Fulham 0-1 Chelsea, Premier League: Post-match reaction

Frank Lampard’s starting lineup surprised most, and not in a good way, and Chelsea’s first-half performance certainly lived up to the subsequent low expectations. A couple potshots from distance aside, Chelsea’s only remotely threatening chance in the opening 45 minutes involved Mason Mount hitting the crossbar with a volley from a corner.

Fortunately for us, Fulham managed to fluff their glorious chance when Cavaleiro hit his own leg, and then Antonee Robinson’s reckless tackle on Azpilicueta saw the hosts reduced to ten men on the stroke of half-time.

The second half, predictably, was a strict attack-v-defense exercise, with Fulham countering dangerously a couple times. Chelsea created a couple openings, but posed little actual threat outside of set pieces. The belated introduction of Hudson-Odoi finally saw us take on a man, and it took him just three minutes to create a dangerous situation, which was eventually converted by Mason Mount.

Chelsea were unable to put Fulham away even after the goal, but fortunately we managed to keep them out at the other end as well.

Job done.

Carefree.

• Just three changes from the Manchester City loss, one in defense (Rüdiger instead of Zouma), one in midfield (Jorginho instead of the suspended Kanté), and one in attack (Giroud instead of Werner).
• Waited until 65th minute to make changes, with Abraham coming on for Jorginho and switching to two-up-top in search of goals. Hudson-Odoi (for Ziyech) and Werner (for Giroud) with 15 minutes to go complete the subs
• Two goals in just as many games for Mount, but just his first in the Premier League since late September.
• Fulham lose for the first time in six in the PL, Chelsea win for just the second time in seven.
• Chelsea move up to 7th, for now.
• Next up: Leicester City away on Tuesday. Leicester play at the top of the hour against Southampton, who are currently level on points with us.
• KTBFFH

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