2 hours ago, Bebe1980 said:

And also, he'd only been on the pitch 5' whereas the guy he turned so easily, Gough, having played 90' was clearly knackered.... dunno what their goalie was doing either - apparently only playing his 2nd match of the season as a stand in for their No1 goalie !

2 hours ago, Caps_Lock_King said:

STILL A LOT OF MARESCAS OLD TRAITS SURVIVED (hopefully Rosenior knocks this out of them as soon as possible)

I.E - THE ANNOYING BADIESHILLE/TOSIN STANDING ON THE BALL WAITING FOR A PLAYER FROM THE OPPOSITION TO COME AND TRY AND GET THE BALL, THIS ALLOWS THE OPPOSITION TO GET ALL PLAYERS BEHIND THE BALL

STILL LIKE TO PASS IT BETWEEN THE DEFENDERS WHEN THE BALL SHOULD BE MOVED QUICKER AND FORWARD, THERE WAS LOADS OF TIMES WHERE WINGERS WERE OPEN BUT THE BALL GOES BACKWARDS

We moved the ball much quicker. The CB’s holding the ball is fine when you have two very progressive passes in Caicedo and Santos and players closer to receive the ball. Our ball progression was head and shoulders above anything Maresca ever managed

4 hours ago, Valerie said:

Exactly. Can people please stop with the remarks about Rosenior's skin colour. It's neither here nor there.

I don’t see what skin colour has to do with anything.

I find it really bizarre some people only see the skin colour. I see people as people themselves, regardless of their skin colour.

Early days, and difficult to rate given the opposition, but there did appear to be some new patterns and an increase in the speed of passing.

Would love to see Caicedo/Santos become a regular partnership.

Liam has clearly been on this forum. Not wearing the puffer jacket is an obvious attempt to curry favour with @just.

Lovely to see that the forum has also entered a new era. This is the first game thread for some time where neither a player, or a member of the coaching staff, has been referred to as a c**t. Long may that continue.

19 hours ago, Richard P said:

Trouble after game after being kettled by old bill. Pushing from the crowd because no communication as to what was happening. Apparently being kept back for our own safety. Don’t think anyone would have tried with the size of our following.I’m sure there will be loads of footage posted online

A letter from the CST to the Met. The CST is due to meet the Police next Thursday.

15 hours ago, dkw said:

Give it a rest for f**ks sake.

You got the wrong idea old boy, I am also color blind, however I do feel positions should be filled on merit, take from that what you will, but for the record as a teenager I opposed the NF & BM when they handed out their hateful propaganda outside the Bridge and still do. Let’s leave it at that and apologies if I offended anyone on here never my intent even though I’m apparently a “bell end” 😂

7 hours ago, General said:

You got the wrong idea old boy, I am also color blind, however I do feel positions should be filled on merit, take from that what you will, but for the record as a teenager I opposed the NF & BM when they handed out their hateful propaganda outside the Bridge and still do. Let’s leave it at that and apologies if I offended anyone on here never my intent even though I’m apparently a “bell end” 😂

I didnt call you a bellend.

FA Cup 4th round draw just started.

We are ball #8 apparently. My wife says that's a lucky number LOL

Edited January 12Jan 12 by Sexyfootball

• Liverpool or Barnsley v Brighton

• Stoke City v Fulham

• Oxford United v Sunderland

• Southampton v Leicester City

• Wrexham v Ipswich Town

• Arsenal v Wigan Athletic

• Hull City v CHELSEA

Nice for Liam !

• Burton Albion v West Ham

• Burnley v Mansfield Town

• Norwich City v West Bromwich Albion

• Port Vale v Bristol City

• Grimsby Town v Wolves

• Aston Villa v Newcastle

• Manchester City v Salford or Swindon

• Macclesfield v Brentford

• Birmingham City v Leeds United

ARSENAL and CITY will field C teams

Everyone will remember that a number of supporters groups including the Chelsea Supporters Trust contacted the Metropolitan Police about events after the FA Cup match against Charlton in January. I received the following email from the Chelsea Supporters Trust earlier today:

Following the events after Chelsea’s FA Cup tie at Charlton on 10 January, 2026, the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST), working alongside the Chelsea Supporters Group (CSG), the Chelsea Supporters Club (CSC), and the Chelsea Disabled Supporters Association (CDSA), sought a full explanation from the Metropolitan Police regarding the treatment of Chelsea supporters.

After extensive engagement, including raising the concerns reported to us by supporters and pressing for a formal review, we have received the Metropolitan Police’s response, which we are publishing in full below.

While the Metropolitan Police maintain that the operational tactics used on the night were necessary to prevent disorder, they have acknowledged a number of shortcomings.

We welcome the fact that these concerns have been recognised and that a number of improvements have been identified ahead of future fixtures. We expect the commitments outlined by the Metropolitan Police to be implemented in full.

We would like to thank the many supporters who contacted us following the match to share their experiences. Their detailed accounts enabled us to robustly challenge what happened and ensure that supporters’ voices were heard throughout this process.

As supporter organisations, we will continue to engage with the Metropolitan Police, Chelsea Football Club and other relevant authorities to ensure these lessons are acted upon and that supporters are treated with the respect, communication and care they deserve.
 
 
 
Met Police Statement
As outlined previously, this fixture was subject to evolving intelligence, indicating a credible risk of post-match disorder between supporter groups. In response, policing tactics were adapted dynamically during the match to prevent a breach of the peace. The decision to hold away supporters at the conclusion of the game was made in real time, based on updated risk assessments, and was considered necessary, proportionate, and ultimately effective in preventing disorder and ensuring public safety. 

Communication
A consistent theme across the concerns raised relates to communication. The debrief found that messaging on the night was not as clear, timely, or coordinated as it should have been. This is an area the police, club and partners will look to address going forward. This impacted supporters’ understanding of police activity and contributed to frustration. 

Welfare and Facilities
The decision to hold supporters outside the stadium, rather than within it, was influenced by the dynamic and unplanned nature of the situation, coupled with limitations in pre-identified holding options. It is acknowledged that this resulted in reduced access to facilities such as toilets, shelter, and refreshments. This is an area for improvement. 

Crowd Management and Movement
Measures such as controlled release and cordons are designed to prevent surges, maintain order, and reduce the risk of opposing groups mixing. However, the debrief identified that greater clarity, planning, and communication are required to ensure these measures minimise distress to supporters. 

Support for Vulnerable Individuals
Concerns regarding vulnerable individuals, including those wearing sunflower lanyards, are taken seriously. The debrief reinforces the importance of improved awareness and consideration of vulnerability within operational planning and officer briefings.  

Officer Briefing and Local Awareness
It is recognised that some officers were not sufficiently familiar with local geography or transport options. This highlighted the need for improved briefing and stronger integration with transport and local authority partners.  

Actions and Improvements
In response to the learning identified, the following actions are being progressed:

• Earlier and more frequent multi-agency planning for high-risk fixtures 

• Development of dedicated, jointly owned communication plans

• Ensuring availability of communication equipment, including loud-hailers

• Pre-identification of suitable holding locations with access to welfare facilities

• Improved crowd flow and dispersal planning

These measures are designed to ensure that future operations are safer, more coordinated, and more transparent.

Conclusion
While the tactics employed successfully mitigated a credible risk of disorder, we recognise that the experience for supporters did not meet expectations. It is worth noting that in similar circumstances where a risk of disorder is high a similar tactical approach could be deployed but with the learning captured by all should improve how this is delivered. The debrief process has been thorough, and we are committed to implementing the learning identified.
 




On Behalf of Chelsea Supporters’ Trust

On 15/07/2026 at 12:59, Boyne said:

Everyone will remember that a number of supporters groups including the Chelsea Supporters Trust contacted the Metropolitan Police about events after the FA Cup match against Charlton in January. I received the following email from the Chelsea Supporters Trust earlier today:

Following the events after Chelsea’s FA Cup tie at Charlton on 10 January, 2026, the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST), working alongside the Chelsea Supporters Group (CSG), the Chelsea Supporters Club (CSC), and the Chelsea Disabled Supporters Association (CDSA), sought a full explanation from the Metropolitan Police regarding the treatment of Chelsea supporters.

After extensive engagement, including raising the concerns reported to us by supporters and pressing for a formal review, we have received the Metropolitan Police’s response, which we are publishing in full below.

While the Metropolitan Police maintain that the operational tactics used on the night were necessary to prevent disorder, they have acknowledged a number of shortcomings.

We welcome the fact that these concerns have been recognised and that a number of improvements have been identified ahead of future fixtures. We expect the commitments outlined by the Metropolitan Police to be implemented in full.

We would like to thank the many supporters who contacted us following the match to share their experiences. Their detailed accounts enabled us to robustly challenge what happened and ensure that supporters’ voices were heard throughout this process.

As supporter organisations, we will continue to engage with the Metropolitan Police, Chelsea Football Club and other relevant authorities to ensure these lessons are acted upon and that supporters are treated with the respect, communication and care they deserve.
 
 
 
Met Police Statement
As outlined previously, this fixture was subject to evolving intelligence, indicating a credible risk of post-match disorder between supporter groups. In response, policing tactics were adapted dynamically during the match to prevent a breach of the peace. The decision to hold away supporters at the conclusion of the game was made in real time, based on updated risk assessments, and was considered necessary, proportionate, and ultimately effective in preventing disorder and ensuring public safety. 

Communication
A consistent theme across the concerns raised relates to communication. The debrief found that messaging on the night was not as clear, timely, or coordinated as it should have been. This is an area the police, club and partners will look to address going forward. This impacted supporters’ understanding of police activity and contributed to frustration. 

Welfare and Facilities
The decision to hold supporters outside the stadium, rather than within it, was influenced by the dynamic and unplanned nature of the situation, coupled with limitations in pre-identified holding options. It is acknowledged that this resulted in reduced access to facilities such as toilets, shelter, and refreshments. This is an area for improvement. 

Crowd Management and Movement
Measures such as controlled release and cordons are designed to prevent surges, maintain order, and reduce the risk of opposing groups mixing. However, the debrief identified that greater clarity, planning, and communication are required to ensure these measures minimise distress to supporters. 

Support for Vulnerable Individuals
Concerns regarding vulnerable individuals, including those wearing sunflower lanyards, are taken seriously. The debrief reinforces the importance of improved awareness and consideration of vulnerability within operational planning and officer briefings.  

Officer Briefing and Local Awareness
It is recognised that some officers were not sufficiently familiar with local geography or transport options. This highlighted the need for improved briefing and stronger integration with transport and local authority partners.  

Actions and Improvements
In response to the learning identified, the following actions are being progressed:

• Earlier and more frequent multi-agency planning for high-risk fixtures 

• Development of dedicated, jointly owned communication plans

• Ensuring availability of communication equipment, including loud-hailers

• Pre-identification of suitable holding locations with access to welfare facilities

• Improved crowd flow and dispersal planning

These measures are designed to ensure that future operations are safer, more coordinated, and more transparent.

Conclusion
While the tactics employed successfully mitigated a credible risk of disorder, we recognise that the experience for supporters did not meet expectations. It is worth noting that in similar circumstances where a risk of disorder is high a similar tactical approach could be deployed but with the learning captured by all should improve how this is delivered. The debrief process has been thorough, and we are committed to implementing the learning identified.
 




On Behalf of Chelsea Supporters’ Trust

Cheers Rich. Arrived home with some sore ribs and hadn’t been in a crush like that since the 80s!!! They keep mentioning about quick and dynamic policing but I got out the ground straight after full time and the four vans blocking the road were already there. Also between all the police, no one had a loud speaker to communicate.

So I don’t accept their excuse about acting quick. As they stated they knew of issues during the game so would have been easier to stay in the seats.