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Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘It was not good' – Enzo Maresca reveals how red card will affect Nicolas Jackson's Chelsea future after horror tackle
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ENZO MARESCA addressed Nicolas Jackson's Chelsea future after the striker's red card against Flamengo on Friday. The forward, on as a substitute, was sent off for a reckless tackle in the 68th minute. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Enzo Maresca spoke after his side's Club World Cup defeat Credit: Getty 4 Nicolas Jackson was sent off for a reckless tackle Credit: AP 4 Jackson, 24, received his marching orders in the 68th minute Credit: AFP The Blues had just gone 2-1 down when Jackson was dismissed and went on to concede another with ten men. After his side's 3-1 defeat, boss Maresca was asked if Jackson's discipline could cost him his Chelsea future, following Liam Delap's £30million arrival from Ipswich. The forward will be suspended for the Blues' final group match against ES Tunis, while he is also banned from the opening day of the new Premier League season following his red vs Newcastle last month. Maresca, 45, said: "No, the red card has nothing to do with Nico's future. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL END OF THE WORLD? Chelsea face awful Club World Cup last 16 draw after Flamengo collapse "He had the first one against Newcastle when Liam was not even here and another one. 'I'm not sure that it's 100 per cent a red card but the referee decided for that, and Nico knows very well that in both situations (it) was not something good for the team." After the game, Jackson posted a lengthy apology message on Instagram. It read: "Another red card… and honestly, I'm so angry at myself. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 4 Liam Delap is set for a further opportunity against ES Tunis Credit: Getty 'I work hard every day to help the team not to put us in this kind of situation. "I still don't fully understand how it happened. But one thing is clear: it wasn't intentional. Chelsea vs Tottenham fan battle - 'Kane's better than Drogba at EVERYTHING' | Stoppage Time WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN "Just a football moment that went the wrong way. No excuses. I take full responsibility." Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella said of his team-mate: "He's very sad. He tried to win the ball, had the bad luck that he kicked his leg and that's it. "He's a young player with a lot of quality but maybe needs to improve a little bit in these things. He has to learn. "After the manager spoke, he said sorry, he didn't do it on purpose. He's a very important player for us, we miss him the next game but this is football." Chelsea will be back in action against ES Tunis on Tuesday night. With Jackson banned, new arrival Delap will be in line for another start.
Scottish Sun
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘World class cooking' – Flamengo brutally troll Chelsea with throwback video game reference after Club World Cup win
Enzo Maresca's side collapsed in a disastrous second half PRO BANTER 'World class cooking' – Flamengo brutally troll Chelsea with throwback video game reference after Club World Cup win Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FLAMENGO couldn't resist a cheeky throwback dig at Chelsea after the Blues' Club World Cup collapse. The Brazilian side recorded a 3-1 comeback victory in Philadelphia on Friday afternoon. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Chelsea suffered an embarrassing defeat to Flamengo on Friday afternoon Credit: Getty 4 Nicolas Jackson saw red in the defeat just minutes after coming on as a sub Credit: Getty 4 Flamengo's X admin couldn't resist a throwback dig at the Premier League side Credit: X In-form Pedro Neto gave Chelsea the ideal start in the Group D clash, firing them ahead in the 13th minute. But Enzo Maresca's side melted in the Philly heat after the break. They conceded two quickfire goals to go behind, before Nicolas Jackson saw red for a horror lunge. Wallace Yan secured the three points for the Brazilians with just seven minutes left on the clock. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL OBI WHAT? DAZN forced to apologise as Chelsea legend launches X-rated Nicolas Jackson rant WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN And after the final whistle, Flamengo's X account decided to go for the jugular. The club's official account wrote: "Easy win against London Blue!" London Blue refers to Chelsea's infamous name in the Pro Evolution Soccer video game series. Japanese publisher Konami were unable to secure the license for Premier League teams, resulting in alternative names for the clubs and players in the popular game. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK One fan laughed in response: "World class cooking honestly." Another said: "London Blue!!!!! LMAO." Incredible ref cam footage shows moment Chelsea star Pedro Neto sent opponent 'back to LA and into next MLS season' While a third chuckled: "Oi they're calling them by their PES identity." And a fourth added: "Redefined the overrated league in the world." Maresca refused to defend Jackson after his reckless moment of madness on Friday. The 24-year-old was sent off on his birthday - just FOUR minutes after entering the field as a sub. 4 Maresca told DAZN: "It was a red card. So nothing to say. 'Congratulations to them, they deserved to win. "We tried to do something different, also for next season, for the future, but congratulations to them. "I think they deserved it."
Scottish Sun
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Chelsea ratings: Nicolas Jackson lets team down with mindless red card as only one player makes an impact
Blues fizzled out in the heat as Flamengo fizzed back with dramatic turnaround NIC'S EMOTIONS Chelsea ratings: Nicolas Jackson lets team down with mindless red card as only one player makes an impact Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ONLY Pedro Neto had something to celebrate on Nicolas Jackson's nightmare birthday. Neto's dashing early opener was overturned by Flamengo dancing through for three second-half goals as Chelsea suffered their first Club World Cup defeat. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Chelsea sub Nicolas Jackson picked up a crazy sending-off Credit: Alamy Enzo Maresca's men just about deserved their first-half lead in the Philadelphia heat. But the Brazilians' revival after the break was rewarded with a quickfire double midway though the period. Bruno Henrique and Danilo stabbed home two replica far-post goals in the space of three minutes - with Chelsea lacking leaders in their defence. Jackson then earned the most ridiculous of red cards just four minutes after replacing new £30million striker Liam Delap. READ MORE CHELSEA NEWS RAPID RED Nicolas Jackson sent off against Flamengo for horror tackle on his birthday And Wallace Yan further punished the Blues' collapse by firing a late third for a hungrier, hotter Flamengo side. Robert Sanchez - 5 Had just two first-half saves to make, both routine, but intervened a few times with kicked clearances. WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN Came alive on the hour when Flamengo frontman Plato did just the same himself - flashing a fierce shot that the Spaniard flung upwards to tip over. 8 Pedro Neto did everything right to slip his breakthrough goal Credit: Getty BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK But almost immediately he was stranded at the backpost as Henrique arrived to tuck home. Then watched on helpless three minutes later as Danilo flashed Flamengo in front from almost the same position. Could also do little with Yan's killer third goal, but was never really a dominating presence. 8 Robert Sanchez watched on as Marc Cucurella blocks from Leo Pereira Credit: Reuters Malo Gusto - 5 Pushed forward tentatively from right-back in the first period, testing keeper Rossi with a flashing long-ranger on 28 minutes. Lionel Messi gives rare insight into his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo Far more adventurous early in the second period, with dangerous overlaps. But then faded - along with his side as whole. Trevoh Chalobah - 6 Precision timing with a block on 26 minutes denied Flamengo striker Plata a gaping chance from 10 yards. Then nipped in for an important clearing header - underlining how he does the important things for a centre-back right. Not directly at fault as the Blues conceded two carbon-copy goals, but nonetheless was part of a defence that suddenly appeared dishevelled in the last half hour. 8 Trevoh Chalobah initially kept Giorgian De Arrascaeta and Co at bay Credit: EPA Levi Colwill - 5 Lucky to escape an early yellow card for a rash challenge. Safe and unfussy for the first hour - upgrading that contribution dramatically with a piece of superb judgment and athleticism to head off the line shortly before break. But like his central defensive partner Chalobah, he failed to respond convincingly to Flamengo's purple patch in the second period. Marc Cucurella - 5 Performed as more of an orthodox left-back than his usual up as much as down role. Steady enough, but barely broke forward menacingly. Nipped in to glance a 50th-minute free-kick from James wide - possibly snatching at what was a glaring opportunity rather than realising he had more time. Reece James - 5 Functional rather than marauding on the right of Caicedo in a two-man midfield anchor. So for the England star, it was firm but not flair as he filled a tactical berth. But delivered a magical curving free-kick across the front of the Flamengo defenders that Cucurella wastefully flicked wide. But James soon slipped to enable Gonzalo Plata to scramble clear through the middle, keeper Sanchez clawing the ball away. Replaced by Romeo Lavia on 64 minutes 8 Reece James got to grips with Chelsea old boy Jorginho Credit: Reuters Moises Caicedo - 5 Booked for a wild lunge on 12 minutes. Showed plenty of energy after that, but more graft than craft as the Blues never really passed their way through and around midfield. Cole Palmer - 4 Restrained and largely anonymous before the break, perhaps operating more rigidly and often deeper on the right than he'd like. Prefers to rule by roaming and certainly looking less free to roam than usual. Occasional flashes in the second period 8 Cole Palmer, Chelsea's main man in the Prem, had a quiet game Credit: Getty Enzo Fernandez - 4 Threatened little in the opening 45 minutes. But appealed desperately for a spot-kick when he wriggled into the area and tumbled under slight contact - VAR helping ref Ivan Barton stick by his no-penalty decision. Pedro Neto - 8 Busy, bustling predator from the left to the centre - just behind Delap. Showed supreme coolness to surge away from dozy Flamengo defending on halfway and slip home a neat winner from the edge of the box on 13 minutes. That's two goals from his two high-tempo games here in the US. Booked midway through the first half for ending Wesley's dangerous run with a tactical trip. But soon showed fizzing feet again at the other end to snake between two players and almost carve out a clear opportunity for Delap. Much less prominent after the break, but still the only Chelsea player to make a true impact for any sustained period. 8 Pedro Neto completed a long surge by slotting Chelsea's opener Credit: AFP Liam Delap - 5 A throwback to the future - with bustling power like an old-fashioned striker. And had a right old tussle with the Brazilian defence. Couldn't quite get on the end of an inviting cross just before the interval. Promptly booked for a clumsy clattering as he challenged for a loose ball on mid-pitch. Produced a mediocre pull-back early in the second period when he had the chance to sow he could be a creator. Harried Pereira into nearly volleying an own goal. Replaced by Jackson on 64 minutes after a fighting but fitful performance. 8 Liam Delap had a good old battle with Leo Pereira and Co Credit: AFP SUBS: Nicolas Jackson (for Delap, 64 mins) - 0 Snappy birthday - as just four minutes after replacing Delap in attack, the Senegal ace saw red for stamping in a mid-pitch tangle. It was Jackson's 24th birthday - but he blew his cameo rather than candles with a challenge that was reckless, needless, thoughtless. Romeo Lavia (for James, 64 mins) Came on just after Flamengo levelled and did little to stem the fierce change in tide. Noni Madueke (for Fernandez, 84 mins) - 7 Slightly crazy to give him a rating for such a short time on the pitch - but read on! Curved a half-decent free-kick high at 3-1 down, then hussled the left of the Flamengo defence a few times. Marc Guiu (for Palmer, 82 mins) - N/A
Scottish Sun
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
New Club World Cup rule introduced for first time in Fifa history in major boost to Lionel Messi
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LIONEL MESSI'S bid for shock Club World Cup glory has been boosted by a rule change. Messi's Inter Miami are joint top of Group A after his majestic winner against Porto. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Lionel Messi hopes to be in dreamland, perhaps with help from Fifa Credit: Getty And for the first time in the competition's history, Fifa are adopting Uefa-style rules to sort out who goes through - if teams end up tied. The leading two sides in each of the eight four-team groups qualify for the last 16. A problem comes if two clubs are level on points for a qualifying place. Fifa used to decide it on goal difference. READ MORE CLUB WORLD CUP NEWS LOOK REAL CLOSE Strange feature seen on Real Madrid kit as Adidas make unintended addition But this summer football's international chiefs have switched to head-to-head records. That's left David Beckham's Miami in a brilliant position to go through - one they surely could only have dreamed of. WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN Messi and Co are level with Palmeiras on four points from two matches. Portuguese giants Porto and Saudi team Al Ahly have just a point apiece. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK It means Miami will go through - unless they lose to Palmeiras on Messi's 38th birthday next Tuesday AND Al Ahly overcome Porto. Fifa will hope the full range of tiebreakers won't be needed to split teams if they are level on points. Lionel Messi gives rare insight into his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo That's because the eighth and final option is the dreaded drawing of lots. After points and head-to-head record, goal difference between the teams in question is the third criteria. Goals scored between the two sides is next - followed by group goal difference and then group goals scored. Down at number seven is disciplinary points from yellow and red cards. A booking for a player of staff member is minus one point, two yellows for the same person is minus three, and a straight red card minus four. Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi will of course aim to produce more magic to kill off the need for such tiebreakers. Fans raved he was "still the GOAT" and "from another planet" after his curling free-kick sunk Porto 2-1 on Thursday night, watched by 31,783 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. 2 Messi swerved home a comeback winner against Porto Credit: Reuters
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Trent Alexander-Arnold reveals how long he's been learning Spanish but Prem icon pundit doesn't believe a word of it
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD has revealed how long he was learning Spanish before his move to Real Madrid. The England defender ended his lifelong love affair with Liverpool at the start of the month with an £8.5million move to the Bernabeu. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid from Liverpool earlier this month Credit: GETTY 6 The defender stunned the world at his unveiling by speaking fluent Spanish Credit: REUTERS 6 The 26-year-old has revealed how long he's been learning Spanish amid rumours he was doing so for the last year Credit: REUTERS Alexander-Arnold, who was set to become a free agent at the end of the month, was officially unveiled by Los Blancos last week and stunned footie fans by speaking FLUENT Spanish in his press conference. His flawless Spanish prompted suggestions that he's been learning the language for several years in preparation for a Madrid move. But the 26-year-old insists that wasn't the case, saying after making his debut in Real's Club World Cup opener: "Not too long. WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN READ MORE ON TRENT REAL MADRID 1 AL-HILAL 1 Alonso's reign off to disappointing start as late penalty saved "A couple of months. It was something important that I had to do. "I want to adapt and give myself the best start possible going to a new country, new city and new team. "It is important to show the intent that I want to embrace the culture, immerse myself in it and try to adapt as best as possible." Former Chelsea midfielder and DAZN pundit John Obi Mikel wasn't buying Alexander-Arnold's claim. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 6 6 The Nigerian said: "He spent a couple of months learning Spanish, but I don't agree with that. Maybe a year!" Alexander-Arnold made his Real bow in the La Liga side's Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Trent Alexander-Arnold reveals he's been 'waiting a long time' to join Real Madrid He played the first 64 minutes of the Miami match, in which he showed signs of a return to his old self. Reflecting on his debut, he said: "It's an incredible day for me to make my Real Madrid debut. "It's something almost every player dreams of so to be able to achieve it is huge for me. "Of course, there's some disappointment in there because we haven't won the game. 6 Trent Alexander-Arnold made his Los Blancos debut against Al-Hilal on Wednesday Credit: Alamy "It's the mentality you need to have as a Real Madrid player is to want and expect to win every game that you play in. 'It's disappointing not to win. "But there were a lot of positives, especially in the second half." Alexander-Arnold and his team-mates will be back in action on Tuesday, taking on Mexican side Pachuca in Charlotte, North Carolina.
