That’s one Premier League win in eight games for Chelsea after Wednesday night’s defeat to Fulham and yet, Chelsea had the chance to go fourth in the Premier League table with a win.
Those hopes were dashed before the half-hour mark when Marc Cucurella got caught on the wrong side of Harry Wilson after a mammoth kick from Bernd Leno. He hauled Wilson down, a last-man red card.
That’s a seventh red card in all competitions for Chelsea this season, and a fifth in the Premier League. While the red itself was not a case of a lack of discipline, the three yellows for dissent afterwards were.
Chelsea had the chance to sign Hugo Ekitike or Benjamin Sesko, why do you think they chose Liam Delap instead?
Both strikers were heavily linked with moves to Stamford Bridge in the summer
Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike smiling and Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko jogging
Credit: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC/Catherine Ivill – AMA via Getty Images
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But there were positives from the West London derby, with Liam Rosenior looking in from the stands. Cole Palmer showed glimpses of what he can do, and Jorrel Hato was solid on the left after coming on.
Calum McFarlane praises Chelsea striker Liam Delap
While the result didn’t go Chelsea’s way, striker Liam Delap will be delighted – and perhaps, relieved – to have finally netted his first Premier League goal for the club. It was a neat finish from the English striker.
Liam Delap scores v Fulham.
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
Speaking in his press conference after the match, caretaker manager Calum McFarlane explained why Rosenior chose not to manage the game. McFarlane also reserved some praise for Delap after his goal.
“Liam was brilliant at the Etihad. Tough circumstances tonight as a single striker when down to 10. But he did well and got us up the pitch. I’m delighted he got his goal, I hope his performances stay at this level.”
Early thoughts on Liam Rosenior since being appointed Chelsea boss?🤔
His first sighting at Craven Cottage this evening
Fulham v Chelsea - Premier League
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Liam Rosenior can get the best out of Liam Delap this season
With Rosenior and Delap having worked together at Hull, the new Chelsea boss will already have an ally in the camp and it is important he keeps that. A player he can trust, and a player he can go to if needed.
For Delap, his season is just getting started. After hamstring and shoulder injuries, the summer signing will now be confident those injury issues are behind him, and he can thrive once again under Rosenior.
It could be a match made in heaven, not just Chelsea and Rosenior, but Delap and Rosenior at Chelsea. The chances are that Rosenior rests a couple of players on Saturday, but he may stick with Delap up top.
Joao Pedro needs game time too, having only come on as a sub against Fulham on Wednesday night. After Saturday evening’s third-round FA Cup clash, Chelsea then face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup.
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