Chelsea had the chance to go fourth on Wednesday night under the watchful eye of new manager Liam Rosenior, but Fulham’s Harry Wilson proved to be a matchwinner once again.
Rosenior was in the stands after being confirmed as Enzo Maresca’s replacement earlier this week. The Englishman has arrived from Strasbourg on a deal until 2032, and he will not have been impressed.
The ugly side of Chelsea’s game reared its ugly head once again, as a lack of discipline left Chelsea playing against the tide. Marc Cucurella hauled back Harry Wilson as the Fulham ace went through.
Marc Cucurella’s red card vs Fulham was Chelsea’s fifth in the Premier League this season! 🔴
How does Liam Rosenior solve Chelsea's disciplinary problem?
Chelsea players to have been sent off:
Marc Cucurella
Moises Caicedo
Malo Gusto
Trevoh Chalobah
Robert Sanchez
Referee Peter Bankes shows a red card
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
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Immediately after, Cole Palmer, Tosin and Enzo Fernandez all received yellows to slightly embarrassing effect. Raul Jimenez broke the deadlock in the second half, heading home with acres of space afforded.
But Chelsea improved as the second half grew older. Eventually, the pressure told, as Pedro Neto’s corner found its way to Liam Delap, who bundled home his first Premier League goal since joining Chelsea.
Chelsea looked like they might even have a chance of going on to win the game, but Fulham hit back and after a bit of sustained pressure, it was Wales ace Wilson who netted again. A right-footed strike to win.
Clearly, Rosenior has some work to do, and high on the agenda is sorting out Chelsea’s lack of discipline. It is costing the Blues too often, and Wednesday night was another example of Chelsea losing their cool.
Harry Wilson scores.
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Chelsea player ratings after 2-1 defeat against Fulham
Robert Sanchez – 5
Some absolutely woeful kicking once again from Sanchez, who fails to shake off the doubters. Could do little about Fulham’s goals and he did make a good save at his near post before Wilson’s winner.
Malo Gusto – 5 (replaced by Acheampong, ’76)
Lack of invention in possession and perhaps, even a lack of intensity in his defending. While he did not do anything remarkably wrong, it was telling that McFarlane took him off with 15 minutes still to play.
Trevor Chalobah – 4
Fulham’s goal saw Raul Jimenez get a run on ball-watching Chalobah, who was so far off the Mexican striker that he could not even provide an aerial challenge to stop the former Wolves striker scoring.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 5
Some nice passing at times but ultimately, Tosin didn’t do enough to prevent Chelsea losing again. Rosenior has a big decision when it comes to picking his starting two centre-backs moving forward.
Marc Cucurella – 3 (sent off on ’22)
Well, it’s an issue that Rosenior has got to sort out. A fifth yellow card in the Premier League for Chelsea, and it wasn’t even particularly necessary. He had time to get back. Without doubt a red card, however.
Marc Cururella gets sent off v Fulham.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Moises Caicedo – 6
The kind of game that almost suited Caicedo. It required the Ecuadorian to be hard-working, to be solid and to be physical and he was just that. But he failed to control the threat of Wilson, who won the game.
Andrey Santos – 4 (replaced by Hato, ’28)
Santos will have been desperate to play well after earning a rare start, with his old Strasbourg manager watching on and yet, he was the sacrifice made after the red. Unlucky not to score beforehand.
Cole Palmer – 7 (replaced by Pedro, ’76)
Quiet first half for Palmer off the right flank, but he came to life in the second half. A stunning dummy almost saw Delap score, and as Chelsea improved, the England star’s influence grew. Not yet 100% fit.
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Enzo Fernandez – 3 (replaced by Reece James, ’65)
Ridiculous yellow card for the Argentine, a seventh of the season for Fernandez. Rosenior needs to get rid of this lack of discipline. Offered nothing and his yellow card was his only real moment of note.
Pedro Neto – 6
Arguably, the only Chelsea player who showed any kind of attacking intent in the first half. He started the second half in the same manner, with a run and a shot that went over. Delap scored from his corner.
Liam Delap – 7
Finally! Delap has his first Premier League goal for Chelsea and it came from a corner, after a looping header had hit the post. A solid, left-footed finish after Delap had missed a sitter minutes beforehand.
The striker endured a difficult first half and struggled to make an impact until Chelsea grew into the game. Ultimately, he should have had two, but he will be delighted to finally score a league goal.
Liam Delap.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Subs
Jorrel Hato – 6 (replaced Santos, ’28)
Solid again from Hato, who has impressed when given the chance in the last few weeks. He will surely get a start against Charlton this weekend, with Cucurella set to be suspended for the FA Cup clash.
Reece James – 6 (replaced Fernandez, ’65)
James’ introduction saw him replace the disappointing Fernandez, and his intensity, drive, and he helped shift the tide. But it was his poor header that gifted Fulham possession before Wilson’s winner.
Josh Acheampong – N/A (replaced Gusto, ’76)
Joao Pedro – N/A (replaced Palmer, ’76)
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