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.”
HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.
WHY BORUSSIA DORTMUND EXPECT JADON SANCHO TO SIGN FOR FREE
Unai Emery praises Jadon Sancho despite poor stats, while Dortmund free up £21m in wages to lure him back to Germany.
Borussia Dortmund really want Jadon Sancho back, and they’re hoping to get him for free from Manchester United. Sancho’s contract runs out this summer, and honestly, no one expects United to offer him a new one.
Right now, Sancho’s on loan at Aston Villa. It’s his third spell away from Old Trafford since United signed him for £73 million in 2021. His move to Villa was just a loan with no option to buy.
Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has hinted he might keep Sancho, but Dortmund aren’t sitting around. The Times says Dortmund didn’t chase wingers last summer because Nico Kovac liked the 3-4-2-1 formation, but now the boss has changed his mind and wants Sancho back.
If Sancho comes back, he'll need to take a hefty pay cut from his £300,000-a-week salary. Still, Dortmund’s where he made his name after moving from Manchester City in 2017.
Dortmund have room in the budget this summer; they let the contracts of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan run out. That saves them about £21 million a year, and they’re optimistic they can lure Sancho, who’s allowed to strike pre-contract deals with foreign clubs.
Sancho actually spent half of the 2024 season back at Dortmund after Erik ten Hag froze him out at United. He helped them reach the Champions League final, but nothing permanent came of it.
Something similar happened during his loan to Chelsea last season. The club even paid a £5 million penalty just to avoid having to sign him outright. Villa picked him up right at the transfer deadline in September, but, once again, he’s struggled.
So far, Sancho’s got one goal and one assist in 29 games across all competitions. Still, Emery thinks there’s more to come.
When asked in February about signing Sancho for good, Emery said, “Not yet, but he’s a fantastic player. Hopefully, he can help us by improving within our system, like he is doing.
“He’ll need a new contract; maybe it’s here. If he plays his best football, we’ll want him. But other teams will be interested, too.”
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