Chelsea’s EPL title hopes dented in 2-1 loss to Fulham

Chelsea suffered a huge setback in their race for the 2024-25 English Premier League crown after losing 2-1 to Fulham on Thursday afternoon at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues took the lead in the 16th minute when England international Cole Palmer dribbled past the Fulham midfield before converting a low finish from the edge of the 18-yard box.

The goal was Palmer’s 12th league strike of the campaign and his 26th of this calendar year.

After failing to calm the nerves with another goal, Chelsea were punished seven minutes from stoppage time when Belgian defender Timothy Castagne headed the ball across goal, allowing Welsh international Harry Wilson to nod home for the equaliser.

The persistent Cottagers turned the game around when Sasa Lukic’s cross found Brazilian forward Rodrigo Muniz, who capped a breathtaking counter with a calm injury-time winner.

The result ended Chelsea’s five-game winning streak, condemning them to their first league defeat in 10 games.

Enzo Maresca’s side, however, remain second on the table with 35 points, seven points behind leaders Liverpool.

Speaking after the game, Maresca expressed his disappointment with the manner in which the Blues conceded goals.

“To concede the goal we conceded at the end, it is a bad feeling,” the Chelsea manager lamented.

“I said many times when you can’t win it’s important you don’t lose. The first 15 minutes of the second half was the point I didn’t like – we conceded so many transitions.

“We know they are a team building from transitions. First half we controlled that very good, second half we gave them too much energy.”

Meanwhile, Fulham boss Marco Silva was pleased by the impressive result that lifted them to eighth on the table with 28 points.

“From the beginning of December, our unbeaten run keeps going,” said the Fulham manager after the game.

“Our speech before the game was about breaking this record [at Stamford Bridge].

“We wanted to give this happiness to our fans on Boxing Day, a special day, and for the next few days them to have this feeling.”

Fulham will be hoping to extend their six-game unbeaten run against Bournemouth on Sunday, with top bookmakers paying $2.41 for the hosts to defeat the Cherries ($2.79).

Meanwhile, Chelsea will be eager to bounce back against Ipswich Town on Monday, and top soccer betting sites are paying $1.41 for the Blues to beat their hosts ($7.36).

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