Sports
Chelsea ratings: Palmer, Gittens, Pedro all 4/10 in drab draw with Palace
Chelsea were left frustrated by Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon as an out-of-sync attacking display resulted in a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge.
The visitors had the ball in the net first when Eberechi Eze smashed home from a direct free kick, but a VAR intervention disallowed it after deeming Marc Guéhi to be within one meter of the defensive wall.
Palace looked the brighter of the two sides as Adam Wharton linked well with Jean-Philippe Mateta to force a save from Robert Sánchez, while Chelsea struggled to get Cole Palmer into the game and winger Pedro Neto tried to be positive in an overall sluggish opening 45 minutes from the Blues.
The introduction of Estêvão off the bench added energy into Chelsea’s attack as he instantly got past his marker after a break of the ball, before clipping a cross into a dangerous area. The 18-year-old Brazil international then had the best chance of the game, only to fire over the bar after taking a bad touch.
Chelsea’s best spell of the game didn’t come until the final 10 minutes when they made a handful of late chances — none better than the one that fell to substitute Andrey Santos, who skied it way over the bar. But it was too little, too late.
Positives
England youth international Josh Acheampong was a standout for Chelsea in defense, as he consistently matched Mateta to complete an assured 90 minutes. There were also positive signs from Estêvão who temporarily ignited the Blues’ attack off the bench, though he should have done better with his chance.
– Premier League updates: Chelsea held by Palace
– Sources: Simons favors Chelsea over Bayern, Man City
Negatives
Chelsea registered a shot on target in the third minute and then didn’t get another one until the 90th. The Blues struggled to find the answers to unlock Crystal Palace’s defense, while their final balls and execution of shots was poor.
Manager rating out of 10
Enzo Maresca, 5 — Proactive in looking to change the game, Maresca took little time to bring on Estêvão. But he could have brought Liam Delap on slightly earlier to try and get a goal.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Robert Sanchez, 5 — Saved by VAR after Eze’s freekick flashed past him, but then made a good stop against Mateta’s effort. He saved the efforts he was expected to stop.
DF Marc Cucurella, 6 — Flew into a challenge and fouled Will Hughes on the edge of the box, but was saved by VAR after Eze’s freekick was disallowed after Guehi was within a meter of the wall when the ball was struck. He made positive runs into the opposition box when inverted.
DF Trevoh Chalobah, 6 — He anticipated play well and picked up intelligent positions during counter-attacks; he also helped set the press to win the ball back by playing high and made himself an option to receive the ball.
DF Josh Acheampong, 7 — The Chelsea academy graduate battled well in an overall strong performance, winning several duels and looking composed when progressing the ball forwards. He marked Mateta closely to prevent him from linking play.
DF Reece James, 5 — Careless with his challenges at times, James was booked and then warned after committing foul following a nutmeg from Eze.
MF Moisés Caicedo, 5 — The midfielder pressed aggressively to challenge for the ball, but was sometimes too late and played around. He also mistimed his tackles in other moments.
MF Enzo Fernández, 5 — The Argentina international looked to play the ball forward but was too slow and ineffective before he was replaced by Andrey Santos.
AM Jamie Gittens, 4 — The winger worked hard but was unproductive overall on his Premier League debut for Chelsea and was replaced early in the second half by Estêvão.
AM Cole Palmer, 4 — Palmer was rarely involved as he struggled to find space to get on the ball. He looped an effort over the bar while another was blocked, and he was not as incisive with his passing as normal.
AM Pedro Neto, 6 — The winger had bright moments when looking to beat his marker and worked hard to chase down balls. He also applied pressure from long balls to force mistakes from defenders.
ST João Pedro, 4 — The striker dropped into channels to receive the ball but nothing came of it against a stubborn Palace backline. He drifted out of the game in the second half before being replaced by Delap.
Substitutes
Estêvão (Gittens, 54″) 6 — Made an impact as soon as he got the ball, taking on his marker before delivering a cross into the box that was marginally too high for Neto. He had Chelsea’s biggest chance in the 66th minute but took a bad touch and then fired over the bar. He was also booked for an aggressive tackle on Daniel Muñoz.
Liam Delap (Joao Pedro, 74″) 6 — Delap offered a more direct route for Chelsea and helped win a corner from his willingness to battle with opposition defenders. He beat his marker to work an effort at goal in the 90th minute but it was straight at goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
Malo Gusto (James, 79″) N/R — A bold effort from range was launched into Stamford Bridge’s orbit in the 89th minute.
Andrey Santos (Fernandez, 79″) N/R — Introduced in the 80th minute, the midfielder had a big chance to win the game but sent his strike high over the bar, joining Gusto’s effort in orbit. He also couldn’t find Delap when knocking the ball down moments later.
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President Donald Trump paid respects to late legendary football coach Lou Holtz Thursday after Holtz’s death Wednesday at the age of 89.
Trump shared a tribute to Holtz in a Truth Social post.
Former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz listens before being presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House in Washington, D.C., Dec, 3, 2020. (Doug Mills/The New York Times/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“The wonderful Lou Holtz passed away yesterday, so sad. Lou was an absolute WINNER both on and off the field. Not only did he spearhead Notre Dame’s HISTORIC undefeated season in 1988 (including the legendary 31-30 ‘Catholics v. Convicts’ Victory against Miami), he raised Millions upon Millions for struggling student-athletes, and the AMAZING University of Notre Dame (Go Irish!),” Trump wrote.
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“He was also a true American Patriot, supporting me through thick and thin, and consistently speaking out against Democrat Insanity, including ‘Transgender for Everybody,’ and the Illegal Alien Invasion.
“It is for all this incredible work that I gave Lou Holtz our Nation’s Highest Civilian Honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Rest in Peace, Lou. Because of Patriots like you, we have made America GREAT AGAIN! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Holtz was a known supporter of Trump, even saying in February 2024 that Trump needed to “coach America back to greatness!”
Near the end of Trump’s first term, shortly after former President Joe Biden defeated him in the 2020 election, Trump awarded Holtz with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award of the United States. Holtz, who also spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention, was humbled by the honor.
“It’s the highest honor or award you could possibly receive, and I receive it with mixed emotions. First of all, I’m humbled,” Holtz told “Fox & Friends” afterward. “There are many more people far worthy than me, I can assure you.
“Nobody is more appreciative than me. So, I’m excited to have this opportunity and, at the same time, I’m excited to receive it from President Trump. The president I admire and respect. I think he did a tremendous job.”
At the time, Holtz also called Trump “one of the great presidents of my lifetime.”
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President Donald Trump presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz at the White House in Washington, D.C. Dec. 3, 2020. (Doug Mills/The New York Times/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Holtz was the first coach in NCAA history to take six different football programs to bowl games, including William & Mary (1969-71), N.C. State (1972-75), Arkansas (1977-83) and South Carolina (1999-2004). The only team he wasn’t able to accomplish the feat with was Minnesota, which he led from 1984-85.
Holtz finished his coaching career with a 249-132-7 record in 388 games. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
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Harry Kane will miss Bayern Munich‘s game against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday with a calf injury in a blow to his hopes of breaking the Bundesliga record for most goals in a season.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said on Thursday the problem wasn’t serious but means Kane will play no part in Friday’s game, which could see Bayern open up a 14-point lead at the top of the table.
“He got a knock on his calf and hasn’t recovered yet,” Kompany said. “It’s nothing serious for the time being but we’d need maybe another a day for him to be involved. We’re pretty relaxed. Of course we would have liked Harry to be involved but these things happen.”
Kompany didn’t express concern Kane would miss Bayern’s visit to Atalanta in the Champions League round of 16 next week.
Kane has scored 30 goals in the Bundesliga and is 11 short of Robert Lewandowski‘s record of 41, with 10 games remaining.
Bayern will also be without Hiroki Ito and Alphonso Davies for Friday’s game, Kompany said.
Bayern, the defending Bundesliga champions, have an 11-point lead at the top of the table after beating second-placed Borussia Dortmund 3-2 last Saturday.
“We’ve had an 11-point lead before and we know how quickly that can change,” said Kompany.
“We’re just looking at our performance and our victories. I looked at the table once after the game against Dortmund and it looked good. But after that, once again the only thing that mattered was Gladbach. It sounds like a cliche, but it’s a way of life for me.”
The Associated Press and PA contributed to this report.
An explosive half-century by in-form opener Sanju Samson, backed by a disciplined all-round bowling display, helped India secure a narrow seven-run victory over England in the second semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.
The victory propelled India into the final, where they will be locking horns with New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Set to chase a daunting 254-run target, England could accumulate 246/7 in their 20 overs despite Jacob Bethell’s gutsy century.
England got off to a dismal start to the pursuit as they lost opener Phil Salt (five) and captain Harry Brook (seven) inside five overs with just 38 runs on the board.
Following the early dismissals, Bethell walked out to bat at No.4 and shared a 26-run partnership for the third wicket with Jos Buttler, who made a 17-ball 25 before falling victim to Varun Chakravarthy on the penultimate delivery of the batting powerplay.
England then suffered another setback to their run chase in the eighth over when Axar Patel cleaned up Tom Banton (17) after being hit for two consecutive sixes, and consequently slipped to 95/4.
Bethell then eventually received formidable support at the other end in the form of all-rounder Will Jacks, and the duo displayed grit to keep England in the hunt as they put together 77 runs off just 39 deliveries amid their fifth-wicket partnership, which culminated with the latter’s dismissal in the 14th over.
Jacks made a notable contribution for England in the run chase with a 20-ball 35, comprising four fours and two sixes.
Bethell then shared a 50-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Sam Curran, who fell victim to Hardik Pandya in the penultimate over after scoring a 14-ball 18.
England’s batting mainstay Bethell eventually got run out on the first delivery of the final over and walked back after top-scoring with a valiant 105 off 48 deliveries, featuring eight fours and seven sixes.
Pandya was the standout bowler for India, taking two wickets for 38 runs in his four overs, while Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah chipped in with one apiece.
England captain Harry Brook’s decision to field first backfired as the home side piled up 253/7 in their 20 overs.
India, however, had a contrasting start to their innings as their left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma (nine) was dismissed by Will Jacks in the second over with just 20 runs on the board.
The early setback, however, did not bother India as their top-order duo of Ishan Kishan and Samson raised 97 runs for the second wicket off 44 deliveries until Adil Rashid dismissed the former, who remained a notable contributor for the co-hosts with an 18-ball 39.
Samson was then involved in a 43-run partnership for the third wicket with all-rounder Shivam Dube until eventually falling victim to Jacks in the 14th over. He remained the top-scorer for India with a blazing 89 off 42 deliveries, studded with seven sixes and eight fours.
India suffered another major setback to their batting expedition an over later when Adil got their captain Suryakumar Yadav stumped, who could score 11 off six deliveries.
With the scoreboard reading 190/4 in 15.4 overs, Dube was joined by fellow all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the middle, and the duo put together 32 runs for the fifth wicket before the former was run out due to a mix-up, coupled with a direct hit by England captain Brook.
Dube remained a significant run-getter for India in the high-stakes T20 World Cup 2026 fixture, scoring 43 off 25 deliveries with the help of four sixes and a four.
Following his departure, Pandya and Tilak Varma ensured an equally dominant finish with the bat for India with blistering cameos, contributing 27 and 21, respectively. The duo also shared a 24-run partnership.
For England, Jacks and Adil bagged two wickets each, while Archer could pick up one.
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