Fulham vs Chelsea LIVE! Premier League match stream, latest ...
A west London derby under the lights on the banks of the River Thames rounds off another thrilling Premier League weekend tonight. Chelsea make the short journey to Craven Cottage hoping desperately that last week’s nervy Carabao Cup win over Brighton can kickstart a much-needed turnaround in the top-flight under Mauricio Pochettino, who has overseen their worst start to a season since 1978-79.
The Blues sit down in 15th place after taking just five points from their first six league matches this term, winning only two of their last 18 in total as last season’s horrendous struggles have continued. Pochettino will be missing his cup match-winner Nicolas Jackson this evening due to suspension and requires others to step up for a goal-shy attack that is surprisingly led by the fit-again Armando Broja, plus Cole Palmer.
Mid-table Fulham have eight points in the bank so far but will be aiming to turbo-charge their own campaign with only a third Premier League win over their local rivals in 33 attempts, having bested them here 2-1 back in January. Follow Fulham vs Chelsea live with Standard Sport below, featuring expert analysis from Nizaar Kinsella and Dom Smith at Craven Cottage.
20 mins: Goals like London buses for Chelsea!
It’s two in just a minute as Palmer seizes on a dreadful pass from Ream, finding Broja.
Ream actually then ends up kicking it at Broja and the ball slams in.
An absolute horror show from Fulham, but Chelsea are rolling at long last.
18 mins: Chelsea strike first in the west London derby!
Mudryk ghosts in behind Diop to collect Colwill’s lofted ball from the left and fire confidently through the legs of Leno.
That will do him the world of good.
Woeful defending from Fulham, though.
REUTERS16 mins: A shaky hoofed clearance from Cucurella there as Fulham start to apply some pressure, earning a corner.
Pereira’s delivery from the right is flicked on dangerously by a speeding Jimenez at the front post, but Chelsea scramble clear.
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Craven Cottage
Occasional streaks of lightning and rumbles of thunder here at Craven Cottage.
It makes for a great occasion on a chilly Monday night. The football has started well, though Chelsea have been well on top.
10 mins: Fulham are absolutely wide open in midfield here as sharp Chelsea build another promising attack that starts with Sanchez and sees Colwill find Fernandez in acres of space.
The Argentine drives through the middle with purpose before laying off to Mudryk, who cuts inside his man before blasting well off target to more ironic cheers from the home faithful.
The finishing has been wretched from Chelsea so far tonight, but the build-up play looks very positive indeed.
8 mins: The oft-maligned Mudryk has generally been much better for Chelsea of late, but that’s poor as he looks to take on Castagne after some incisive and quick build-up play from Pochettino’s side.
The Ukrainian gets it all wrong and the ball rolls harmlessly out of play for a pressure-relieving Leno goal kick.
6 mins: It’s combative stuff early on at the Cottage, with Caicedo in the thick of it for Chelsea, whose travelling fans are in fine voice.
Chelsea are seeing a lot of the ball in the initial exchanges and playing some good stuff.
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Craven Cottage
This match has started at a rampant pace. Diop in with a crunching challenge on Mudryk, then Broja hammers over — both sides making inroads in the opposition’s half already. Very competitive start here at Craven Cottage.
3 mins: A lively start to this derby with Fulham almost getting in down the Chelsea left and Diop then smashing into Mudryk.
Broja has a brilliant early chance for the Blues with Leno all at sea, but he fires horribly high and wide.
The Albanian’s blushes are spared by the offside flag, however.
Chelsea looking sharp early on here.
Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Craven Cottage
Marc Cucurella is playing at right-back with Levi Colwill at left-back. He did well there against Brighton but it’s another big ask.
