Kurt Zouma reveals why Chelsea find it easy playing against top teams and struggle against weak teams

Kurt Zouma has made a damning admission Chelsea struggle get themselves up for matches if they are not playing against the top sides.

In their last Premier League match of the year, Chelsea pulled off an incredible four-minute turnaround as Tammy Abraham scored a dramatic late winner in the London derby, beating their hosts Arsenal 2-1.

Zouma has been a regular in Frank Lampard’s side which are pushing for a top four finish this season despite a transfer ban stopping them signing any new players.

But the London club’s attempts to seal a return to the Champions League are being knocked by them slipping up against some of the weakest sides in the Premier League, report The Sun.

Over the past month Chelsea have suffered embarrassing home defeats to West Ham, Bournemouth and Southampton – as well as being thrashed at Everton.

All four clubs are embroiled in a relegation battle and have struggled to win games this season.

And defender Zouma has admitted the fault lays at the failure of the Chelsea players to get motivated to take on anyone other than the big clubs.

The 25-year-old told French TV station Canal+: “For the big matches, the motivation is already there… for the other matches at home, maybe we are less motivated.”

Chelsea score two late goals to comeback to beat Arsenal (Match Report)

Two late goals in the space of four minutes gave Chelsea a 2-1 comeback victory at Arsenal in Mikel Arteta’s first home match in charge of the Gunners.

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave the hosts a 13th-minute lead when he headed in after Calum Chambers had flicked on Mesut Ozil’s corner.

Substitute Joe Willock fired just wide after being set up by Aubameyang before Jorginho equalised from close range on 83 minutes after goalkeeper Bernd Leno missed the ball as he attempted to punch clear Willian’s free-kick.

Chelsea went ahead on 87 minutes, Willian breaking into the box and cutting the ball back for Tammy Abraham to fire the ball under Leno.

Victory keeps Chelsea fourth on 35 points while Arsenal drop to 12th on 24 points.

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HALF-TIME REPORT: Liverpool 1-0 Wolves… Sadio Mane makes difference

Sadio Mane’s 42nd minute goal is the difference at the break at Anfield, with corrolary VAR controversies.

Mane put the ball in the net after Adam Lallana guided the ball into his path, with referee Anthony Taylor believing it came off the Liverpool midfielder’s arm.

The VAR, however, confirmed that the ball did, in fact, come off Adam Lallana’s shoulder and that Sadio Mane was onside when he received the ball before rifling into the back of the net.

Wolves manager Nuno picked up a yellow card for his reaction to the decision on the touchline after Wolves hit back just on the stroke of half-time. Pedro Neto was left free at the back post to sweep home, giving Alisson absolutely no chance.

But the goal chalked off by VAR. The VAR checks and replays show that Jonny was marginally offside before crossing for Pedro Neto to score.

Photo Credit: Twitter @premierleague.com

Chelsea fans rally support for Callum Hudson-Odoi after dismal display, flag off campaign

Chelsea fans have started a #WeSupportCHO campaign to rally support for Callum Hudson-Odoi after the winger was trolled for his display in the defeat to Southampton.

A section of the Blues fanbase demanded that the England star be sold after he gave the ball away for the Saints’ opener in the 2-0 loss.

The game at Stamford Bridge was the 19-year-old’s first start since October, having made a fast recovery from a torn Achilles tendon in April.

Manager Frank Lampard said: “I thought he put in a lot of effort. He was trying things and making runs.

“It wasn’t quite coming off for him in the first half, and overall in fact.

“He’s coming off the back of a big injury and this is certainly a period where we have to stick with him through that.”

However, The Sun report, the harsh criticism from some Chelsea fans after the game has seemed to dent Hudson-Odoi’s confidence as he searches for a return to form.

And according to the Athletic, he is aware of the online abuse he has been receiving and has been seeking reassurances from teammates.

But dedicated fan website the Chelsea Echo has since launched the ‘WeSupportCHO’ hashtag as a show of support for the club starlet.

One tweeted: “CHO will be a success story. He has the right people in his corner. He’s a 19 yr old boy thats a football phenom.

“He’s going through a tough spell but he will get over it! Frank already came out and said that he has faith in CHO and will keep displaying it! #WeSupportCHO.”

Another said: “He’s so young and as a Chelsea fan we must have the responsibility to support him and hopefully he sees the good side of the fanbase.”

A third added: “#WeSupportCHO is a nice idea.. but I think it should go much wider than that to…#WeSupportPlayersBecauseWeAreSupporters.

“The constant player abuse on here is one of the most draining and irritating blights to modern football. Are these ppl really fans?”

West Ham fire Manuel Pellegrini, set to appoint former Manchester United boss

West Ham have sacked Manuel Pellegrini as manager after a series of poor results.

The Hammers were beaten at home after Kelechi Iheanacho and Demarai Gray handed visiting Leicester City 2-1 victory to add to the miseries of the Chilean.

The club said in a statemet that: “West Ham United can confirm that Manuel Pellegrini has left the club with immediate effect.

“Joint-Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold, along with the Board and everyone at West Ham United, would like to place on record their thanks to Manuel for his service over the past 18 months.

Mr Sullivan said: “It is with great disappointment that we’ve had to make this decision. Manuel is a gentleman and it has been a real pleasure to work with someone of his calibre.

“However, it has become clear that that a change is required to get the Club back on track in line with our ambitions this season. We felt it was necessary to act now in order to give the new manager as much time as possible to try and achieve that goal.”

According to SkySports, Former Manchester United boss David Moyes has been contacted by the Hammers to succeed Pellegrini.

Moyes saved the Hammers from relegation during the 2017-18 campaign before being replaced by Pellegrini after his short-term deal expired at the end of that season – but London Stadium chiefs are readying themselves to re-appoint the Scot, who has been out of work since leaving east London.

Photo Credit: premierleague.com