Three things we learnt from Chelsea’s win over Fulham
Chelsea finally managed to translate performance into points, as they earned West London bragging rights with a 2-0 win over Fulham.
A first Premier League goal for Mykhailo Mydryk, followed by Armando Broja’s first talley since October 2022 sealed Mauricio Pochettino’s first away win as Blues bench boss.
Chelsea ensured they maintained their third clean sheet in four games with an equally resounding display in the second half. Besides a goal-bound effort stopped miraculously by Robert Sanchez from point blank range, there was nothing that troubled the visitors’ back line.
While there are many takeaways from the game for Pochettino and his staff to build on for their upcoming fixtures, the zestful tempo from the start was certainly an encouraging sign.
On that note, we look at three key takeaways from Chelsea’s comfortable victory at Craven Cottage.
#1 The returning stars light up the evening for Chelsea
No player had more touches in the opponent’s third than Raheem Sterling heading into this game. And for a team that had only put five goals into the back of the net prior to this one, it appeared an uphill task without their explosive winger.
But the new-look roster with several returning players stood up to the task. It began with Fulham’s light pressure in the opening quarter, which led to Moises Caicedo offering a brilliant spread to Levi Colwill.
The Chelsea center-half, pitted at left back, is far from the traditional fullback who will provide width continually. It’s more of attacking in phases. Finding the right space and time to supply the width.
Once he was played in by Caicedo, the rest was all about Mudryk, who played a false run to begin with, lost a ball-watching Issa Diop and then sniped a fine strike between Bernd Leno’s legs.
Just 20 seconds later, the Blues pounced on Tim Ream’s laziness on the ball. Cole Palmer’s pressing led to the win back before he squared it for Broja – back starting after 10 months – to double the lead.
Palmer himself had an outstanding game, starting for the first time in the PL for Chelsea. He was seamless in possession, finding cheeky ways of splitting the opponents around him and creating wonderful chances. Palmer now has two assists in two games.
The same can be said about Marc Cucurella, who made his first appearance in the playing XI since April. The former Brighton and Hove Albion man had his task cut out against Willian at right-back, but dealt with the double-up and one-versus-one situations masterfully.
#2 Chelsea’s midfield trio bypass Fulham
It was a slight tweak from Pochettino, as he switched Conor Gallagher to number 10 and swapped him with Enzo Fernandez alongside Moises Caicedo in the middle.
The double pivot’s positional brilliance, alongside Gallagher’s tireless running (covered over 12km – more than any other player on the pitch) helped the side win possessions over and then launch forward quickly.
Caicedo and Enzo’s passing was simply superb. From the deeper pockets to when they combined to break through Palhinha and co. There was a subtlety and ease to how they operated in between the lines. After half-a-dozen PL games, it appears as though Caicedo and Enzo are forming a better partnership at the center of the park for Chelsea.
Gallagher, Chelsea’s stand-in captain in the absence of key personalities, rightly pointed out after the game – Pochettino wanted the midfield to exchange roles and rotate between one another more often over 90 minutes.
The academy star was relentless, the type of display you associate with someone who’s risen through the ranks and adopted the Chelsea culture. The 23-year-old has shown how good he can be both off ball and on it, and if he can add a layer or two of final-third decision-making, he can turn into one of the best attacking midfielders in the division.
#3 The need for more finishing touches
As good as they were, Chelsea’s exceptional evening was interwoven with injuries – severity unbeknownst – to Caicedo and Mudryk. The latter was a half-time substitute, while Caicedo was taken off in the dying embers of the match.
As far as the management is concerned, it was a lesson to utilize some of the players more carefully. While the extent of the setbacks has yet to be confirmed, the Blues simply cannot afford to lose another player or two just when they seem to be gelling.
There’s also the need to continue being more prolific. Pochettino has gotten the team extremely well-drilled; Chelsea choke their opponents and find themselves in envious changeovers after winning the ball back.
But, it appears as though the players overthink their last bit of action in a bid to try and score a picturesque goal. In this regard, Ian Maatsen was unlucky to have been denied his maiden Chelsea goal, which would have truly put the game beyond doubt.
Enzo could have, and should have, wrapped up after Maatsen’s strike rattled off the crossbar. With Burnley up next and then an immediate run of games against sides who all finished ninth or above in the league last season, Chelsea certainly has their work cut out for them.
But for now, there’s countless things to smile upon after grasping their first PL win since late August.
-Roy Akarshak
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
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