Four points separated the sides going into this SW6 derby at Motspur Park, however, it was an impressive Fulham side that took all three points in trying conditions.
The Whites once again called upon the attacking pairing of Collins John and Shefki Kuqi with usual forward Ish Ehui moving out to the right flank. With Corrin Brooks-Meade being called up for an emergency one-month loan spell at Darlington, Tony Warner stepped down from the First Team squad to deputise.
Billy McKinlay had no new injury concerns and was able to call upon a number of the players that performed so well in the Whites 2-0 victory over Reading a fortnight ago.
For Chelsea, a familiar face returned to Motspur Park, having spent a very successful loan spell with the Whites, Wayne Bridge continued his rehabilitation from a hip injury he picked up during the Blues’ tour in America during the summer. Elsewhere young striking talent, Scott Sinclair played in front of Bridge on the left wing.
In a feisty opening period, Bridge saw red following a hefty challenge straight through the back of Ismael Ehui. Perhaps the sending off was the culmination of a number of late challenges building up to the former Fulham defender’s dismissal.
Prior to the red card, an exciting opening saw the Whites take the lead within the opening 15 minutes. It was the home side who flew out of the traps as Chelsea chased shadows in the opening exchanges. Collins John looked lively up front and tested the keeper within the first minute.
When the goal did come, it came via the Dutchman. Wayne Brown worked the ball to John on the edge of the area and John struck a weak shot low through a crowd of defenders. The ball somehow managed to squirm through the grasp of Searle in the Chelsea goal to give Fulham a soft lead.
Despite this early setback, Chelsea, through Wayne Bridge tested Warner with a fizzing shot following a good run down the left.
Without doubt Chelsea’s most dangerous threat was coming in the form of diminutive right winger Miroslav Stoch. His raw pace was causing Ashton problems and it came as no surprise that it was Stoch that grabbed the equaliser. A diagonal ball played from Chelsea captain, Sam Hutchinson found Stoch wide on the right. He knocked the ball past Ashton and sprinted clear, before arrowing a low shot past Warner to make it 1-1.
After the frenetic pace of the opening 25 minutes, the game quietened down, however, the greasy conditions made tackling a difficult task as it proved with Bridge’s sending off after 35 minutes. In the run up to half-time the Whites tried to push their advantage. A neat interchange between Michael Timlin, a threat down the left, and Collins John saw the latter get a half chance on goal which he could only drag wide.
The halftime break came as welcome respite for Chelsea however Fulham were obviously still champing at the bit. An inspired start to the second half saw the Whites take a 3-1 lead.
Firstly a flowing move was cut out by Magnay; from the resulting corner swung in by Timlin, a towering leap from Leijer, saw the Australian Under 23 international slam his header past Searle, giving the youngster no chance.
The Whites sensed that Chelsea was faltering and instead of protecting their lead they went in search of another. Having given the Whites problems in the first half, a combined effort of Ashton and Timlin denied Stoch the time and space to showcase his obvious talents.
With Stoch nullified the Whites also increased their own attacking purpose and it was from their good work that the goal came. Timlin pushed down the left flank before back-heeling inside to Ashton; the full-back charged into the box before shooting, his shot was parried by Searle but only as far as Kuqi who headed home the rebound.
Credit to Chelsea, they never let their heads drop and always posed an attacking threat, especially with the pace of Scott Sinclair. However, with a man down and pushing forward they were always susceptible to Fulham counter attacks. Bradley Hudson-Odoi, a second half substitute for Collins John was perhaps guilty of holding onto the ball when he had team-mates in support to his right who would have been clear on goal, but his pace was causing Chelsea problems.
In the closing stages of the game as Chelsea weathered the majority of Fulham’s attack, a break of their own saw Sinclair reach the edge of the box. As he entered the area a clumsy challenge from Leijer saw a penalty awarded. Sinclair picked himself up and slotted calmly past Warner.
The closing stages were slightly nervier than Fulham would have liked but with the majority of the play in Chelsea’s area for the final few minutes of stoppage time, Fulham were able to secure an excellent home win over their cross town rivals.
Fulham: Warner; Cumber (Thompson 66), Leijer, Watts, Ashton; Ehui, Milsom, Brown, Timlin; John (Hudson-Odoi 66), Kuqi
Subs: Etheridge (GK), Saunders, Goncalves,
