Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso conceded that his team fell well below expectations following a disappointing 2-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

Despite forging several clear-cut openings, the Blues were repeatedly thwarted by Spurs goalkeeper Antonín Kinský. The game slipped away from the hosts in the second half when an own goal from goalkeeper Mike Penders put Tottenham ahead, followed quickly by a second yellow card for Cole Palmer. Mathys Tel capped off the afternoon with a late second goal to condemn Chelsea to defeat.

Reflecting on a display that paled in comparison to recent victories over Bournemouth and Everton, Alonso insisted that responsibility lies across the entire squad.

“We all take the blame for the result and for the performance,” Alonso stated post-match. “Today we were not at our best. I felt that in the second half, the game was even and could have gone either way. Once we conceded that first goal, and then with the red card, it was difficult.”

“In the second half, it was tight, with some half-chances for them and half-chances for us. It was about taking a moment, and once we conceded the first goal, it conceded everything,” he added. “Then, when we wanted to have a reaction, we got the red card. Then it went the other way.”

The Spaniard emphasized that his side must use the setback as a learning opportunity moving forward: “We can do better. It’s one to reflect on after this big game against a good opponent. And as for the performance, it’s one we must improve.”

Paris St-Germain’s Ligue 1 match against Lyon has been pushed back 24 hours to Monday as the French capital prepares for another weekend of protests.

The fixture at the Parc des Princes in Paris had been scheduled to kick off at 19:45 GMT on Sunday but will instead take place at 20:30 on Monday.

The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) announced the postponement in a statement on Friday after French police prohibited the fixture from taking place on its original date.

French authorities are preparing a major security operation for demonstrations planned for Saturday.

Around 550,000 people took part in demonstrations last Saturday to protest rising fuel prices, education standards and the cost of living, which have escalated after weeks of student protests.

Marches took place in several major French cities, including Paris, backed by unions and student groups, and were marred by some incidents of violence, looting and destruction.

The security challenge is further complicated by Sunday’s NFL match between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints at the Stade de France, an event expected to require a significant police deployment.

The game will be played in Saint-Denis, about 10km from Place de la Bastille, where the protests are expected to begin.

The disruptions have already affected France’s domestic football schedule with Toulouse’s Ligue 1 home game against Troyes moved from Saturday to Sunday at the request of authorities.

Reigning French and European champions PSG are second in the standings after seven matches, while Lyon lead the table on 14 points, ahead of the holders on goal difference.

The match will also now be played on the same day as the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London.

Injured PSG pair Ousmane Dembele, the 2025 winner, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are among the contenders for the award.

In Round 11 of the Saudi League, Al-Nassr faced Al-Fayha away from home. In the second half, Félix set up Ronaldo for a free kick, which Ronaldo converted for his 982nd career goal. Late in the match, Ronaldo started an attack that Ângelo Borges finished to seal a 3-1 victory for Al-Nassr.

The Portuguese national team posted a congratulatory message on social media after the match: “Cristiano Ronaldo adds another goal to his tally!”