By Cole Palmer’s penalty secured a 1-0 victory for Chelsea against local rivals Fulham as Mauricio Pochettino’s side won a third consecutive Premier League game for the first time all season.
Palmer dispatched his fifth spot kick of the campaign with trademark composure after Issa Diop was adjudged to have brought down Raheem Sterling on the stroke of half-time at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea had the better of the game after the 21-year-old’s opener but produced more missed chances following their Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg defeat to Middlesbrough on Tuesday, ensuring the game hung in the balance right until the end.
The Blues held on, though, thanks in part to some smart saves by goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, the narrow victory providing a much-needed boost for the home fans and moving Pochettino’s side up to eighth in the Premier League table while Fulham remain 13th.
It was a frustrating afternoon for the visitors, with Marco Silva later bemoaning a “clear mistake from the VAR” after the officials decided not to upgrade a Malo Gusto yellow card to a red following a studs-up challenge on Willian in the first half.
“It’s a clear red card,” added the Fulham manager. “It’s difficult for Anthony Taylor to see if it’s a red card. We have to be fair with him because the moment is really quick. In the Premier League, in 10 moments like that one, nine have been a red card.”
Pochettino, meanwhile, backed the decision of the officials, suggesting Chelsea were due some luck after Gusto was sent off in similar circumstances against Aston Villa in September.
