In a tense London derby at Stamford Bridge, Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea secured a vital 1-0 Premier League victory over Fulham. The match showcased the contrasting facets of Chelsea's season, with a convincing 4-0 FA Cup win against Preston North End followed by a 1-0 League Cup semi-final first-leg defeat to Middlesbrough, exposing issues with finishing.
The Blues dominated the first half, pressing Fulham into their own half, but struggled to break through. Conor Gallagher and Armando Broja had early attempts, while Fulham's Harry Wilson tested the Chelsea defense with a tight-angle effort, expertly denied by goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović.
Just before halftime, a clever pass from Cole Palmer led to Raheem Sterling being brought down in the box by Issa Diop. Palmer stepped up and confidently converted the penalty, securing his ninth goal since joining from Manchester City.
The second half saw Fulham pushing for an equalizer, opening up opportunities for Chelsea on the counterattack. However, clear chances were sparse, with Raúl Jiménez and Levi Colwill missing the mark. Petrović thwarted Jiménez's attempts, ensuring Chelsea's lead held.
Despite hitting the post and Leno making crucial saves, Chelsea's single goal proved enough to secure the win. The result elevates Chelsea to eighth in the Premier League table, extending their unbeaten streak in home league fixtures against Fulham to 19. Meanwhile, Marco Silva's Fulham, sitting comfortably in 13th, shifts focus to the League Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool after a 2-1 first-leg loss.
Check out the latest English Premier League Table below:
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