Chelsea vs Fulham live: Result and final score after Joao Pedro and Fernandez secure win after VAR controversy
The Blues prevailed in the London derby despite VAR’s major impact to deny Joshua King’s opener and then award the hosts a penalty
Chelsea secured a vital win over London rivals Fulham through Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez following more VAR controversy.
The Blues looked like they’d gone behind after Joshua King’s opener, but Rodrigo Muniz was judged to have fouled Trevoh Chalobah after a lengthy VAR check.
Joao Pedro glanced home the opener before the break and then Marco Silva’s side were hit by another VAR interruption, this time to send referee Robert Jones to the monitor after Ryan Sessegnon’s hand ball on Chalobah’s cross.
Fernandez buried the penalty and Enzo Maresca’s side held on for a 2-0 win to boost hopes of a title push this term.
Relive all the action from Stamford Bridge and check out reaction and analysis in our live blog below:
Joao Pedro elevates Chelsea past Fulham but VAR farce prompts vital question
A comfortable win for Chelsea in the end over London rivals Fulham, but the jarring feeling from yet another Premier League game was the influence of VAR.
At each painstaking moment a referee blows his whistle and signals his intent to use a pitchside monitor, a little bit of enthusiasm dies inside each supporter.
And yet again, here at Stamford Bridge, the joy and delight of 18-year-old academy product Joshua King, seconds after putting his club in front against their bitter rivals, was extinguished.
More from Jack Rathborn at Stamford Bridge:
Joao Pedro elevates Chelsea past Fulham but VAR farce prompts vital question
'I think we deserved more from the game' - Josh King
Josh King has a chat with TNT Sports. He says, of his disallowed goal: “It’s a hard feeling to describe. I think it was a perfectly good goal but there’s not much you can do. It’s part of being a professional and we have to bounce back. We can only control the controllables.”
On the goal itself and seeing it go in, he says: “It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had: the elation, having the team around you and stuff. Hopefully I can replicate it and it’ll count next time.”
He says manager Marco Silva is “a really passionate person and that fires us up as well. It’s a difficult one to take because I think maybe we deserved more from the game. It is what it is.”
Chelsea claim controversial derby victory over Fulham to maintain strong start
Chelsea recorded a controversial 2-0 west London derby victory over Fulham at Stamford Bridge to maintain their strong start to the Premier League season.
The scoreline however was hardly a reflection of the visitors’ role in a diverting tussle that came to life midway through the first half when 18-year-old Josh King was denied a first league goal by a VAR call that enraged manager Marco Silva and irrevocably soured the mood of away fans in the Shed End.
Chelsea claim controversial derby victory over Fulham to maintain strong start
'The referee makes his decisions' - Joao Pedro
Joao Pedro tells TNT Sports: “The referee makes his decisions. I don't have anything to say about it. If the referee gives that, it's good for us.”
On the penalty call, he says, “I knew my hand was close to my body. I just waited for the decision from the referee and he gave the penalty for us."
Chelsea go top
The Premier League table will make for pleasant viewing for Chelsea fans. Their side are top after today’s win, with seven points from three, although that could change later. Fulham are 14th with two points on the board.
Full-time: Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
That’s it! A hard-earned win for Chelsea, with a big helping hand from VAR. Fulham will feel aggrieved, but the three points go to the home side regardless. Back-to-back London derby wins for Chelsea, while Fulham are beaten for the first time this season.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
90+6 mins: Lukic is next into the book for kicking the ball away in frustration after fouling Fernandez.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
90+5 mins: Jimenez goes for goal from a free kick around 30 yards out, sending it flying over the bar. It’s not been Fulham’s day.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
90+3 mins: Close! A Fulham corner is swung towards the six-yard box and the ball is almost diverted in, but Joao Pedro hacks clear off the line. Santos then slides in and fouls Wilson, picking up a yellow card.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments
Bookmark popover
Removed from bookmarks