Fulham’s long wait for a win at Stamford Bridge will stretch into a 45th year after Cole Palmer’s penalty at the end of the first half secured a third successive league win for Mauricio Pochettino’s men. Marco Silva’s spirited side ultimately paid the price for Issa Diop’s dozy decision to lunge in on Raheem Sterling, but there was as little between the SW6 neighbours as the scoreline suggested with the Whites coming up short only 72 hours after their League Cup semi-final first leg defeat at Liverpool.
The moment that settled the match was created by Palmer, Chelsea’s classiest performer by a mile, who gave Sterling space inside the penalty area with an intelligent reverse ball. Diop dived it as Sterling checked inside and conceded a clear cut spot-kick, from which the former Manchester City midfielder sent Bernd Leno the wrong way. It was a rare error during another disciplined display from the Fulham back four, but it proved critical.
Referee Anthony Taylor’s decisions were also critical. He opted to let a number of hefty tackles go unpunished early on and showed Malo Gusto only a yellow card after a wild challenge on Willian. VAR reached the same conclusion as the official, but plenty of players have been sent off for less this season. Midway through the second half, Thiago Silva, who had earlier escaped punishment when he lunged into Raul Jimenez’s shins was also only booked when he took out the Mexican striker as he surged clear through the centre of the pitch. Chelsea’s edginess was encapsulated by Palmer also being cautioned for booting the ball into the stands to prevent the Blues facing a quick free-kick.
Jimenez had two of Fulham’s better chances as they went in search of an equaliser in the second half, testing Djordje Petrovic with a daisycutter after being teed up by Andreas Pereira, and then being denied by the Serbian at his near post barely a minute later. The former Wolves striker also curiously opted to try and chip the Chelsea goalkeeper from just over the halfway line when he had team-mates either side eager to lead a break before both Pereira and Willian went close with free-kicks.
Fulham were the dominant force during five minutes of stoppage time but they couldn’t force home a late leveller from another set-play with Levi Colwill and Enzo Fernandes getting themselves in the way of efforts from Tosin Adarabioyo and Tom Cairney. It proved to be another frustrating journey along the Fulham Road for the Fulham faithful, although ironically Stamford Bridge was becoming audibly vocal about the home side’s lack of invention when Diop conceded the fateful penalty.
Chelsea had a point to prove after their own League Cup semi-final reversal, although their defeat at Championship Middlesbrough on Tuesday was more of a surprise, and they dominated possession early on without creating a clear cut opportunity. The hosts looked more likely when they moved the ball with precision and pace in the final third. Connor Gallagher curled an early effort wide, but Armando Broja – whose only other league goal this campaign had come in the reverse fixture at Craven Cottage – spurned a glorious chance by heading wide from a fabulous Fernandez delivery.
Fulham could easily have opened the scoring themselves despite barely setting foot in the Chelsea box in the first twenty minutes. Pereira forced a smart save from Petrovic after Harry Wilson had pinched the ball high up the pitch, before the Welsh winger was denied by another reflex stop from the Chelsea keeper when he arrived at the back post to meet an inviting cross from Antonee Robinson.
Chelsea made a much more high-octane start to the second period seeking to press home the advantage they had earned from the spot. Sterling somehow glanced a header onto the post when it seemed easier to score from another Fernandez cross before the England winger was denied by an excellent intervention from Kenny Tete after Gusto had played another dangerous ball across the box.
Gallagher almost made it two with a swerving shot off the outside of his boot that cannoned off the base of the far post with Leno beaten, but Fulham asked far more of the questions once Silva, who kicked every ball on the touchline, had sent on Rodrigo Muniz to try and expose Chelsea’s defence frailties. The Whites might not have grabbed a share of the derby day spoils, but there was plenty to like about this tenacious display.
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Gusto (Gilchrist 90+3), Colwill, Disasi, Thiago Silva; Caicedo, Fernández; Palmer (Chukwuemeka 90+2), Sterling (Chilwell 77), Gallagher; Broja (Madueke 66). Subs (not used): Bettinelli, Bergstörm, Badiashile, Deivid Washington, Mudryk.
BOOKED: Gusto, Fernández, Disasi, Thiago Silva, Palmer.
GOAL: Palmer (pen 45+4).
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete (Castagne 64), A. Robinson, Adarabioyo, Diop; Palhinha (Lukic 83), Cairney; Wilson (De Cordova-Reid 64), Willian, Pereira (Muniz 82); Jimenez. Subs (not used): Rodak, Ream, Reed, Francois, Vinicius.
BOOKED: Wilson.
REFEREE: Anthony Taylor (Greater Manchester).
