- Teen Konstas to open for Australia in Boxing Day India Test
- Asian stocks mostly up after US tech rally
- US panel could not reach consensus on US-Japan steel deal: Nippon
- The real-life violence that inspired South Korea's 'Squid Game'
- Blogs to Bluesky: social media shifts responses after 2004 tsunami
- Tennis power couple de Minaur and Boulter get engaged
- Supermaxi yachts eye record in gruelling Sydney-Hobart race
- Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupts, spewing columns of lava
- El Salvador Congress votes to end ban on metal mining
- Five things to know about Panama Canal, in Trump's sights
- NBA fines Minnesota guard Edwards $75,000 for outburst
- Haitians massacred for practicing voodoo were abducted, hacked to death: UN
- Inter beat Como to keep in touch with leaders Atalanta
- Mixed day for global stocks as market hopes for 'Santa Claus rally'
- Man Utd boss Amorim questions 'choices' of Rashford's entourage
- Trump's TikTok love raises stakes in battle over app's fate
- Is he serious? Trump stirs unease with Panama, Greenland ploys
- England captain Stokes to miss three months with torn hamstring
- Support grows for Blake Lively over smear campaign claim
- Canada records 50,000 opioid overdose deaths since 2016
- Jordanian, Qatari envoys hold talks with Syria's new leader
- France's second woman premier makes surprise frontline return
- France's Macron announces fourth government of the year
- Netanyahu tells Israel parliament 'some progress' on Gaza hostage deal
- Guatemalan authorities recover minors taken by sect members
- Germany's far-right AfD holds march after Christmas market attack
- European, US markets wobble awaiting Santa rally
- Serie A basement club Monza fire coach Nesta
- Mozambique top court confirms ruling party disputed win
- Biden commutes almost all federal death sentences
- Syrian medics say were coerced into false chemical attack testimony
- NASA solar probe to make its closest ever pass of Sun
- France's new government to be announced Monday evening: Elysee
- London toy 'shop' window where nothing is for sale
- Volkswagen boss hails cost-cutting deal but shares fall
- Accused killer of US insurance CEO pleads not guilty to 'terrorist' murder
- Global stock markets mostly higher
- Not for sale. Greenland shrugs off Trump's new push
- Sweden says China blocked prosecutors' probe of ship linked to cut cables
- Acid complicates search after deadly Brazil bridge collapse
- Norwegian Haugan dazzles in men's World Cup slalom win
- Arsenal's Saka out for 'many weeks' with hamstring injury
- Mali singer Traore child custody case postponed
- France mourns Mayotte victims amid uncertainy over government
- UK economy stagnant in third quarter in fresh setback
- Sweden says China denied request for prosecutors to probe ship linked to cut undersea cables
- African players in Europe: Salah leads Golden Boot race after brace
- Global stock markets edge higher as US inflation eases rate fears
- German far-right AfD to march in city hit by Christmas market attack
- Ireland centre Henshaw signs IRFU contract extension
Maresca 'very happy' with start of Chelsea career
Enzo Maresca said he was "very happy" with the strong start to his Chelsea reign, but the Blues boss insisted Sunday's clash with Liverpool would not "define where we are".
Maresca's fourth-placed side, undefeated in their past seven games in all competitions, are just four points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Former Leicester manager Maresca has impressed so far but faces a daunting challenge at Anfield, where Arne Slot has made a flying start to his reign.
Asked on Friday how he would assess his start to life at Stamford Bridge, Maresca said: "Very happy because what I expected in terms of players and level and style, I can see clearly that is there.
"I said already many times that no matter in this moment who is going to play, you can see clearly the way we want to play."
The Italian added: "The club is one of the best clubs in the world. And I'm very excited to play with them. And I feel very lucky to spend my time and to share my time with this squad."
Although a Chelsea victory on Merseyside would be a significant statement of intent, Maresca was keen to downplay the signficance of the Liverpool clash.
"We're going to approach the game trying to prepare the game in the best way," he said. "And as I said, try to get points there.
"But it's not this game that is going to define where we are -- if we win, we solve all the problems, and in case we lose? No. It's just a process, it's just a game."
Maresca said Chelsea were "excited to play this kind of game", with potentially tough fixtures coming up against Newcastle, Manchester United and Arsenal.
"All the games that we've played until now, not one of them has been easy," he said. "All the Premier League games, they are difficult, they are not easy.
"I think the Premier League is probably the best league in the world. It's because it's the toughest league in the world."
P.Mathewson--AMWN