LONDON: Brazilian defender Thiago Silva has announced he will leave Chelsea at the end of the season after four years at the English Premier League (EPL) club, but hopes to return in a different role.
The 39-year-old joined Chelsea from Paris St Germain on a free transfer in August 2020 and made 151 appearances as he won the Champions League, Club World Cup and Super Cup.
“Chelsea means a lot to me. I came here with the intention of just one year and it ended up being four years,” said Silva.
“I think, everything I did here for four years, I always gave my best.
“Unfortunately, everything has a beginning, middle and end. It doesn’t mean this is the end. I hope to leave with an open door so that in the future I can return, even in a different role.
“Goodbye is for those who leave and never return. I intend to return one day.”
LONDON: Liverpool got back on track after a miserable week as a 3-1 win at Fulham revived their Premier League title challenge while Nottingham Forest hit out at the officials during a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Everton earlier this morning.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were knocked out in the Europa League quarter-finals by Atalanta early Friday morning after suffering a league defeat at home to Crystal Palace last weekend.
The Reds’ desire to give Klopp a wonderful parting gift was somewhat subtle but they roared back into the championship race with a much-needed first win in three league games.
Liverpool are now second, behind leaders Arsenal on goal difference and one point ahead of third-placed Manchester City, who have played one game less than their two rivals.
Next up for Liverpool is a clash of local rivals at Everton early this Thursday morning, while Arsenal host Chelsea the day before and City travel to Brighton early Friday morning.
“Fulham usually cause us problems so it was a good performance at the right time,” said Klopp.
“We want to stay in contention, that’s clear. Arsenal won yesterday, Manchester City will win the remaining one game, so we have to win games and that’s what we’ll try to do.”
Klopp’s side have struggled in recent weeks and he dropped Mohamed Salah to the bench in one of five changes he made.
Trent Alexander-Arnold put Liverpool ahead in the 32nd minute with a stunning free-kick that curled into the corner of the net.
Fulham defender Timothy Castagne equalized from close range after Liverpool failed to clear the ball from the penalty area in first-half stoppage time.
Ryan Gravenberch restored Liverpool’s lead in the 53rd minute with a powerful shot from the corner of the penalty area for his first league goal.
Diogo Jota completed the win in the 72nd minute, curling a clinical finish into the top corner.
Everton took a big step towards continuing their 70-year run in the English top flight with a controversial win over Forest.
Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil scored to keep The Toffees five points above the relegation zone.
Forest remain just one point above the relegation zone and were disappointed to be denied three powerful penalty appeals.
The club’s official account on media site X questioned the integrity of the Premier League by claiming the VAR official was a fan of the club struggling with relegation Luton.
“We warned PGMOL (the governing body of referees) VAR was a Luton fan before the game but they ignored it,” Forest said in a statement.
“Our patience has been tested several times. The NFFC will consider all available options.”
Aston Villa strengthened their chances of playing in next season’s Champions League after a 3-1 win over Bournemouth.
Unai Emery’s men bounced back through goals from Morgan Rogers, Moussa Diaby and Leon Bailey after Dominic Solanke had put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot.
BARCELONA: Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique said his players were strong enough to overcome Barcelona in the European Champions League quarter-final rematch.
Spanish champions Barcelona won 3-2 in Paris in the first leg last week, and PSG will need to overcome a deficit at the Olympic Stadium tomorrow to advance to the semi-finals.
“PSG have never bounced back from losing the first game, but tomorrow is the day.
“After losing such an important match, the days after are very difficult.
“It’s very difficult to recover mentally, but the good thing about football is that you have another game against the same opponent.
“We are sure of what we are going to do and I think we are quite prepared,” said Enrique.
Barcelona, under Enrique, thrashed PSG 6-1 in 2017 to overturn a 4-0 deficit in the first leg of the last 16.
PSG will return to strengthen Achraf Hakimi after the Moroccan player was unable to play in the first match due to suspension.
LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur brightened their chances of qualifying for the Champions League after winning 3-1 at home earlier this morning over Nottingham Forest who are trying to avoid relegation while climbing to fourth place in the Premier League.
Second-half goals from Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro, after Forest striker Chris Wood had saved Murillo’s own goal in the first half, saw Spurs seize the opportunity after their challengers Aston Villa and Manchester United suffered losses this weekend.
Tottenham’s win kept them tied with Villa on 60 points but played one match less and left United behind on 49 points after they drew 2-2 with Liverpool.
Spurs coach Ange Postecoglou however told reporters it was “not so much about fighting for the top four places, what I care about is how this team develops.”
Tottenham took the lead after 15 minutes when Brazil’s Murillo, who a few minutes earlier had almost scored a stunning goal from inside his own area, dabbled in Timo Werner’s cross into his own goal.
Spurs were free and a second goal seemed inevitable until Forest equalized against the grain in the 27th minute with Wood’s fourth goal in four games.
Forest felt Spurs should have gone down to 10 men just before the break if James Maddison appeared to have tackled Ryan Yates during an off-the-ball incident but VAR was reluctant to intervene.
“I’m surprised VAR didn’t tell (referee) Simon (Hooper) to check it again because to be honest, Maddison lost his mind and he had a blow to the stomach.”
The defeat left Forest in 17th with 25 points from 32 games, ahead of third-placed Luton Town only on points difference.
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool fans criticized the Premier League’s decision to appoint Anthony Taylor as referee for the match against Manchester United.
Three weeks after losing 4-3 in extra time in the FA Cup, the league leaders will travel to Old Trafford once again looking to strengthen their bid for a first Premier League title in four years.
Liverpool have been in hot form all season and currently lead the league with a 19-point lead over United, who were lucky to draw at Brentford on Saturday.
With United desperate to try to prevent Liverpool from winning their 21st and record-high league title, the visit to Old Trafford is the toughest remaining fixture for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
United won 2-1 at Old Trafford last season and tied Liverpool at Anfield in December.
Some Liverpool supporters believe Taylor’s appointment will make their job even more difficult, considering the 45-year-old referee is from Greater Manchester.
Taylor was born in Wythenshawe, south of Manchester, which also gave birth to Marcus Rashford, Cole Palmer and Tyson Fury.
However, the last time Taylor refereed a match between United and Liverpool, Klopp’s men crushed their rivals 5-0 at Old Trafford in October 2021.
This season Taylor refereed Liverpool’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and the 2-2 draw at Brighton in October when he awarded the Reds a penalty.
Taylor also awarded Liverpool two penalties in their 4-2 win over Newcastle at Anfield on New Year’s Day, but sent off a red card to the Reds in their 3-1 defeat to Arsenal in February.
He took part in refereeing United’s 3-1 defeat at the Emirates in September and their 2-0 win at Wigan in the FA Cup in January.
Taylor refereed Manchester City and Arsenal’s match at the Etihad which ended 0-0 and was the official of the fourth match when Newcastle hosted visiting Everton last night.