The Bundesliga may still be on a winter break, but there was plenty of other action across Europe as 2026 got off to a cracking start for some of the continent's elite teams. In England, Arsenal took another big step towards a first Premier League title since 2004 by moving six points clear thanks to a 3-2 win at Bournemouth, while reigning champions Barcelona continue to lead the way in Spain after beating city rivals Espanyol thanks to late goals from Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski.

We're only halfway through the season but Chelsea are looking for a new manager, after parting company with Enzo Maresca on New Year's Day. On the one hand, the Italian's exit is a surprise, given he won both the Conference League and Club World Cup during his first season at Stamford Bridge. However, it had been clear for some time that Maresca wasn't entirely happy in west London, with the former Leicester City boss sensationally going public with a perceived lack of support within the club after last month's Champions League loss to Atalanta.

Chelsea’s search for a new manager continues to be narrowed down, with three more potential candidates to succeed Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge being ruled out of the running. It is being claimed that former Blues midfielder Cesc Fabregas, current Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner and highly-rated Porto boss Francesco Farioli are not being considered in west London.

Chelsea met with Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi in the summer, prior to the sacking of Enzo Maresca, but the Blues are playing down the prospect of appointing the former Brighton head coach. Maresca was axed on New Year's Day and the club are now searching for replacements, with Strasbourg's Liam Rosenior a current frontrunner.

Mason Greenwood proved to be the hero for Marseille once again in their Ligue 1 meeting with Monaco. The former Manchester United winger, who has been in fine form this season, settled a keenly-fought contest at Stade Velodrome when firing home in the 82nd minute. That effort led to his manager, Roberto De Zerbi, celebrating wildly on the touchline.