Chelsea continued to struggle in English Premier League play on Wednesday, and to make matters worse, the club’s star striker was once again the center of controversy this season after a confrontation.

Tension escalated in first-half stoppage time between Diego Costa and Watford defender Juan Carlos Paredes, and following the game, head coach Guus Hiddink said Paredes provoked Costa to react by punching him in the back. (REPORT)

Romelu Lukaku is reportedly a doubt for Saturday’s EPL match against Stoke City after suffering an injury to his back during Everton’s 3-0 win vs. Newcastle United on Wednesday. (REPORT)

Luis Suarez scored four and Lionel Messi netted a hat trick to lead Barcelona to a 7-0 victory vs. Valencia in the Copa del Rey semifinals first leg on Wednesday. (REPORT)

Valencia head coach Gary Neville insisted he would not resign just two months into his first coaching gig, saying: “It’s going to be a painful three or four days. This was one of my most painful days in football.” (REPORT)

Racist chants aimed at Napoli defender Kalidou Coulibaly at the Stadio Olimpico halted Wednesday’s match between Lazio and Napoli for a few minutes before the latter club won, 2-0. (REPORT)

Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel explained why Manchester United midfielder Adnan Januzaj failed to find his footing with the German club during his loan, saying: “He didn’t wholly embrace Borussia. He always compared everything with how it had been at United.” (REPORT)

Ahead of the showdown with Manchester City on Saturday, Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy said he is nearing full fitness after recovering from a groin problem. (REPORT)

WEDNESDAY REWIND

Start Holden announced his retirement as a soccer player after battling with injuries for the past six years. (REPORT)

Alejandro Bedoya continued his impressive form with Nantes, scoring the game-winner and providing an assist in the club’s 3-1 win against AC Ajaccio. (REPORT)

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers have decided to move to a year-long schedule, hoping it helps the club further its international reach while also making a push towards the region’s biggest tournaments. (REPORT)

After opting against going pro following the 2015 college season, Jake Rozhansky has left Virginia in favor of Maryland. (REPORT)

Jerome Kiesewetter impressed in his first action with the U.S. Men’s National Team against Iceland on Sunday. (REPORT)

Matt Miazga was included on Chelsea’s 22-man UEFA Champions League roster on Wednesday. (REPORT)

Here are the results from Wednesday’s top leagues and competitions:

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

• Everton 3-0 Newcastle United
• Watford 0-0 Chelsea

SPANISH COPA DEL REY

• Barcelona 7-0 Valencia

ITALIAN SERIE A

• Frosinone 1-0 Bologna
• Empoli 1-1 Udinese
• Hellas Verona 2-1 Atalanta
• Inter Milan 1-0 Chievo Verona
• Lazio 0-2 Napoli
• Palermo 0-2 AC Milan
• Fiorentina 2-1 Carpi
• Juventus 1-0 Genoa
• Sampdoria 2-2 Torino

FRENCH LIGUE 1

• Lyon 3-0 Bordeaux
• Stade de Reims 2-1 Angers
• Nice 1-0 Toulouse
• Lille 1-0 Caen
• Guingamp 4-0 Troyes
• Nantes 3-1 GFC Ajaccio
• Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Lorient

COPA LIBERTADORES

• Cesar Vallejo 1-1 Sao Paulo
• Puebla 2-2 Racing Club

MEXICAN COPA MX

• Morelia 0-4 Necaxa
• Club Universidad de Guadalajara 0-1 Chivas Guadalajara
• Murcielagos FC 1-0 Atlas
• Celaya 0-2 Monterrey

—

What do you think of Wednesday’s results? How long do you expect Lukaku to be sidelined?

Share your thoughts below.