FA CHARGES CHELSEA AND WEST HAM FOLLOWING VIOLENT STOPPAGE TIME BRAWL
The FA has officially charged Chelsea and West Ham after a violent brawl involving Jean-Clair Todibo and Joao Pedro on Saturday.
The FA just hit both Chelsea and West Ham with charges after Saturday’s wild Premier League clash.
Chelsea edged out West Ham 3-2, but things really blew up in stoppage time. It all started when Adama Traore shoved Marc Cucurella, and Joao Pedro jumped in to defend his teammate. Suddenly, players from both sides piled in, and everything went off the rails.
In the middle of the chaos, West Ham’s Jean-Clair Todibo grabbed Joao Pedro by the neck. Referee Anthony Taylor watched the whole thing back on VAR and didn’t hesitate—he sent Todibo off.
Taylor explained to the crowd, “After review, West Ham number 25 grabs Chelsea number 20 round the throat in a violent manner. My final decision: red card for violent conduct.”
Now the FA says both clubs face charges. They’re accusing Chelsea’s players of acting “improperly and/or provocatively” and saying West Ham’s players were “improper and/or provocative and/or violent,” according to Football. london.
Both teams have until Friday to respond.
The FA’s official statement read, “Chelsea FC and West Ham United FC have been charged following their Premier League fixture on Saturday, January 31. It’s alleged that Chelsea failed to ensure its players didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the 95th minute. West Ham allegedly failed to ensure its players didn’t behave in an improper, and/or provocative and/or violent way at the same time. Both clubs have until Friday, 6 February, to provide their responses.”
After the match, Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior didn’t hold back. “I’ll make early changes. It’s no disrespect to the guys who came off—they’re still a big part of our plans—but something had to change because we just weren’t good enough.
“They looked tired out there. We covered a lot of ground against Napoli because I wanted them to press differently. We got back at 5 am on Thursday. At training yesterday, I kept things light to get some energy back in their legs. I’m still learning too—I’m not the perfect manager.”
Over in the West Ham camp, Nuno Espirito Santo sounded frustrated. “It’s frustrating and sad that this game slipped away from us. The plan was to play the same way we did in the first half. Chelsea was always going to react, and we just didn’t defend it well. Crosses gave us all sorts of problems.
“We need to bounce back. This week, it’s all about reacting and going again. We started the second half in control, but after Chelsea reacted, we just couldn’t hold on.”
When asked about Todibo’s red card, Nuno added, “It’s strange, with all that confusion, that there was only one yellow and one red. I need to watch it back.”
THE ADAM WHARTON BLUEPRINT: DISCOVER WHY EUROPE’S ELITE ARE CHASING PALACE’S MIDFIELD GEM
Liverpool and Tottenham lead the chase for Crystal Palace gem Adam Wharton, with the 21-year-old reportedly keen on an Anfield move.
Liverpool, Tottenham, and Manchester United are gearing up for a fierce summer chase after one of the Premier League’s hottest prospects.
Crystal Palace have already let go of Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi, and it looks like Oliver Glasner and Jean-Philippe Mateta could soon follow. Now, Palace are bracing themselves for another fight—this time to keep hold of Adam Wharton, who just keeps proving he’s one of the best midfielders around.
Everyone Wants Wharton
Tottenham have their eyes on Wharton. They see him as their dream midfield signing, especially after landing Conor Gallagher. Thomas Frank wants to keep stacking quality in the centre for the Spurs. And it’s not just them. Manchester United, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich have all made calls about Wharton. Some at Spurs are really pushing his name, too.
Over at Liverpool, club insider DaveOCKOP says the Reds have already reopened talks about bringing Wharton to Anfield. The 21-year-old, for his part, is keen on the move.
Why Liverpool Needs to Win This Battle
Liverpool hopes that Jeremy Jacquet, who’s coming in from Rennes, will shore up their defence—an area that’s felt pretty thin. But honestly, the next spot that needs fresh energy is midfield.
By the time this season wraps up, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, and Mac Allister will have carried the load in midfield for two years straight. It’s probably time for some fresh legs and a new spark to keep everyone on their toes.
Wharton is the guy for the job. People call him one of the league’s best midfielders. He’s already helped Palace lift two trophies in 2025 and keeps getting called up for England. He plays like a winner and has a bright future ahead.
Declan Rice calls him “top level,” and he’s not wrong. Wharton is only getting better. Whoever lands him this summer is getting a gem. Liverpool can’t afford to let this one slip away.
MICHAEL OWEN DECLARES PREMIER LEAGUE "NEARLY WRAPPED UP" FOR LEADERS ARSENAL
Michael Owen tells talkSPORT that Arsenal have "wrapped up" the Premier League title, sitting six points clear with 14 games left.
Michael Owen says Arsenal has basically wrapped up the league.
Right now, Mikel Arteta’s team sits six points clear at the top of the Premier League. Fourteen games left, but they’re determined not to trip up like they did in the past. Three years in a row, they finished second—always just missing out on Manchester City or Liverpool. Remember that eight-point lead they blew to City in 2022/23? That one really stung, especially since City went on to win everything: the league, the Champions League, and the Carabao Cup.
On Wednesday morning, Owen—yeah, the former United and Liverpool striker—went on talkSPORT and talked about how easy Arsenal has it this season. “I don’t think anyone’s good enough to compete with them this year,” he said. “Even though I don’t think the points total will be that high.” He figured only Liverpool or City had a shot at the start of the season, but both have fallen off. So, in Owen’s mind, Arsenal has pretty much been handed the title. “Nobody’s put much pressure on them,” he said. “The league is nearly wrapped up.”
And Arsenal just beat Chelsea 1-0 at the Emirates in the Carabao Cup (4-2 on aggregate), so now they’re one win away from silverware—it would be their first trophy under Arteta since that FA Cup back in 2020.
Owen already thinks Arsenal will be champions this year, and he’s backing them for the League Cup too. “I think they could win the Carabao Cup, absolutely,” he said. “But the other two trophies are going to be tough.”
The Gunners are still chasing the quadruple. They topped their Champions League group, knocked Portsmouth out of the FA Cup, and haven’t lost in Europe—getting some big wins over Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, and Bayern Munich along the way.
Owen, who’s got a Ballon d’Or to his name, thinks Arsenal will face stiffer competition outside England. “Everyone else will be focusing on the FA Cup now, since the league’s pretty much over,” he said. “It’s the only thing that can save their season, so clubs will put out strong teams.” Then there’s the Champions League, which feels wide open this year.
Alan Brazil from talkSPORT asked Owen if Arsenal could actually win all four trophies. Owen shot that down. “No, I don’t think so,” he replied. “But they’re special, a really strong, efficient side.”