Chelsea 2–0 Fulham (Stamford Bridge)

Chelsea secured a 2–0 victory over Fulham in a lively London derby at Stamford Bridge, but the win came amid heated debate over refereeing decisions that shaped the outcome. Goals from João Pedro and Enzo Fernández were enough to seal the points, though Fulham will feel hard done by after a first-half strike was controversially disallowed.

How the Match Unfolded

The visitors thought they had drawn first blood midway through the opening half when Josh King finished off a swift counterattack. However, the celebrations were cut short after VAR intervened to rule out the goal for an alleged foul in the build up. The decision sparked frustration among the Fulham bench and set the tone for an evening overshadowed by officiating.

With the game drifting toward half time, Chelsea struck at the perfect moment. Deep into added time, João Pedro rose highest to meet a cross, powering a header beyond Bernd Leno to hand the Blues the advantage.

The second half brought more controversy. A handball inside the box gifted Chelsea a penalty, despite protests that a foul had occurred earlier in the move. Enzo Fernández calmly slotted home from the spot to double the lead, giving Chelsea the cushion they needed to control the rest of the match.

Tactical Insights

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca set his side up with compact lines and aggressive pressing in midfield, where Moisés Caicedo’s energy proved decisive. João Pedro’s movement between the lines caused consistent problems for Fulham’s back four, while Trevoh Chalobah stood firm in defense to repel aerial threats.

For Fulham, Marco Silva’s game plan of quick transitions nearly paid off, but once chasing the match they struggled to create clear openings. The disallowed goal clearly disrupted their rhythm, leaving the team frustrated and chasing shadows in the final half-hour.

Enzo Maresca hailed his side’s composure and resilience in a high-pressure derby, though he acknowledged there was still room for improvement in possession. Marco Silva, by contrast, was incensed with the officiating, calling the decisions against his side “unbelievable” and insisting they changed the game’s outcome.