The Premier League clash between Chelsea and Fulham at Stamford Bridge on December 26, 2024, brought unexpected drama as Fulham triumphed with a comeback, winning 2-1 after Chelsea initially took the lead.
Under the management of Enzo Maresca, Chelsea entered the match eager to maintain their title challenge. The team began the season strong and held the second position with 35 points, having only two losses in their previous 16 league matches. Meanwhile, Fulham, managed by Marco Silva, aimed to break their streak of draws and gain back-to-back wins, with their recent encounters against strong opponents yielding respectable results.
Right from the start of the match, Chelsea showcased their intention, dominating possession and pressing Fulham hard. It paid off early: just 16 minutes in, Cole Palmer made his mark. After receiving the ball from Levi Colwill, Palmer executed a lovely dribble, maneuvered past defenders, and with precision struck the ball with his left foot, sending it past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno to give Chelsea the lead.
With the score at 1-0, Fulham found themselves on the back foot, forced to react to Chelsea's quick play and solid defense. They struggled to break down Chelsea's organization during the first half, only generating occasional attacks. One such chance came from Calvin Bassey, who attempted to capitalize after good build-up play but was thwarted by Chelsea's goalkeeper, Roberto Sanchez.
During the first half, Chelsea continued to press for another goal, coming close from various corners and free-kick situations. Mark Cucurella had several opportunities to double the lead, but Leno proved to be formidable, denying Chelsea’s advances. The home team went to halftime with their one-goal advantage, but the visitors created optimism for the second half.
After the break, Fulham resurfaced with determination, immediately becoming more aggressive and engaging Chelsea's defense. They earned free-kick opportunities, but the initial attempts failed to find the target, with Sanchez comfortably handling these situations.
Despite their pressure, Fulham struggled with final third execution until the 82nd minute when they engineered their equalizer beautifully. Following good interplay between Alex Iwobi and Andreas Pereira, Timothy Castagne broke down the left flank, delivering a pinpoint cross to Harry Wilson. Wilson smartly directed the ball home, restoring hope to the visiting fans.
And just when it seemed the match would end level, Fulham struck again. A decisive counter-attack unfolded during stoppage time, led by Wilson, who passed to Calvin Bassey. Bassey crossed the ball where Rodrigo Muniz was lurking, and he coolly slotted it past Sanchez for the late go-ahead goal, sealing Chelsea’s fate.
The final whistle confirmed Fulham’s stunning 2-1 turnaround victory at Stamford Bridge, which has not seen Fulham taste such success against Chelsea since 1979. This loss marked Chelsea's first defeat since October 20, 2024, when they lost to Liverpool, and put their impressive run of form under threat.
Post-match, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca reflected on the loss, saying, “It was disappointing to lose after taking the lead. We need to regroup and focus on our upcoming matches.” Fulham’s manager Marco Silva, on the other hand, praised his team’s resilience, commenting, “We showed resilience and quality to come back and win. This victory is important for us moving forward.”
Looking at the road ahead, Chelsea must address their tactics and form, as they aim to rebound against Ipswich Town on December 30. Fulham will host Bournemouth on December 29, striving to keep their recent momentum alive.
After this match, Cole Palmer stands out as one of Chelsea's brightest talents, having set the club record for total goals scored within the calendar year, surpassing 26 goals, previously held by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink for 23 years. The fans and management alike hope this will be the spark for Chelsea to get back on track and compete for the title vigorously.
