Wilson’s cracking goal gives Fulham derby victory over 10-man Chelsea
Fulham 2Jimenez (55′)
Wilson (81′)
Chelsea 1(Delap 72′)
Harry Wilson’s glorious late strike earned Fulham victory as 10-man Chelsea’s lamentable disciplinary record continued in an ill-tempered west London derby at Craven Cottage.
Marc Cucurella’s return after injury lasted just 22 minutes before he was dismissed for bundling over the excellent Wilson and denying the in-form striker a clear goalscoring opportunity.
The home side took advantage and Chelsea, who were on top before Cucurella’s exit, were fortunate that Wilson’s strike in first-half injury-time was wiped out for offside after a VAR check.
Raul Jimenez beautifully placed second-half header to put Fulham ahead – the Mexican’s third goal in five games.
And although the Blues fought back impressively and deservedly levelled through Liam Delap’s first Premier League goal for Chelsea, Wilson’s sublime first touch and instant strike secured maximum points.
The visitors had controlled the early exchanges and hit the bar through Andrey Santos from one of several dangerous corners, but the dynamics changed when Fulham keeper Bernd Leno’s punt forward caught out Cucurella, who was sent off for hauling down Wilson as he was about to go through on goal.
The red card was Chelsea’s eighth already this season – a worrying statistic for incoming head coach Liam Rosenior, who was watching from the stands before taking over from caretaker boss Calum McFarlane for Saturday’s FA Cup tie away against Charlton.
Former Fulham full-back Rosenior will have been impressed by Chelsea’s start, but Fulham then bossed possession in an increasingly spiky game, but created very little until late in the first half.
Emile Smith Rowe smashed a shot narrowly over the bar from 20 yards and the outstanding Wilson then had a sweet strike disallowed for a marginal offside call on Jiminez in the build-up.
Jimenez made amends soon after the interval, netting with a brilliant header from an inviting Sander Berge cross and substitute Kevin almost made it 2-0 with a fizzing effort.
Chelsea responded, however, with substitute Reece James helping them gain control in midfield.
Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto were at the heart of most of their attacks, with the latter blazing a shot well off target after a swift counter-attack, Moises Caicedo went close and Delap was denied at close range by Leno’s excellent save.
Delap’s close-range effort, after Antonee Robinson’s header came back off the post as he tried to clear a corner, looked like securing a point.
But Fulham, who have now won four of their past six games, came again late on and, soon after Robert keeper Sanchez made a brave block from Jimenez, Wilson’s stunning touch and first-time hit earned a memorable victory for the Whites.
Fulham: Leno, Castagne, Diop, Andersen, Cuenca (Kevin 46), Robinson (Sessegnin 73), Berge, Cairney (Lukic 73), Smith-Rowe (Reed 83), Wilson (Traore 90+1), Jimenez.
Subs: Lecomte, Amissah, Ridgeon, Kusi-Asare.
Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto (Acheampong, 76) Cucurella, Chalobah, Adarabioyo; Caicedo, Santos (Hato, 28), Fernandez (James, 65); Palmer (Pedro, 76), Neto; Delap.
Subs not used: Jorgensen, Fofana, Gittens, Garnacho, Estevao.
