High-flying Chelsea lost 2-1 to Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Thursday after substitute Rodrigo Muniz scored in the 95th minute. Fulham won at Stamford Bridge for the first time since 1979, hurting second-placed Chelsea’s title chances. Chelsea is four points behind leaders Liverpool, who play Leicester City later.
After 16 minutes, Cole Palmer passed two defenders and slotted the ball through Issa Diop’s legs into the bottom corner to give Chelsea the lead. Chelsea was dominant. Palmer had two more efforts on goal, while Fulham custodian Bernd Leno saved a diving header by Marc Cucurella.
He tipped over captain Enzo Fernandez’s rocket early in the second half. Fulham, who last scored at Stamford Bridge in 2011, displayed increased energy and commitment as Chelsea defended their advantage.
Harry Wilson scored from close range in the 82nd minute. Muniz finished a Sasa Lukic ball in the final minutes to move Fulham up to ninth with 28 points from 18 games. Finally, they deserved the win with 26 touches in the opponent box to Chelsea’s 20, 52% possession, and 14 shots to Chelsea’s 12.
Chelsea lost their first league match since Oct. 20’s 2-1 loss to Liverpool and fear being overtaken by Arsenal, two points behind, who play lowly Ipswich Town on Friday. Defending champions Manchester City drew Everton 1-1 to fall farther down the Premier League standings.
Fulham beat Chelsea 2-1, Newcastle United beat 10-man Aston Villa 3-0, and West Ham United beat Southampton 1-0 to ruin new Saints boss Ivan Juric’s debut game. Pep Guardiola’s City have only one win in their last 13 matches in all competitions after Bernardo Silva scored in the 14th minute, Iliman Ndiaye equalised, and Erling Haaland missed a penalty.
Leaders Liverpool will visit lowly Leicester City in the late game on Boxing Day, bringing City down to seventh and maybe ninth. It’s amazing how City players run, battle, and do everything. “Some games have been bad, but today was well played,” Guardiola remarked.
“But football is about winning, scoring goals, and not conceding. Last month, month and a half, we couldn’t.”
