It's hard to know what would have cut deeper for the men in charge of Chelsea — the ineptitude on the field or the chants in the crowd.
Fed up with seeing their team being given a clinic in yet another loss to Manchester City, Chelsea fans started pining after the people who had delivered them some of the best moments of their lives over the last few years.
NEWCASTLE, England (AP) — Graham Potter's Chelsea reign already looks to be in crisis after a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle on Saturday left the London club eighth in the Premier League.
Joe Willock's 67th-minute strike consigned Chelsea to a third straight loss in the league — and a fourth in five games in all competitions.
BRIGHTON, England (AP) — Graham Potter endured a chastening return to Brighton as his former club beat Chelsea 4-1 on Saturday, with the Blues dropping points for the third English Premier League game in a row.
LONDON (AP) — Graham Potter's first game as Chelsea manager ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw at home against Salzburg in the Champions League on Wednesday, leaving the English team facing an uphill task to advance from its group.
A look at what’s happening in the Champions League on Wednesday:
GROUP A
Rangers will host Napoli in a game pushed back from Tuesday because of logistical issues arising from the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
LONDON (AP) — Graham Potter’s debut as Chelsea coach on Wednesday will also be his first time at a Champions League game.
Ahead of Chelsea hosting Salzburg, Potter’s first media duty on Tuesday with the two-time European champion included being asked if he ever attended a game in the marquee competition.
For someone with little experience in soccer, American businessman Todd Boehly sure has made some big calls in his first 100 days as the face of Chelsea’s new ownership.
His first major decision really raised eyebrows: Boehly, Chelsea announced early in the offseason, would not just be the club’s new chairman but also its interim sporting director in charge of recruitment.
Chelsea’s new American owners took a gamble with the first managerial appointment of their tenure, hiring Graham Potter from Premier League rival Brighton on Thursday despite his lack of experience coaching at soccer’s highest level.
GENEVA (AP) — A long-time criticism of the Champions League group stage? Too many lopsided mismatches as the wealth gap between clubs fuels competitive imbalance on the field.
Tell that to favored Liverpool and Eintracht Frankfurt after their heavy losses Wednesday.
Chelsea's new American owners are proving to be just as ruthless as the man they replaced.
Thomas Tuchel was fired by the English club on Wednesday, only one month into the season and just days after Chelsea's recently installed ownership — fronted by Los Angeles Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly — concluded a Europe-high spending spree of nearly $300 million in the transfer window.
NEW YORK (AP) — In the eyes of U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter, Chelsea’s decision to fire manager Thomas Tuchel could benefit American star Christian Pulisic.
LONDON (AP) — It might be time for Liverpool to start worrying about its slow start to the English Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp’s team dropped points for the fourth time in six games after an eventful 0-0 draw at Everton in the Merseyside derby on Saturday, with Mohamed Salah hitting the post in stoppage time.
LONDON (AP) — Substitute Ben Chilwell scored one goal and set up the winner for Kai Havertz as Chelsea rallied for a 2-1 win over West Ham in the English Premier League on Saturday, although the Blues had a disputed VAR decision to thank for the victory.
LONDON (AP) — Chelsea signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona before the summer transfer window closed Thursday, giving manager Thomas Tuchel a new striker a season after they couldn’t make it work with Romelu Lukaku.
NEW YORK (AP) — With Christian Pulisic stuck on Chelsea’s bench this season, U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter predicts his biggest star will get back into the English club’s starting lineup.
“I’m a guy that bets on Christian just because I’ve seen it before,” Berhalter said Wednesday after an event to promote Nike’s World Cup jersey launch on Sept.
Chelsea is getting precious little return for being the biggest-spending team in Europe this summer.
And it's not escaping the attention of Thomas Tuchel, either.
“It does not take a lot to beat us,” the Chelsea manager said after a 2-1 loss at Southampton in the Premier League on Tuesday.
SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) — Chelsea squandered a lead to lose 2-1 at Southampton and continue its inconsistent start to the Premier League season on Tuesday.
Goals by Romeo Lavia and Adam Armstrong saw Southampton recover from going behind to a 23rd-minute strike from Raheem Sterling, who now has three goals since his move from Manchester City and has been one of Chelsea's few successes this season.
LONDON (AP) — Raheem Sterling’s first goals for Chelsea gave the 10-man Blues a 2-1 victory over winless Leicester in the English Premier League on Saturday.
Sterling’s second half double proved decisive at Stamford Bridge as the hosts overcame the early sending off of England midfielder Conor Gallagher.
LONDON (AP) — Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel will not be in the dugout against Leicester in the English Premier League on Saturday after failing in his appeal against a one-game touchline ban for a post-match scuffle with Tottenham counterpart Antonio Conte.
LONDON (AP) — Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel was charged by the English Football Association on Monday after saying he would prefer that a certain referee did not officiate games involving the team.
LONDON (AP) — Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has been fined 35,000 pounds ($41,000) and given a one-match touchline ban over his scuffle with Tottenham counterpart Antonio Conte after Sunday's Premier League derby.
LONDON (AP) — Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte were charged on Monday by the Football Association with improper behavior for their post-match scuffle at Stamford Bridge following the feisty 2-2 draw between Chelsea and Tottenham in the Premier League.
Call it the Battle of the Bridge, Part 2.
This time, Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte were the main protagonists in the latest feisty match between Chelsea and Tottenham that ended in a 2-2 draw because of a goal deep into stoppage time from Harry Kane.
LONDON (AP) — Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel were both sent off after clashing following the final whistle of a feisty 2-2 draw between Chelsea and Tottenham featuring an equalizer in the sixth minute of stoppage time by Spurs striker Harry Kane on Sunday.
LONDON (AP) — Raheem Sterling is aiming to become more of a leader and a direct attacking threat at Chelsea after leaving Manchester City in search for more playing time.
Chelsea may need both of those attributes on Sunday when it hosts Tottenham in the season’s first meeting between two of the “Big Six” teams.
LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Jorginho’s late first-half penalty was enough to give Chelsea a 1-0 victory over Everton in the English Premier League on Saturday for the London club's first win at Goodison Park in five visits.
LONDON (AP) — Prospective new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly saw third place effectively secured with a 1-1 draw with Leicester in the Premier League on Thursday.
Marcos Alonso’s fine volley from Reece James’ diagonal cross recovered the point for Chelsea in the 34th minute after the wingback's failure to track back had allowed James Maddison to fire Leicester in front from 18 yards (meters).
A look at what’s happening in European soccer on Thursday:
ENGLAND
Before the final round on Sunday, the Premier League has three games on tap that had been postponed earlier in the season.
LONDON (AP) — Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku was in damage control on the eve of their FA Cup final against Liverpool.
Lukaku moved to shut down suggestions that he’s trying to go over manager Thomas Tuchel’s head to seek talks with the club’s prospective new owner.
A look at what’s happening in European soccer on Saturday:
ENGLAND
The next step in Liverpool’s quest for an unlikely quadruple of trophies is the FA Cup final against Chelsea. Jürgen Klopp’s side is looking to repeat the League Cup final triumph over the same London club in February.
A look at what’s happening in European soccer on Wednesday:
ENGLAND
Manchester City can move in front of Liverpool again in the Premier League title race when it visits Wolverhampton. City, the defending champions, are tied on points with Liverpool but have a game in hand.
LONDON (AP) — Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has insisted there is “zero problem” between him and Christian Pulisic after recent comments made by the United States forward's father.
Mark Pulisic expressed disappointment after Chelsea's 1-0 loss to Everton on Sunday, when his son played 22 minutes as a second-half substitute.
LONDON (AP) — Antonio Rudiger has told Chelsea that he will be leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the season, manager Thomas Tuchel said Sunday.
“He informed me some days ago in a personal talk,” Tuchel said of Rudiger.
From no chance to almost impossible.
Thomas Tuchel’s stance on Chelsea’s hopes of advancing to the Champions League semifinals might be softening, if only slightly.
“It is very unlikely that we make it,” Tuchel said Monday, “but it’s worth trying.”
SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) — Chelsea consigned Southampton to its latest humiliating defeat in the Premier League, with the 6-0 thrashing on Saturday proving good shooting practice ahead of a must-win Champions League in midweek.
MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti tested negative for the coronavirus early Wednesday, allowing him to fly to London to be with the team for the Champions League match against Chelsea.
LONDON (AP) — Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel believes the potential absence of rival manager Carlo Ancelotti for the Champions League match against Real Madrid on Wednesday would hand his team a slight edge going into the quarterfinals.
A look at what’s happening in European soccer on Wednesday:
LILLE vs. CHELSEA (0-2)
Turmoil is engulfing Chelsea as it tries to protect the two-goal lead against Lille to extend its Champions League title defense into the quarterfinals.
LONDON (AP) — Kai Havertz’s late finish sealed a nervy 1-0 win for Chelsea over resurgent Newcastle on Sunday, providing a rare distraction from the uncertainty surrounding the club's future.
The Germany forward superbly brought down Jorginho’s lofted pass before slotting home, to cut through an otherwise stodgy affair and hand the Blues a fifth successive Premier League win.
PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain's glitzy offseason recruitment drive was hailed as the best in European soccer and designed to lead PSG to Champions League glory.
But it backfired completely as goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma's error against Real Madrid on Wednesday night led to another capitulation in soccer's elite competition.
LONDON (AP) — Chelsea could rely on Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz for goals with misfiring Romelu Lukaku rested.
The London club resumed its Champions League title defense by cruising to a 2-0 victory over Lille on Tuesday to take control of the round of 16 matchup heading into next month’s second leg.
A lack of confidence. Injuries to his main chance creators. Tiredness. Defensive opponents.
Romelu Lukaku’s struggles at Chelsea this season can be put down to a whole host of potential factors.
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Chelsea extended Europe's domination of the Club World Cup by beating Palmeiras 2-1 after extra time on Saturday to win the intercontinental title for the first time.
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Chelsea will get another chance to win the Club World Cup for the first time after beating Al Hilal 1-0 on Wednesday to set up a meeting with Palmeiras in the final.
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — South American champions Palmeiras reached the final of the Club World Cup by defeating African winners Al Ahly 2-0 on Tuesday.
Raphael Veiga and Dudu scored for the Brazilian club, which will play for the title on Saturday against the winner of Wednesday's semifinal between Champions League winner Chelsea and Asian champion Al Hilal.
LONDON (AP) — A pre-match virtual team talk might not be the last time Chelsea's players get instructions from absent manager Thomas Tuchel in their semifinal match at the Club World Cup on Wednesday.
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Champions League winner Chelsea will play Asian champion Al Hilal in the semifinals of the Club World Cup.
The London club discovered Wednesday's opponent after flying into Abu Dhabi where Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal beat UAE champion Al Jazira 6-1 on Sunday.
LONDON (AP) — Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel tested positive for the coronavirus, preventing him from attending Saturday's FA Cup match against Plymouth and putting doubts on whether he can go to Abu Dhabi for the Club World Cup.
LONDON (AP) — A superb strike from Hakim Ziyech and Thiago Silva’s headed goal gave Chelsea a 2-0 win over Tottenham to end a four-match winless run in the Premier League on Sunday.
Silva helped to protect parity before scoring, falling under a foul from Harry Kane in the first half to see the Tottenham striker's goal ruled out.