Chelsea huddle: Why was referee Paul Tierney in the middle of Blues' pre-match huddle?

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior recently praised his players’ unity after they began gathering in a circle before each half – but there was an unlikely addition to the Blues’ huddle prior to their game against Newcastle.

Referee Paul Tierney found himself right in the middle of the hosts’ pre-match huddle on Saturday evening, much to the bemusement of some of Chelsea’s players.

Cole Palmer jokingly wrapped his arms around Tierney before staring quizzically at the official, who merely smiled back at the England international as Trevoh Chalobah and Enzo Fernandez watched on in amusement.

“Tierney just stood in the middle of it,” former England midfielder Fara Williams told Final Score. “He probably heard everything that was said. Cole Palmer is looking at him and giving him the eye.”

Former Premier League assistant referee referee Darren Cann told BBC Sport he had never seen anything as strange “in 50 years of watching football”.

But Cann was able to shed some light on the incident, saying: “As it was Newcastle’s kick-off, the referee [took] control of the ball on the halfway line and was there to prevent any potential issues.

“When it is their kick-off, there is no particular issue. However, when their opponents have to kick off, there is potential for confrontation.”