There was an unusual moment before kick-off as Chelsea hosted Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday evening. Liam Rosenior’s team have taken up a new pre-match ritual of performing their team huddle, where they deliver a final message to gee themselves up, over the centre circle. The players crowd around the ball even if their opponents are the ones kicking off.
They continued their new team talk trend against Eddie Howe’s Newcastle at Stamford Bridge. But there was a twist this time, as referee Paul Tierney guarded the ball and refused to move as the Chelsea players formed their huddle. That led to amusing images of the Chelsea players speaking while Tierney stood in the middle of them.
At one moment, Cole Palmer jokingly hugged the ref from behind while Enzo Fernandez smiled and laughed. But the Chelsea talisman was also pictured looking hilariously baffled as Tierney refused to move out of the way as he and his team-mates spoke. He cut a confused look the official's way as the camera panned around the huddle.
Sky Sports' lead commentator Rob Hawthorne laughed: "Paul Tierney has been caught in this new pre-match ritual that Chelsea have of going around and huddling around the ball at the centre spot. They've been doing that for a few weeks now. People have noticed recently and Paul Tierney is caught in the middle there. It's quite unusual."
Ex-Chelsea striker and co-commentator Chris Sutton added: "What is going on there? I've never seen the referee involved!"
Chelsea manager Rosenior recently denied suggestions it was an order from him or his staff for the Chelsea players to crowd the centre circle. He said: "No, it wasn't [my idea]. The idea came from the players, and I really like it because they're showing unity and togetherness and spirit, and I think you need that.
Before anything — before you start talking about tactics or systems — you need a group of players willing to run and fight for each other. And in my time, I have to say there hasn't been one game where they haven't given everything or where I was disappointed with their application, and that bodes well.
"They're a good group, they're a tight group, they enjoy each other's company, and that's half the battle."
Newcastle took the lead against the run of play at Chelsea through Anthony Gordon in the 18th minute following good work from Joe Willock.