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ByNizaar KinsellaFootball Reporter21 April 2026 23:12 BST309 commentsUpdated 32 mins agoChelsea’s head coach Liam Rosenior described his team’s performance as “indefensible”, “unacceptable”, and “indefensible”. This was a worrying performance, and a further drop in performance, given that Chelsea didn’t mount a shot at goal until the forty-fifth minute, and were error prone defensively. Chelsea’s five-game run without a goal is their worst since 1912. Rosenior said, “It was unacceptable from every angle, unacceptable with our attitude.” I keep coming out to defend the players. “That performance tonight is indefensible. The way we conceded the goals, the number of duels we lost, and the lack of energy in the team. Something drastic needs to happen right now. “I believe the players should also take a good look at themselves. You can talk about the basics, but tactics are after that. You can talk about tactics, but you should first learn the basics. This was a poor performance tonight. It was in front of influential coowner Behdad eghbali, and the club’s sports directors on the South Coast, where Rosenior started his coaching career. The Englishman’s future in the dugout will be questioned, and he has one last chance to save his season in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds at Wembley. Chelsea’s Champions League dreams are in tatters, seven points behind the fifth-placed Liverpool and having played one more game. There are questions over whether the head coach, players or fans are on the right page. Rosenior’s remarkable interviews – the best quotes “I don’t think there’s any disconnect between me and the team. “We work closely with them during training, individual meetings and team meeting. We give everything to the players. “There’s a lack in spirit and lack of belief which can create this perception. I cannot argue with this at the moment, because the run that we’re on and the performance that was also unacceptable. “I’m emotional and it’s only a few days after the game, but that performance was unacceptable. We lost 80% duels and did not win a single head-to-head. “Tonight wasn’t [about] tactics. I didn’t see enough courage, spirit, or desire tonight. “It’s accountability. I have defended players when it was the right thing to do, but I cannot defend this performance. It doesn’t reflect the football club or anything I ask of the group. This has to change. “I feel numb I’m so angry. Immediately, something must change. The professionalism was lacking”We need a look in the mirror. I need to look at myself in the mirror. Three or four players were lacking in the general attitude, spirit and determination. This is not enough for this team. “Whether you play at this elite club or any other football club, being accused of throwing in the towel is unacceptable. All I have to say is that. I’m hurting. “We’ll do all we can to turn things around. We need to make the best decisions for the team before a big game on Sunday. “How bad is it for Chelsea?Image source, Getty ImagesChelsea have lost five successive league games without scoring for the first time since November 1912Their overall five-game losing streak is their longest in the Premier League since November 1993 Across each team’s past nine games in the Premier League, only Tottenham (2) have won fewer points than Chelsea’s fiveChelsea have just one win from their past nine matchesThe Blues are now without a clean sheet in any of their past 12 Premier League games – it is only the second time the Blues have had as long a run in the competition.Chelsea’s xG in the first half against Brighton (0.04) was lower than they had in any of Enzo Maresca’s 114 halves of Premier League football as Chelsea boss. This was also the longest time they had gone before taking their first shot in a Premier League match this season (41st minutes).Only West Ham (15), have conceded more [embedded content]What information do we collect from this quiz?For much of the match, supporters directed their frustration towards the hierarchy, while also chanting for former owner Roman Abramovich.Such song have been a recurring feature of Chelsea’s away support over the past 18 months and are increasingly being heard at Stamford Bridge.However, this was the first occasion on which Rosenior himself became the target of supporter anger, amid a growing sense that a sixth managerial change under the Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly ownership group may be approaching.Chelsea’s stance has been that they will back Rosenior into next season with the intention to reserve judgement until the end of the next campaign.The hierarchy increasingly accept they have made multiple managerial mistakes and are searching for stability.In a rare interview earlier this month, influential co-owner Eghbali said: “I think we’re behind Liam. It’s a business of results, but we believe he can succeed long-term. “However, the situation has worsened and the fans have turned against Rosenior, making it more difficult to make the decision to keep Rosenior rather than make As head coach and manager, the buck ends with me. I am a tough guy and I can understand the fans’ feelings. “I’m frustrated by the performances we’re putting on and I need to keep working with the staff and players. I need to look at the way we play games, who we select, and who I can rely on in difficult situations, because today, not enough players showed me that. “‘Painful and ‘disgusting,’ what you saidSteve: Will Rosenior make it to the end? If they lose the FA Cup to Leeds at the weekend, they might be gone sooner. Stuart, London: Bring an interim manager in, the season is done. Cannot see this Chelsea side beating Leeds at the weekends.June, Northern Ireland, Has that taxi arrived for Rosenior.Trevor, Essex, Disgusting! Wearing a World Champions badge in gold! A blue Peter badge is too good for them right now! Tim, Penzance : This is painful as a Chelsea supporter. No Chelsea player is showing any hunger on the pitch. Clearlake needs to go, this is worse than in the 80’s.Related TopicsChelseaPremier LeagueFootballMore about

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Brighton beat Chelsea and heap more pressure RoseniorThis is not available in the location you selected. There was an errorBrighton heap even more pressure on Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior with a 3-0 win. Goals from Ferdikadioglu (pictured), Jack Hinshelwood, and Danny Welbeck were enough to secure victory. Premier League36 minutes agoShare this pageAbout sharing

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Image source: Getty Images21 Apr 2026, 18 05 BST111 CommentsUpdated in 12 minutesEngland and Real Madrid player Jude Bellingham bought a 1.2% share of cricket team Birmingham Phoenix. The Edgbaston based side was one of eight Hundred franchises that were put up for sale. American investment group Knighthead Capital Management who own Bellingham’s former club Birmingham City bought a 49.9% stake for PS40m. Warwickshire retains their 51% stake. Bellingham has taken 0.6% from each side, meaning Warwickshire will still have 50.4% control. The deal, worth around PS1m, is expected to be confirmed on Wednesday. Bellingham, 22, played junior cricket in Worcestershire for Hagley Cricket Club. Asked last year who he would like to swap places with in a sportsperson, he replied England Test Captain Ben Stokes. Legendary NFL quarterback Brady also belongs to the Knighthead group.

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Image source: Getty ImagesByDale JohnsonFootball Issues Correspondent59 minutes ago395 CommentsChampionship Clubs have rejected the chance to introduce a video assistant referee (VAR) system for next season. Football Video Support (FVS), a variant of VAR that requires fewer resources and allows each coach to review two games per game, could’ve been brought in by August. Goal Line Technology will remain in the second tier. A cost-based study will be conducted before a vote is held in June on whether to extend it to League One. In recent months several managers have called for the introduction of VAR. Norwich manager Philippe Clement stated that there are “moments when I miss VAR in order to get the right decision” after his team conceded a penalty against Ipswich this month. Former Bristol City manager Gerhard Struber stated in January that there are “many indications, evaluations, and the decisions with VAR are better and fairer”. VAR is currently used in the second divisions of Spain, Italy, and Germany. The TV rights deal collapsed and it was scrapped for financial reasons. Slot claims VAR has been against Liverpool – Is he correct?6 days agoWe’ve complied with the financial rules – West Brom13 AprWhat is Football Video Support (FVS?) Football Video Support (FVS), has been tested for two years. It is designed for leagues with fewer cameras and officials. There is no VAR. Instead, a replay operator shows the match referee the camera angles on the pitchside monitor. The manager keeps the challenge if it is successful. Mark Bullingham, Football Association chief executive, said earlier this year that FVS “reduces the amount of times when there is a VAR intervention and effectively puts onus on the coach”. The referee only went to the monitor twice in the last two rounds in the Premier League. With FVS, that number could increase to four times a game – or even more if a manager’s challenge is upheld. Pacific FC and Supra du Quebec had a 2-2 score in injury time after the referee let a tackle from the home team’s Joshua Belluz go unpunished. Supra du Quebec challenged the straight red card for Belluz. It was not a foul that warranted a red card, but the referee needed to take the appropriate disciplinary action once he saw the monitor. Belluz received a yellow card, and as he had already been cautioned, he was dismissed. Supra du Quebec had lost their challenge but they used it tactfully to get a player dismissed. Then, they scored the winning goal during the extra time that was caused by the review. Related topicsChampionshipFootball