20 April 2025
Fulham 1 Chelsea 2
Craven Cottage was the venue for a West London derby as they welcomed Chelsea. The visitors are still in a race for a top five spot and know that Champions League football is a must. They have dropped far too many points since the turn of the year and cannot afford to keep doing so. Marco Silva’s side still have an outside chance of qualifying for European competition themselves too.
Having beaten league leaders Liverpool in the capital a few weeks ago, The Cottagers know what their capabilities are when they are on form. Their main problem seems to be replicating this regularly and try as he might, the manager cannot find the solution to this puzzle. The fans were hoping they would see this happen out on the pitch against their local rivals.
Fulham started to pile the pressure on the visitors from the off. Chelsea’s defending was nothing short of shambolic as they had numerous attempts to clear it. Sessegnon crossed it from the byline and Iwobi dragged his volley at the far post wide of the target. The former Spurs defender was there to square it before Pereira bundled it over the line.
The Blues were able to breath a sigh of relief when the assistant put their flag up for offside. At which stage in the attack this occurred is anyone’s guess. Despite their frustrations, The Cottagers should have taken confidence from this attack. Seeing how disjointed the Chelsea defence looked would give anyone the feeling that they could break them down and score.
This has been somewhat of a constant for Maresca’s side for some time now. Obviously, in true Chelsea style, they will no doubt throw more money at the problem in the summer. At some point, you would think someone within the club would see that is not working. There must be deeper problems within their coaching setup that needs addressing.
Maresca’s side started to venture forward more. Neto was fouled wide outside the box and won a free-kick. James stepped up to take it and struck his effort well but it was straight at Leno, who made a comfortable save. Moments later Madueke created some space out wide and picked out Jackson with a pass. His first touch was poor, allowing the keeper to gather before he could get a shot away.
Fulham robbed the visitors of the ball in their own half. Sessegnon played it into Iwobi outside the box, who cut onto his left foot and got a shot away. The well placed effort found the bottom corner with Sanchez unable to get anywhere near it. Craven Cottage erupted as the deadlock was broken while Chelsea’s players all seemed to blame each other for the goal.
Before the interval, The Blues managed to create a couple of half-chances. Firstly, Neto put in a teasing cross which just evaded Jackson. He seemed surprised that the ball came to him, expecting Bassey to head clear. The striker had another chance when the ball broke to him at the back post. After taking a touch, he fired off a shot but it was blocked by a sliding challenge from the hosts.
The visitors were looking the more likely to score after the break. Gusto tried his luck from distance but it was straight at Leno. As Chelsea came forward again, it was played into Jackson in space in the penalty area. He laid it off to Neto, who checked onto his stronger foot and drilled an effort at goal. Fulham’s keeper reacted well to make a crucial block with his legs.
With little defending to do, the visitors were able to get their full-backs forward more. Cucurella looked to bend one into the far corner, which had Leno beaten, but it was cleared off the line. The hosts then gave the ball away in their own half and it was quickly worked to Palmer. He drove into the box and shot but sliced his effort miles away from the target.
Marco Silva’s side were becoming the architects of their own downfall. Chelsea played a cross into the box which Neto could not get under control. A poor touch from the defender sent it towards George on the edge of the box, who drilled a first-time effort into the bottom corner. The away end erupted as it beat Leno and nestled into the back of the net.
Enzo Maresca started to bark orders at his players from the touchline, he knew this game was there for the taking. Deep into added time, a loose ball dropped to Neto in the box. He instinctively turned and shot, rifling the ball past Leno and into the back of the net. In the space of ten minutes The Blues had grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat.
They held on for the much-needed win to keep their Champions League hopes alive. Marco Silva’s face summed up his thoughts as the full-time whistle blew. It was another occasion where his side had failed to hold onto a lead, something that must feel like a reoccurring nightmare for him, along with the fans trudging out of the stadium frustrated as ever.
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