Chelsea host Fulham at Stamford Bridge in a London derby today, with the Blues looking to keep up the pressure on Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.
Enzo Maresca’s side missed the chance to briefly go top when they drew 0-0 to Everton last week, and they are now six points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
Though they insist they are not in a title race, Chelsea will know that three points today is vital to any hopes they may have, while it would also give them a huge advantage in the race for top four.
And they face a Fulham side who have quietly creeped up the table in recent weeks, with four draws and a win from their last five matches. Marco Silva’s men sit in ninth, and could climb as high as sixth with a win.
Follow all the latest action from Stamford Bridge below:
45’ – Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
One minute added on. Fulham have actually had the same number of shots as Chelsea, five apiece, but they’ve not really threatened with any of them and none have been after really good build-up play.
Right at the end of the half Chelsea almost break through again with some one-touch football – Bassey is across with a last-ditch sliding challenge just in time to keep it to one.
42’ – Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Keep-ball from the Blues as they look to take this lead into the break.
Silva is going to be giving his side quite the talking to you imagine.
38’ – Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
A replay of that Cucurella chance – he’s almost ahead of the ball and can’t quite divert it one side or another. Leno fumbles his parry a bit, straight out in front of him, but Bassey arrives first rather than a blue shirt to clear.
Iwobi then gives away the ball, Chelsea pour forward again and Andersen is forced into taking a yellow by hauling down his man.
Fulham so sloppy in this half of football.
34’ – Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Jackson wins a free-kick and, after much jostling and pointing, Palmer curls it straight into the wall.
Lukic then chops down Fernandez and earns a booking for his troubles; this time Palmer delivers a cross and finds a brilliant diving header from Cucurella, unmarked…and he really should score, but it’s straight at Leno who parries away. An escape for Fulham.
Sancho almost feeds in Jackson a moment later but it’s cleared.
30’ – Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Cucurella has been excellent for Chelsea of late but he’s been fairly quiet here, restrained with his positioning – the two wide attackers have been lively though and stretching play as much as possible. Enzo Maresca must be very content with this performance so far – not loads created but plenty of control, a goal to the good and nothing much created against them.
26’ – Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Sancho almost tees up Jackson after a decent dribble infield – Castagne hasn’t laid a glove on the winger yet. The same could be said for Fulham in general to be fair, as they haven’t really got started and seem too sluggish in defence to halt the home team’s advances.
Lots of loose passes from those in white shirts. Marco Silva is getting irate on the touchline; presumably the fans aren’t delighted either but for now they content themselves by jeering their opposite numbers for being quiet.
Iwobi then sets off on a run in his own half and just…doesn’t stop! A fine burst, past three challenges ending in a left-footed shot – Sanchez gets down well to save. Much better from Iwobi.
22’ – Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Again Palmer has the next effort, on target but weak, followed by a longer-range strike from Pereira, which has all the power and none of the accuracy. Miles over.
18’ – Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Almost another chance for Chelsea as Fulham dally around on the ball in their own box, but Leno escapes to grasp it.
Neto down the right then fashions an opening with a cut-back, but between them Palmer and Jackson can’t get a powerful shot away.
Jimenez whips one wide at the other end after an immediate throw down field.
GOAL! 15’ – Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Out of nothing, Cole Palmer scores the opener!
A simple turn in the middle of the half, he suddenly puts on a burst of pace, skips away from the two closest defenders and then side-foots the most gentle, and accurate, finish you’ll see this weekend – through the legs of one defender and right inside the corner of the net, leaving Leno stunned.
1-0 to Chelsea.
12’ – Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
Sancho again gets the better of Castagne, combining this time with Palmer just inside the area, but Fulham get numbers back to force the Blues away for now.
A strong start from the hosts, without really threatening Leno too much.
Most of Fulham’s early promise has come down their left, with Iwobi lively, and Jimenez now shoots from that corner of the penalty box and it’s on target…but soft, and easy for Sanchez.