In a West London derby loaded with tension, Chelsea edged Fulham 2–0 at Stamford Bridge, riding late goals and a hefty VAR controversy to their fourth game unbeaten. But the headlines? They belong to the drama.
Game Unpacked
- Josh King thought he’d shocked the Bridge with an early strike—but VAR intervened, ruling out the goal due to a “careless challenge” by Rodrigo Muniz. Fulham’s breath was held; silence followed.
- In the dying minutes of the first half, João Pedro rose to nod in a corner from Enzo Fernández—breaking the deadlock just before halftime.
- Early in the second, Fernández delivered again—this time from the spot—converting a penalty after a VAR review flagged a handball by Ryan Sessegnon.
- Despite Fulham’s spirited effort, Robert Sánchez’s sharp save and a last-minute block preserved the clean sheet, sealing Chelsea’s win.
Why It Matters
- The result vaults Chelsea to seven points from three unbeaten games, asserting early season strength.
- VAR calls dominated the storyline, with Fulham manager Marco Silva and ex-players sparking fury over consistency and fairness.
- Derbies may be local, but officiating felt anything but neighbourly. This wasn’t just a win—it was a moral victory moment for Chelsea in controversy.
Clutch Crunch Take
There’s winning, and then there’s prevailing. Chelsea did both. They turned a tense game into a win using set-pieces, nerve, and VAR luck. Fulham brought fight—you could hear it in every tackle—but on this day, the Blue side of SW6 played the margins better.