Chelsea vs. Fulham result, score, highlights and analysis as huge-spenders are held in Premier League

Ben Miller

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Chelsea vs. Fulham result, score, highlights and analysis as huge-spenders are held in Premier League image

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter said "questions will be asked" about his expensive signings after his side's patchy run extended to one win in seven games in all competitions as Fulham deservedly claimed a draw at Stamford Bridge.

Premier League record signing Enzo Fernandez could not inspire a victory on his debut as the visitors, who beat Chelsea at Craven Cottage in January, survived Kai Havertz hitting a post to keep a clean sheet and remain above the Blues.

"New players are adapting to a new country and a new league," said Potter, speaking to BBC Sport after overseeing a total spend of £320 million ($385.6m) in January.

"It’s not straightforward. When the price tag is what it is, questions will be asked – it's the nature of the business."

World Cup winner Fernandez started the game three days after making a £107m ($129.2m) move from Benfica, only to see the visitors threaten to beat Chelsea home and away in a league season for the first time in history as part of a confident performance.

Kepa Arrizabalaga turned Andreas Pereira's swerving shot from the edge of the penalty area behind and Pereira later had a strike blocked by Marc Cucurella following incisive work by Willian, who departed to applause from both sets of fans after helping to ensure Chelsea failed to score for a fourth time in six matches in all competitions.

Fulham were indebted to Tim Ream when the defender cleared David Fofana's shot off the line late on after the substitute had shown neat footwork to deceive Bernd Leno and Issa Diop.

The result ended Fulham's run of two consecutive Premier League defeats and moved Marco Silva's team up to sixth in the table, a point above Brighton and four behind fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

Chelsea extended their unbeaten run to three matches and rose to ninth above Liverpool, nine points shy of the final Champions League qualification place.

Classy Fernandez no cure-all for Chelsea

In a debut hinting at the reasons why he is such an expensive talent, Fernandez was at the centre of much of Chelsea's play – and if nothing else, that will have given the Argentina midfielder an idea of the task facing him in a team struggling to find an identity.

All the metrics were commensurate with the fee paid for the 22-year-old who has so much staked upon him, coming out on top for touches, successful tackles, possession and duels won during the first half, as well as passes from a non-defender.

Unfortunately for the impactful Fernandez and his team, he looked isolated in a deep-lying role all too often as Chelsea encountered the familiar problem of finding themselves doing much of their best work in benign areas of the pitch.

Fulham had four of the seven shots on target and, until they absorbed increased pressure when the arrivals of Raheem Sterling and Fofana spurred a late push from Chelsea, had more touches inside the opposition box.

Havertz saw his delicate lob hit the woodwork on the stroke of half-time and joined Hakim Ziyech in shooting wide during another misfiring display by Chelsea, who have won twice in their last 11 games in all competitions and scored five times along the way, with all but one of those goals coming against teams who were in the Championship last season.

"We were missing the connection, fluidity and confidence that comes from knowing each other," said Potter. "We feel we have a very strong group of players. We have to gel and become a really good team. That’s where the work is.

"In football teams, you sometimes need that connection and understanding to sharpen up the decisions. We just need to gel and improve the team."

Potter added that new £89m ($107.3m) signing Mykhailo Mudryk had been withdrawn at the interval because of a heavy cold.

Fulham keep flying high

While there was a predictable focus on the vast difference between the value of these squads in the build-up, Fulham have grander ambitions than worrying about other teams or themselves this season.

For a club who have so often made staying in the Premier League seem an insurmountable challenge, the newly-promoted side are making a mockery of their previous struggles in this campaign – and there could have been few complaints had they won this game.

By now, most viewers are familiar with the energetic creativity of Andreas Pereira, the revitalised electricity Willian is bristling with and the battering ram ruthlessness of Aleksandar Mitrovic, a striker carrying such confidence that he almost embarrassed Kepa from near the halfway line here.

What stood out most was the discipline and nous of Fulham, holding their shape and reining in their attacking instincts while more than playing their part in a game that was frequently end-to-end because of their counter-attacking speed and sharpness.

"It’s a team game," captain Ream told Sky Sports, his words sounding a little like they could have been designed to emphasise Chelsea's current shortcomings.

"We work on it every week. Defend from the front and attack from the back. It takes all 11 guys and the ones coming on.

"It was a fantastic team performance. We can be very proud of coming away with a point and, maybe, a bit disappointed not to get more.

"I’m happy to keep a clean sheet and be in the right place at the right time. To preserve a point and a clean sheet makes it even better."

The Sporting News followed the match live and provided live score updates and commentary.

MORE: Watch every Premier League match live with fuboTV in Canada

Chelsea vs. Fulham final score

  1H 2H Final
Chelsea 0 0 0
Fulham 0 0 0

Goals:
 

Chelsea vs. Fulham live updates, highlights from Premier League

Full-time: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

It finishes all-square! Chelsea had one final chance, Raheem Sterling curling a cross towards the far post from the edge of the penalty area on the left which Bernd Leno gathered comfortably.

That would have been harsh on Fulham, had they not earned a point. They haven't managed to do the double over Chelsea for the first time ever in a league season, but they fully deserve the four points they've taken off these opponents this season, remaining above them with this point.

We'll have a report and analysis above these updates shortly. Thanks for following our live blog tonight!

93 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Andreas Pereira limps off, to be replaced by Layvin Kurzawa. Then Chelsea win a corner on their right, and Chilwell jogs over to take it.

This would be some comeback by the full-back if he can set up a goal.

88 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Fulham's all-action display is somewhat personified by head coach Marco Silva, who is booked for offering some choice-looking words to an official.

84 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Ben Chilwell comes on for Marc Cucurella, who looks crestfallen as he takes his place on the Chelsea bench.

It's brighter news for Chilwell, who's making his first appearance since being ruled out of England's World Cup squad.

79 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Chelsea could be ahead! First, Conor Gallagher sends a low shot narrowly wide of the near post from outside the penalty area on the right.

Then David Fofana, on as a substitute, reaches a Raheem Sterling pass inside the penalty area on the same side, passing the advanced Bernd Leno and cutting inside to deceive Issa Diop.

Tim Ream, who has raced back and predicted where Fofana is going to aim for, does superbly to clear the resulting shot off the line.

77 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Fulham have had four of the five shots on target and 18 of the 30 touches inside the opposition box by both sides combined.

75 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Fulham make two changes, Bobby Decordova-Reid making way for Manor Soloman and Willian coming off for Harry Wilson.

Both players receive deserved standing ovations and it sounds like Chelsea fans are showing respect to their former winger.

73 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

This is a promising spell for Chelsea. Mason Mount turns on the edge of the penalty area on the right - in a similar position to the one from which Enzo Fernandez shot wide a moment ago - and sees his low shot blocked by Tim Ream.

Mount grimaces. Chelsea look frustrated.

72 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Almost a debut goal for Enzo Fernandez! The midfielder has had a fine game for a toiling Chelsea side, and he arrows a bouncing shot just wide of the far post from outside the penalty area on the right.

Bernd Leno was beaten there.

70 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Nervy moment for Kepa! Aleksandar Mitrovic tries his luck from an outlandish distance to the left of centre, lobbing in a shot that's heading towards the roof of the net.

The effort doesn't have the speed to completely beat the goalkeeper, who backtracks in time to claim it.

67 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Another booking: Bobby Decordova-Reid holds firmly on to Raheem Sterling's arm for what seems like an age, giving Stuart Attwell little option but to caution him.

66 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Chelsea win a corner on their right. Cesar Azpilicueta bowls it over for Conor Gallagher to take it.

Gallagher's cross is successful this time, but Thiago Silva can't make anything meaningful of it, and Bernd Leno collects his header with ease.

65 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Bobby Decordova-Reid tries to win a corner off Kai Havertz inside the penalty area on the right following Fulham's free-kick after that Conor Gallagher foul. He doesn't get it.

63 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Conor Gallagher is booked for a really clumsy tackle on Andreas Pereira beyond the halfway line inside Chelsea's half.

61 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Hakim Ziyech has had a funny week, what with that near-miss on a move to PSG on Tuesday. He's been lively but inaccurate tonight, ending in his replacement by Raheem Sterling, who waits in vain for a cross from the right to reach him at the far post, with Kenny Tete clearing again.

Cesar Azpilicueta is also on, supplanting Reece James.

58 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Fulham flourish on the counter-attack. Willian nears the edge of the penalty area on the left, then lays the ball off to Andreas Pereira on the inside.

Marc Cucurella blocks Willian's shot, then Joao Palhinha wastes his good work in recovering the ball by thumping an effort over the crossbar.

55 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Kenny Tete does excellently to head a dangerous cross from Reece James behind in the nick of time after the full-back enters the penalty area on the right and sends his delivery towards the far post on the overlap.

Conor Gallagher then makes a hash of the resulting corner from the left, looking despondent after failing to beat the first man with his cross.

52 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

49 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Bobby Decordova-Reid is released inside the Chelsea half on the right by Issa Diop, who charges beyond him to distract defenders wary of an overlap.

Decordova-Reid swings an excellent cross towards the run of Aleksandar Mitrovic in that position we so often see him profit from at the far post. Thiago Silva holds him off and ensures the delivery passes Fulham's top scorer.

48 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Enzo Fernandez watch: the Argentina ace had the most touches, won possession the most times and put in the most tackles in that first half.

Kenny Tete has a run at Marc Cucurella on the right but doesn't get any change out of him.

47 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Hakim Ziyech stands on the ball and lands accurately. He looks unhappy as he sits on the turf, then gets up and carries on comfortably enough, by the looks of it.

46 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

There's been a curious half-time substitution: new Chelsea signing Mykhailo Mudryk has made way for another newcomer, former PSV winger Noni Madueke.

The half begins with a more familiar face to Stamford Bridge regulars, Willian, bursting inside the penalty area on the right and sending a shot wide. 

Half-time: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Kai Havertz hits a post on the stroke of half-time! The whistle sounds and Fulham will be relieved to go in level after another incisive move leaves Hakim Ziyech - not for the first time tonight - open-mouthed at how close his side go.

Havertz breaks free inside the penalty area on the left and sends a delicate lob beyond the advancing Bernd Leno, watching in anticipation to see where the effort drops. It hits the near post, leaves the woodwork wobbling and dribbles away.

Chelsea have now kept a first-half clean sheet in 16 of their 21 games this season, a record only bettered by Newcastle United. As liable as this is to summon a jinx, the evidence of the first half suggests there will be goals in this game.

44 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Kepa makes a hash of a clearance after Enzo Fernandez plays a pass back to him inside the penalty area, almost gifting Fulham a chance.

Another learning experience for Fernandez there, perhaps...

43 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Enzo Fernandez heads a Fulham delivery from the right clear, doing his defensive duties just inside his own penalty area again.

The Argentina midfielder has played well so far, which Chelsea might expect, given their Premier League-record outlay on him.

41 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

39 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Tim Ream does excellently to cut out a long diagonal ball that would have located Kai Havertz with a clear run on goal.

Fulham are playing confidently at both ends of the pitch, as well they might in pursuit of a first ever league double over Chelsea.

37 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Fulham aren't dissuaded by Chelsea having their share of attacks during the last few minutes. There's a moment of uncertainty inside the home penalty area, and the ball threatens to sit up nicely for Aleksandar Mitrovic before Kepa gathers.

This game was already enjoyable to watch. It's becoming end-to-end.

36 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Oh dear, Hakim Ziyech.

Andreas Pereira is dispossessed inside the centre circle. Enzo Fernandez instantly finds Hakim Ziyech with a low pass into a dangerous area on the right, and the winger races towards the penalty area as a roar of anticipation goes up.

Then he blasts a shot well wide.

33 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Another good "moment", as head coach Graham Potter is fond of saying, for Chelsea. Kai Havertz is on Tim Ream's shoulder as a ball bounces awkwardly just outside the Fulham penalty area in a central position.

Ream can't time his jump as perfectly as he needs to in order to be able to conclusively deal with the danger, allowing Havertz a sight of goal. The Germany international sends a tricky shot comfortably wide, but this is more of what Chelsea want.

31 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Slick work by Chelsea! Enzo Fernandez sends Mason Mount away with a lofted ball on the left, who does well to remain onside.

The England midfielder locates Kai Havertz unmarked inside the penalty area with a superb first-time cross, but the man who has five goals in the Premier League so far this season can only send his effort well wide – possibly because the delivery took a faint touch off a Fulham boot on the way through.

28 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

This is about the most exciting sight Chelsea fans have had so far. They're still yet to see their team trouble Bernd Leno in goal for Fulham, who continue to look well capable of repeating their 2-1 win in this fixture last month.

25 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Andreas Pereira goes the closest of anyone so far! Joao Palhinha cuts inside on the right and finds the playmaker just outside the penalty area with a low diagonal pass.

Pereira needs no further invitation to thump a swerving shot firmly in the direction of the far right-hand corner of Kepa's net, drawing an excellent reflex stop from the goalkeeper, springing to send it behind with a strong hand. Highly encouraging for the Cottagers!

22 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Fulham have the most yellow cards in the Premier League this season. Here's their 51st: Joao Palhinha is late on Mason Mount, misjudging a tackle from behind.

Palhinha shows his disagreement with the decision, and the ever-opinionated Aleksandar Mitrovic also has a word with Stuart Attwell. There was probably a case for Palhinha getting away with that.

20 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Close! Well, sort of: an offside flag is up, so it wouldn't have counted, but Kai Havertz sneaks beyond the Fulham backline to reach a perceptive Thiago Silva pass and try to stab a first time shot beyond Bernd Leno, which the goalkeeper descends to repel.

That was a terrific pass by Thiago Silva, who looked up just beyond the centre circle on the right and angled his delivery towards the six-yard box.

19 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Aleksandar Mitrovic canters forward on the right, then slips, gets up again and fails to spark a Fulham attack.

17 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Reece James misplaces a pass and appears to be in some pain with a possible finger problem.

15 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Reece James finds Hakim Ziyech on the right with a switch of play but the offside flag is up – as is Graham Potter, who is on his feet in a grey coat on the touchline.

13 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Conor Gallagher nears the Fulham penalty area on the right and hangs a cross towards the far post that Mykhailo Mudryk cannot quite reach.

Mudryk keeps the ball in play, though, recycling passes to allow Chelsea another chance for a cross, which Fulham defend stoutly. Not much to really worry them so far.

12 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Now Aleksandar Mitrovic is having a rather forthright word with the fourth official on Chelsea's left after conceding a needless foul near the corner flag.

11 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Fulham work the ball around nicely from that corner on the right. Mykhailo Mudryk blocks a cross out for a throw-in, and Aleksandar Mitrovic is then called over after appearing to wrestle with Enzo Fernandez inside the Chelsea penalty area.

Surely the introduction to Premier League football you dream of, right there.

10 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

It's a measure of how comfortable Fulham look that Enzo Fernandez has to be called into early alert defensive duties, heading Andreas Pereira's right-wing cross away inside the penalty area.

Fulham then win a corner on the same side after Thiago Silva diverts the ball behind.

7 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Antonee Robinson shows electric pace on the left, beating Hakim Ziyech and Reece James for fun - okay, with plenty of exertion as well against two players hardly short of pace - before narrowly running the ball out on the left-hand byline.

5 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Fulham will be satsified with the start they've made here. The most notable recent moment has been referee Stuart Attwell jogging over to the touchline to hand something to the fourth official.

3 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Enzo Fernandez gets on the ball for the first time, starting a move from inside his own half that spreads the play from left to right.

After Chelsea play possession across the pitch again, Mykhailo Mudryk enters the penalty area from the left and overhits a pass. Bernd Leno is out to gather.

2 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Fulham started the evening two points above Chelsea in the Premier League. They win a throw-in almost level with their opponents' penalty area on the right, resulting in a cross that Kepa claims comfortably and without challenge inside his penalty area.

As well as being Chelsea newcomers, Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez share a commonality in striking neck tattoos.

1 min: Chelsea 0-0 Fulham Todd Boehly is with former UK chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne in the executive box. Graham Potter looks pensive on the Chelsea bench. We're off!

15 mins from kickoff: Graham Potter has been speaking about Enzo Fernandez's debut.  "He is an impressive young man: great character, personality and I'm looking forward to seeing him play," Chelsea's head coach tells Sky Sports, adding that it was "clear" he would start tonight once his availability was confirmed.

As for Ziyech starting despite a botched move to PSG on Tuesday, Potter says the winger has "done well" in recent games. "I had a conversation with him and I think he is old enough and experienced enough to know these things can happen sometimes in football," he explains. "He has always been committed to the team and I thought it was right for him to play and help the team."

35 mins from kickoff: Fulham's lineup is somewhat more predictable, and it's one that has been immensely impressive in the Premier League so far this season.

This is the starting side bidding to avoid a third consecutive league defeat.

40 mins from kickoff: Enzo Fernandez starts! The record signing in the Premier League will make his top-flight debut tonight, having signed from Benfica on Tuesday.

Chelsea start like this: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marc Cucurella, Benoît Badiashile, Thiago Silva, Reece James, Conor Gallagher, Enzo Fernández, Mykhailo Mudryk, Mason Mount, Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz.

60 mins from kickoff: You imagine Chelsea will have been concentrating on their frailities from the flanks before this game.

They conceded that way when they last met Fulham, who have scored a division-high 11 goals from crosses in the Premier League this season. Conversely, only Southampton (31%) have conceded a higher share of their goals from crosses in the competition this season than Chelsea (29% - six out of 21).

80 mins from kickoff: Quite who will start from their list of options now might take some predicting, but Chelsea are here!

100 mins from kickoff: Don’t forget to follow our dedicated football channels on Twitter and Instagram for all the latest football updates, stats and analysis.

They’re your essential companions to the beautiful game.

120 mins from kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' coverage of Chelsea and Fulham's return to Premier League action following the FA Cup fourth round!

Chelsea's chance for near-immediate revenge and Fulham's opportunity to finally do the double over their hosts during a league season are decent storylines tonight, but all of the attention is likely to be on Enzo Fernandez, who competed his move from Benfica for a Premier League-record £107 million ($129.2m) on Tuesday.

Will the World Cup winner inspire his new side to a better result than their 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage less than a month ago? We're about to find out.

Chelsea vs Fulham confirmed lineups & team news

Chelsea had an incredible January transfer window, but the injury crisis remains at Stamford Bridge, and it will force a number of new players into the lineup quicker than Graham Potter will have wanted.

Record signing Enzo Fernandez starting for Chelsea was the headline team news. Reece James returned from injury, while Hakim Ziyech was also called upon after his loan to PSG fell short as a result of bungled paperwork. Jorginho is no longer with the club after completing a Deadline Day move to Arsenal.

Joao Felix was on the final game of his three-match suspension picked up for his straight red card in the reverse fixture between these two teams on January 12, while Christian Pulisic, Ben Chilwell, N'Golo Kante, and Armando Broja are all confirmed out with long-term injuries. 

Raheem Sterling, Wesley Fofana and Ben Chilwell were on the bench, while Edouard Mendy and Denis Zakaria are all close to a return but were not involved. Mateo Kovacic cropped up with a new calf injury and missed the match.

Chelsea confirmed starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Kepa (GK) — James, Badiashile, Silva, Cucurella — Gallagher, Fernandez — Mudryk, Mount, Ziyech — Havertz.
 

Talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic has managed a foot injury since the World Cup and missed the reverse fixture due to a yellow card suspension, but was ready to lead the line at Stamford Bridge.

Deadline day arrivals Sasa Lukic and Cedric are meant to serve squad roles and did not start. Tim Ream, at 35 years old, is the Premier League's minutes leader, and slotted into his role at the back again.

There is just one player missing for Fulham via injury, as Neeskens Kebano remains out with an Achilles injury – although it's not a full tear, meaning he should return somewhat soon.

Fulham confirmed starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno (GK) — Tete, Diop, Ream, Robinson — Palhinha, Reed — Reid, Pereira, Willian — Mitrovic.

What time is Chelsea vs. Fulham?

Chelsea play host to Fulham at Stamford Bridge in London, England. It kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on Friday, February 3.

Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:

  Kickoff time
USA 15:00 ET
Canada 15:00 ET
UK 20:00 GMT
Australia 07:00 AEDT*
India 12:30 IST
Hong Kong 03:00 HKT*
Malaysia 03:00 MYT*
Singapore 03:00 SGT*
New Zealand 07:00 NZDT*

*Game starts on December 28 in these time zones

How to watch Chelsea vs Fulham

  Date Time TV Channel Streaming
Australia Sat, Feb. 4 05:00 AEST  — Optus Sport
Canada Fri, Feb. 3 15:00 ET  — fuboTV Canada
Hong Kong Sat, Feb. 4 04:00 HKT Now Premier League 1, Now Premier League
(Ch. 620)		 Now Player, Now E
India Fri, Feb. 3 12:30 IST Star Sports Select 1 JioTV, Disney+ Hotstar
Malaysia Sat, Feb. 4 04:00 MYT Astro Supersport 3 Astro Go
New Zealand Sat, Feb. 4 09:00 NZST Sky Sport Premier League Sky Sports
Singapore Sat, Feb. 4 04:00 SST  — StarHub TV+
UK Fri, Feb. 3 20:00 BST Sky Sport Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League Sky Sports
USA Fri, Feb. 3 15:00 ET USA Network, Universo fuboTV, Peacock, Universo Now, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo

UK: The match will be broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK.

USA: Friday's match between Chelsea and Fulham will be broadcast in the United States on USA Network, with a Spanish language broadcast available on Universo. These channels are available to stream via fuboTV. Premier League matches can also be seen in the United States on NBC's subscription-based streaming service Peacock.

Canada: Premier League matches can be seen in Canada all season long on fuboTV, the nation's leading streaming service for world-class soccer.

Australia: Australia's sole broadcaster for the Premier League is Optus Sport, who recently signed a new deal to telecast the product Down Under for the next six seasons until 2028.

MORE: See where Chelsea and Fulham sit with an updated look at the Premier League table

Ben Miller

Ben Miller Photo

Ben Miller has been writing about sport for 25 years, following all levels of football as well as boxing, MMA, athletics and tennis. He’s seen five promotions, three relegations, one World Cup winner and home games in at least three different stadiums as a result of his lifelong devotion to Brighton & Hove Albion. His main aim each week is to cover at least one game or event that does not require a last-minute rewrite.