Not the worst day to choose for a football resurrection. Chelsea had to ensure his first victory outside in the Premier League since December 8 to relaunch his chances of the Champions League, and the boy did it.
It was not convincing, it was not particularly pretty, but what way it was to win a match.
First, one of Cobham’s their own in Tyrique George marked his late level after replacing Nicolas Jackson. It gave them hope. Then Pedro Neto received an interior pass in time. He took it under his spell, turned and marked a crier beyond Bernd Leno.
The celebrations were animal. Chelsea players darted different directions. Their bench exploded on the ground. Supporters looked like a sea of members.
It was not compared to the reaction to the full -time whistle when the players practically plunged into the external end. They knew how great it was for their hope of doing the European elite competition. It was presented as a “final” for Chelsea, and they came out victorious.
Enzo Maresca was hardly involved in these celebrations, the spirit. At the end, he shaken Marco Silva’s hand, then headed directly to the tunnel without barely recognition for the fans base. He and they are not the best friends after a little chickadee and a state in recent weeks. Bringing Chelsea into the Champions League would help repair their relationship.
Chelsea organized a dramatic return against Fulham to win the West London derby on Sunday 2-1
Fulham took the lead through Alex Iwobi in 20 minutes and was ahead of most of the match
Tyrique George scored his first Premier League goal to equalize for Chelsea in the 84th minute
Robert Sanchez made his 50th appearance for Chelsea here. According to his hardest criticisms of the fans base, he is 50 too much. He is subject to crazy moments, and Levi Colwill said to his nervous goalkeeper to calm him within 30 seconds here after an anxious pass of the rear.
Sanchez chose the ball of its goal after three minutes when Andreas Pereira hit the following pinball carnage in the Chelsea box. However, the offside flag was raised against Alex Iwobi after providing assistance – a call ratified by those of the Var Bunker.
Before the match, while everyone warmed up collectively for Chelsea, Cole Palmer was doing an individual job, accompanied by a coach and with Marcus Bettinelli with the goal, practicing shooting from 20 meters or more. His first opportunity to test the Fulham Bernd Leno goalkeeper of such a real -time scenario saw him scratch. This has been her chance in recent times.
Since Reece James returned from his last injury to the hamstrings, Maresca argued that he could not play every three days. He even reiterated this Thursday after the Chelsea captain finished a complete 90 in the conference league. And yet, here he started.
It was a dream of a transverse bullet that led to a fault on Neto. James took off and, while we all anticipate a cross, he went there. However, Leno was wise for deception when the ball arched in his arms.
Chelsea is better with James by their side, but he was the culprit in fault when they conceded after 20 minutes. He was relaxed by advancing the ball of his defensive third party, completely ignoring that Ryan Sessegnon slipped behind him.
Fulham a countered while Sessegnon played an interior pass in Iwobi, whose low car of 18 yards beat Sanchez. Marco Silva’s team deserved their lead and should have doubled when Sander Berge completely missed the ball when he had a free head of a corner.
It was a good job for Maresca that referee Anthony Taylor was wrong in Fulham by jumping his whistle at halftime before he could take their corner. The huts of the supporters of the house meant that those of the exterior section were not as noticeable as they would have been otherwise.
Nine minutes later, Pedro Neto finished the turnaround to put on an additional time winner
The Enzo Maresca team went to fifth row, ahead of Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa in the table
Chelsea is now two points behind Newcastle in third, but also two points ahead of Villa in seventh – these are the tight margins of the race for football in the Champions League
Meanwhile, the rough form of Fulham continues because they have now lost four of their last five games
It was the 40th season in which Fulham and Chelsea clashed in the league. The chalet had never been double. They won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge the day after Christmas and were now 45 minutes from a historic victory over their noisy neighbors.
At halftime, Noni Madueke was replaced by Jadon Sancho and James by Malo Gusto. After 55 minutes, Nicolas Jackson installed Neto. He had to score. It was 10 meters from the goal and with space. But he pierced the ball directly in Leno rather than on each side of him.
Sancho also sent one directly to Leno from 20 meters, while Marc Cucurella saw his curler released on the line by Antonee Robinson retired.
At least Chelsea created chances. That they had the finishes to accompany them seemed improbable while Palmer fired over and largely from the inside of the box.
Meanwhile, Chelsea fans sang Frank Lampard’s name for five minutes in a row. Admittedly, Coventry supporters appreciate their football more than this lot.
MARESCA made Mary’s hail of a substitute by replacing Jackson with one of their own to George. After 83 minutes, the 19-year-old jumped on a loose bullet, hitting 20 yards to reach 1-1 with his first lead in the Premier League.
After six minutes of downtime were announced, Chelsea attacks. Palmer had possession and fed it widely in Enzo Fernandez. He installed Neto, who controlled, turned, swarmed and struck. What a strike was – too hot to manage for Leno, because he was Fulham’s goalkeeper in a flash for 2-1. Chelsea fans sang: “How do you have to be S ***?” We win. Indeed, it was their first first league victory on the road in 2025 and how it was necessary.
