Chelsea beat Fulham 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday but the west London derby win came amid plenty of controversy.
WATCH — Full match replay
Fulham teenager Josh King had a goal disallowed after a lengthy VAR and pitch-side referee review in the first half, which would have put Fulham ahead. Then Joao Pedro headed home right on half time to make it 1-0 to Chelsea against the run of play.
MORE — Liam Delap injury update
Early in the second half Chelsea were awarded a penalty kick, again via VAR and a lengthy pitch-side referee review, and Enzo Fernandez made it 2-0 from the spot to wrap up the win.
REACTION — Maresca, Silva on controversial encounter
Chelsea have now grabbed seven points from their opening three games, while Fulham have two points from three games to start the season and will be feeling hard done by.
Chelsea thankful for VAR as Fulham fume
This game should have ended in a draw and Fulham deserved that, at the very least. But two huge decisions went against them and both were head scratchers after lengthy VAR and pitch-side monitor reviews. Referee Rob Jones was sent to the monitor on both occasions as first Fulham had a goal for Josh King chalked off for Rodrigo Muniz stepping on the foot of Trevoh Chalobah as he held the ball up. There was no malice in the contact and it wasn’t a foul, but somehow Jones decided it was after being sent to the monitor. A seething Marco Silva fumed on the sidelines. He also had an issue with Chelsea scoring in the ninth of eight minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half. He then had an even bigger issue with a penalty kick awarded to Chelsea at the start of the second half. Yes, the ball did hit the arm of Ryan Sessegnon as he turned his back and tried to block Chalobah’s cross. But before that cross Joao Pedro had clearly handled in the box but VAR reviewed that decision and decided that a penalty kick should be given and it wasn’t a handball on Joao Pedro. Cue Marco Silva laughing on the sidelines. If he didn’t laugh he would cry. Fulham were so unlucky that Chelsea seemed to sheepishly, almost apologetically, celebrate the win at the final whistle. Chelsea knew they got away with one and will be thankful VAR and referee Rob Jones had a nightmare in the big moments when it counted.
What next?
Chelsea head to Brentford on Saturday, September 13. Fulham host Leeds on the same day.
Chelsea vs Fulham score: 2-0
Joao Pedro 45+9', Fernandez 56'
Chelsea vs Fulham live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Joao Pedro clears off the line
Fulham almost pull one back. A corner is whipped in and the effort is going in at the back stick, but Joao Pedro is there to clear if off the line. That would have been interesting...
“2-0 to the referee!”
Fulham’s fans aren’t letting it go. Why should they? Two really bad decisions against them has basically handed Chelsea this win. Fulham, on the run of play, deserve at least a draw.
Joao Pedro almost gets in twice
The first time he’s played in over the top but Bernd Leno comes off his line well and grabs the ball off Joao Pedro’s foot as he’s about to go around him. The second time a cross is whipped in to the back post but Joao Pedro is stretching and can’t quite get on the end of it.
Penalty kick for Chelsea after another VAR review! Enzo scores
Chalobah’s cross into the box is blocked by the outstretched arm of Ryan Sessegnon who had his back turned. VAR has asked the referee Rob Jones to go to the monitor again. They check if Joao Pedro had handled the ball earlier in the move, which it looked like he had, but they decide to give a penalty to Chelsea for a handball against Sessegnon. There is a wry smile from Marco Silva on the bench. Enzo Fernandez puts it straight down the middle to put Chelsea 2-0 up.
Half time: Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Marco Silva waits for the referee at half time to have a very angry word with him, but he’s waved away. Fulham not happy that Josh King’s goal was ruled out by VAR. Then Joao Pedro put Chelsea ahead right on half time as Fulham didn’t believe there was any time left for the corner to be taken. Brutal half for Fulham, who were the better team, but somehow Chelsea lead.
Joao Pedro heads home a corner!
Fulham are furious as they didn’t think there was enough time for that corner. But Enzo Fernandez whips it in and Joao Pedro heads home at the back post. Marco Silva has lost the plot on the sidelines. Fulham have been the better side, but Chelsea are ahead.
Brilliant block from Caicedo!
More neat play from Fulham and Timothy Castagne is in, but Moises Caicedo appears from nowhere (as he often does!) and launches himself at the ball to block the shot. That looked like a certain goal for Fulham. The Cottagers have been the better team in this first half.
Tosin flicks just over
A corner from Enzo Fernandez is whipped in dangerously and the ball hits Andersen, then Tosin from close range and floats just over the bar. Chelsea so close to an opener.
Fulham’s Josh King scores... but VAR rules it out
Josh King is played in on the counter and the teenager keeps his composure so well to cut inside and then wrong-foot Sanchez with the near post finish. What a moment for him! But hang on. VAR checks for a possible foul on Trevoh Chalobah by Rodrigo Muniz in the lead up to the goal and referee Rob Jones has checked the pitch-side monitor and decides to disallow the goal for a “careless challenge” as Muniz stands on Chalobah. Marco Silva is incensed. That is a very harsh decision on Fulham.
An opening goal for Fulham against Chelsea was DISALLOWED after VAR review for a foul in the build-up. pic.twitter.com/qtOm5NLngM
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 30, 2025
Delap is off injured
Oh no. That is not what Chelsea want. Liam Delap goes down holding his hamstring as he’s played in over the top. He’s off and teenager Tyrique George is on his place. Not good for Chelsea.
Andersen curls over
Well, that would have been something. Fulham hit Chelsea on the counter and center back Joachim Andersen has tons of space in the box. What is he doing up there!? He curls his shot wide of the goal but he should do better and at least hit the target. Good chance for Fulham.
Delap’s shot is blocked
Even start at Stamford Bridge but the first chance of the game falls to Chelsea. Liam Delap gets some space inside the box and drills a shot towards goal but Sander Berge stands tall and blocks well.
Timothee Chalamet is in the house!
A familiar face in the stands at Stamford Bridge... 👀
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 30, 2025
Timothée Chalamet is in London taking in Chelsea v. Fulham! pic.twitter.com/3oVBeLiso8
Chelsea lineup
Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Joao Pedro, Neto; Delap
Fulham lineup
Leno, Tete, Andersen, Bassey; Castagne, Berge, Lukic, Sessegnon; King, Iwobi; Muniz
Chelsea injury news
OUT: Romeo Lavia (undisclosed), Levi Colwill (torn ACL - MORE), Benoit Badiashile (knock), Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension), Omari Kellyman (thigh), Cole Palmer (groin - MORE)
Fulham injury news
None.
Chelsea vs Fulham prediction
The Blues are favored even with the questionable status of Cole Palmer, who nearly started last week but was pulled out of the lineup in warm-ups due as a precautionary measure. Fulham will have to be effective with limited chances as they have not produced much through two weeks. A score draw might be their best hopes, and that seems a bridge too far for Week 3. Chelsea 2-0 Fulham.
Chelsea vs Fulham preview
Mind you there’s only been one win amongst the four games featuring the Blues or Cottagers, but unbeaten is unbeaten. Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea are the club with the victory, having drawn Crystal Palace and clobbered West Ham 5-1 without ever leaving London. Fulham boss Marco Silva is hoping for reinforcements soon after draws with Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United.
Both clubs fancy themselves contenders for Europe next season but Chelsea have much higher aims than their Saturday visitors and will expect nothing less than three points at home.
How to watch Chelsea vs Fulham live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 7:30am ET Saturday
Venue: Stamford Bridge — west London
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Live online via NBC.com
