Covid-hit Chelsea were held to a goalless draw by Wolves on Sunday Premier League Turned down his request to postpone the game Manchester City Hang the struggling Newcastle by the sword. This weekend only four of the original 10 games were left on schedule as Britain’s worsening coronavirus crisis took its toll on the English top flight. With questions rising over the integrity of the competition as a busy period of celebration, clubs will meet on Monday to discuss what action to take. Stumbling Chelsea, who have been battling illness and injuries in recent weeks, were able to name only four outfield players on the bench for their match at Molineux.
The visitors, who have now won only two of their last six league games, enjoyed massive possession but made just one shot on goal and are now six points behind leaders City.
Thomas Tuchel was without Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi, who have all tested positive for Covid-19. Jorginho, Kai Havertz and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were also not in the team.
Chelsea had previously confirmed that their request to call off the game had been turned down.
The European champion’s appeal is understood to have been rejected as the Blues had enough players to complete the match.
A disappointed Tuchel told the BBC after the match, “I gave my opinion and you can do whatever you want.” “I can’t compare with other sports, it’s just our position.
“It’s not safe. We talk about players’ safety and a safe environment but it’s not safe. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next Test comes out and we have more positivity.
“If we get on the bus and have dinner and the bus stays together how is it supposed to stop as if nothing happened?”
Newcastle disaster
Defending champions City defeated Newcastle 4–0 to cement their position at the top of the table at Christmas.
Eddie Howe’s side shot themselves in the foot in just the fifth minute, when goalkeeper Martin Dubrawka conceded a corner, then a calamitous defense gave City the lead.
The defense was only half-hearted and Joo Cancillo put the ball back into the six-yard box. Newcastle looked to be in little danger, but Ciaran Clarke inexplicably chose not to make a simple lead takeaway and Ruben Dias pulled the loose ball into the net.
The home side rallied and Joelinton came close to equalizing with a stinging shot from a distance that flew just over Ederson’s right-hand post.
But City silenced the cheering crowd at St James’s Park shortly before half an hour, when Cancillo overtook Joe Willock and Isaac Hayden and shot a hapless Dubrawka’s right footed shot from the edge of the field.
City maintained their firm grip on the match in the second half, with Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling doubling their lead.
City manager Pep Guardiola was surprisingly hard on his team, saying their first-half performance was one of the worst of the season before the better performance after the break.
“The records show we have consistency as a team – it’s not winning the title or the final, but it’s winning and winning,” he said. “Records are meant to be broken and happy to have them.”
City have now won eight consecutive league games and are four points ahead of second-placed Liverpool, who play Tottenham later on Sunday.
But the threat from relegation remains three points from Newcastle safety, who have now played two games more than Watford, just outside the drop zone.
publicized
The wealthy new Saudi-backed owners of the Magpies have indicated they will make a significant investment in the squad but will have matches against Manchester United and Everton before the January transfer window opens.
Liverpool’s preparations for their Premier League trip to Spurs took a hit when Thiago Alcantara became the latest of Jurgen Klopp’s players to return a suspected positive test for Covid.
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