Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day Picture by Paul Lagan
By Paul Lagan at Stamford Bridge
Fulham fully deserved their snatch and grab three points, coming from behind to win a Boxing Day derby thriller 2-1 at Stamford Bridge – their first since 1979.
The self-fulling prophecy of Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca that his charges won't challenge for the title was clearly evident.
Taking the lead and with a number of changes to increase the scoreline, The Blues simply sat back, tired and failed to negotiate the tactical changes of Fulham boss Marco Silva.
The late, late winner from substitute Rodrigo Muniz – five minutes into added time, was proof that clinical application will outshine technical superiority from the opposition.
Chelsea stay second in the league but if Maresca has his way they won't be there for long.
After a tepid opening 10 minutes, with whatever intensity Chelsea could muster, Fulham absorbed it with ease, Jadon Sancho cut loose on the left, a lovely clipped in-curling right-footed foxed the Fulham defence but Malo Gusto, at the far post, could not reach the ball.
After a quick break by the boys from the other end of Fulham Road, Raul Jimenez got their first shot, on target, on 15 minutes. His fine, drive, easily held by Robert Sanchez.
But the deadlock was broken a minute later and it was from that impish performer named Cole Palmer.
Picking the ball up in the Fulham half, he jinked forward, dipped his shoulder as if to go one way, but stayed on course, and when at the limit of the Fulham area, casually stroked home a low, left-footer past Bernd Leno, to give the Blues the lead.#
If Fulham were to score, it probably will come from thee boot of Jimenez. On 20 minutes he raced into the Chelsea area, on the right, but screwed his shot wide of Sanchez's right post. A good chance missed.
Palmer had another couple of curlers, on target, but nothing to trouble Leno.
Andreas Pereira, on 22 minutes had space 25 yards out. Tempted to shoot, he did, but the ball ended up deep in the Matthew Harding stand behind then Chelsea goal.
Left back Calvin Bassey went off on a run on the left, on 26 minutes, and a bit like Forrest Gump, just kept on running. Then Chelsea defence ere bemused as he arrowed in tom their area and let fly with a powerful left-footer, on target too.
Sanchez snaffled the ball low on the pitch.
Leno produced a wonder save to thwart Marc Cucurella on 35 minutes.
A regulation Enzo free kick saw the Spain defender free on the six yard box, and he produced a fine diving header, but Leno was quick to react and managed to parry the goal-bound effort wide and the ball was eventually cleared to safety.
There were no changes by either side at half-time.
Leno produced a wonder save minutes after the restart, a thunderbolt from Enzo seemed destined for the top corner, but the stopper's outstretched arm tipped the ball spectacularly away.
An offside seconds later denied number two when Levi Colwill nodded home. VAR easily confirmed the infringement.
An excellent Alex Iwobi angled effort was inches wide of Sanchez's right post as the visitors pushed forward for an equaliser.
Quite how Fulham did not deliver on that is anyone's guess. When following a quick break which saw Adama free on the right to zip down the line.
His inch-perfect deep cross was met by an unmarked Antonee Robinson, who instead of hitting the ball first time, took a touch allowing Sanchez to react, who blocked the effort.
With Fulham sensing they may only have limited time to get the goal, they brought on attacker Harry Wilson for Adama.
Chelsea responded by bringing on Christopher Nkunku for Jackson, while Fulham then brought on Rodrigo Muniz and Tom Cairney – off went Pereira and Jimenez.
Muniz was unlucky with a header when a poor clearance from Colwill allowed Robinson to flight the perfect ball into the Chelsea area. Muniz rose the best but his downward header, was snatched by Sanchez.
Fulham got their deserved equaliser with eight minutes on the clock when after a quick break the ball fell invitingly to Timothy Castagne to nodded home from close range.
Leno produced yet another save to deny the Blues late on while Fulham sought to snatch a dramatic later winner.
With six minutes added, that only added to the impetus that either could be achieved.
Ryan Sessegnon got a run out at the expense of Iwobi.
Who would snatch it in the end – well it was Fulham. A quick break cut the tired Blues apart and with just Colwill left to defend the whole of the final third, it was so easy for Muniz to be picked out and he coolly slotted home past Sanchez.
Leno still had time for another acrobatic save to preserve the result.
Teams: Sanchez, Cucurella, Tosin, Colwill, Neto, Enzo, Jackson, Sancho, Palmer, Caicedo, Gusto
Subs: Jorgensen, Bettinelli, Disasi, Felix. Nkunku, Casadei, George, Acheampong, Guiu
Fulham: Leno, Bassey, Andersen, Jimenez, Adama, Iwobi, Pereira, Lukic, Castagne, Diop, Robinson
Subs: Benda, Wilson, Muniz, Cairney, Vinicius, Cuenca, King, Sessegnon, Godo