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Watch and follow as Enzo Maresca speaks before Chelsea's Champions League encounter with Benfica BBC Sport sources indicate that Maresca 'holds the club's full confidence' heading into a high-profile week Chelsea were beat at home by Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday, leaving Maresca's side eighth in the table Benfica arrive at Stamford Bridge with former Blues manager Jose Mourinho now in charge of the Portuguese side Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say Written by Lorraine Mc Kenna, Craig Nelson & Mel Edwards. Chelsea v Benfica (Tue, 20: 00 BST) Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport Chelsea reporter Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will not feel like he is in a position of weakness when facing the media today before a Champions League match with Benfica. The Italian has endured a difficult post international break and only won once in five matches - an unconvincing victory over League One side Lincoln City - and the latest 3-1 defeat to Brighton on Saturday was disappointing. However, there is no sense his job is in any immediate danger. His post-match meeting with Chelsea's four sporting directors, Paul Winstanley, Laurence Stewart, Joe Shields and Sam Jewell, along with co-owner Behdad Eghbali at Stamford Bridge at the weekend was routine. As part of that meeting, it was mentioned that four of Chelsea's five defeats in the last five months have been in matches where one of their players has been sent off. There is an acknowledgement that Chelsea are in a rut through injuries at the moment. Yet, there is still a belief Maresca can qualify for the Champions League to achieve the club's goals before a post-season meeting to appraise his performance as manager. Maresca will be confident he will continue for at least seven more months. Regardless, today will likely feel like Jose Mourinho's day. The legendary former Chelsea manager returns to Stamford Bridge in a later media conference that will be highly attended by both British and Portuguese press. Chelsea 1-3 Brighton Chelsea suffered a second red card in consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since December 2023 on Saturday, and it lost them the game against Brighton. The Blues looked comfortable and appeared they would coast to victory at Stamford Bridge after going 1-0 up through Enzo Fernandez halfway through the first half. But Trevor Chaolbah's desperate challenge on Georginio Rutter in the 53rd minute and subsequent dismissal allowed Brighton to take control, with a Danny Welbeck double either side of Maxim de Cuyper's headed goal. Sami Mokbel BBC Sport Senior football correspondent Heading into the new season, at least from the outside

looking in, Enzo Maresca's job appeared one of the safest in the country. He had led Chelsea to a top-four Premier League finish

which booked their return to the Champions League. Then later in the summer, Maresca masterminded the club's

triumph at the Fifa Club World Cup, becoming the competition's inaugural

winners in its new format. Yet, despite those notable achievements, Maresca's

position has again come under scrutiny in recent weeks following

Chelsea's indifferent start to the season, where they are currently eighth in

the table, seven points behind leaders Liverpool. However, as things stand, there is no significant concern

at Stamford Bridge over the side's early season malaise, with BBC Sport sources

indicating Maresca continues to hold the club's full confidence heading into a

high-profile week. Guess what? A manager has arrived to chat to us. It's Enzo Maresca, who will be answering questions before Chelsea's Champions League match with Benfica on Tuesday. What will his fresh thoughts be on Saturday's disappointing 3-1 home defeat by Brighton? We'll all find out together by clicking the 'watch live' tab at the top of this page at 12: 00 BST. Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say Too early - we don't yet know how playing in Europe will impact Crystal Palace's title charge. Daniel, South London Time to include Palace in title race? What a job Glazner is doing for the Eagles. Selhurst was rocking in 1st half. . could have been 4 or 5 up.

They play 3-4-3 just like Man U… But with better performances. Terry, Carshalton Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool Are Crystal Palace going to stick around at the top of the table until May? The Eagles have now gone 18 games unbeaten in all competitions, which includes the historic FA Cup win against Manchester City four months ago, to equal a club record set back in 1969, and are now the only unbeaten Premier League side, having won three and drawn three of their opening six games. "We played an amazing first half and had a deserved lead. We deserved the win, " manager Oliver Glasner told Match of the Day. "To overcome the pressure of Liverpool - they deserved an equaliser - but I'm delighted at the reaction of our team. "We talk about our personality. We always go for the win. Everybody who is close to Crystal Palace got their reward here. " Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal Sophie Brown BBC Sport The atmosphere at St James’ Park on Sunday was described in

Radio 5 Live commentary as “like a bear pit” and it’s one where Arsenal have certainly

struggled in recent seasons. Under Mikel Arteta, the Gunners have only lost more away

games at Manchester City in all competitions than the four they have at Newcastle. Arsenal had lost their last three visits to St James’ Park

in all competitions, without even scoring, and despite dominating possession, had

had just one shot on target in their last two Premier League matches there. But on Sunday, despite again going 1-0 down, being up

against a fiercely partisan crowd and being repeatedly foiled by an inspired Nick

Pope in Newcastle’s goal, they fought to the end and found a way to win, with

Arteta’s attacking substitutions again proving crucial. Arsenal’s winning mentality under Arteta has often been

called into question but perhaps the fightback at Newcastle shows the Gunners do

now have the edge that can turn contenders into champions. Arteta certainly feels that the win at St James’ Park will be

crucial: “That is how you get to a different level. By going through those

moments and take those lessons from it. It was a massive opportunity to make a

statement and to prove to everybody and ourselves the team that we are. ” Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say When you look at the table Liverpool have played three of the top six and beating the best team to have ever played in the country - Arsenal (Sarcasm). They’ve also played the Merseyside derby, Newcastle away and relegation candidates Burnley, in all fairness 15/18 points is more than acceptable. Kurt, Wales Former Premier League striker Wayne Rooney says summer signing Florian Wirtz "damages the balance" of Arne Slot's side. The 22 year-old is still searching for his first goal as a Red, and is yet to directly contribute to a goal since his assist in the Community Shield final. "It's been tough for him. I don't think there's any denying that. " Rooney told the Wayne Rooney show. "I think he's played OK. But I think when you sign so many players like Liverpool have, and this is not normal for Liverpool. Liverpool don't normally do this and they've signed basically a whole new front line and then you've got [Mohamed] Salah there as well, they're all competing, they all want to do well. And I think Wirtz, he's the one who's probably not doing as well, but he's got so much ability. "For me, I don't see where he gets into the team. I think it was a lot of money. I think Wirtz actually damages the balance of Liverpool, how they play. But he's a top player and I'm sure he will get better, of course he will. But he's had a slow start and I think there's no denying that. "I've seen players come into this league and it takes time. For me, it's not the price tag, it's not the player and his ability. I don't see where he fits into what Liverpool do in that system. So, is he a third midfield player? For me, no, he's more of an attacking player. So if I have to choose between him and Szoboszlai, then I choose Szoboszlai. " Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say Liverpool being first, despite also being arguably one of the worst performing teams in the league is somewhat terrifying. If they start to gel and perform to the standard we know, this season will be an exciting one.

This will be a closer race than last year for certain. Harold, Brisbane Alex Howell BBC Sport football reporter The feeling around Arsenal's win is as important as the three points that the team picked up. The Gunners have had a tough start to the Premier League with games against Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City and now Newcastle. Mikel Arteta's team selection had been criticised for being too conservative but in the match against Newcastle, Arteta showed that he is not afraid to take risks. The Arsenal manager started Eberechi Eze in place of Mikel Merino and having his creativity and goal threat made a difference. Arteta also played Leandro Trossard at left back when chasing the win and his messages from the sideline were for his players to push for the win. Arsenal have played well in most of their matches but navigating a tricky start and picking up a win in this manner at a place where they have struggled in the past will be so important for this squad. Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say It is early of course but you have to consider how difficult Arsenal’s fixtures have been compared with Liverpool’s. Anfield, Old Trafford and St James' Park ticked off already. City at home. Got to say that 2 points behind puts them in a great position. Jason, Herts We have to remain calm but at present we have been away to Liverpool, Newcastle, Man Utd [surely got to get better], and played against a dogged Man City side. Now we have time to compile a nice run of wins hopefully. Will be there at end of season. Steve, Croydon Noel Sliney BBC Sport History suggests that Arsenal have their work cut out to win

the title despite moving within two points of leaders Liverpool following yesterday’s late

winner. Only two of the previous 36 sides with 13 points after six

Premier League games have gone on to become champions: Manchester United in

2006-07 and Manchester City in 2021-22. It’s not great reading for Liverpool fans either, though. There

have been 12 previous instances of teams reaching 15 points at this stage – and

just two eventually won the title: Liverpool last season and Manchester United

back in 1995-96. Arsenal actually had more points at this stage in each of the past three seasons – only to finish second every time. For Arsenal fans seeking good omens, the only previous time the Gunners were runners-up three times in a row – from 1998-99 to 2000-01 – they went on win the league title the season after that. For Liverpool, they face Chelsea next at Stamford Bridge - a ground they haven't won at in the Premier League since 2020. The two Manchester clubs are also in the mix of the next five games, with Man United at home and Man City away. Saturday, 4 October Chelsea (A) Sunday, 19 October Manchester United (H) Saturday, 25 October Brentford (A) Saturday, 1 November Aston Villa (H) Sunday, 9 November Manchester City (A) What's on the horizon for Arsenal in the Premier League? Crystal Palace at home at the end of October could be a cracker of a Super Sunday fixture. Saturday, 4 October West Ham (H) Saturday, 18 October Fulham (A) Sunday, 26 October Crystal Palace (H) Saturday, 1 November Burnley (A) Saturday, 8 November Sunderland (A) Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say Never too early to discuss the title race. Last season Arsenal never capitalized on any dropped points from Liverpool. The performance with the 'handbrake off' and the mentality to try and win the game after the equalizer speaks volumes. Vishnu, Bromley Losing would have been tough for Arsenal mentally. This does not mean we will win the league, but it means we haven’t lost it yet. Bring it on. Collins, Durham Massive weekend for Arsenal. The next run of games will be important, if they can win those games then they have a great chance of doing something special this season. Richard, Walsall Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool The good news (or bad news) for Arne Slot is he gets another crack at trying to beat Oliver Glasner when Liverpool take on Crystal Palace at Anfield in the Carabao Cup fourth round in the week commencing 27 October. Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say Maybe Liverpool need to start hoofing it like everyone else now. Might be a bit more exciting than the boring dross that Slot is serving up. Carl, Burnley Liverpool have been waiting to be found out. The new players barring Ekitike haven't been up to scratch and Salah has been silent. Harry, Manchester Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool Late winners have been Liverpool's speciality this season but the the tables were turned on the Reds at Selhurst Park in a rare 3pm kick-off. Federico Chiesa's 87th-minute equaliser looked to have rescued a point for the Premier League champions but failure to deal with a long throw by Jefferson Lerma proved costly for Arne Slot's side. Should Milos Kerkez have hoofed the ball away with his right foot instead of putting it out with his left? Discuss. "It is never ideal when you concede in extra time of extra time, but there was a substitute so half a minute extra was fair. I have to check when they scored exactly, but we have to defend the throw-in better, " Slot told Sky Sports. "We take learnings from all the games we have played and we can take even more from a game like this. " Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal The video assistant referee was involved early on in the game between Newcastle and Arsenal when Viktor Gyokeres appeared to be taken down by Nick Pope with the score at 0-0. Referee Jarred Gillett pointed to the penalty spot but changed his mind after consulting his pitchside monitor. We got to hear Gillet's voice over the mic as he told St James' Park Pope had "played the ball and there was no foul". Newcastle had their own late appeal for a spot-kick waved away by Gillett, which was confirmed by VAR, when the ball hit the outstretched arm of Gabriel the penalty area following Anthony Elanga's strike. The Premier League Match Centre wrote on X the ball had deemed to have deflected off the Brazilian's shin and onto his arm. A new Premier League rule, introduced in 2024, states that not every touch of a player's hand or arm with the ball is an offence. Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin said on BBC Radio 5 Live: "My first thought was yes, it's handball. I have seen it again and in a normal world, I am giving a penalty there. " Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.