The Premier League has confirmed the match officials for Chelsea’s home game with Brentford on Sunday
The Premier League have confirmed that Peter Bankes will officiate Sunday’s meeting between Chelsea and Brentford at Stamford Bridge. The Blues host their West London rivals at 7pm on Sunday, with the game kicking off in the evening after Chelsea's 16-hour round trip to Kazakhstan.
The Blues were in UEFA Europa Conference League action against Astana on Thursday and faced a longer flight time due to the plane not being able to take a direct route as it could not fly over conflict zones in Ukraine, Russia and Syria. Given the extended nature of an already-long away trip, the Premier League agreed to push the London derby back from the usual slot of 2pm on Sunday.
Bankes has taken charge of 10 Chelsea games in his career, with the Blues winning six, drawing three and losing once. He has been in charge of Brentford 19 times, with the Bees picking up seven victories, seven draws and five loses in those fixtures. This season, he has taken charge of eight Premier League fixtures. He has produced an average of four yellow cards per game and given just over 18 fouls per 90 minutes.
He was in charge for Chelsea’s 4-2 win over Brighton and Hove Albion at the end of September, awarding a 28th-minute penalty to Enzo Maresca’s side. The spot-kick was converted by Cole Palmer. Sunday’s match will be the first time he has officiated a Brentford game this season. Ian Hussin and Nick Greenhalgh will be his assistants while Rob Jones is the fourth official. Matt Donohue will be the VAR with Dan Robathan his assistant.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said ahead of the game: “I like to convince myself and the players that the only way to fight for something or compete for something is to be focused on the day-to-day. If you start to think one month, two months, three months ahead, it’s the beginning of a bad time. The good thing is I like to think day by day. This is not something I say because I have to say it, I really think it's the way to improve myself and also my players. Just focus on what we can do better in terms of our training session or improving players and the team. Then at what moment can we think of something different? I don't know.”
Brentford boss Thomas Frank also spoke ahead of the weekend: “I expect an interesting game with two good teams. They are maybe the best team in the Premier League right now. They are maybe even more in-form than Liverpool, even though they are top of the league. They are playing incredible football and are well-coached. [Enzo] Maresca has done a top job so far with his coaching staff and they look extremely dangerous. They have so many threats going forward and have top-quality players all over the pitch. I expect an unbelievably difficult game. They are massive favourites but, of course, we believe that we can compete against anyone and we believe we can win."
Mourinho breaks silence on Portugal links amid Fenerbahce uncertaintyJose Mourinho has reacted to speculation over the Portugal job but stopped short of committing his future to current club Fenerbahce.Mourinho said: "Yes, I can deny that I had any meeting with the Portuguese Football Federation. I am a loyal person."Arsenal and Chelsea tracking Newcastle's GordonBoth Arsenal and Chelsea are repor...
The Blues have revealed their new home kit for next season with a brilliant video on social media.Cole Palmer ate his favourite jam sandwichThe club's new kit keeps the traditional blue shirt and shorts with white socks.The shirt and shorts have neat detailing on the body with a white collar.But it was the video that took centre stage as it featured star player Cole Palmer eating his favourite jam...
Paris St Germain boss Luis Enrique has confirmed his star man Ousmane Dembele is fit for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Arsenal.Enrique had been sweating over the availability of Dembele for Wednesday’s fixture at the Parc des Princes.Dembele scored the only goal of the opening leg at the Emirates a week ago before he was withdrawn in the second half with a hamst...
Luis Enrique has warned Mikel Arteta he is ready to land his fourth Premier League scalp of this season’s Champions League ahead of Arsenal’s semi-final showdown against Paris St Germain.PSG saw off Manchester City in the group stages before beating Liverpool on penalties in the last 16, and then knocking out Aston Villa in the quarter-finals.Arsenal secured a statement 2-0 win against...
Jude Bellingham is confident Real Madrid can overturn a 3-0 first-leg Champions League deficit against Arsenal on Wednesday to book their place in the last four.Real were left stunned by the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium last week after Declan Rice scored two outstanding free-kicks to leave Carlo Ancelotti’s side with a mountainous task.But 15-time European champions Real have produced som...
Paris St Germain boss Luis Enrique admitted his side would not be intimidated by a hostile atmosphere at Aston Villa as they looked to finish the job in their Champions League quarter-final.The Ligue 1 champions travel to Birmingham with a 3-1 advantage from last week’s first leg in Paris and are heavy favourites to progress to the last four.But they will face a sterner test on Tuesday as th...
Arsenal forward Alessia Russo has silverware in her sights as she prepares to take on Real Madrid in the first Champions League quarter-final of her career.The in-form England international is the second highest scorer in the Women’s Super League this season with 10 goals and has also registered five times in Europe.Arsenal – the only English club to have won the Champions League, foll...
Paris St Germain head coach Luis Enrique believes the team which prevails in their last-16 tie against Liverpool at Anfield will be Champions League finalists.PSG trail 1-0 from their first leg despite a dominant display at the Parc des Princes but the former Barcelona boss is confident they can turn things around on Tuesday.“The most important game is the one which comes next and I hope it ...
Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor believes her side will be “desperate” to earn a good result in their midweek Women’s Super League clash with Leicester at Kingsmeadow.The Blues dropped points for only the second time in the league this season after Lauren James’ second-half equaliser rescued a point in a 2-2 draw with Brighton at the weekend.The defending champions mainta...
Carlo Ancelotti says Real Madrid will appeal to reduce the length of Jude Bellingham’s ban following his sending off against Osasuna.The England international was shown a straight red card for foul and abusive language during a 1-1 draw last Saturday and received a two-match suspension.The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has already rejected an appeal to reverse the ban, but Ancelotti sai...
- 1 We will see – no Unai Emery assurances over future of tearful Emiliano Martinez
- 2 Mikel Arteta ready to give his life to deliver silverware for Arsenal
- 3 Chelsea beat Manchester United in FA Cup final to seal domestic treble
- 4 Mikel Arteta apologises for failing to deliver Arsenal a Premier League title
- 5 Liverpool cleared to complete signing
- 6 Marc Guehi to land transfer to Real or Barca
- 7 Real Madrid agree deal for Dean Huijsen
- 8 Dele Alli’s girlfriend Cindy sets pulses racing in barely
- 9 Man City withdraw and Liverpool could steal
- 10 3 EPL giants have advantage in Osimhen race