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Chelsea stepped up their Premier League title challenge with a gritty 2-0 win against struggling Burnley on Saturday.

Pedro Neto put the Blues ahead just before the interval at Turf Moor and Enzo Fernandez netted in the closing stages.

Enzo Maresca’s side climb to second place and sit three points behind leaders Arsenal, who host Tottenham on Sunday.

The Blues have won eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions, making it a memorable 50th Premier League game in charge for Maresca.

It was the ideal warm-up for Chelsea ahead of a crucial week featuring home games against Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday and Arsenal in the Premier League on November 30.

The west Londoners would drop back down to third place if Manchester City avoid defeat against Newcastle later on Saturday, but regardless of that result, their hard-fought victory in freezing Lancashire added to their title momentum.

Fourth-bottom Burnley have now lost five of their last seven league matches.

Chelsea were without Cole Palmer after the England forward extended his prolonged injury absence by fracturing his toe after stubbing it into a door.

Palmer had been set to resume training this week after two months out with a groin problem.

Adding to Maresca’s issues, fatigued Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo was left on the bench after arriving back from international duty on Thursday.

Maresca had complained about Chelsea being given the early Saturday kick-off again.

His mood wasn’t improved in the fifth minute when Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez accidently booted the ball into Fernandez’s head, a miscue that left the Argentine midfielder needing a brief concussion check.

Fernandez was able to play on and despite that painful interlude, Chelsea eventually took control.

READ ALSO: Palmer To Miss Three More Chelsea Games After Toe Break

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Neto’s effort from the edge of the area deflected wide before Jamie Gittens lashed over from a tight angle.

Kyle Walker bailed out Burnley on his 400th Premier League appearance with a last-ditch block to stop Gittens tapping in Neto’s cross.

Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah was fortunate not to concede a farcical penalty when the defender used his hand to stop Sanchez’s pass inside his own area before returning the ball to the ‘ keeper.

Sanchez appeared not to have restarted play, instead letting Chalobah take the goal-kick so Burnley’s hopes of a penalty were dashed.

Maresca’s men made the most of that let-off to take the lead with a well-crafted goal in the 37th minute.

Marc Cucurella showed a deft touch to control a high ball into the Burnley area before passing back to Gittens.

Lofting a pin-point cross to the far post, Gittens picked out Neto and he delivered with a superb diving header into the far corner.

Neto’s fourth goal this season was almost followed by another for Chelsea as Liam Delap’s drive forced a save from Martin Dubravka.

Gittens ‘ deflected strike flashed just wide early in the second half.

Neto, picked out by Fernandez’s pass, was inches away from doubling Chelsea’s lead as his fierce blast cannoned into the near post.

Unmarked inside the Chelsea area, Zian Flemming wasted Burnley’s best opportunity to snatch an equaliser with a wild shot that cleared the bar.

But Fernandez put the result beyond doubt in the 88th minute, capping a flowing move with a clinical close-range finish from Marc Guiu’s pass.

Manager Ruben Amorim announced on Friday that Benjamin Sesko will be out of action “for a few weeks” because he injured his knee before the international break.

The Slovenian international, who moved to United from RB Leipzig for £74 million ($97 million) in August, was injured in the team’s 2-2 draw at Tottenham on November 8 and did not make the World Cup qualifying squad.

Amorim initially said the knee-related issue was “more concerning,” but the United boss is confident that the 22-year-old has avoided a protracted layoff.

At his pre-game press conference on Monday, Amorim stated, “He is going to stay out for a few weeks, I don’t know how long, but it is not that serious.”

He will recover, he is making a recovery, and he is feeling better, according to the statement, “We have to be careful with him.” So I’m hoping to have Ben (Sesko) in a few weeks.

Sesko will start playing for Morocco’s Lessair Mazraoui, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Amad Diallo, who will travel to the Africa Cup of Nations, which will start in Morocco on December 21. Amorim predicted Sesko would arrive around the same time.

When their release date will be discussed.

“We are doing our job, but it’s not just in our hands,” Amorim said.

“We must respect that, but we will make every effort to defend the club, the player, and the national team.”

As he approached the anniversary of his first game as United manager, which was against Ipswich on November 24, last year, the Portuguese was asked how he felt.

He said, “I already knew that we will struggle with some things.” However, it was the impression that “it’s the best league in the world.”

It’s “perhaps the world’s best club.” But it’s also a big job that will demand a lot of effort.

After a difficult 2024/25 season, when United finished 15th in the Premier League, Amorim claimed United were making progress.

We had a lot of pain last year, so we must take that into account and play every game like the last or the first one, he said.

“But of course, if you ask me, I want a team that has more control, more dominance, better football, and, most importantly, more competitive in every way,” I say.

After the Spurs drew with Harry Maguire, United will also be without the defender.

Kobbie Mainoo could start for David Moyes’ side, and Lisandro Martinez is preparing to make another comeback after spending time with the Argentina camp.

Despite drawing their previous two games against Tottenham and Nottingham Forest, United are seventh in the Premier League and have won five of their last five games.

After fracturing a toe, Chelsea and England’s Cole Palmer will miss two Premier League games and their Champions League clash with Barcelona next week, according to coach Enzo Maresca.

Palmer, 23, who had just returned from two months of a groin injury, was alleged to have suffered the injury at home.

He allegedly smacked his toe on a nighttime door.

Palmer will miss Saturday’s trip to Burnley, Tuesday’s home game against Barcelona, and Arsenal’s Premier League opener against the top team next weekend.

READ MORE: Guardiola Says “Season Starts Now” As Man City Hunt Arsenal

Maresca predicted that “he is probably not available for tomorrow, Barcelona, or Arsenal.”

He hit his toe at home, which was unfortunate, but it is unimportant, and he won’t be returning in the following week.

Palmer will play for England in the World Cup squad the following year after scoring twice in the club world championship final against Paris Saint-Germain in July.

As Manchester City search for an answer to Arsenal’s top Premier League title, Pep Guardiola said on Friday that the “real season begins now.”

Prior to the recent international break, City thumped champions Liverpool 3-0 after Arsenal lost at Sunderland to earn a point with a draw of 2-2. City then closed the gap on the Gunners to four points.

Prior to his side’s Saturday game against Newcastle, Guardiola was questioned about the significance of a potential reversal in momentum.

The City manager stressed that it was crucial to not allow an “impeccable” Arsenal to grow to a leadership position while also advising that the season was still young.

When we used to battle so hard against Liverpool, I once believed that we wouldn’t lose many points and that it would be difficult to catch up,” he said.

He claimed that Liverpool last season had a similar outcome, winning the league with four games left.

INCLUDE   Chebbak, beaten by Hakimi, and Ajibade to the 2025 CAF Awards

Nothing will be decided in November, according to Guardiola, who has six Premier League titles won with City.

He said there are two seasons during which the transfer window is closed in the summer and the international break is completed.

We will be (together) until March, and we will see each other every three days or four days after the international break is over. The actual season begins now.

The key is to be present, to be close, and then to arrive at the end of the season with a chance to fight for it, she said.

That is the goal, and we must succeed in the future, of course. ”

The defeat of Eddie Howe’s struggling Newcastle would leave City one point behind Arsenal, who play Tottenham in London the following day.

For the visit to St James’ Park, Guardiola will miss Mateo Kovacic and Rodri.

Kova and Rodri are the only ones who are in good health, he claimed. Rodriguez is making progress, and his most recent setback was almost three weeks away.

He is aware that it will take time for him to recover physically, mentally, and psychologically, and remain consistent until the end. ”

In the final of the intercontinental playoffs for the 2026 World Cup, the Leopards of DR Congo face Jamaica/New Caledonia.

On Sunday, DR Congo’s victory over the Super Eagles of Nigeria secured their playoff ticket.

Due to their superior ranking, Coach Sebastien Desabre’s men were chosen by the draw on Thursday in Zurich, Switzerland.

In the World Cup final between Jamaica and New Caledonia, they will face off against the winner.

There won’t be any return matches during the intercontinental playoffs, which will take place in Mexico in March 2025.

Curacao Also Makes History As The Smallest Nation to Qualify for the World Cup

As Africa’s 10th representative for an expanded 48-team World Cup, they will join the party in the US, Canada, and Mexico with a victory in that match.

Only two tickets are available for purchase, despite the fact that there will be six competing teams.

Your World Cup 26 Play-Off Tournament matchups!

Where are the two heading? pic. https://twitter.com/f/cyxcvFjnT

Inter-confederation Play-off Games for the World Cup 2026

Following Thursday’s draw in Zurich, the inter-confederation play-off results are as follows:

Semi-finals

Jamaica vs. New Caledonia

Bolivia vs. Suriname

Finals

Jamaica vs. DR Congo: New Caledonia

Bolivia/Suriname squared off against Iraq

Achraf Hakimi, the captain of Morocco, celebrated his UEFA Champions League triumph with the award on Wednesday, capping a successful campaign for his club Paris Saint-Germain.

The 27-year-old also claimed a fourth Ligue 1 title last year, as well as the French Cup and UEFA Super Cup. However, PSG fell short in the Club World Cup final as Hakimi had to settle for a medal in New York for the winner.

The right-back won the award for the first time in his career when Mohamed Salah, an Egyptian player from Liverpool, and Victor Osimhen, a Nigerian striker, defeated them.

Before thanking his family, teammates, and Morocco coach Walid Regragui, Hakimi said, “It’s really an honor for me to be here today and I’m proud to win such a prestigious trophy.”

As Morocco prepares to take the Africa Cup of Nations on December 21 after suffering a severe sprained ankle, Hakimi will play for them as they prepare to win the event for the first time since 1976.

Ghizlane Chebbak of Morocco defeated fellow countrywoman Sanaa Mssoudy and Rasheedat Ajibade to win the title of best female player on the continent.

Although her team lost to Nigeria in the final match, the Al Hilal attacker was the tournament’s top scorer this year.

The Moroccan host nation, Yassine Bounou, won the best men’s goalkeeper award, and the Moroccan under-20 World Cup-winning side was chosen as the best men’s national team.

Othmane Maamma of Morocco, age 20, won the title of best young women’s player at Watford, while Doha El Madani, age 20, and Othmane Maamma of Morocco, age 20, won the title.

After helping the country, which had a population of 525, 000, secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup, Cape Verde boss Bubista was named the men’s coach of the year.

Chiamaka Nnadozie, the reigning women’s goalkeeper of the year, won her third straight award.