LONDON:
Chelsea squandered numerous chances to beat Liverpool as they held the struggling Blues to a 0-0 draw on Tuesday in their first Premier League game since then. Graham Potter’s dismissed.
The Potter was sacked on Sunday after the former Brighton man’s poor reign in the home defeat against Aston Villa.
Chelsea are looking for their third permanent manager of the competition, with Potter hired in September following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel.
Meanwhile, Bruno Saltor, a member of the Potter’s back room, made his first official appearance. of Chelsea interim manager.
Bruno was able to force a lively game from Chelsea, but – as always under the Potter – they paid the price for the lack of danger.
Chelsea remain in 11th, leaving them with an uncertain future despite the huge investment in new signings made by Chelsea manager Todd Boehly since he took charge last year.
“These are emotional days and the players have been able to focus. It’s been a difficult season for them. To come back to what we had a few days ago is amazing,” said Bruno.
“I have told the players to play with their hearts and I think we saw that on the pitch. We create chances and I think we deserve to win.”
Liverpool it didn’t look much better as a third league game without a win damaged their faint hopes of finishing in the top four.
Eighth-placed Liverpool are seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham in the race to qualify for the Champions League.
“I saw a lot of big challenges, people flying into tackles and that’s what we need,” said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
“That’s what we have to build on, if things aren’t going well you have to fight this and take steps, sometimes small, sometimes big.
In response to Liverpool’s 4-1 defeat at Manchester City on Saturday, Klopp dropped Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold as the Reds boss made six changes.
Chelsea made the stronger start of the two attacking teams and Mateo Kovacic’s shot was blocked on the line by Ibrahima Konate.
Reece James saw his superb finish disallowed for offside against Enzo Fernandez, but Wesley Fofana narrowly missed the target with a header.
Chelsea’s Kai Havertz drew a good chance from N’Golo Kante’s pass.
Darwin Nunez and Joe Gomez forced good saves from Kepa Arrizabalaga as Liverpool threatened before half-time.
Kovacic had a glorious chance just after the break, but Havertz’s effort was disallowed for the ball as the German beat Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker and rebounded into the net. from his hand.
Leicester’s first game since the departure of Brendan Rodgers on Sunday resulted in a 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa at the King Power Stadium.
The Foxes, led by interim managers Mike Stowell and Adam Sadler after Rodgers left by “mutual agreement”, are now seven league games without a win and sit in the bottom two of the table.
Ollie Watkins put Villa ahead on 24 minutes and although Harvey Barnes equalized after 35 minutes, Leicester’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was sent off in the 70th minute for the second book.
Bertrand Traore’s 87th minute curler, his first goal for Villa since 2021, piled on the misery for Leicester.
Leeds climbed out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 win against struggling Nottingham Forest at Elland Road.
Orel Mangala scored his first goal in English football to fire Forest ahead.
But Jack Harrison equalized eight minutes later in a close finish when Keylor Navas palmed away Marc Roca’s shot.
Luis Sinisterra put Leeds ahead at the first break, cutting inside and curling his shot into the far corner.
Leeds are two points off the drop zone, while Forest are outside the bottom three on goal difference.
Third-bottom Bournemouth remain in deep trouble after losing 2-0 at home to Brighton.
Albion took the lead in the 28th minute through young forward Evan Ferguson’s heel, with Julio Enciso’s first goal for the club wrapping up the points in injury time.
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