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The Colorado Rapids are expected to appoint Tottenham Hotspur assistant Matt Wells as their next head coach, according to a report from The Athletic. Wells, 37, would be stepping into his first senior managerial role and would become one of the youngest head coaches in MLS when he arrives ahead of the 2026 season.

AFPA diverse coaching background

Wells is currently part of Thomas Frank’s staff at Spurs and previously worked under Ange Postecoglou, where he took on significant responsibility during training sessions and match preparation.

Before returning to North London, Wells served as an assistant to Scott Parker at Fulham, Bournemouth and Club Brugge – a stretch that included promotions and European experience. He also began his coaching career in Tottenham’s academy, where he coached the club’s Under-18 side.

reports that Colorado has been encouraged by Wells’ background and potential, believing he fits the club’s desire for a cohesive approach between coaching and recruitment as it looks to elevate a young core.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWhy the Rapids targeted him

The Rapids interviewed a wide range of candidates, both domestically and abroad, before settling on Wells, according to the report. The club places an emphasis on alignment between the head coach and roster construction, and Wells has been involved in early offseason planning.

The squad includes several foundational pieces, led by U.S. international Paxten Aaronson, along with goalkeeper Zack Steffen, Rob Holding, Cole Bassett, Sam Vines, and Reggie Cannon.

Brazilian forward Rafael Navarro – who has 27 goals and 10 assists over the last two seasons – could still depart this winter after Colorado rejected a significant bid from Fluminense in the summer. A move would open a Designated Player slot for the club.

How this impacts Spurs…

Colorado and Arsenal share ownership through Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, yet the Rapids appear set to appoint an assistant from Tottenham, one of Arsenal’s rivals. The club previously interviewed former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere during a past coaching search.

If Wells departs, it would mark the first notable change to Thomas Frank’s coaching staff since his arrival at Spurs. Wells is the only assistant from Postecoglou’s staff who remained in place and is viewed internally as a sharp tactical mind with inventive training methods.

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What comes next?

According to , Wells has long been seen as a young coach ready for his own project. A move to MLS would offer that opportunity, while signaling Colorado’s continued push toward a modern, aligned football identity under a first-time head coach.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAssociated Press

Mahmudullah, sublimely poised while chaos roiled around him, hoisted an Isuru Udana ball over the square leg boundary when six runs were required off the last two balls, propelling Bangladesh to victory in scintillating fashion. It is difficult to overstate the importance of his innings, though the numbers – 43 off 18 balls – bear witness to its quality. Incensed by several mistakes from his team-mates, maintaining his focus even through an ugly final over in which a Bangladesh sub was given a shove by a Sri Lanka player and Shakib Al Hasan seemed intent on bringing his batsmen off the field, Mahmudullah completed the chase of 160 with No. 10 batsman Rubel Hossain at the other end.A year’s worth of nerves and acrimony was packed into the final over. Tension between these teams had been high throughout the tournament, owing partly to the “nagin” [cobra] dance that they had mockingly traded with each other, a childish saga that had begun during Sri Lanka’s tour of Bangladesh. But it was upon the umpires’ failure to call the second delivery of that over a no-ball for height (it was the second bouncer of the over, the first having been a dot ball to Mustafizur Rahman), that the drama really sparked off. Mahmudullah was in the umpires’ faces, imploring them to award a no-ball that would make the requirement 11 off five balls with a free-hit to boot, instead of 12 off 4. Mustafizur, meanwhile, was run out attempting a bye at the other end.While Mahmudullah was arguing with the umpires, a fracas had boiled over elsewhere. A Bangladesh substitute who had come on to the field with drinks had become embroiled in an argument with the Sri Lanka players. It was when one of the Sri Lanka fielders gave the sub a push – not an almighty shove, but not a gentle prod either – that the Bangladesh dressing room became truly incensed. In a flash, Shakib came down the stairs and to the boundary, where after after speaking animatedly with the fourth umpire, he summoned Mahmudullah and Rubel off the field.In the end, after things had seemed to settle slightly, Mahmudullah carved a four over cover the first ball after resumption, then hit two to deep midwicket and gloriously lifted that leg-side six, with Udana having overpitched. His euphoric team-mates charged the field to embrace him, dusted off a group version of the nagin dance, and were celebrating when another unseemly altercation ensued. This time Kusal Mendis was yelling at the Bangladesh players and gesturing animatedly, while Tamim Iqbal put an arm around his shoulder and attempted to calm him down. In a month in which player behaviour has been under the microscope, all this made for especially disagreeable viewing.Celebrations in the Bangladesh dressing room in Colombo went a little down the wrong direction•Andrew Fernando/ESPNcricinfo

It was a pity that the theatrics marred what was otherwise an incredibly riveting game: a T20 that had had a top-order collapse, a stirring recovery, wonderful bowling, baffling dismissals, and a myriad dramatic moments even before that denouement. This was a match in which Bangladesh had justifiably installed two slips to Thisara Perera in the ninth over of Sri Lanka’s innings, after the hosts had found themselves 41 for 5, the collapse engineered by Mustafizur, Shakib and Mehedi, with a run-out thrown into the mix. Kusal Perera was the only top order batsman to survive this mayhem, and together with Thisara, forged a courageous 97-run stand that yanked a side on the brink of being annihilated, to a respectable score.Beautifully did the Pereras dovetail, Thisara laying low and digging in early in their association, while Kusal struck vital, boundaries to keep run rate above water. His scorching cut off Mahmudullah in the 10th over produced the first boundary in 25 deliveries. After two more fours off Rubel Hossain, Kusal took a mighty gamble – he attacked Mustafizur who had taken two wickets and conceded only four runs in his first two overs. That over – the 13th of the innings – would yield 18 runs, and energy would re-enter the Sri Lanka batting effort. Boundaries began to be found regularly, and twos were desperately run in between – the pair forever flirting with another run out, but just escaping. Thanks largely to the Pereras, Sri Lanka managed 69 off the last six overs – their 159 for 7 just about a par score on a slower deck.Akila Dananjaya made two breakthroughs in the Powerplay, to have the chase wobbling at 33 for 2 in the fourth over, but Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal combined for 64 runs off 52 balls, and ensured the chase stayed on track – Tamim hitting an important 50 off 42 balls. Bangladesh’s senior batsmen perhaps banked on being able to score quickly towards the end of the match, because one of Sri Lanka’s frontline bowlers – Nuwan Pradeep – sustained a game-ending leg injury in the field, after he had delivered only one over.Associated Press

Mushfiqur was out to Aponso in the 13th over, the bowler playing an imaginary snake-charmer’s flute in celebration, which was perhaps the only piece of real wit throughout the exchange between the two teams. When Tamim was out next over, and Soumya Sarkar soon after that, Bangladesh were in a little discomfort, with 51 still required off 31 balls, and only five wickets in hand.Mahmudullah eased himself into this innings. His first boundary came via a misfield at long-on in the 16th over. His next was a six down the ground off Jeevan Mendis, to bring the equation to 31 required off 21 – very gettable, so long as this senior pair saw them home. Shakib, however, would hole out to long leg with two overs to go, off a leg side half-volley, leaving Mahmudullah visibly angry.He would be even more irate at Mehidy Hasan at the end of the penultimate over, after Mehedi failed to dive at the end of a risky run, and was found to be short of his ground. As important as his nerveless boundary hitting was Mahmudullah’s running between the wickets, and his ability to place his shots between fielders. His innings contained six twos and a three, as well as four singles. He failed to score off only one dot ball. In purely cricketing terms, this was an outstanding T20 finish. His innings only glows brighter for having come amid such rancour.

Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke has been a long-time transfer target for West Ham this summer and a significant update has now emerged.

How old is Dominic Solanke?

The former Liverpool striker is still only 25 years of age and has matured into an important player for Bournemouth, helping them get back into the Premier League after scoring 29 goals in the Championship in 2021/22.

Last season, Solanke did a solid job back in the top flight, netting six times and registering seven assists, and he has also bagged one of each in his first two league outings of the current campaign, with his goal coming against West Ham.

The Englishman has been continually linked with a summer move to the Hammers, as they eye up attacking additions, having replaced Declan Rice with Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse in midfield, and there should still be money left over for further reinforcements higher up the pitch.

Now, a new claim has emerged that suggests the east Londoners are pushing hard to secure the signing of one of their primary summer transfer targets.

Will West Ham sign Dominic Solanke?

According to Football Insider, West Ham have now submitted an offer for Solanke, as they look to seal a significant piece of transfer business:

"West Ham have submitted a formal bid for Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke, sources have told Football Insider. The offer is believed to be around the £35-40m mark with the London club waiting on a response from their Premier League counterparts.

"Bournemouth also have concrete interest in Solanke from another top-flight English club in the market for a centre-forward. It leaves the future of the England international, 25, up in the air in the final ten days of the summer transfer window."

This is an exciting update from a West Ham perspective, with Solanke now a proven Premier League striker who has the attributes to be a real handful leading the line. In many ways, he is like a younger version of Michail Antonio, possessing his physical power and pace, as well as an eye for goal that has become more ruthless as he has matured as a footballer.

At 25, there is still so much time for the ex-Liverpool man to further improve as a player, perfecting his all-round game, and he could be the ideal competition or replacement for Antonio, allowing David Moyes to rotate his squad more effectively across three different competitions.

Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…

Former managers clearly think highly of Solanke as a player, with Gary O'Neil lauding his importance to the cause for Bournemouth last season, saying:

"Dom works his socks off for me and you can see he comes off and we’ve not created loads of chances for him and he’s put in a load of work. People that maybe don’t know, could underestimate how big Dom is for this group. Absolutely massive. I couldn’t ask for a better number nine to go and face the challenges that we’re faced with."

Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp described him as "fantastic" during their time together at Liverpool, so West Ham could have a gem on their hands if they can get a deal over the line.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are considering a shock summer swoop to sign Nice goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel as a new report reveals the club's concerns over the long-term future of Jose Sa.

How old is Kasper Schmeichel?

Schmeichel is 36 years of age having been on the scene now for almost two decades. He spent 11 years of his career in the Premier League with Leicester City, but eventually he left the King Power Stadium in August 2022 to join Francesco Farioli's side at the Allianz Riviera.

The Denmark international firmly established himself as their official number one following his arrival having started 36 out of the 38 games in Ligue 1 during his debut season, and despite still having another two years remaining on his contract, the shot-stopper has been attracting interest once again in England.

Nottingham Forest are believed to have identified the 6 foot 2 colossus as a suitable alternative to Manchester United’s Dean Henderson should they not be able to secure his services, though if the following update is to be believed, a new competitor has entered the running in the form of Gary O’Neil at Molineux.

Are Wolves signing Kasper Schmeichel?

According to TEAMtalk, Wolves are "considering a move" for Schmeichel before the end of summer transfer window.

The Old Gold feel that they could be "forced to lose" Sa as a result of needing to balance the books to help with their financial worries, and Nice's goalkeeper is one that Fosun are "keeping tabs" on because they view him as a "ready-made replacment" for their current first choice.

The Premier League's former star is thinking about a return to England, so this could be one to keep a close eye on in the final weeks of the market.

How many clean sheets has Kasper Schmeichel kept?

In Ligue 1 last season, Schmeichel kept 11 clean sheets from 36 games, so even though he’s not getting any younger, he’s still performing at an extremely high level, therefore it’s no surprise that Wolves are contemplating a swoop for the experienced man between the sticks.

Sponsored by New Balance, the shot-stopper also recorded 105 saves from 141 shots on target against, giving him a success rate of 77.3%, via FBRef, which was significantly higher than Sa’s 67.1%, showing that he’d be an upgrade on O’Neil’s current number one.

Nice’s £65k-per-week earner additionally has a strong range of passing having completed 100% of his short passes and 97.4% of his medium attempts last term, showing that he clearly has an eye for picking out balls to his outfield teammates, so for someone who is this well-rounded in terms of being equally strong with his hands and his feet, he's the perfect target for club chiefs to be pursuing.

Finally, Schmeichel, who has been dubbed a goalkeeping “legend” by journalist Josh Bunting, possesses a winning mentality having won five pieces of silverware since the start of his career, so could help to create a positive mindset should he put pen to paper in the Midlands.

The Australia batsman says the level of on-field hostility could be brutal as Australia search for every possible advantage against England in the series

Daniel Brettig in Adelaide30-Nov-2017A ruthless Australia will keep pressing for every possible advantage over England by maintaining a level of on-field hostility that Pete Handscomb has no qualms in describing as “brutal”.The targeting of Jonny Bairstow with reminders of his ill-advised headbutt of Cameron Bancroft in a Perth bar on the first night of England’s tour has now passed into Ashes folklore, and Handscomb rated it among the “smartest” use of verbals he had seen in the game. It was Handscomb who instigated the attack on Bairstow at a pivotal moment of the Gabba Test, by asking whether he had headbutted Bancroft, before others, including David Warner, joined in.”I was just asking him a question, just wanted to get the facts before anything happened,” Handscomb said with a grin on Thursday. “We’ve just got to play it by ear and see what happens. It’s a bit of a spur of the moment thing. It’s how we’re feeling depending on what’s happening in the game and you’ve got to try and pick your right moments.”As far as sledging goes it was probably some of the smartest stuff we’ve ever come up with. Generally it’s just what the Aussie way is, it’s pretty brutal … but no, it was good to see that worked. It’s a part of the game. It has been for a long time and it will continue to be. If we can keep being smart with our sledges then if it opens up a weakness we’ll be pretty happy with it.”During Shield cricket we come pretty hard at each other even though we are team-mates in the Australian team. It’s something we’re used to and something we do, but we know it’s on the field. Once it’s off the field, relaxed, do whatever, but we’re trying our hardest to win games for this country and if that’s going to give us a slight edge, well we’re going to do it.”Australia have made no secret of deliberately targeting Bairstow as a potential point of English weakness, something that they also did when he was included in the team as wicketkeeper in place of Matt Prior in 2013-14. Handscomb emphasised that attempts to distract opponents from their own plans and zones of concentration would continue to be effective, provided they were allied, as was the case in Brisbane, with disciplined and sustained efforts with the ball and in the field.”It doesn’t work that often, I wouldn’t have thought,” Handscomb said when asked how often he had seen an episode of sledging reap the sorts of rewards seen in Brisbane. “It’s generally good bowling or good catching that gets guys out. But if you can get that 1% edge over an opposition, you’d be silly not to.”Getty ImagesPersonified by the prickly James Anderson, England have also been known to sledge liberally in the past, and he said the tourists were expecting more of the same in Adelaide. “It’s something I’ve always enjoyed. When someone is trying to get under my skin in all walks of life it makes me more determined to succeed,” Anderson said. “So from a personal point of view that excites me and will drive me on to do the best I can with bat and ball. From our point of view we know what they are going to come up with – they will go hard at us and we knew that from day one.”They were fairly quiet for the first few days when we were doing well. It was only on the fourth day when they became more vocal, now they are 1-0 up they are going to keep coming at us. But it is up to us individually and as a group to stick together and know that we are not just here to roll over.”For Handscomb, the verbals are likely to be turned against him provided Anderson can again find a way to pin him on the crease for an lbw, as was the case in the first innings in Brisbane. Nevertheless, Handscomb is committed to maintaining his unorthodox approach – backing himself to make plenty of runs despite opening himself up to more bowled and lbw dismissals than most.”I have batted deep in my crease for three years, I am not really that concerned. I batted deep last year and managed to hit balls on the stumps and made lots of runs,” Handscomb said. “Kyle Abbott was pretty good, Kagiso Rabada, good players, I am not concerned obviously I have got my plans, I just need to hit the ball, it’s as simple as that.”I knew way before [that England would attack his stumps], I know I get out lbw and bowled, that’s why I have tried to change a few things with my technique, that’s part of it, bat deep and all that to give myself more time, I knew the plans well before [Brisbane].”Confidence abounds in Australia’s squad after the Brisbane result, but vastly different conditions likely to be offered up by the historic day-night Ashes Test gave Handscomb reason to be cautious about what is about to unfold. “We are not looking too far ahead, we understand if we come out and play the game we want to, control our controllables, we come away with a 2-0 lead here,” Handscomb said.”I suppose complacency can set in, but that’s something we are obviously going to not try and do. We understand we have had a good game in Brisbane, but that’s gone now it’s completely different conditions as well, being a day-night test, pink ball, but we have got to make sure we do things right by our own team and play our own game.”

Erik ten Hag has "totally misjudged" the calibre of players he needs at Manchester United as his signings have not been good enough, an agent says.

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• United underwhelming in Premier League
• Ten Hag's signings lack qualities
• Red Devils may strengthen in January

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Despite a promising first season at Old Trafford, Ten Hag's team have underwhelmed this term as they sit eighth in the Premier League and have crashed out of Europe after finishing bottom of their Champions League. According to an unnamed agent, the coach's signings have hindered his side's progress.

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• Getty
  

  WHAT WAS SAID

  The anonymous agent told : "Erik totally misjudged the qualities needed to play in the Premier League. I rate him as a coach but if he had an experienced sports director alongside him, like he had with Marc Overmars at Ajax, then he wouldn’t need to worry so much about the recruitment side of things. You have Pep [Guardiola] and Txiki [Begiristain] at [Manchester] City, at United you have Erik and ?”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  United splashed out of the likes of Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana and Mason Mount in the summer, while Sofyan Amrabat joined on loan from Fiorentina. However, the new additions have not been able to lift the Red Devils to another level. Now that Sir Jim Ratcliffe's partial takeover has been agreed, United fans will hope that a more cohesive transfer strategy will be put in place and result in better signings in the January transfer window.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR UNITED?

  Ten Hag will be eager to bring in new faces to strengthen his team over the course of this month. Before any new deals will be confirmed, however, his Red Devils will take on Wigan in the FA Cup third round on Monday.

Arsenal star Lia Walti has defended Lauren James after her stamp during the WSL derby led to vile abuse being directed at the Chelsea forward.

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• James had apparently stamped Walti
• Faced severe online flak for the incident
• Walti came out in defence of England international

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Chelsea forward found herself in the eye of controversy after she dragged her boot down the midfielder's shin and onto Walti's foot during their league defeat to the Gunners last weekend. Chelsea coach, Emma Hayes, immediately took her off after she was warned by the referee as it was clear that the frustration was getting the better of her with the Blues being outplayed by their opponents.

  In the aftermath of the defeat, James had to face several online abuse and Hayes even claimed that the forward was "racially profiled," by both fans and "the media."

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• WHAT LIA WALTI SAID

  The Swiss international came out in defence of her colleague and wrote on X: "I initially didn't want to say anything, but I can't look away. I absolutely can't stand any sort of abuse – online abuse and any other sort of discrimination are disgusting. No one gets better by putting others down!!!"

• Getty/GOAL
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  James has been in incredible form this campaign and earned the Women's Super League (WSL) Player of the Month award for November. In the current season, she stands as the joint-second top scorer in the league, netting six goals in eight matches. With significant contributions to both Chelsea and the national team, James has become an indispensable figure. But the online abuse has impacted her and Hayes drew parallels between James' situation and David Beckham's experience in 1998 when he faced criticism for a red card against Argentina in the World Cup, for kicking Diego Simeone, which dearly cost the Three Lions.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  James' mental health has suffered due to the barrage of online trolling and it remains to be seen if Hayes puts her in the starting XI Hacken in the Champions League on Thursday. A bit of rest should do her good and could return to action this weekend against Bristol City on Sunday.

Sri Lanka fast bowler Shaminda Eranga’s bowling action has been cleared and he can resume bowling in international cricket. Eranga underwent a reassessment of his action at the ICC accredited testing centre in Chennai with the conclusion that the amount of elbow extension in his standard deliveries was within the 15-degree level allowed by the ICC.Eranga’s bowling action was found illegal in June last year after it was reported following the second Test in England. His action was assessed in Loughborough on June 6 when it was found illegal.Incidentally, he was suspended from bowling in international cricket on the same day as he was hospitalised for experiencing an elevated heartbeat.Eranga had played the third Test against England after his action was reported and the subsequent two ODIs against Ireland in June. He has not played any competitive cricket since then.

Former Queensland wicketkeeper Wade Seccombe has been appointed as the state’s new coach after his predecessor Phil Jaques last month announced he was returning to New South Wales

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Jun-2017

Former Queensland wicketkeeper Wade Seccombe has been appointed as the state’s new coach after his predecessor Phil Jaques last month announced he was returning to New South Wales.Seccombe played 115 first-class matches until his retirement in 2005 and was Queensland’s all-time leader for wicketkeeping dismissals across all formats until overtaken last summer by Chris Hartley. He also toured England with Australia’s Ashes squad in 2001 as the backup gloveman to Adam Gilchrist.Since his retirement as a player, Seccombe has served as Queensland Youth coach, as an assistant coach to Darren Lehmann at Queensland and the Brisbane Heat, and was called into national service as Australia’s fielding coach on their 2011 tour of Bangladesh. Last year, Seccombe was appointed to the Queensland Cricket board, a position from which he has stepped down to take on the coaching role.”Wade had an enviable record and gilt-edged reputation as a player, for his skill level as an individual and his dedication to the team environment,” Queensland Cricket CEO Max Walters said. “After his playing career finished, he made the decision to establish himself in business where again, he has been successful.”Phil Jaques and his coaching and support staff have put in a significant amount of work to lay the foundations for the future and I am sure the players will appreciate that effort when Wade takes on the role as head coach in a few weeks.”

The Blues had been cruising before their calamitous 'keeper gifted the Gunners a way back in and ultimately cost his side all three points

Mauricio Pochettino will be absolutely fuming. Chelsea, in what was undoubtedly their best performance of the season so far, were flying against Arsenal, winning the individual battles all over the pitch. Step forward Robert Sanchez.

Eyebrows were raised when the Blues first bought the Spanish goalkeeper from Brighton to potentially be their number one, and his complete lapse in concentration here has cost his side big time. His lazy pass was picked off by Declan Rice and gave the Gunners a way back into a game they hadn't been in for 77 minutes.

Indeed, Cole Palmer – who looks a hell of signing – got the hosts off to the perfect start before a fortuitous Mykhailo Mudryk cross-shot put Chelsea in dreamland. It all started to fall apart after Sanchez's stupid error, however, with Leandro Trossard further spoiling the night with the late equaliser. Plenty of positives for the Blues, no doubt, but that'll be a sore one tonight.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Stamford Bridge…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Robert Sanchez (3/10):

Raya was having his own nightmare at the other end but that didn't stop Sanchez trying to go one better. After gliding through a game that saw Arsenal fail to have a shot on target until the 77th minute, he gifted Arteta's side a way back into the game with a howler of a pass straight to Rice, who was left with an empty net. Crazy.

Malo Gusto (5/10):

Might've done better when he linked up with Sterling late on in the first half but smashed his shot harmlessly over the bar. Was dealing well with the considerable threat of Martinelli although fell asleep at the far post to allow Trossard in for the equaliser.

Thiago Silva (7/10):

Floored Martinelli midway through the first half with a lunging challenge that left his compatriot limping away licking his wounds. That one moment epitomised a no-nonsense display that proves why Pochettino still relies on him, even at 39.

Levi Colwill (6/10):

A commanding presence in the air, he looks so much more at home at centre-back and produced a solid display here, alongside the dominant Thiago Silva, to ensure Jesus never got a look in. You certainly can't blame him for either goal.

Marc Cucurella (7/10):

He won his individual battle with an unusually subdued Saka, and not many full-backs have been able to say that this season. He's not a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge, but with more aggressive and dominant performances like that, he'll be back in the Shed End's good books in no time.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Enzo Fernandez (8/10):

Another polished and assured performance that saw him, and Caicedo, dominate the midfield battle for the majority of the game. Fernandez oozed class once again here, while he showed Sterling who's boss when he made the final call on who should take the penalty. He's one of the Premier League's best, already.

Moises Caicedo (7/10):

He might've found life tough when he first joined Chelsea but he's starting to show the sort of form we saw at Brighton that prompted Pochettino to pay such a huge fee to sign him. Worked superbly well in tandem with Fernandez and doubled up with Gusto to help keep the dangerous Martinelli at bay.

Getty ImagesAttack

Raheem Sterling (7/10):

Played a huge role in the controversial penalty call as his whipped cross led to Mudryk's header being blocked by Saliba's arm. Then tried to wrestle the ball from Palmer to take the spot-kick himself, only for Fernandez to intervene. Ignoring that unnecessary altercation, he looks such a threat on that right wing and clearly hasn't let his absence from the England squad affect him too much.

Cole Palmer (8/10):

Chelsea have a new hero! Bagged his second goal in as many games with a calm penalty stroked effortlessly past Raya and nearly added another with a smart snapshot that fizzed just wide. He's quickly becoming a vital cog in Pochettino's rebuild and was arguably the best player on the pitch here.

Conor Gallagher (6/10):

Busy, energetic, tenacious… what Gallagher performance isn't? Will claim the assist for Mudryk's goal, albeit he only touched it into his team-mate's path. He's clearly a Pochettino favourite and it's not hard to see why.

Mykhailo Mudryk (7/10):

Earned the penalty as his header smacked off Saliba's hand before embarrassing Raya with a looping cross that ended up in the Arsenal goalkeeper's net. He might not have meant it but moments like that will further help convince him that he belongs at this level.

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Nicolas Jackson (5/10):

Came on for Mudryk in the 66th minute but had little impact.

Reece James (5/10):

A welcome return – his first appearance since August – after a start to the season hugely disrupted by injury. Chelsea fans will be hoping their club captain can now stay fit for a prolonged spell.

Noni Madueke (4/10):

Let Saka cut inside him far too easily as he was allowed to cross for Trossard's equaliser. It was a lapse that ultimately contributed to costing his side all three points.

Mauricio Pochettino (7/10):

Right up until the last 15 minutes or so, this was undoubtedly Chelsea's best performance of the season. Pochettino got his line-up, and false-nine tactics, spot on and Arsenal didn't have an answer, all over the pitch. It all fell apart at the end, but you can't blame the manager. The improvement from the start of the season is clear to see.