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Chelsea 2-0 Fulham: Report, result, goals as Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez earn hosts win

Read a report as Chelsea survived a scare to beat Fulham

Written by Ben Miller
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Chelsea 2-0 Fulham: Report, result, goals as Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez earn hosts win

Joao Pedro’s header and an Enzo Fernandez penalty gave Chelsea their first home win of the season in a Premier League match mired in controversy against Fulham.

New forward Joao Pedro glanced in Fernandez’s cross during a lengthy period of first-half added time because of a delay while officials deliberated and ruled out Rodrigo Muniz’s 21st-minute strike for the visitors.

Fernandez converted from the spot 11 minutes after half time, capitalising on a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review against Ryan Sessegnon.

Chelsea vs Fulham: VAR controversy

Fulham manager Marco Silva made his grievances clear to referee Rob Jones at half-time after Muniz was contentiously adjudged to have made a “careless challenge” on Trevoh Chalobah during his clever spin inside the centre circle to tee up King, who showed his composure to slot in.

There was even more confusion over Chelsea’s penalty, including a suspected handball against Joao Pedro.

“It’s a hard feeling to describe,” Cottagers academy product King told TNT Sports of the decision to disallow what would have been his first Premier League goal.

“I think it was a perfectly good goal but there’s not much you can do. It’s part of being a professional and we have to bounce back. We can only control the controllables.

“[Marco Silva is] a really passionate person and that fires us up as well. It’s a difficult one to take because maybe we deserved more from the game. It is what it is.

“It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had: the elation, having the team around you and stuff. Hopefully I can replicate it and it’ll count next time.”

Chelsea vs Fulham teams

Chelsea were again without Cole Palmer because of a groin problem the midfielder suffered during the warm-up at West Ham clash.

Joao Pedro and Delap initially led the line in an unchanged side. Defender Benoit Badiashile and midfielders Romeo Lavia and Omari Kellyman are injured, while winger Mykhaylo Mudryk continues to serve a suspension for alleged anti-doping violations.

Key defender Levi Colwill is expected to miss the majority of the campaign with a serious knee injury and long-term absentee Wesley Fofana continued his comeback on the bench.

Chelsea starting XI: Robert Sanchez, Malo Gusto, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Estevao, Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto, Liam Delap

Chelsea substitutes: Filip Jorgensen, Josh Acheampong, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Jorrel Hato, Dario Essugo, Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, Jamie Gittens

Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro of Chelsea

Fulham lineup vs Chelsea

Fulham were also unchanged. Midfielder Harry Wilson had been a doubt but was on the bench alongside forward Raul Jimenez, who scored in the 2-0 EFL Cup home win over second-tier Bristol City on Wednesday.

Fulham starting XI: Bernd Leno, Kenny Tete, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, Timothy Castagne, Sasa Lukic, Sander Berge, Ryan Sessegnon, Joshua King, Alex Iwobi, Rodrigo Muniz

Fulham substitutes: Benjamin Lecomte, Jorge Cuenca, Antonee Robinson, Harrison Reed, Tom Cairney, Adama Traore, Harry Wilson, Emile Smith Rowe, Raul Jimenez

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