Pedro Neto scored a dramatic last-minute goal in the 93rd minute, helping Chelsea to a vital 2-1 victory over Fulham, which revitalized their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
Chelsea faced the prospect of a disappointing defeat, as their fans expressed frustration at halftime after Alex Iwobi’s strike put Fulham ahead from outside the box in the first half.
With increasing pressure on head coach Enzo Maresca, who had seen his team win only once in the last four league matches, 18-year-old Tyrique George equalized in the 83rd minute, shortly after coming on for Nicolas Jackson.
Neto then made a potentially game-changing contribution, expertly controlling the ball before turning in the box and unleashing a powerful shot into the net, securing three crucial points that moved Chelsea up to fifth place, just one point behind Manchester City.
After replacing captain Reece James and Noni Madueke at halftime with Malo Gusto and Jadon Sancho, Maresca’s tactical adjustments improved Chelsea’s performance, even if it wasn’t their best display.
Although Chelsea had previously shown resilience, staging a comeback from two goals down against Ipswich last week, this win could serve as a pivotal moment in their season. Conversely, Fulham’s ambitions for European qualification took a hit with this defeat, now sitting in ninth place, just behind Bournemouth.
Maresca: Chelsea’s season can become very good with CL spot
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca stated: “Today’s win was vital as it’s a derby and it gives us a chance to remain competitive. Our performance today was critical after conceding earlier, but we performed much better in the second half.”
Chelsea Comeback Eases Pressure on Maresca
Sky Sports’ David Richardson: The away fans chanted their optimism during the second half after a tumultuous first half, where they had booed the players off. However, the late goals from Tyrique George and Pedro Neto salvaged a precious win and alleviated pressure on Maresca.
Fulham Will Regret Dropped Points from Leading Positions
Sky Sports’ William Bitibiri: Fulham had been pushing for a European finish but now find themselves ninth after a series of inconsistent performances. They had periods of control in the match but ultimately squandered two valuable points.
Silva: A Harsh Result
Fulham manager Marco Silva remarked: “We played exceptionally well in the first half, but failed to maintain that performance in the second half. This is a tough loss for us given how we started the match.”
