Not the worst day to choose for a footballing resurrection. Chelsea had to secure their first away win in the Premier League since December 8 to revive their Champions League chances, and boy did they.
It was not convincing, neither was it particularly pretty, but what a way it was to win a game.
First, one of their own from Cobham in Tyrique George scored their late leveller after replacing Nicolas Jackson. That gave them hope. Then, Pedro Neto received an inside pass in stoppage time. He took it under his spell, spun, and scored a screamer beyond Bernd Leno.
The celebrations were animalistic. Chelsea’s players darted in different directions. Their bench exploded on to the pitch. The supporters resembled a sea of limbs.
That was nothing compared to the reaction at the full-time whistle as players practically dived into the away end. They knew how big this was for their hopes of making it into Europe’s elite competition. This was billed as a ‘final’ for Chelsea, and they emerged victorious.
Enzo Maresca was hardly involved in those celebrations, mind. At the end, he shook Marco Silva’s hand, and then made his way straight to the tunnel without barely an acknowledgement for the fanbase. He and they are not the best of friends after a little tit and tat over the last few weeks. Getting Chelsea into the Champions League would help mend their relationship.
Chelsea staged a dramatic comeback against Fulham to win Sunday’s west London derby 2-1
Fulham took the lead through Alex Iwobi on 20 minutes and were ahead for most of the game
Tyrique George scored his first Premier League goal to equalise for Chelsea in the 84th minute
Robert Sanchez was making his 50th appearance for Chelsea here. According to his harshest critics in the fanbase, it is 50 too many. He is prone to mad moments, and Levi Colwill was telling his jittery goalkeeper to calm it within 30 seconds here after an anxious pass from the back.
Sanchez was picking the ball out of his goal after three minutes when Andreas Pereira tapped in following pinball carnage in Chelsea’s box. However, the offside flag was raised against Alex Iwobi after he had provided the assist – a call ratified by those in the VAR bunker.
Before the game, while everyone else was warming up collectively for Chelsea, Cole Palmer was doing individual work, accompanied by a coach and with Marcus Bettinelli in goal, practising shooting from 20 yards or further. His first opportunity to test Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno from such a scenario in real time saw him scuff it. Such has been his luck of late.
Ever since Reece James returned from his most recent hamstring injury, Maresca has maintained he cannot play every three days. He even reiterated that on Thursday after Chelsea’s captain completed a full 90 in the Conference League. And yet, here he was, starting.
It was one dream of a cross-field ball which led to a foul on Neto. James took the wide free-kick and, while we were all anticipating a cross, he went for it. However, Leno was wise to the deception as the ball arched into his arms.
Chelsea are better with James in their side, but he was the culprit at fault when they conceded after 20 minutes. He was casual in bringing the ball forward from his defensive third, completely unaware that Ryan Sessegnon was creeping up behind him.
Fulham countered as Sessegnon played an inside pass into Iwobi, whose low drive from 18 yards beat Sanchez. Marco Silva’s side deserved their lead, and should have doubled it when Sander Berge completely missed the ball when he had a free header from a corner.
It was a good job for Maresca that referee Anthony Taylor wronged Fulham by blowing his half-time whistle before they could take their corner. The boos from the home supporters meant those from the away section were not as discernible as they would otherwise have been.
Nine minutes later, Pedro Neto completed the turnaround to notch a winner in added time
Enzo Maresca’s side moved up to fifth, ahead of Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa in the table
Chelsea are now two points behind Newcastle in third but also just two points ahead of Villa in seventh – such are the tight margins in the race for Champions League football
Meanwhile, Fulham’s rough form continues, as they have now lost four of their last five games
This was the 40th season in which Fulham and Chelsea had faced one another in the league. The Cottagers had never done the double. They won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day and were now 45 minutes from a historic victory over their noisy neighbours.
At half-time, Noni Madueke was replaced by Jadon Sancho, and James by Malo Gusto. After 55 minutes, Nicolas Jackson set up Neto. He had to score. He was 10 yards from goal and with space. But he drilled the ball directly into Leno rather than either side of him.
Sancho likewise sent one straight into Leno from 20 yards, while Marc Cucurella saw his curler cleared on the line by the retreating Antonee Robinson.
At least Chelsea were now creating chances. Whether they had the finishes to go with them appeared unlikely as Palmer fired over and wide from inside the box.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s fans sang the name of Frank Lampard for five minutes straight. Certainly, Coventry supporters are enjoying their football more than this lot.
Maresca made a Hail Mary of a substitute by replacing Jackson with one of their own in George.
After 83 minutes, the 19-year-old pounced on a loose ball, striking from 20 yards to make it 1-1 with his first Premier League goal.
After six minutes of stoppage time were announced, Chelsea went on the attack. Palmer had possession and fed it wide to Enzo Fernandez.
He set up Neto, who controlled, spun, swung, and bang. What a strike it was – too hot to handle for Leno as it went by Fulham’s goalkeeper in a flash for 2-1.
Chelsea fans sang: ‘How s*** must you be? We’re winning away.’ Indeed, this was their first Premier League victory on the road in 2025, and how it was needed.
