Chelsea 1-0 Fulham: Player Ratings as Blues Secure Narrow Win

Chelsea fans, rejoice! The Blues have finally returned to winning ways with a narrow 1-0 victory over Fulham at Stamford Bridge. It was a tense and tight affair, but a late penalty from Cole Palmer secured the three points for the hosts. In this post, we will review the performance of each Chelsea player, using the ratings from CFCDaily. Who impressed and who disappointed? Read on to find out!

Petrovic: 8.5/10

The goalkeeper was in fine form, making some crucial saves to deny Fulham’s attackers. He also commanded his area well, catching and punching away any crosses that came his way. His passing was also much better than usual, helping Chelsea build from the back.

Gusto: 8/10

The right-back was lucky to escape a red card after a reckless challenge on Willian, but he redeemed himself with a solid display. He was a constant threat going forward, linking up well with Palmer and Gallagher. He also defended well, making some important tackles and interceptions.

Disasi: 8/10

The centre-back had a comfortable game, dealing with Fulham’s aerial threat with ease. He also cleared his lines well, avoiding any unnecessary risks. He did pick up a needless booking for kicking the ball away, but that was his only blemish.

Thiago Silva: 7.5/10

The veteran defender was composed and calm, as usual, but he also had some shaky moments. He was caught out of position a few times and had to resort to a tactical foul to stop a Fulham counter-attack. He also gave away some cheap possession with some aimless clearances.

Colwill: 7.5/10

The left-back had a good game, keeping Fulham’s right flank quiet. He was strong in the duels, winning most of his battles. He also supported the attack well, providing some good crosses and overlaps. He was the only defender who did not get booked, which is a bonus.

Caicedo: 8/10

The midfielder was one of the best players on the pitch for Chelsea. He was neat and tidy with his passing, controlling the tempo of the game. He also helped out defensively, breaking up Fulham’s play and covering for his teammates.

Enzo: 9/10

The star of the show for Chelsea, Enzo was the creative hub of the team. He delivered some pinpoint crosses, set up some great chances, and was involved in almost every attack. He also worked hard defensively, tracking back and making some tackles. His only flaw was his lack of pace, which sometimes exposed him.

Gallagher: 7/10

The midfielder had a decent game, showing his energy and enthusiasm. He was accurate with his passing and unlucky not to score when he hit the post. However, he also took too long on the ball sometimes and missed some opportunities to play more adventurous passes.

Sterling: 7/10

The winger had a better game than in recent weeks, winning the penalty that decided the game. He was fouled by Hector after a clever run into the box. Apart from that, he did not have much impact on the game, but he did his defensive duties well, helping Colwill on the left.

Palmer: 8.5/10

The forward bounced back from his midweek disappointment with a top performance. He scored the penalty with confidence and was a joy to watch with his creativity. He combined well with Caicedo and Enzo, creating some good chances. He mostly played on the right, but also drifted inside to cause problems.

Broja: 6.5/10

The striker had a better game than usual, looking more threatening and involved. He had a good chance to score with a header, but he missed the target. He also held up the ball well and linked up with his teammates. However, he still needs to be more involved and clinical in front of goal.

Subs: Madueke: 6/10, Chilwell: 6/10, Chukwuemeka: N/A, Gilchrist: N/A

The substitutes did not have much time to make an impact, but they did their job of helping Chelsea see out the game. Madueke and Chilwell added some fresh legs and energy, while Chukwuemeka and Gilchrist came on in the dying minutes to waste some time.

Conclusion

Chelsea have ended their winless run with a hard-fought win over Fulham, thanks to a penalty from Cole Palmer. The Blues were not at their best, but they did enough to get the job done. Some players stood out, such as Petrovic, Gusto, Caicedo, and Enzo, while others need to improve, such as Broja, Thiago Silva, and Gallagher. Chelsea will now enjoy a winter break before resuming their campaign in February. What did you think of the game and the ratings? Let us know in the comments below!