Chelsea news round-up for Monday 9 November, updated 06:30 UK

Alonso says Chelsea must defend better after Sunderland defeat

Chelsea lost 1-0 at Sunderland on Sunday 8 November. Enzo le Fée scored the only goal from the penalty spot in the 36th minute, after Levi Colwill was judged to have fouled Brian Brobbey. Cole Palmer had a penalty appeal of his own ruled out by VAR, which decided the contact began outside the box. BBC Sport has the match report, and the side stayed fifth, two points off the top four. Chelsea had 10 shots but created few clear-cut chances, while Sunderland’s win was their first in the league since August and lifted them from 20th to 18th.

Asked whether Brobbey was simply unstoppable, Xabi Alonso told the BBC: “No, he’s stoppable. He’s stoppable, but we have to do it better than we did today.” He added: “To concede penalties is not good for us.” The Chelsea boss was clearly frustrated, and he didn’t blame the officials. For the full picture, see the Chelsea player ratings from Sunderland.

Lacroix expected out until January with hamstring injury

Maxence Lacroix is expected to be out until January with a hamstring injury, the BBC reports. He had been close to an ever-present since joining from Crystal Palace over the summer, so his absence leaves a gap at the back. The Lacroix injury update and return date covers the earlier news on his fitness.

Joao Pedro, Reece James and Hato injury latest

Joao Pedro is still out with a thigh injury. He had played in wins over Bournemouth and Everton before picking it up, having already missed Brazil’s international matches. Reece James was injured just as Moisés Caicedo returned after the international break, and Jorrel Hato has suffered a setback in recent weeks. Emiliano Martinez, Chelsea’s number one goalkeeper, broke his jaw in a collision at Everton.

Caicedo fills in at centre-back after Colwill’s half-time exit

Colwill was substituted at half-time, and Caicedo filled in at centre-back despite barely completing a full training session all week, the BBC reports. Alonso said Josh Acheampong had said he was not ready to play, and that the squad is short of options. Chelsea have made 24 line-up changes in the league this season, and only Tottenham have made more. Estevao Willian, who came on at half-time at Sunderland, has started only one league match this season. The build-up is in the Sunderland vs Chelsea lineups and team news post.

Cole Palmer left out of Tuchel’s England squad

Cole Palmer was not named in Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad, BBC Sport reports. He had a quiet afternoon at the Stadium of Light, and Palmer also felt he should have had a penalty in the 25th minute, after O’Nien’s challenge. Morgan Rogers nodded a free header narrowly wide in the first half, and the BBC noted that chance was one of the few clear openings Chelsea made.

Next fixture

Chelsea host Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 21 November, and then travel to Nottingham Forest on Friday 27 November.

Injury list