Chelsea’s Woes Continue as Fulham Secure 2–1 Derby Victory
Fulham clinched a 2–1 victory over Chelsea in their Premier League West London derby at Craven Cottage, where Raúl Jiménez put the hosts ahead in the 55th minute, Liam Delap equalised for Chelsea shortly after, and Harry Wilson secured the win with a late 81st-minute goal; the match was shaped early on by Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella’s red card in the first half, leaving the Blues with ten men and adding drama to a tight contest that saw Fulham extend their strong run and leave Chelsea still searching for consistent form.
Match Summary :
- 22′ – Red card: Marc Cucurella sent off, Chelsea down to 10 men.
- HT – 0–0: Fulham dominate but fail to score before the break.
- 55′ – Goal (Fulham): Raúl Jiménez heads Fulham into the lead.
- 72′ – Goal (Chelsea): Liam Delap equalises despite the man disadvantage.
- 81′ – Goal (Fulham): Harry Wilson strikes late to win the derby.
Tactical Tussle:
Fulham controlled the game tactically once Chelsea were reduced to ten men, using their numerical advantage to stretch the pitch and force the visitors into a deep, reactive shape. Marco Silva’s side focused on wide progression, repeatedly overloading the flanks and delivering early balls into the box, which eventually paid off with Raúl Jiménez’s headed opener.
Chelsea, meanwhile, shifted into a compact low block after the red card, prioritising defensive solidity and looking to break through direct transitions rather than sustained possession. Their equaliser came from a set-piece situation, highlighting their reliance on moments rather than control. As the game wore on, Fulham’s sustained pressure, higher defensive line, and willingness to commit midfield runners finally told, with Harry Wilson exploiting space on the edge of the box to deliver the decisive goal late on.
X-Factors:
- Harry Wilson: Constantly found pockets of space between the lines and made Fulham’s pressure count with a composed, match-winning finish late on.
- Liam Delap: Led the line with aggression and belief, and his equaliser gave Chelsea a lifeline despite being down to ten men.
- Manager Reactions:
- Marco Silva: “We stayed patient, controlled the game and believed until the end. The players deserved this win and the fans made a huge difference.”
- Callum MacFarlane: “Going down to ten men changed everything. The reaction was good and we showed character, but small moments decided the match.”
Match stats:
| Stat | Chelsea | Fulham |
| Possession | 44% | 56% |
| Shots | 13 | 15 |
| Shots on Target | 6 | 6 |
| Corners | 11 | 2 |
What It Means:
The win strengthens Fulham’s push for a top-half finish and reinforces their growing authority in London derbies. Chelsea’s defeat deepens concerns over consistency, leaving them drifting in mid-table and under pressure to stabilise performances as the season enters a decisive phase.
Conclusion:
Fulham earned this win through control, patience, and decisive moments. For Chelsea, it was another reminder that discipline and game management remain unresolved issues, questions that won’t go away unless results start matching the club’s ambitions.
