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Chelsea 0-0 Fulham: Match report, player ratings, expert analysis, fan reaction and more

Marco Silva’s Fulham proved their top-half credentials and then some on a night where many Chelsea fans will have expected a result in the wake of considerable January spending

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West London remains a contentious front in the English capital tonight after an entertaining and potentially eye-opening 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge between Chelsea and visiting over-achievers Fulham. Marco Silva’s men did exceptionally well once again during a surprising 2022-23 Premier League campaign that sees the Cottagers in the hunt for Europe, with Blues supporters undoubtedly heading home on a night where many will have hoped continued spending in the January market was unable to yield a desired result at home.

The opening half hour-plus at the Bridge proved an expected back-and-forth affair while also offering continued evidence that Fulham is a force to be reckoned with in the league this season, as the Cottagers stood toe-to-toe with the Blues, with Potters troops needing over 20-minutes before they really got going in front of home support on the back of how organized Silva’s men have been.

Each side crafted just the one good chance before the latter stages of the opening 45-minutes, though, with Andreas Pereira testing Kepa Arrizabalaga from range in the 25th minute before Kai Havertz blazed over from close range after Tim Ream did just enough to alter the path of Mason Mount’s cross to put the German off seven minutes later.

Chelsea nearly found the opener just seconds before the end of normal time when Havertz was put through on goal after Hakim Ziyech played a ball over the top that was misjudged by Issa Diop, only for the former Bayer Leverkusen man’s lofted effort over the head of Leno to bounce off the near post before Tim Ream cleared Fulham’s lines.

The Blues continued in the second half in a similar fashion to the opening 45-minutes; plenty of the ball, but struggled to register any shots on frame despite a near wonder strike from full debutant Enzo Fernández whose curving bullet just rashed over the bar at the far post. Chelsea’s depth was on display as well, with Raheem Sterling, Noni Madueke, and David Datro Fofana all being brought on to shake things up.

And it was the Ivorian center-forward who gave the Blues another bite at the apple and a chance to take the lead in the 80th minute after being put through on goal, rounding a hapless Leno who was stranded in no man’s land and then dancing around Issa Diop before dispatching his effort at an empty goal before the aforementioned Ream cleared off the line to deny a potential debut match-winner.

Chelsea will no doubt feel hard done by the result at home on the back of continued rampant spending in the transfer market in January, and though they can come away with positive context surrounding Fernández, Fofana, and Madueke, the Premier League giants will have to start churning out results at a rapid and consistent rate if the club are to avoid looking sheepish as Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are to get the new regime truly off the ground.

This result sees Fulham climb within four points of Spurs and in sole possession of 6th place in the table, while the Blues temporarily climb up to 9th and a point ahead of Liverpool who still has yet to play at the weekend.

Chelsea Player Ratings

  • GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga – 7
  • RB: Reece James – 6.5
  • CB: Thiago Silva – 7
  • CB: Benoît Badiashile – 7.5
  • LB: Marc Cucurella – 7
  • CM: Enzo Fernández – 8
  • CM: Conor Gallagher – 7
  • CAM: Mason Mount – 6.5
  • RW: Hakim Ziyech – 6.5
  • LW: Mykhailo Mudryk – 6
  • CF: Kai Havertz – 6
  • Sub: Noni Madueke – 7
  • Sub: César Azpilicueta – 6
  • Sub: Raheem Sterling – 6
  • Sub: David Datro Fofana – 6
  • Sub: Ben Chilwell – 6

Fulham Player Ratings

  • GK: Bernd Leno – 6.5
  • RB: Kenny Tete – 8
  • CB: Issa Diop – 7
  • CB: Tim Ream – 7.5
  • LB: Antonee Robinson – 7
  • CM: Harrison Reed – 7
  • CM: João Palhinha – 7.5
  • CAM: Andreas Pereira – 6.5
  • RW: Boddy De Cordova-Reid – 7
  • LW: Willian – 7.5
  • CF: Aleksandar Mitrović – 6
  • Sub: Harry Wilson – 6.5
  • Sub: Manor Solomon – 6.5
  • Sub: Carlos Vinícius – N/A
  • Sub: Tom Cairney – N/A
  • Sub: Layvin Kurzawa – N/A

Key Performers

Expert Takes & Social Media

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Andrew Thompson

US-based Football writer. German football guru with a wealth of experience in youth development and analysis. Data aficionado. Happily championing the notion that Americans have a knowledgeable voice in the beautiful game.

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