Chelsea staged a dramatic late comeback to snatch a 2-1 victory over Fulham in a tense west London derby, keeping their Champions League hopes alive with a stunning display of character and resilience at Craven Cottage.
The game turned on its head in the final minutes, with two late goals sealing a vital win for the visitors, who had not won an away match since December. Despite a sluggish start and falling behind early, Chelsea responded with renewed intensity and two inspired substitutions that altered the course of the match.
Fulham had the upper hand for much of the game. They looked sharp from the outset, dominating the duels and setting the tone with pace and aggression down the flanks. Raúl Jiménez caused problems with his clever hold-up play, while Ryan Sessegnon tormented Chelsea’s defence, particularly Marc Cucurella, with relentless runs and energy. It was no surprise when Fulham took the lead in the 20th minute. A mistake from Reece James, caught in possession while pushing forward, allowed Sessegnon to pounce and feed Alex Iwobi, who drilled a low shot past Robert Sánchez.
Chelsea looked rattled after conceding. The midfield struggled to gain control, with Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández second-best against Fulham’s tireless engine room. Sander Berge should have doubled the hosts’ lead when he missed a free header from a corner, highlighting Chelsea’s vulnerability.
With Fulham on top, Chelsea needed a spark. Manager Enzo Maresca responded with changes at the break, replacing James and the ineffective Noni Madueke with Malo Gusto and Jadon Sancho. The switches injected some urgency, and Chelsea began to push Fulham back. Pedro Neto, who had been Chelsea’s most threatening outlet throughout, saw more of the ball and forced Bernd Leno into action with a series of long-range efforts.
As the second half wore on, Fulham became increasingly cautious. Their crisp passing gave way to hurried clearances, and the defensive line began to creak. Chelsea’s pressure paid off in the 83rd minute, though not in the manner one might expect from a meticulously coached side. A hopeful long ball from deep was knocked down by Neto, causing just enough confusion for the ball to fall kindly to substitute Tyrique George. The 19-year-old showed composure beyond his years, rifling a stunning strike past Leno from the edge of the box.
The momentum had firmly swung in Chelsea’s favour, and they weren’t finished yet. Deep into stoppage time, Caicedo triggered a counterattack with a clever flick to Fernández, who surged forward. After a neat one-two with Neto, the winger spun and unleashed a thunderous shot that flew into the net, completing a sensational comeback and sparking wild celebrations from the travelling supporters.
The victory not only avenged their Boxing Day loss to Fulham but also injected renewed belief into Chelsea’s Champions League pursuit. It was a night where tactical bravery, youthful energy, and individual brilliance combined to deliver a priceless three points.
