Sports
Chelsea ratings: Garnacho, Fernandez 8/10 in win vs. Wolves
Chelsea moved to second in the Premier League table on Saturday evening as they secured a 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues made a bright start to the match with Enzo Fernández troubling Sam Johnstone with a free kick early on, before the Argentina international soon played in his compatriot Alejandro Garnacho, who should have done better with the chance. It was a straightforward opening 45 minutes for Chelsea as they maintained control of the game, with the visitors not recording a single shot in the first half, though that didn’t stop some sections of the Stamford Bridge crowd booing their side off at half time with the score locked at 0-0.
The hosts were rewarded for their positive start after the replay as they broke the deadlock through Malo Gusto, heading past Johnstone in the six-yard box after a pinpoint cross from Garnacho. After Estêvão was introduced for Liam Delap in the 64th minute, it took just 68 seconds before he made an impact with a low cross that was diverted into the path of João Pedro to double Chelsea’s advantage.
Garnacho was involved again as he showed his pace down the left flank before cutting the ball across to Pedro Neto, for an easy finish against his former club. That’s now two wins in a row for Chelsea, with a trip to Burnley ahead after the international break.
Positives
A dominant display from Chelsea saw them create regular chances without coming under threat from Wolves. The victory also takes them to second in the Premier League table.
Negatives
The Blues’ could have been more clinical with their finishing in the first half, but the boos from the fans seemed a little harsh given they were in complete control.
Manager rating out of 10
Enzo Maresca, 7 — A well-timed introduction of Estevao saw the Brazil international double Chelsea’s lead almost immediately after Maresca put him on.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Robert Sánchez, 6 — Without a shot to deal with in the first half and an off-target effort from Marc Munetsi in the second, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was mainly a spectator.
DF Malo Gusto, 7 — A well-timed run and header from Garnacho’s cross in the 52nd minute saw Malo Gusto finally score his first Chelsea goal after 98 appearances!
DF Wesley Fofana, 7 — The 24-year-old helped Chelsea transition play by stepping up in possession, while he also impressed when dealing with set pieces into the box. He could have done better with a chance in the first half from Pedro Neto’s pass but he couldn’t get a strong connection.
DF Trevoh Chalobah, 6 — He was quick to anticipate danger and positioned himself astutely to put an end to Wolves’ limited amount of attacks.
DF Marc Cucurella, 6 — The Spain international created overloads in midfield when inverting from full-back, while keeping the majority of his work simple. Positioned himself intelligently to allow Alejandro Garnacho to isolate his marker.
DM Enzo Fernandez, 8 — Chelsea’s number eight was at the heart of all of the Blues’ best play, creating a big chance early on with an excellent scooped ball for Garnacho, and he almost caught the goalkeeper out on a couple of occasions with dangerous set-piece deliveries.
DM Moisés Caicedo, 7 — Caicedo was at his best as normal when pressing high to win back possession, but he did sometimes mistime his challenges, committing several fouls and picking up a booking.
AM Pedro Neto, 7 — The 25-year-old Portugal international stepped things up in the second half and had much more intent to his play, looking to beat his marker and get balls into the box every time he had possession. Neto then scored against his former club with a simple finish following bright work from Garnacho on the left.
AM Joao Pedro, 6 — Joao Pedro drifted in and out of the game in the first half, and after scuffing his first chance wide, he made no mistake in the second half, hitting with power past Johnstone to double Chelsea’s lead from Estevao’s deflected cross.
AM Alejandro Garnacho, 8 — The Chelsea winger should have done better with his chance after being played in by Fernandez, but he made amends after the break with a swift cut-back and perfectly delivered cross for Gusto’s opener. The former Man United star wrapped the game up with a cut back for Pedro Neto to score the Blues’ third goal.
FW Liam Delap, 5 — It was difficult to find space for the former Man City forward in the first half against Wolves’ back five, but he got more involved in the game after the first goal, and was unlucky not to have been found by Garnacho after he found space in the 63rd minute. Replaced by Estevao shortly after.
Substitutes
FW Estevao (on for Delap, 64″) 7 — Made an instant impact! Just 68 seconds passed before Estevao pushed the ball down the flank and produced an accurate low cross that found a way to Joao Pedro, who doubled Chelsea’s lead.
DF/MF Reece James (on for Gusto, 77″) N/R — Introduced to a rendition of “Reece James, he’s one of our own,” from the Chelsea crowd.
FW Marc Guiu (on for Neto, 77″) N/R — The young forward picked up intelligent positions when the ball was out wide, getting a touch to a powerful cross from Estevao that was directed off target in the 83rd minute.
MF Jamie Gittens (on for Pedro, 83″) N/R — The game had become a training exercise by the time Gittens came on, as he kept things simple from the right-flank, drifting in to find Garnacho that led to a blocked effort in the 91st minute.
MF Andrey Santos (on for Fernandez, 83″) N/R — There was not much for him to do as Chelsea maintained control with their 3-0 lead, as he came on in the same role as Enzo Fernandez and looked to provide options to recycle possession.
Former Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim on Sunday announced his divorce after more than six years of marriage.
Citing privacy, the cricketer requested fans and followers not to share the couple’s old photos on social media.
Taking to the social media platform Instagram, Imad urged fans and media outlets to refrain from sharing old pictures of the couple.
“After much thought, and due to repeated conflicts that could not be resolved over the past few years, I have filed for divorce,” Imad wrote. “I sincerely request everyone to respect our privacy and avoid using or sharing any old couple photos.”
The 37-year-old further asked people not to refer to Sania as his spouse going forward and cautioned against speculation or misinformation surrounding the matter.
“I request everyone not to engage in or believe any misleading narratives. Any attempt to defame or involve others in this personal matter will be addressed through the proper legal channels if necessary,” he stated.
Imad also addressed the situation regarding their children, reaffirming his responsibilities as a father.
“Regarding the children, I remain their father and will continue to care for them fully and responsibly,” he added, concluding the statement by thanking supporters for their understanding and respect.
Meanwhile, Imad’s wife also took to Instagram and said, “Like many marriages, ours had difficulties, yet it continued to exist.”
Imad Wasim and Sania Ashfaq tied the knot in 2019, and they have three children.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday said that the cricket board would “operate Multan Sultans” this year, with plans to auction the franchise after the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.
The announcement comes a month after Ali Tareen said he was parting ways with the PSL franchise as his relations with the PCB had strained over the past year.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, the PCB chief confirmed that the cricket board would operate the franchise this year, saying “the franchise will be auctioned after the PSL concludes”.
Sultans were originally awarded as the sixth PSL team to the Schon Group under a $5.2 million agreement, making it the most expensive franchise at the time.
However, the PCB terminated the agreement after the inaugural season when franchise payments were not made.
In 2018, Alamgir Tareen, along with his nephew Ali, acquired the franchise for $6.3 million.
Meanwhile, Naqvi said that the board wanted to begin the upcoming PSL season earlier than planned.
“We want to start the PSL from March 23 instead of March 26, and a final decision will be made after consultation with all franchises,” he added.
The PCB chief announced that former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram had been appointed as the PSL’s brand ambassador ahead of the upcoming edition.
On the league’s expansion, he said that the bidding for the two new PSL teams will take place on January 8 in Islamabad.
“It is an important day for us, and our teams will sell well,” he said, adding that ten parties have qualified for the second round of the auction.
The PCB confirmed the same a day earlier, saying that its bid committee had shortlisted 10 bidders for the second round of the auction to sell the rights for two new teams in the PSL.
The PSL, which began in 2016 with five franchises and later expanded to six sides in 2018, is set for further expansion with the addition of two new teams from its upcoming 11th edition, set to be played next year.
With the upcoming additions, the PSL will undergo its first major restructuring in seven years, bringing the total number of franchises to eight.
On India-related cricket issues, the PCB chief said that whatever happens with India “will be on an equal footing”.
“If they do not want to shake hands, we have no such desire either,” Naqvi added.
He revealed plans to bring up the conduct of India’s Under-19 team before the International Cricket Council (ICC).
On team management, Naqvi stated that a final decision on the appointment of the red-ball team head coach has not yet been made, adding that a PCB team was currently reviewing the matter.
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College basketball coaching legend Tom Izzo didn’t hold back when asked about James Nnaji returning to Baylor after being selected in the NBA Draft but never having played a game for a team.
Nnaji announced he would return to the Bears after a stint at FC Barcelona. He was selected by the Detroit Pistons in 2023 and was traded twice during his career. He was a part of the trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks before the 2024-25 season.
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Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo protests a call that benefitted the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center on Dec. 2, 2025. (Dale Young/Imagn Images)
But Nnaji is part of a growing trend of former college basketball players, with NCAA eligibility remaining, returning to school following stints in the G League or elsewhere. Izzo suggested on Saturday he’s had enough of it.
“Now we’re taking guys that were drafted in the NBA and everything,” the Michigan State men’s basketball coach said, via the Detroit Free Press. “I said it to you a month and a half ago – c’mon Magic (Johnson) and Gary (Harris), let’s go baby, let’s do it. Why not? I mean, if that’s what we’re going to (do), shame on the NCAA. Shame on the coaches, too. But shame on the NCAA, because coaches are gonna do what they gotta do, I guess. But the NCAA is the one. Those people on those committees that are making those decisions to allow something so ridiculous and not think of the kid.
James Nnaji of Barcelona takes a shot during the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 34 match between LDLC Asvel Villeurbanne and FC Barcelona at LDLC Arena on April 12, 2024 in Lyon, France. (Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
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“So everybody talks about me thinking of my program or I’m selfish. No. Get that straight, for all of you. I’m thinking of, what is best for my son if he was in that position? And I just don’t agree with it.”
Izzo maintained he wasn’t going to fight the growing trend, but he also wasn’t going to let it pass him by without sharing his thoughts on the issue. He maintained that if college basketball is going to be more like the professional ranks, then it should go all in instead of dipping a toe or two in those waters.
James Nnaji of FC Barcelona in action during warm up prior the 2023/2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Play Offs match 1 between FC Barcelona and Olympiacos Piraeus at Palau Blaugrana on April 24, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Rodolfo Molina/Euroleague Basketball)
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He expressed similar sentiments in October when the first crop of G League players returned to school.
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