Two Kai Havertz goals, one early in each half, were enough to hand Chelsea all three points in Saturday night’s South West London derby.
Edouard Mendy’s string of first half saves cemented the points for the hosts in an even contest for most parts.
Scott Parker stuck to his principles and named an unchanged side from the draw at Arsenal. Fabio Carvalho was named on the bench alongside the fit again Kenny Tete.
Fulham deployed a high line along with aggressive pressing tactics to try and stem the in-form Chelsea.
The approach worked well in the opening stages as Antonee Robinson pinched the ball high and sent a drive destined for the top corner. Mendy produced an excellent save to deny it.
Chelsea grew into the game and unzipped Fulham on 10 minutes. Thiago Silva’s long pass was controlled superbly by Mason Mount. He fed Havertz who lifted over Alphonse Areola.
The German midfielder had the ball in the net again six minutes later but for the late offside flag on the far side. On further inspection, he was well offside.
Although our neighbours had the lead, they weren’t having the game all their own way. Ademola Lookman took aim from the corner of the box forcing Mendy into another solid stop.
Chelsea continued to look a threat with their pace on the counter. Timo Werner picked his head up and squared for Hakim Ziyech who looked certain for a tap-in. The brilliant Areola clawed his hands across to push it to safety.
Mendy continued to preserve his side’s clean sheet as Ola Aina was the latest to force a save against his former club. This one arguably the pick of the bunch on the stroke of half time as the shot was deflected en-route.
The sucker punch took the wind out of Fulham early in the second half. Havertz sprung the offside trap to receive a pass from Werner to slot home. The task now an uphill battle.
Fulham remained patient in their build-up play and Ivan Cavaleiro was having joy swinging in crosses from the right. A flurry of balls needed turning behind by James.
There was a proud moment for Carvalho as he made his Premier League debut, being introduced with 10 minutes to go.
The game fizzled out meaning Fulham remain nine points away from safety with four games remaining.
Chelsea: Mendy; Zouma, Christensen, Silva; James, Gilmour, Mount (Abraham 75’), Ziyech (Kante 66’), Chilwell (Alonso 81’); Havertz, Werner.
Subs: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Alonso, Kante, Jorginho, Hudson-Odoi, Pulisic, Abraham, Anjorin.
Fulham: Areola; Aina, Andersen, Adarabioyo, Robinson; Lookman, Lemina (Carvalho 77’), Anguissa, De Cordova-Reid; Cavaleiro (Onomah 77’), Maja (Mitrović 81’).
Subs: Rodák, Odoi, Hector, Ream, Bryan, Tete, Onomah, Carvalho, Mitrović.
