cup and look likely to also make next season’s expanded Champions League.

“Central midfielder, Adrien Rabiot, 28, is likely to leave Juve after postponing contract talks until the summer.

“The Bianconeri see Amrabat as a player that could replace the Frenchman but are prioritising Atalanta’s Teun Koopmeiners, 26.”

United eye Newcastle midfielder

The Mirror thinks that one midfielder who could arrive at Old Trafford this summer is Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes.

The Brazilian has a release clause of £100 million and could be a target given the arrival of Dan Ashworth as sporting director is expected soon.

The paper writes: “Manchester United are set to launch a summer move for Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes as Dan Ashworth prepares to take over as sporting director.

“Ashworth joined Newcastle six months after Guimaraes arrived at St James’ Park, quickly becoming a huge fan of the midfielder. But he is currently on gardening leave as United negotiate a compensation fee so they can hand him the reins at Old Trafford.

“Those talks are expected to be completed soon and it appears Ashworth will launch a raid on his soon-to-be former club. With The Red Devils in need of a major boost to their squad, Guimaraes has emerged as a lead target.

“Ashworth is described as being in ‘love with his game’ and has given his endorsement to making a move for the Newcastle star. But United would have to fork out a fee of £100 million in order to bring him to Old Trafford.”

Neto linked with Arsenal and Tottenham

The Express believes that Arsenal and Tottenham could both attempt to land Wolves winger Pedro Neto.

The player is now injured and could have played his last game for Wolves, who value him at £60 millon.

The paper reports: “In-demand winger Pedro Neto could miss the rest of the season through injury, Wolves boss Gary O’Neil has confirmed. It means the Portuguese may have played his final game for the West Midlands outfit, with Arsenal, Tottenham and several other top sides believed to be eyeing up a summer move.

“Wolves have reportedly slapped a £60 million price tag on Neto, whose haul of nine assists this season leaves him fourth in the Premier League charts. Injuries have become a recurring problem for the 24-year-old, however, and he suffered his second hamstring issue of the campaign against Fulham earlier this month.

“If The Gunners or Spurs have their way, O’Neil may not get Neto back at all. The north London duo are joined by Liverpool and Newcastle United in keeping track of the wide man as the summer transfer window draws nearer.”

Toney speculation continues

Brentford striker Ivan Toney is open to leaving Brentford, with Arsenal and Chelsea potential destinations for the England forward.

The paper states: “Ivan Toney has again spoken about leaving Brentford, hinting at a desire to move abroad.

“The striker is not shy about discussing his future. In January, on the eve of his return after serving an eight-month ban for betting rule breaches, he suggested he could leave The Bees that month.

“The transfer window shut with Toney staying put, but Brentford manager Thomas Frank told Danish media soon after that it is “relatively obvious” that the striker “will probably be sold this summer” after receiving “no offers” in January.

“The likes of Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with interest, though both clubs are reportedly more keen on other targets as The Bees have slipped an £80 million price on Toney’s head.”

James stars as Chelsea cruise past Arsenal in WSL title tussle

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Chelsea eye Yoro and Kerkez to strengthen defence – Paper Round

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing, NBA and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.