CHELSEA have snatched a vital three points from their London rivals Fulham as they continue their Champions League charge.
Alex Iwobi initially scored the opener to stun Enzo Maresca‘s men before Blues youngster Tyrique George bagged his first-ever goal to put the sides on level terms.
And just when it seemed as if the points would be shared, Pedro Neto scored a sublime strike to earn a crucial win for the Blues.
- RESULT: Fulham 1-2 Chelsea
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Neto heaps praise on George
He said: “What a finish it was. He has been working with us for a while.
“Today he showed what he can do, he scored a beautiful goal and we go from that.”
Credit: Getty ‘It is not easy’
Neto added: “I think it could be a big part of the season for us. We showed character. To be honest, I have no words.
“It is not easy to spend all season in the top four and we were out before this game.
“The character the team showed, we now need to think about Everton.”
Credit: Getty Hit and hope
Pedro Neto admitted his wonder-goal came from just leathering it as hard as he could.
He said: “When I received the ball, I just span around and shot as hard as I can. The ball went in.
“The first one, Leno did an unbelievable save and I was so frustrated that the second one I had to put all the power into the shot.”
Credit: Reuters
Full-time stats
- Possession – 40% – 60%
- Shots – 6-13
- Big chances – 0-1
- Corners – 5-4
Chelsea 1-2 Fulham – FULL-TIME
Not quite a snatch-and-grab from the Blues but it teetered on it for much of the contest.
The bitter rivals were separated by sheer quality in the end; two gorgeous strikes late in the second-half see Chelsea re-take their position in the top five.
Chelsea 1-2 Fulham – GOAL
93 – A goal deserving of winning a derby from MOTM contender Neto.
A quick move engineered by midfield duo Caicedo and Fernández got the Blues up the pitch in seconds, beofre the latter’s cross deflected perfectly for their Portuguese winger to have a sweet crack at it and beyond Leno.
Chelsea 1-1 Fulham
90 – Six minutes have been added on.
It will go beyond that as Carlos Vinícius hobbles off the ground after contact with Sánchez.
Chelsea 1-1 Fulham
88 – Gusto pulls up with hamstring discomfort and is replaced to former Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo, who gets a mixed reception with a smattering of you-know whats.
Chelsea 1-1 Fulham – GOAL
83 – And just like that we have a game.
In search for an equaliser, the ball bundles itself to the path of substitute Tyrique George as he dispatches first-time past Leno and sparks some life into a contest that was meandering.
Chelsea 0-1 Fulham
77 – A couple subs to ring through:
Chelsea: Jackson OUT, George IN.
Fulham: Sessegnon and Tete OUT, Wilson and Castagne OUT.
Chelsea 0-1 Fulham
75 – Fulham launch a hopeful ball forward to Jiménez, which is dealt by Sánchez and offloaded to Caicedo.
The Ecuadoran midfielder is fouled and in the act of wanting to restart quickly plays the resulting pass out of play.
Chelsea 0-1 Fulham
71 – The home side make their first change of the afternoon as the industrious Lukić comes off for Cairney.
Chelsea 0-1 Fulham
68 – Palmer finally has a chance to make his mark on the game as he goes driving into Fulham’s box.
His shot blazes off target into the stand.
Chelsea 0-1 Fulham
65 – A moment of cat and mouse with Palmer and Pereira.
The Fulham playmaker had seemingly jinked enough to win a corner, or so he thought, with referee Taylor and his assistants ruling a goal-kick to the dismay of many.
Chelsea 0-1 Fulham
The official attendance has floated past the press pack with the figures standing at 27, 000.
It feels double that inside Craven Cottage.
Chelsea 0-1 Fulham
55 – After a 15-second of “shoot” from the home support, Chelsea get the ball clear and into an advantageous potion with Jackson.
The striker’s releases Neto with a clear sight on goal from yards out but Leno makes himself big, literally and figuratively, to stop an equaliser.
Chelsea 0-1 Fulham
52 – A bit more pip to Chelsea’s step.
Play is worked out to Neto who sets up Gusto in open space. A curling shot on his unfavourable weak foot is easily handled by Leno but signs of hope are seemingly emerging.
Chelsea 0-1 Fulham
47 – Sancho’s introduction has shifted Neto to the right, but the industry and threat remains.
He earns free-kick, which results in a corner that Fulham eventually deal with.
Chelsea 0-1 Fulham
And we’re back.
Two changes from Maresca: Sancho and Gusto on, James and Madueke for the Blues.
Chelsea 0-1 Fulham – Half-time stats
- Possession – 41% – 59%
- Shots – 2-4
- Big chances – 0-1
- Corners – 3-1
Chelsea 0-1 Fulham – HALF-TIME
For much of the half, Chelsea were just participating to manage the gushing Fulham momentum that was coming from all four corners of the stadium aswell as on the pitch.
Alex Iwobi dispatched the half’s only goal with composure. Chelsea have lacked it, and the fight to go with it.
Chelsea 0-1 Fulham
45 – Over the set-piece, Andreas Pereira delivers a looping ball which is headed away before the unmarked Berge can do anything about it.
A corner was the assumption but Anthony Taylor blows the whistle for half-time to the frustrations of the away fans.
Chelsea 0-1 Fulham
43 – Fulham have managed to stave any potential signs of danger from Chelsea expertly.
Intricate build-up play on the left between Neto, Fernández and Cucurella was marshalled before being seized away.
Chelsea 0-1 Fulham
35 – Robinson snuffles out Madueke’s attempt to craft a chance out on the right wing.
No real breathing room for Chelsea.
Chelsea 0-1 Fulham
31 – A rarity for Chelsea, but they manage to break out of Fulham’s half with purpose.
A move two-man led by Jakcson and Neto on the left wing, as the latter cross has too much pace for his striker to connect with.
Promising no less.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
