PAUL TIERNEY was awkwardly caught in the middle of a Chelsea pre-match huddle before facing Newcastle.
The referee is the man in the middle for the Saturday evening Premiership clash at Stamford Bridge as Liam Rosenior’s men look to bounce back from their PSG defeat with crucial Premier League points.
The Blues are in the hunt for Champions League football with both Aston Villa and Manchester United in their sights.
Ahead of facing Eddie Howe’s men the Blues stars gathered in a group for a final pep talk – with a twist.
The match official was positioned right bang in the middle of the new ritual with Sky Sports cameras catching the moment perfectly.
Chelsea have started the new routine before the start of EACH HALF.
The ideas comes from the players and builds on previous tactics of leaving the pitch together afte both halves.
Rosenior has been previously asked if it was his idea and stated: “No, it wasn’t.
“The idea came from the players, and I really like it because they’re showing unity and togetherness and spirit, and I think you need that.
“Before anything — before you start talking about tactics or systems — you need a group of players willing to run and fight for each other.
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“And in my time, I have to say there hasn’t been one game where they haven’t given everything or where I was disappointed with their application, and that bodes well.
“They’re a good group, they’re a tight group, they enjoy each other’s company, and that’s half the battle.”
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