Chelsea trailed for most of the game at Fulham on Sunday but Enzo Maresca’s side struck twice late on to turn things around and secured a huge win in their quest for Champions League qualification.
MORE — Watch full match replay
Alex Iwobi put Fulham deservedly ahead in the first half and they were the better team. But in the second half Chelsea improved and Tyrique George jumped off the bench to score his first Premier League goal, then Pedro Neto smashes home a beauty in stoppage time to send Maresca and everyone connected with Chelsea wild.
Chelsea now move into fifth place on 57 points, while Fulham remain on 48 points.
Huge moment for Chelsea as players believe in Maresca
After sluggish displays saw criticism of Maresca mounting, Chelsea were under pressure. They played like it in the first half too. But Maresca stayed true to his philosophy, Chelsea pressed high and kept the ball and ground Fulham down and two brilliant finishes turned the game on its head. Youngster George finished superbly, then Neto smashed home after working so hard throughout the game. This wasn’t classy. It wasn’t impressive. But it was exactly what Chelsea needed at this point of the season. With Aston Villa, Newcastle and Manchester City all bagging wins and going on runs around them in the Champions League hunt, many believe Chelsea could be the team to miss out. They still have tough games to come against Liverpool, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest to come but Chelsea are in fifth and if you would have offered them this situation at the start of the season they would have ripped your hand off. The reaction of Maresca and his Chelsea players when Neto’s shot went in and at the final whistle said it all. This was the moment they needed to kick-start their Champions League dreams. It was also telling that they played Maresca’s way and they ground down opponents and found a way. The Italian coach clearly still has the belief of his players in his methods and he will be delighted with their ability to finally be clinical when it mattered most.
Fulham vs Chelsea player ratings (via FotMob.com)
What’s next?
Fulham head to Southampton on Saturday, while Chelsea host Everton on the same day.
Fulham vs Chelsea score: 1-2
Iwobi 21'; George 84', Neto 90+3'
Neto smashes home! — Fulham 1-2 Chelsea
Incredible strike from Neto. He rifles home and Chelsea go wild. What a comeback this is!
Youngster George scores a huge goal! — Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
The teenage substitute scores his first Premier League goal, as Tyrique George smashes home a loose ball from the edge of the box. He’s only been on for a few minutes and that is a massive goal.
Chelsea should make it 1-1
That is a huge chance for Chelsea. The ball is kept in by Jackson and played back to Neto. He has the whole goal to aim at but hits it straight at Leno who saves and then gathers the loose ball.
Half time: Fulham 1-0 Chelsea
Fulham’s lead is a fair reflection of that first half. They forced the issue, created chances and Iwobi took his goal well, while Chelsea barely had a sniff in attack and Cole Palmer and Co., have to seriously up things in the second half if the Blues are going to get anything from this.
Chelsea have barely created a chance
This is a very worrying display from Chelsea. Maresca’s side have seen plenty of the ball but they are yet to carve out a proper chance.
Iwobi puts Fulham ahead! — Fulham 1-0 Chelsea
Sessegnon plays it in to Iwobi in the box and he takes a touch and drills a lovely low finish across goal. Fulham deservedly lead.
Fulham have the ball in the back of the net but it’s offside
The Cottagers have started brightly and a shot is fired to the back post, and is eventually in the back of the net. A couple of players looked to be offside but this is a good start for Fulham.
Fulham lineup
Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Sessegnon, Pereira, Iwobi; Jimenez
Chelsea lineup
Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Madueke; Jackson
Fulham team news, focus
It’s all about finding the right combinations in attack for Fulham as Jimenez, Willian, Traore and Smith Rowe all started on the bench in the defeat at Bournemouth. All four could come back in as Silva has perhaps been guilty of tinkering a little too much in recent weeks.
OUT: Reiss Nelson (hamstring)
Chelsea team news, focus
The Blues really need Palmer, Jackson and Madueke to regain their early-season form in attack, while forgotten man Jadon Sancho scored a beauty against Ipswich last time out and could be pushing for a start.
OUT: Wesley Fofana (thigh - out for season), Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension), Omari Kellyman (hamstring - out for season), Marc Guiu (thigh)
Fulham vs Chelsea prediction
This feels like it will be a tight, intense encounter and that suits Fulham more. Expect a big home win. Fulham 3-1 Chelsea.
Fulham vs Chelsea preview
Marco Silva’s Fulham lost 1-0 at Bournemouth on Monday as they dominated periods of the game but slipped up in their chase for European qualification. With six games to go the Cottagers are still right in the mix to reach Europe which would be a brilliant achievement this season. Sidenote: if Fulham beat Chelsea they will be just three points behind their esteemed neigbors.
Chelsea slipped up last weekend in the Premier League, drawing 2-2 at home to struggling Ipswich and they were 2-0 down. Maresca has come under serious pressure for his playing style in recent weeks and he’s had a pop back at the Chelsea fans as things are starting to unravel. Chelsea are still in the hunt for Champions League qualification but a run of one win in their last four games has put that in jeopardy.
How to watch Fulham vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9am ET Sunday (April 20)
Venue: Craven Cottage — London
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
