Chelsea vs Fulham LIVE: Premier League newest objectives and updates as Cole Palmer scores good opener
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:
62’ – Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Great work from Iwobi again. He escapes Fernandez with quick feet then beats Neto for pace – yellow card for the Portuguese winger, free-kick for Fulham right on the edge of the box for a slide tackle which got nowhere near the ball.
Pereira is over the dead ball…and he goes directly for goal, trying to surprise Sanchez, but it’s straight at the keeper.
Moments later it should be 1-1 – Traore’s cross finds Robinson, his first touch is just behind his right foot instead of tight on his left and that allows Sanchez to rush out five yards and make a good block with his body. Big opening for the visitors.
58’ – Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Two better moments from Fulham after that Iwobi chance, with a break and cross from each flank. Neither end in a shot but more bodies were forward and that’s more reason for optimism.
Gusto then has to yell at Sanchez to get out quicker to collect a long ball over the top.
Perhaps the momentum of the game has just swung a bit here in this last few minutes.
54’ – Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Iwobi has been about the only threat from Fulham and he goes close again, spinning left then right and bending a shot towards the top corner. It’s not far wide, just a foot or so, and Sanchez was nowhere near. Not on target though so no problem, though a warning for Chelsea all the same.
50’ – Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Goal!… No goal! Palmer drives down the left wing and crosses low, Colwill diving in to nod home past Leno, but the offside flag is straight up and the effort is ruled out.
He was always ahead of the ball in truth, Colwill, so no great surprise to see it confirmed quickly. Still 1-0.
48’ – Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Enzo Fernandez very close to a brilliant second – but that’s a great tip-over from Leno, the captain’s shot looking like it was heading for the top corner there.
Fulham haven’t exactly come out all guns blazing here, so Chelsea will hope for a few more chances at finding that crucial second goal.
46’ – Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Second half time – no changes but Fulham had a few warming up at the break. They need a response for sure.
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.
