Raheem Sterling

WOLVERHAMPTON — Wolverhampton Wanderers continued their stellar home form to heap misery on Chelsea on Christmas eve with a 2-1 win in the Premier League on Sunday, thanks to second-half strikes from Mario Lemina and Matt Doherty.

Chelsea's best chance of the first half fell to Raheem Sterling who stole the ball from last man João Gomes and sprinted into the Wolves box with only the keeper Jose Sa to beat.

LONDON — Manchester City moved a point clear at the top of the Premier League on Sunday after a pulsating 4-4 draw at Chelsea with Erling Haaland scoring twice only for former City man Cole Palmer to level the match from the penalty spot in added time.

City scored first when Spanish defender Marc Cucurella pulled Haaland's shirt to concede a VAR-checked penalty which the Norwegian coolly converted in the 24th minute.

The United States began its World Cup odyssey with a bittersweet 1-1 draw against Wales on Monday, and Gregg Berhalter's men return Friday against an England team that reaffirmed its status as a tournament favorite by hammering Iran 6-2 to go top of Group B after Match Day 1. 

If winning Group B at the World Cup comes down to goal difference, England already has it in the bag after its extremely impressive 6-2 opening victory over an Iran side in disharmony. 

Kick-off at Khalifa International Stadium was scheduled for 1 p.m. in the UK, but obviously that didn't stop England supporters from getting rowdy as hell on a Monday afternoon.

England have included in-form Leicester City midfielder James Maddison in their squad for the World Cup in Qatar, with forwards Callum Wilson and Marcus Rashford also selected.

Maddison and Newcastle United striker Wilson have not played for England since 2019, but have been rewarded for fine starts to the domestic season in the run-up to this month's tournament.

Christian Pulisic’s situation at Chelsea worsens by the day and took an even worse turn during Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Southampton on Tuesday.

Before Chelsea’s Premier League game, it was announced that Pulisic wouldn’t be allowed to leave the club for a summer loan or transfer. The summer transfer window closes on Thursday.

Chelsea’s roster is going through some serious changes this summer with big names leaving the club and being replaced. The potential Chelsea starting XI 2022-23 lineup has some fresh faces and new names.

First, let’s look at the potential lineup and then explain the additions. Spoiler alert to fellow Americans: Christian Pulisic doesn’t make it into this potential lineup. The formation is manager Thomas Tuchel’s preferred 3-4-2-1 look.