Chelsea secured a 2-0 victory over Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, though the result was clouded by heavy controversy surrounding VAR decisions that left the visitors bitterly frustrated.
Enzo Maresca’s team could have easily fallen behind in the first half of the west London derby, but Fulham were denied what appeared to be a legitimate opener. Josh King’s composed finish was ruled out after VAR judged Rodrigo Muniz’s contact with Trevoh Chalobah—seen by many as accidental—to be a foul.
That decision infuriated Fulham boss Marco Silva, and matters worsened when Chelsea scored moments after the eight minutes of stoppage time added at the end of the first half. Joao Pedro’s header put the Blues ahead, a goal that came just seconds after the allotted time should have expired.
The frustration for Fulham did not end there. Midway through the second half, Chelsea were awarded a penalty after Ryan Sessegnon was penalized for handling a cross inside the area. VAR reviewed earlier potential infringements in the build-up but allowed the spot-kick to stand, and Enzo Fernandez calmly slotted home to double Chelsea’s advantage.
The result extended Chelsea’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season, following a draw with Crystal Palace and a dominant 5-1 victory against West Ham.
Adding to the day’s storyline, Argentine winger Alejandro Garnacho was spotted in the stands after visiting Chelsea’s training ground on Friday to finalize his move from Manchester United. His imminent arrival comes as Nicolas Jackson prepares for a loan spell at Bayern Munich, while Christopher Nkunku sealed a transfer to AC Milan on the same day.
Chelsea’s attack looked unsettled after Liam Delap, leading the line, was forced off within 15 minutes due to a suspected hamstring injury. With Cole Palmer already sidelined by a groin issue, Maresca was left facing more headaches in his forward options.
Fulham thought they had struck first in the 21st minute when King sprinted clear of the defence and finished neatly past Robert Sanchez. However, the move was brought back after Muniz’s earlier brush with Chalobah was deemed a “careless challenge” by referee Rob Jones following a VAR review.
Silva’s anger was plain as he berated officials on the touchline, while Fulham supporters voiced their disapproval with chants of “1-0 to the referee” after Pedro’s late first-half opener.
Substitute Tyrique George almost gave Chelsea the lead just before halftime with a close-range strike saved by Bernd Leno, but from the resulting corner Fernandez’s delivery found Pedro, who headed in unmarked for his second goal of the season.
Fulham’s misery deepened in the 56th minute when VAR again intervened, this time awarding Chelsea a penalty. Despite protests over Pedro’s challenge on Joachim Anderson and a possible handball by the Brazilian in the build-up, the referee stood by the decision after consultation. Fernandez kept his composure from the spot to seal the win.
Silva, visibly exasperated throughout the game, left Stamford Bridge raging at what he saw as decisive officiating errors that cost his side a chance to upset their London rivals.
What you should know
Chelsea’s win keeps their unbeaten run alive in the Premier League under Enzo Maresca, though the game was dominated by VAR controversies.
Marco Silva’s Fulham were denied a goal, saw another scored in extended stoppage-time, and conceded a penalty through a disputed handball.
Alejandro Garnacho’s move to Chelsea looms large, while injuries to Liam Delap and Cole Palmer add to the Blues’ attacking concerns.
