FROM STAMFORD BRIDGE – Chelsea nearly did sufficient to see off neighbours Fulham in a nervy west London derby on Saturday.
A primary-half penalty from Cole Palmer was all that separated the 2 sides on a day the place neither actually acquired getting in assault.
Mauricio Pochettino’s males have climbed to eighth within the Premier League desk above Manchester United and Newcastle United, who play later this weekend, whereas Marco Silva’s fees stay thirteenth.
How the sport unfolded
The primary actual sight of purpose got here on the 15-minute mark when Conor Gallagher fired over when surrounded by 5 Fulham our bodies on the sting of the penalty space.
Chelsea went nearer quickly after as Enzo Fernandez’s pinpoint cross from the left flank was met by Armando Broja, however his header sailed huge of the close to submit.
Fulham went practically broke the impasse when Antonee Robinson’s low cross travelled throughout the Chelsea six-yard field and located Harry Wilson, whose first-time strike was denied by the legs of Djordje Petrovic.
The guests had been outraged that Malo Gusto was not proven a crimson card for a problem excessive on Willian’s ankle earlier than the half-time break, with VAR agreeing with referee Anthony Taylor’s on-field determination of solely reserving the right-back.
In first-half stoppage time, Chelsea had been awarded a penalty when Raheem Sterling was tripped by Issa Diop. Palmer, whose intelligent move discovered Sterling within the first place, stepped up and despatched Bernd Leno the fallacious option to give the hosts the lead.
Simply after the break, Sterling went near including a second when he met a cross from Fernandez, however his glanced try ricocheted off the submit.
An analogous likelihood noticed Tosin Adarabioyo get behind a tame strike from Broja on the tip of a Gusto supply as Chelsea continued to push for one more purpose to present them respiration area.
Fulham lastly acquired going within the second half when Robinson’s ball ahead discovered Andreas Pereira, and his cutback reached Raul Jimenez, however his tame shot was palmed apart by Petrovic.
Chelsea struck the submit once more late within the day when Conor Gallagher’s outside-of-the-boot shot flew spherical a number of Fulham defenders.
The hosts withstood a barrage of stoppage-time stress to eek out a much-needed victory.
GK: Djordje Petrovic – 6/10 – Did not have an excessive amount of to do however handled all the pieces that was thrown his manner. Starting to make a declare for a beginning spot when Robert Sanchez returns to health.
RB: Malo Gusto – 6/10 – A tad lucky to not have been despatched off for a foul on Willian within the first half. Received ahead at will at instances the place Chelsea wanted much more attacking impetus.
CB: Thiago Silva – 6/10 – Confirmed indicators of his age and declining physicality at instances, notably late on when he cynically fouled Jimenez, however for probably the most half defended properly.
CB: Axel Disasi – 8/10 – Imperious in his duels with the busy Jimenez. Calm when in possession of the ball even when his passing was unambitious.
LB: Levi Colwill – 8/10 – In all probability Colwill’s greatest recreation on this un-favoured left-back function. Spun by Wilson early on however didn’t put a foot fallacious after, even starting Chelsea assaults with uncharacteristic drives down the left.
CM: Moises Caicedo – 6/10 – Performed some tremendous passes every so often however nonetheless lacked the attention he was coveted for at Brighton.
CM: Enzo Fernandez – 6/10 – Produced some tremendous crosses within the ultimate third however Chelsea’s incapability to progress the ball at tempo was partially because of the Argentine’s reluctance to obtain the ball in central areas.
RM: Cole Palmer – 8/10 – His purpose got here from the penalty spot however Palmer was the one participant who acquired followers off their seats with a sequence of flicks and methods.
AM: Conor Gallagher – 5/10 – Did not present sufficient of a tangible spark. Ought to most likely have been switched with Fernandez.
LM: Raheem Sterling – 6/10 – Received the penalty however usually ran down lifeless ends as Chelsea assaults got here to a halt.
CF: Armando Broja – 4/10 – Wolfed up by Fulham’s towering centre-backs. Did not get into the sport successfully and his sluggish decision-making was groaned upon by dwelling followers.
Substitutes
SUB: Noni Madueke (66′ for Broja) – 5/10
SUB: Ben Chilwell (77′ for Sterling) – 5/10
SUB: Alfie Gilchrist (90′ for Gusto) – N/A
SUB: Carney Chukwuemeka (90′ for Palmer) – N/A
Subs not used: Marcus Bettinelli (GK), Lucas Bergstrom (GK), Benoit Badiashile, Mykhailo Mudryk, Deivid Washington
Supervisor
Mauricio Pochettino – 6/10 – Chelsea had been stale in assault however they may no less than depend on some defensive solidity to recover from the road. The Argentine was unusually tetchy on the touchline.
GK: Bernd Leno – 5/10 – As was the case with Petrovic, Leno did not have quite a bit to do in manner of shot-stopping.
RB: Kenny Tete – 6/10 – Made Sterling battle for each inch to the purpose the place the winger determined to take up extra central roles.
CB: Tosin Adarabioyo – 7/10 – One other tremendous efficiency from a person rejuvenated in current months. Did not should lose his clear sheet.
CB: Issa Diop – 4/10 – Appeared nervy from the off and gave Fulham quite a bit to do by conceding a penalty so near half-time.
LB: Antonee Robinson – 7/10 – Most of Fulham’s greatest assaults got here by way of america worldwide, whose inventory is rising by the week.
CM: Joao Palhinha – 5/10 – Flew into challenges with full blood however hid from possession at instances the place Fulham wanted him to be calm.
CM: Tom Cairney – 5/10 – Danced his manner out of tight spots although was missing in a bodily midfield battle.
RM: Harry Wilson – 5/10 – Gave Colwill some hassle early doorways however his affect rapidly waned.
AM: Andreas Pereira – 4/10 – Chelsea did not want to fret concerning the midfielder from both open play or on set items. A uncommon off day.
LM: Willian – 4/10 – Dwelling followers sang his chant loudly, and judging by his quiet efficiency you would be forgiven for pondering he was nonetheless enjoying for Chelsea as a substitute.
CF: Raul Jimenez – 5/10 – Worn out within the first half and although he was extra concerned after the break, the Mexican lacked conviction in all the pieces he did.
Substitutes
SUB: Timothy Castagne (64′ for Tete) – 5/10
SUB: Bobby De Cordova-Reid (64′ for Wilson) – 5/10
SUB: Rodrigo Muniz (82′ for Pereira) – 5/10
SUB: Sasa Lukic (82′ for Palhinha) – 3/10
Subs not used: Marek Rodak (GK), Tim Ream, Harrison Reed, Tyrese Francois, Carlos Vinicius
Supervisor
Marco Silva – 4/10 – Fulham had been significantly void of composure within the ultimate third and he minimize a pissed off determine on the touchline for it.
Participant of the match – Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
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