Chelsea’s Struggles Continue as Blues Blow Leads and Miss Chances

Chelsea’s nightmare run of form since Christmas shows no signs of improving, as the Blues once again squandered a lead and exited the FA Cup at the hands of Brighton. This defeat marks the fifth time since Christmas that Chelsea have taken the lead in a game only to drop points, with Fulham, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Manchester City, and now Brighton all benefiting from the Blues’ inability to close out matches. Despite Brighton’s defensive instability—they shipped seven goals the previous weekend and lost their captain Lewis Dunk at halftime—Chelsea could only muster one shot on target throughout the entire game.

The match was a stark contrast to the last encounter between these two sides in September, when Chelsea put on a show, scoring four goals in a thrilling display. On that occasion, Cole Palmer was the hero, netting all four goals and cementing his place as one of the Premier League’s most exciting young talents. However, this time around, Palmer was virtually anonymous, failing to make an impact as Brighton nullified his threat. Similarly, Christopher Nkunku, Chelsea’s high-profile summer signing, struggled to influence the game, managing just 33 touches—the second-lowest among Chelsea’s starters—and failing to register a single shot on goal.

With key players misfiring and the team struggling to create chances, Chelsea’s scoring woes show no signs of abating. Even the potential return of Nicolas Jackson for the upcoming trip to Brighton on Valentine’s Day offers little hope, as the young striker has now gone eight games without finding the back of the net. As the Blues continue to drop points and exit cup competitions, the question on everyone’s lips is: How do they escape this rut? The answer, for now, remains unclear.

Manchester City Survive FA Cup Scare but Lose New Signing to Injury

Manchester City navigated a potentially tricky FA Cup tie against Leyton Orient, advancing to the fifth round with a 2-1 victory. However, the win came at a cost, as City’s new £50m signing, Nico Gonzalez, limped off the pitch just 22 minutes into his debut. The young midfielder, signed as a potential long-term replacement for Rodri, appeared to suffer a hip or lower back injury and was unable to continue, leaving Pep Guardiola to sweat on the severity of the setback.

Before his premature exit, Gonzalez endured a baptism by fire in English football. He was caught in possession early on, leading to a stunning strike from Leyton Orient’s Jamie Donley, who fired a speculative effort from just inside the halfway line to give the non-league side a shock lead. Guardiola later admitted that the challenge had given Gonzalez a stark introduction to the physicality and intensity of English football. "I think Nico understood immediately what the Premier League is and what the referees are like," the City boss remarked. "I don’t know how hard the shot was, but he couldn’t continue."

Despite the early scare, City responded well, demonstrate the resilience and quality that has become a hallmark of Guardiola’s side. However, the loss of Gonzalez for any significant period will be a blow, particularly as Rodri continues his gradual return from injury. With a packed schedule on the horizon, City will hope their new signing can recover quickly and adapt to the demands of English football.

Patrick Dorgu Shines on Manchester United Debut but Room for Improvement Remains

In a lackluster first-half performance from Manchester United against Leicester City in the FA Cup, Patrick Dorgu emerged as the rare bright spot. The £30m signing from Lecce made his debut at Old Trafford, albeit in an unfamiliar right wing-back role, and showed glimpses of the quality that prompted United to invest in his potential. Deployed out of position, Dorgu linked up nicely with Amad Diallo on the right flank, raiding forward with enthusiasm and energy, though he struggled to find the telling pass when it mattered most.

United boss Ruben Amorim explained the tactical reasoning behind Dorgu’s unconventional deployment, highlighting the benefits of having a left-footed player on the right side to create different angles and connections in attack. While Dorgu’s debut was largely positive, Amorim also noted that the young winger had been "a little bit anxious" in possession, a natural teething issue as he adapts to the faster pace and higher stakes of Premier League football. Substituted at halftime, Dorgu will have plenty of opportunities to refine his game and become a key contributor for United.

Despite Dorgu’s promising debut, United’s performance as a whole was far from convincing. The Red Devils relied on a mix of luck and resilience to overcome Leicester, and Amorim was quick to acknowledge the room for improvement. However, with Dorgu’s arrival adding fresh energy to the squad, there is hope that United can build on this narrow victory and push for a strong second half to the season.

Newcastle United edge closer to ending 70-year trophy drought

Newcastle United’s quest for silverware continues to gain momentum, as Eddie Howe’s side battled past Birmingham City in the FA Cup fourth round. Just days after booking their place in the Carabao Cup final, the Magpies demonstrated their depth and resilience by overcoming a tough test against the League One leaders. Newcastle made nine changes to their starting lineup but still showed enough character to recover from a nightmare start, conceding inside the opening 40 seconds before ultimately securing a hard-fought victory.

Callum Wilson, one of the few regular starters to feature, proved decisive, netting Newcastle’s second goal and celebrating with Bruno Guimaraes. However, the evening was not without its concerns, as defender Dan Burn hobbled off with an injury. Howe expressed his frustration at the growing list of absentees, admitting that the last thing Newcastle need is another setback as they chase a historic double. With the Carabao Cup final on the horizon and the FA Cup still within their grasp, the Magpies are on the brink of ending a 70-year wait for major domestic silverware.

For a club that has endured decades of heartache and near misses, the next few months could be nothing short of historic. Howe’s side has already proven their credentials as one of the most consistent and resourceful teams in the country, and with a bit of luck and a clean bill of health, there is no reason why this season cannot be remembered as one of the greatest in Newcastle’s history. The Toon Army will be holding their breath as their team takes the next steps on this unprecedented journey.