Fulham 1-2 Chelsea: Match Report And Players Ratings Analysis

Match Report

Chelsea snatched a dramatic late victory against Fulham at Craven Cottage, scoring twice in the final six minutes to overturn a 1-0 deficit. Alex Iwobi had given the home side the lead in the 20th minute, but substitute Tyrique George equalized in the 84th minute before Pedro Neto struck the winner in the 93rd minute.

Fulham started brightly and had an early goal disallowed for offside. They took the lead when Ryan Sessegnon dispossessed Reece James and set up Iwobi, who fired a low shot into the bottom corner. Chelsea struggled to create clear-cut chances in the first half and were booed off by their own fans at half-time.

However, the introduction of Tyrique George and Jadon Sancho in the second half gave Chelsea more attacking impetus. George leveled the score with a well-taken first-time shot from the edge of the box. In the dying minutes, Enzo Fernandez cut the ball back to Neto, who swivelled and smashed a shot into the roof of the net to secure a vital three points for Chelsea.

This late comeback sees Chelsea move up to fifth in the Premier League table, boosting their hopes of Champions League qualification. Fulham, meanwhile, remain in ninth place.

Player Ratings Analysis:

Fulham:

 * Bernd Leno: 7 - Made some good saves but could do little about Chelsea's late goals.

 * Kenny Tete: 5 - Struggled against Pedro Neto in the first half.   

 * Calvin Bassey: 6 - Competent at the back.

 * Antonee Robinson: 6 - Offered a threat going forward.

 * Ryan Sessegnon: 7 - Provided the assist for Fulham's goal and was a lively presence.

 * Sasa Lukic: 7 - Marshalled the midfield well before being surprisingly substituted.

 * Andreas Pereira: 6 - Worked hard in midfield.

 * Alex Iwobi: 7 - Scored a well-taken goal.

 * Raul Jimenez: 6 - Held the ball up well but faded in the second half.

 * Harry Wilson (sub): 5 - Didn't have a significant impact.

 * Tom Cairney (sub): 5 - Failed to win any tackles after coming on.

Chelsea:

 * Robert Sánchez: 4.5 - Looked shaky at times, despite some decent moments.

 * Reece James: 5 - Dispossessed in the lead-up to Fulham's goal and substituted at half-time.

 * Trevoh Chalobah: 5 - Solid but part of a defense that conceded.

 * Levi Colwill: 5 - Booked and looked uncomfortable on the ball at times.

 * Marc Cucurella: 5 - Energetic but erratic in possession and booked.

 * Moises Caicedo: 8 - Impressed in midfield, breaking up attacks and driving forward.

 

* Enzo Fernandez: 6 - Slow to react for Fulham's goal but provided the assist for the winner.

 * Noni Madueke: 5 - Threatening early on but faded and was substituted at half-time.

 * Cole Palmer: 5 - Quiet game by his standards, missing a good chance.

 * Pedro Neto: 9 - Chelsea's best player, causing problems throughout and scoring a stunning late winner.

 * Nicolas Jackson: 4 - Struggled upfront, wasting chances and substituted.

 * Malo Gusto (sub): 7 - Looked lively after coming on.

 * Jadon Sancho (sub): 5 - Didn't make a significant impact.

 * Tyrique George (sub): 8 - Scored a crucial equalizer shortly after coming on.

Final thoughts:

This hard-fought victory against Fulham feels like more than just three points; it's a potential springboard. Snatching a win from a losing position in the dying minutes showcases a resilience and never-say-die attitude that has often been questioned this season. The introduction of young players like Tyrique George, who scored the equalizer, hints at a promising future and a potential injection of fresh dynamism into the squad.

Pedro Neto's stunning late winner not only secured the points but also underlined his growing importance to the team, offering a moment of brilliance when it was most needed. While there are still areas for improvement – particularly in the first-half performance and the struggles of the forward line – this comeback win could be a significant morale booster. It suggests a developing mental fortitude and the ability to find solutions even when under pressure. As the race for European qualification intensifies, this victory provides crucial momentum and reinforces the belief that they can compete at the highest level. This win could be the catalyst for a strong finish to the season, proving their mettle and solidifying their aspirations for Champions League football.