Pedro Neto's rocket in the third minute of injury-time helped Chelsea come from behind to beat neighbours Fulham 2-1 - with the help of Academy graduate Tyrique George!
Fulham were leading 1-0 heading into the 83rd minute courtesy of Alex Iwobi's fine strike midway through the first half.
It looked as though the Blues' much-improved second-half showing would count for nothing as we entered the latter stages but substitute George drilled a low shot into the bottom corner to equalise.
And in the third minute of additional time, Neto - who had been our biggest threat on the day - smashed home from close to the penalty spot to make it 2-1 and move us back up to fifth and into the Champions League qualification places.
Seven changes
Maresca made seven changes to his starting line-up, as Robert Sanchez was back in goal, Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill returned in the heart of defence and Reece James reverted to right-back, having started in centre-midfield against Legia Warsaw.
Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez were back in midfield, with Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto on the flanks, as Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson retained their places.
Fulham had the ball in the net early into the game but the offside had been clear long before the ball ended up in the net and VAR quickly confirmed Ryan Sessegnon had strayed offside in the build-up.
Chelsea enjoyed a period of pressure, where Palmer had a shot from distance saved, Jackson almost turned neatly in the box to shoot and there were a few dangerous crosses from Pedro Neto.
Opening goal
But it was the hosts who took the lead midway through the first half when James was dispossessed in his own half by Sessegnon and he passed to Iwobi 20 yards out. The former Arsenal man controlled well and from just inside our penalty area, swiftly rifled a low left-footed shot into the far, bottom corner
Fulham were pressing well and carried a threat going forward. The hosts had a goal-bound shot blocked not long after the opener and Sander Berge went close to getting on the end of a cross with a diving header just yards from our goal.
Neto was looking our biggest threat down the left and a counter-attack saw him fizz a dangerous delivery into the box but Jackson and Madueke were unable to get on the end of it.
There was a moment of hope for the travelling supporters when the ball landed at the feet of Jackson following a free-kick from the right but the striker's shot, which was heading for the bottom corner, was blocked by the Fulham defence.
Neither side were able to break down the opposition as the first half came to a close and Fulham entered the interval with a one-goal advantage.
Maresca made a double change at half-time, as Malo Gusto and Jadon Sancho were introduced, with James and Madueke making way, and the Blues started the second period with a higher intensity to their attacking play.
It wasn't long before Gusto had a long-range shot saved and the Blues had their best chance of the game ten minutes after the restart when some slick play on the right saw Jackson lay the ball back to Neto eight yards out and his left-footed strike was saved by Bernd Leno.
Chelsea were clearly on top at the start of the second half and Sancho cut inside to force Leno into a save before Cucurella had a goal-bound shot cleared yards from his own line by Calvin Bassey with the goalkeeper beaten.
Admin hasn’t still recovered from the trauma of already typing ‘defeat’ and suddenly changing it to ‘big win’
The tap tap passes won’t work for the sets of players we have, their strength isn’t fully explored because of the rigid tactics of the coach, Chelsea shouldn’t be struggling for top four with the calibre of players they have compared to the other teams competing with them.
Encouraging them to shoot, allowing more of the quick release to the wings for square play into the box, using the pace on the wings should be to the advantage of this young team. That second goal was share brilliance of play from Caicedo ,Enzo and Palmer and the finish was exquisite.
The pressure kept coming from the Blues and Palmer was next to have a go, firing a shot over and wide from just inside the opposition penalty area.
Equaliser
Academy graduate George was introduced with 12 minutes of normal time remaining and he quickly made his mark as the 19-year-old scored the equaliser just five minutes after his introduction. The ball rolled to the versatile forward just outside the box and his first-time strike nestled into the bottom corner for 1-1.
Both sides searched for a winner and Neto was next to force Leno into a save with an effort towards the near post.
And in the third minute of injury-time, the Portugal international smashed home a winner into the roof of the net to make it 2-1 and we were able to hold on.
What it means
This win sees Chelsea move up to fifth in the table on 57 points, the same as sixth-placed Nottingham Forest, who have a game in hand against Tottenham on Monday night, and Aston Villa in seventh.
Manchester City are one point above us in fourth and Newcastle United two points higher, with five games remaining.
Like seriously I'm not happy with Enzo Mariska because using Reece James out of his position is getting out of hand we know him right from academy as a right back now coming just a season to make a player forcing him to play in a position which he is not perfect on,
We think is the right time for him to make him correction himself if not or we will never go far or dream of going to the champions League next season
What's next.
Take the shots but they keep passing short passes here and there.
Chelsea are desperate to reignite their stuttering Champions League push as they head to Craven Cottage to face ninth-placed Fulham in Sunday’s Premier League clash.
The Cottagers, smarting from a 1-0 loss to Bournemouth, have been leaking goals and flipping wins with losses, yet their home victories over Liverpool and Tottenham show their threat.
Chelsea, clinging to sixth after a frustrating 2-2 draw with Ipswich and a 2-1 conference league defeat to Legia Warszawa, are winless on the road since December and one point shy of a top-five spot. With Enzo Maresca under pressure and Fulham’s Marco Silva eyeing a late European surge, this promises to be a tasty battle.
Chelsea’s recent woes, including three winless Premier League games and a porous away record, put Maresca in the spotlight, especially after losing to Silva’s Fulham in December.
Fulham’s shaky defense, conceding eight in four, offers hope, but their knack for upsetting big sides at home spells danger for the Blues. Chelsea unleashed 34 shots against Ipswich, and must sharpen their attacking edge to outgun a Fulham side six points adrift but still dreaming of Europe.
A win could propel Chelsea closer to Manchester City’s fifth-placed perch and keep their Champions League hopes alive.
Team News
Fulham
Fulham face Chelsea with minimal injury woes, missing only wingers Harry Wilson and Reiss Nelson, though Wilson nears a return by late April.
Nelson remains out with a hamstring injury - however should be set to return to action in early May.
Chelsea
The Blues will welcome Romeo Lavia back into the fold - Enzo Maresca in his latest press conference confirmed the Belgian has returned to full-team training.
Wesley Fofana remains out with muscle injury, still set to miss remaining of the season. Marc Guiu also an absentee, having suffered a hamstring injury in May.
Likely Line-Ups
Fulham (4-2-3-1)
Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Berge; Iwobi, Pereira, Sessegnon; Jimenez
Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
Key Players
Fulham - Antonee Robinson
Chelsea - Moises Caicedo
The Ecuadorian has been an ever-present for Chelsea this season, at the heart of Enzo Maresca's midfield. Caicedo's defensive awareness, understanding of the game and ball-winning ability has been a joy to watch for Chelsea fans this season.
Regardless of if the visitors turn up at the required intensity, many will still expect to see Caicedo win the midfield battle despite Sander Berge's physicality.
Arguably Fulham's player of the season - Antonee Robinson will be expected to pose a huge threat for the Cottagers. The 27-year-old currently sits on 10 assists in the Premier League this season, boasting pace and physical prowess down the left flank.
His consistency throughout the season has played a huge part for Fulham's success. Marco Silva will be well aware of the threat the American can provide down Chelsea's right flank against an out-of-form Malo Gusto.
Reece James featured midweek in the UEFA Conference League, although is unlikely to start against Fulham.
Maresca please wake up. Palmer, Reece James, Caicedo, Neto and Sancho can shoot but they hardly shoot cos of rigid tactics choking up the midfield
The Blues are back to Stamford Bridge for our next game, as we welcome David Moyes' Everton on Saturday for a 12.30pm kick-off, which will be televised on TNT Sport in the UK.
Teams
Fulham: Leno; Tete (Castagne 79), Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic (Cairney 72); Sessegnon (Wilson 79), Pereira, Iwobi (Adama 84); Jiminez (Vinicius 84)
Subs not used: Benda, Cuenca, Reed, Willian
Bookings: Bassey 24
Goals: Iwobi 20
Chelsea: Sanchez; James (c) (Gusto HT, Tosin 90+), Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke (Sancho HT), Palmer, Neto; Jackson (George 78)
Subs not used: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Badiashile, Dewsbury-Hall, Lavia
Bookings: Colwill 29, Cucurella 80, Caicedo 85
Goals: George 83
Match details
Where is the game being played?
The match will be played at Craven Cottage, home of Fulham.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off is at 14:00 GMT on Sunday 20 April 2025.
How can I watch?
The game will unfortunately not be televised live in the UK.
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Attendance: 27,712
Substitutes
Jadon Sancho - 7
Picked up largely where Madueke left off, Sancho attacked down the left while Neto shifted to the opposite side, and had a range of decent efforts whilst being supported by Cucurella on the overlap.
Malo Gusto - 7
Took up a slightly more advanced role which allowed Neto to move more centrally and create more shooting chances. Spoke previously about his desire to help the team and deliver on the targets for the season, and will be a useful squad player for upcoming matches.
Tyrique George - 8
Surely deserves a run in the team after an impressive performance off the bench. A well taken goal; a first time strike to catch the goalkeeper off guard and get his team back into the game. Looked energetic and motivated, two things the Blues desperately needed from their attack.
