Highlights
Key stats
- Chelsea are undefeated in their last five games in the Premier League; their last longer unbeaten streak was from 3rd April 2025 to 4th May 2025, a run of six games
- João Pedro and Enzo Fernández have both scored two goals in the Premier League this season (one each in this game), no player has more
- Fulham have failed to win in their last four games in the Premier League; their last joint-longest winless streak was from 21st April 2024 to 11th May 2024
Match report
It has been another busy week in the transfer window for Chelsea, with Christopher Nkunku joining AC Milan and Nicolas Jackson closing in on a loan move to Bayern Munich.
Meanwhile, an imminent new arrival, Alejandro Garnacho, was in the stands to watch his future employers struggle against a well-drilled Fulham outfit during the first 45 minutes.
There were early half-chances for João Pedro and Liam Delap, but the latter’s hamstring injury around the quarter-hour mark threw the hosts off-kilter, with the Cottagers subsequently causing plenty of problems.
In fact, they thought they had taken the lead midway through the half when 18-year-old Josh King finished off a counter-attack for what would have been his first PL goal.
However, much to the chagrin of Marco Silva, who was apoplectic in his protests, the goal was ruled out as Rodrigo Muniz was judged to have fouled Trevoh Chalobah in the build-up.
As the first half progressed, Chelsea did improve slightly, and only an instinctive Bernd Leno save denied Tyrique George, yet from the resulting corner, Pedro headed Enzo Fernández's ball home to give the Blues a perhaps undeserved HT lead.
Not long after the restart, VAR was again Silva’s nemesis as Chelsea doubled their lead. Chalobah’s cross hit the raised arm of Ryan Sessegnon and, after a trip to the pitchside monitor, referee Rob Jones pointed to the spot.
From 12 yards, Fernández made no mistake to give Enzo Maresca’s men breathing space.
That second strike knocked the stuffing out of Fulham and, had Pedro not been caught in two minds when one-on-one with Leno, the home team’s margin of victory may well have been greater.
Ultimately, the Blues had to make do with just the two goals, but that is enough to temporarily take them to the top of the table.
On the other hand, Fulham, and particularly Silva, will feel aggrieved with the manner in which they were defeated by their local rivals.
It means they are still waiting for their first win of the season, although this is also their opening loss in all competitions.
Flashscore Man of the Match: João Pedro (Chelsea)
Post-match comments
Speaking after the match, Fulham boss Marco Silva said he is frustrated with inconsistent VAR and referee decisions, which today hurt Fulham, despite their strong performance.
He also stressed the team needs new signings before Monday night's transfer deadline.