Chelsea vs Fulham LIVE! Friendly match stream, latest score and ...
Chelsea vs Fulham LIVE!
The Premier League Summer Series tonight concludes in the United States with an intriguing London derby. A win tonight for the Blues could see them claim the pre-season friendly tournament Stateside in a welcome boost with less than two weeks until the new campaign kicks off.
Mauricio Pochettino will be pleased with how his squad have performed over the pond, especially new forwards Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson, as he enjoys an unbeaten start to life as manager. Fulham, meanwhile, are yet to win in America having lost to both Brentford and Aston Villa, while also navigating speculation over the futures of manager Marco Silva - who is staying put - and star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic - who is back with the squad but unsure for how long.
Will Chelsea secure silverware before the real work starts in a fortnight, or can Fulham replicate their win over the Blues from just six months ago? Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Nizaar Kinsella at the FedEx Field in Maryland.
GOAL! Nkunku taps home a second
GOAL! Thiago Silva heads home the opener
Kick-off: 7.45pm BST, FedEx Field
Score prediction: Blues earn bragging rights
21:21 , Alex Young
80min: Angelo Gabriel looks to carve open a shooting opportunity after cutting in on his left and into the area, but is crowded out.
Jackson just doesn’t stop moving, always pressing.
21:19 , Alex Young
75min: Jackson is so lively! He almost grabs a goal with a smart finish at the far post, but he is slightly off balance.
21:15 , Alex Young
71min: After a quick chat to Tim Ream, we are back under way.
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69min: Another water break. Fulham need a spark from somewhere, look weeks off it.
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65min: Hall is tripped around 30 yards out and James fancies this free kick.
A short run-up... but his effort fizzes wide.
21:05 , Alex Young
61min: Hall, Bergstrom and Gilchrist are on.
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59min: Chalobah is down receiving treatment. James, who is captain, is having a word with Pochettino.
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56min: Almost a third for Chelsea as Maatsen runs through on goal, but he has timed his run slightly early and is flagged offside.
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50min: Jackson really has got something, y’know. Full of confidence and almost scores within four minutes of coming on after skipping into the area from out wide but is shot is blocked.
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47min: And now Angelo Gabriel is on.
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46min: Another four subs as Casadei, Gallagher, Jackson and Maatsen come on.
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46min: ...and we are back underway!
20:49 , Alex Young
Jimenez and Bassey are both coming on for Fulham.
20:48 , Alex Young
James, Cucurella, Chalobah and Colwill all coming on as Chelsea change their entire defence.
20:45 , Alex Young
The second half is coming up. Surely some changes in store.
20:37 , Alex Young
Chelsea have barely had to get out of second gear and find themselves 2-0 up, which is a worry for Fulham who have not created a chance of note.
Chilwell is enjoying himself on the left, getting an assist and denied a goal by a fine Leno save. Chukwuemeka is lively.
(Getty Images)
20:34 , Alex Young
47min: That’s your lot. A cruise for Chelsea.
20:33 , Alex Young
45min: One minute added on.
Nizaar Kinsella at FedEx Field20:33 , Alex Young
“Can see why Marco Silva is calling for more talent at Fulham. They look quite short especially after Joao Palhinha’s injury.”
20:32 , Alex Young
44min: A pause in play as now Tete is down injured.
20:31 , Alex Young
42min: Chelsea have one hand on the cup.
GOAL!20:29 , Alex Young
41min: There’s the second! Nkunku taps into an empty net after some lovely footwork from Chukwuemeka to steal the ball off Fulham and then carve open space for a shot, which was parried.
20:24 , Alex Young
38min: Enzo had to score!
A brilliant break sees Chelsea flood forward and work the ball inside to Nkunku, who opts to lay in Enzo rather than shoot but the effort is straight at Leno.
A sitter.
20:22 , Alex Young
35min: Another half chance as Willian’s corner meets De Fougerolles’s head, but he timed the jump poorly and gets underneath it.
20:19 , Alex Young
32min: First real opportunity for Fulham as Willian finds Wilson inside the area, but a poor first touch allows Chelsea to clear.
20:17 , Alex Young
30min: A thunderous effort from Chilwell is well saved by Leno, and Sterling’s follow-up is diverted behind for a corner.
20:15 , Alex Young
26min: Back under way with a Mexican wave. Chelsea still bossing possession.
20:12 , Alex Young
24min: A drinks break, which allows Pochettino to delivery some insight. He wants more short passes into midfield and Enzo to play more on the front foot.
Nizaar Kinsella at FedEx Field20:10 , Alex Young
“Chelsea have been awful at set pieces for a while so promising to see Thiago Silva pop up and head in Ben Chilwell’s corner. They are on course to win the Premier League Summer Series.”
GOAL!20:07 , Alex Young
20min: First real chance, first goal! Thiago Silva heads home the opener from Chilwell’s corner delivery.
20:05 , Alex Young
18min: Cairney has gone down again and will not be forced off. Decordova-Reid replaces him.
20:04 , Alex Young
15min: It’s not quite clicking for either team at the moment with quarter of an hour in. Not a lot of movement.
19:58 , Alex Young
11min: A pause in play as Cairney has gone down clutching his hamstring. That’s a bit of a worry.
19:55 , Alex Young
7min: A slow start to this game, with Fulham seemingly happy for Chelsea to pass the ball around defence and midfield.
19:50 , Alex Young
3min: Half a chance for Chelsea in the opening minutes as Chukwuemeka tries to feed Burstow into the area but the pass is slightly overhit.
Kick-off19:47 , Alex Young
1min: Here we go!
19:46 , Alex Young
Kevin Durant does the traditional pre-match coin flop, and fumbles it - which is a tad surprising.
19:42 , Alex Young
Here come the teams! It’s almost time.
19:39 , Alex Young
So, whoever wins tonight will win the inaugural Premier League Summer Series. But, if it’s a draw, Aston Villa will claim the trophy on goal difference.
19:37 , Alex Young
It appears to be a very Chelsea-heavy crowd in Maryland. So much so, I’m yet to see a Fulham shirt on the TV coverage.
19:33 , Alex Young
The players are back in their dressing rooms ahead of kick-off. Not long now.
(Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Durant is a Blue!19:30 , Alex Young
Another new signing for Chelsea ahead of kick-off. They just cannot stop spending.
(Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Nizaar Kinsella at the FedEx Field19:24 , Alex Young
“There is still no Madueke for Chelsea today. Hopefully he makes the Dortmund game in three days’ time.”
19:23 , Alex Young
It’s pretty miserable weather back in London but not so in Maryland where it’s a balmy 28C.
(AP)
Nizaar Kinsella checks in19:13 , Alex Young
Here’s our man in Maryland.
Fulham go strong19:10 , Alex Young
It's a strong line-up from Fulham, who are captained by Tom Cairney.
Willian starts against his former club, with summer signings Raul Jimenez and Calvin Bassey on the bench.
Young Blues19:00 , Alex Young
So, a few surprises from Mauricio Pochettino.
Gabriel Slonina gets the nod in goal, behind a defence including Malo Gusto and Bashir Humphreys.
Enzo Fernandes and Andrey Santos are paired in midfield for the first time, while Mason Burstow starts in attack alongside Raheem Sterling and Christopher Nkunku.
(Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Fulham XI18:46 , Alex Young
And here’s Fulham.
Chelsea XI18:45 , Alex Young
Here’s how the Blues look.
Silva on Palhinha18:37 , Alex Young
Marco Silva has also given an update on his midfielder Joao Palhinha, who suffered a shoulder injury in the recent friendly against Brentford.
He said: “It will be difficult for him to be available for the first Premier League match.
“We have to see week by week how he is going. He is getting better every day. He is not working on the pitch. He is doing some gym and we will see if we can get him on the pitch next week.”
(Getty Images)
Silva dismisses Mitrovic concerns18:26 , Alex Young
Marco Silva has vented his frustration at Fulham’s transfer activity but has no concerns over reintegrating Aleksandar Mitrovic after his return.
The 28-year-old is back training with Fulham in the United States after seeing two bids from Al-Hilal rejected.
Mitrovic wants a move to Saudi Arabia which would see him triple his wages but Al-Hilal are reluctant to pay over £50m.
Silva is happy to have Mitrovic back with the group and dismissed concerns about his mindset.
He told reporters: “Yes, Mitrovic is back. It is a process and it is not an easy situation. I am not here to talk about the negotiations and clubs that are linked with him. He is with the group since two days ago. Let’s hope we get him as fit as we can in the next few days.
Read more here!
(Getty Images)
Pochettino: We need a smaller squad18:15 , Alex Young
Mauricio Pochettino has spoken about the dynamics in his squad ahead of the end of their pre-season tour.
"At the moment the dynamic is very good, really good guys and they are sharing the time together," he said. "What we cannot have is a massive squad, players not be involved and then it's going to create a mess in the squad.
"It is difficult because sometimes in every game three, four, five players cannot play and that is difficult because the mood is difficult. It is about creating a squad with good balance and people who have the opportunity to play and can compete for their place.
"Maybe less is more and more is less, it is not mathematic. That is why I need to make clear we don't need a big squad."
Anyway, Chelsea are set to sign two more players.
(Getty Images)
Chelsea to sign Disasi18:01 , Alex Young
As the current crop of players prepare for tonight’s game, Chelsea have been busy securing another new face.
Nizaar reports that a £38.6million deal to sign defender Axel Disasi has been agreed with AS Monaco.
The 25-year-old has been signed following a serious injury to Wesley Fofana, who has been sidelined for the foreseeable.
The Blues have acted decisively as both Manchester United and Arsenal were tracking the four-time France international.
Disasi will complete a medical and sign a long-term deal at Stamford Bridge in the coming days.
Read more here!
(Evening Standard)
Score prediction17:45 , Alex Young
While Chelsea struggled against their rivals last season, things look different now.
These are early days of course but Jackson appears to have made an instant impact and can continue his form tonight.
Chelsea to win 2-1.
Fulham team news17:34 , Alex Young
Fulham have welcome Aleksandr Mitrovic back into the squad, but he will not be involved tonight due to the ongoing transfer speculation.
The striker has reportedly said he would never play for Fulham again after they rejected multiple bids from Saudi Arabia for his services.
Joao Palhinha is missing with a shoulder injury, and will not return before the first game of the season.
Chelsea team news17:29 , Alex Young
Noni Madueke could return for Chelsea today as he looks for his first minutes under new manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The 21-year-old could be included in a front line with Raheem Sterling, Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson.
Reece James played 65 minutes in Chelsea’s previous friendly in the Premier League Summer Series, a 1-1 draw against Newcastle in Atlanta but may not start tonight.
Malo Gusto, Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill and Ben Chilwell could all come into the backline in place of James, Trevoh Chalobah, Bashir Humphreys and Marc Cucurella.
Enzo Fernandez may be partnered with Andrey Santos for the first time, with Conor Gallagher also possibly recalled.
(Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Where to watch Chelsea vs Fulham17:23 , Alex Young
TV channel: The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR, with coverage starting at 7pm.
Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on the Sky Go website or app.
Welcome17:18 , Alex Young
Good evening and welcome to the Evening Standard’s LIVE coverage of the Premier League Summer Series pre-season friendly between Chelsea and Fulham.
It’s the final match of the Stateside tournament, and the Blues are in contention for a welcome bit of pre-season silverware.
Kick-off is at 7.45pm UK time and we have Nizaar Kinsella in Maryland for us.
Stick with us.
