Chelsea secured a vital win over London rivals Fulham through Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez following more VAR controversy.
The Blues looked like they’d gone behind after Joshua King’s opener, but Rodrigo Muniz was judged to have fouled Trevoh Chalobah after a lengthy VAR check.
Joao Pedro glanced home the opener before the break and then Marco Silva’s side were hit by another VAR interruption, this time to send referee Robert Jones to the monitor after Ryan Sessegnon’s hand ball on Chalobah’s cross.
Fernandez buried the penalty and Enzo Maresca’s side held on for a 2-0 win to boost hopes of a title push this term.
Relive all the action from Stamford Bridge and check out reaction and analysis in our live blog below:
Chelsea vs Fulham live
- Chelsea host Fulham in the Premier League | Live on TNT Sports with kick off at 12.30pm BST
- Hosts are without Cole Palmer due to injury as they bid to build on big West Ham win
- Fulham boss Marco Silva has been frustrated with his side's lack of transfer activity
- 25' NO GOAL! King's effort controversially ruled out after Muniz foul [CHE 0-0 FUL]
- 45+10' GOAL! Pedro's glancing header snatches lead for hosts [CHE 1-0 FUL]
- '56 GOAL! Fernandez smashes in penalty after controversial handball call [CHE 2-0 FUL]
Chelsea FC 2 - 0 Fulham FC
Joao Pedro elevates Chelsea past Fulham but VAR farce prompts vital question
15:37 , Jack Rathborn at Stamford BridgeA comfortable win for Chelsea in the end over London rivals Fulham, but the jarring feeling from yet another Premier League game was the influence of VAR.
At each painstaking moment a referee blows his whistle and signals his intent to use a pitchside monitor, a little bit of enthusiasm dies inside each supporter.
And yet again, here at Stamford Bridge, the joy and delight of 18-year-old academy product Joshua King, seconds after putting his club in front against their bitter rivals, was extinguished.
More from Jack Rathborn at Stamford Bridge:
Joao Pedro elevates Chelsea past Fulham but VAR farce prompts vital question
'I think we deserved more from the game' - Josh King
15:15 , Flo CliffordJosh King has a chat with TNT Sports. He says, of his disallowed goal: “It’s a hard feeling to describe. I think it was a perfectly good goal but there’s not much you can do. It’s part of being a professional and we have to bounce back. We can only control the controllables.”
On the goal itself and seeing it go in, he says: “It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had: the elation, having the team around you and stuff. Hopefully I can replicate it and it’ll count next time.”
He says manager Marco Silva is “a really passionate person and that fires us up as well. It’s a difficult one to take because I think maybe we deserved more from the game. It is what it is.”
Chelsea claim controversial derby victory over Fulham to maintain strong start
15:05 , Flo CliffordChelsea recorded a controversial 2-0 west London derby victory over Fulham at Stamford Bridge to maintain their strong start to the Premier League season.
The scoreline however was hardly a reflection of the visitors’ role in a diverting tussle that came to life midway through the first half when 18-year-old Josh King was denied a first league goal by a VAR call that enraged manager Marco Silva and irrevocably soured the mood of away fans in the Shed End.
Chelsea claim controversial derby victory over Fulham to maintain strong start
'The referee makes his decisions' - Joao Pedro
14:58 , Flo CliffordJoao Pedro tells TNT Sports: “The referee makes his decisions. I don't have anything to say about it. If the referee gives that, it's good for us.”
On the penalty call, he says, “I knew my hand was close to my body. I just waited for the decision from the referee and he gave the penalty for us."
Chelsea go top
14:43 , Callum Rice-CoatesThe Premier League table will make for pleasant viewing for Chelsea fans. Their side are top after today’s win, with seven points from three, although that could change later. Fulham are 14th with two points on the board.
Full-time: Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
14:35 , Callum Rice-CoatesThat’s it! A hard-earned win for Chelsea, with a big helping hand from VAR. Fulham will feel aggrieved, but the three points go to the home side regardless. Back-to-back London derby wins for Chelsea, while Fulham are beaten for the first time this season.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
14:32 , Callum Rice-Coates90+6 mins: Lukic is next into the book for kicking the ball away in frustration after fouling Fernandez.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
14:31 , Callum Rice-Coates90+5 mins: Jimenez goes for goal from a free kick around 30 yards out, sending it flying over the bar. It’s not been Fulham’s day.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
14:29 , Callum Rice-Coates90+3 mins: Close! A Fulham corner is swung towards the six-yard box and the ball is almost diverted in, but Joao Pedro hacks clear off the line. Santos then slides in and fouls Wilson, picking up a yellow card.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
14:26 , Callum Rice-Coates90 mins: James finds space on the edge of the box but his low shot is easily saved by Leno. There’ll be eight minutes added on, as there was in the first half.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
14:23 , Callum Rice-Coates87 mins: Chance! The ball is worked nicely out to Traore, who sends an inviting cross into the middle. It looks perfect for Jimenez, but he can only send his header over the bar.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
14:21 , Callum Rice-Coates85 mins: Loose at the back as Traore almost capitalises on a Chelsea error. Fulham have put some late pressure on but struggled to create chances in the second half.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
14:17 , Callum Rice-Coates81 mins: More changes for Chelsea: Andrey Santos replaces George and Reece James is on for Neto.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
14:15 , Callum Rice-Coates79 mins: A Fulham free kick is cleared. The visitors need a goal soon if they’re to create a nervy ending at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
14:12 , Callum Rice-Coates76 mins: Robinson injects some life into things for Fulham, running at Gusto and winning a corner. Lukic’s delivery is headed away.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
14:09 , Callum Rice-Coates74 mins: Iwobi is booked for pulling Chalobah back. Fulham look an increasingly tired side.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
14:07 , Callum Rice-Coates71 mins: It’s all gone very flat for Fulham. They lose the ball cheaply and Neto accelerates past Bassey. His cross is diverted behind, and the corner is cleared at the back post after a dangerous flick on from Chalobah.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
14:06 , Callum Rice-Coates70 mins: Gittens’ first involvement is to make space for a shot on the left and win a corner. Nothing comes of the set piece.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
14:03 , Callum Rice-Coates68 mins: Chelsea also make a change as Jamie Gittens replaces Estevao.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
14:03 , Callum Rice-Coates67 mins: A teasing cross from Neto just evades the stretching Pedro in the six-yard box.
Two more changes for Fulham: Antonee Robinson and Emile Smith Rowe replace Sessegnon and King.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
14:01 , Callum Rice-Coates65 mins: Chelsea are in control now and playing with a confidence they lacked for much of the game. Pedro gets a shot off from the edge of the box but it’s comfortable for Leno.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
13:58 , Callum Rice-Coates62 mins: Fulham suddenly look very open. Joao Pedro is sent clean through and tries to round Leno, but the goalkeeper does just enough to take the ball away from the striker.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
13:57 , Callum Rice-Coates60 mins: Fulham replace Muniz and Castange with Raul Jimenez and Harry Wilson.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
13:55 , Callum Rice-Coates59 mins: Close! Estevao is picked out on the right of the box, shifts onto his left foot and forces Leno into a good save. Chelsea have been buoyed by the second goal, while Fulham, understandably, look deflated.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Fulham (Fernandez)
13:51 , Callum Rice-Coates56 mins: Enzo Fernandez drills his penalty down the middle to double Chelsea’s lead!
Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
13:50 , Callum Rice-Coates54 mins: Penalty given! Chelsea fans cheer. Fulham’s players and staff look on in disbelief.
Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
13:49 , Callum Rice-Coates53 mins: Sessegnon’s arm was slightly away from his body. Rob Jones is taking his time at the monitor. There’s also a potential handball from Joao Pedro before the possible penalty incident.
Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
13:47 , Callum Rice-Coates51 mins: There’s a VAR check ongoing for a potential handball by Sessegnon. This would surely be incredibly harsh...
Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
13:47 , Callum Rice-Coates50 mins: A bit more purposeful from Chelsea, who want a penalty. Chalobah’s cross is blocked by Sessegnon, and the ball hits his arm. Caicedo then drags a shot wide.
Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
13:44 , Callum Rice-Coates48 mins: Fulham begin on the front foot, probing for an opening. Muniz meets a cross but his glancing header goes wide.
Kick-off
13:41 , Callum Rice-CoatesFulham get the second half underway.
A frantic half
13:32 , Jack RathbornA frantic half packed with emotion but Fulham fall behind after a desperate scramble late in the half. First through Caicedo and George's efforts inside the box, and then the glanced finish by Joao Pedro from the Enzo Fernandez corner. A brutal blow for the Whites after such a promising half, beyond King's ruled-out goal, there was purpose behind Marco Silva's side.
But the relief was palpable from the home fans as the ball hit the net there, with the away end silenced before a rendition of '1-0 to the referee'. A tasty London derby here, the second half should be fascinating.
Half-time
13:27 , Callum Rice-CoatesAnd that’s it for an eventful first 45 minutes. A seething Marco Silva waits for referee Rob Jones. The Fulham fans boo the officials off. But it’s Chelsea who lead through Joao Pedro’s header.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Fulham (Pedro)
13:25 , Callum Rice-Coates45+10 mins: Chelsea score! A remarkable end to the half. Enzo Fernandez whips a corner into the middle and Joao Pedro climbs highest, heading into the bottom corner from close range. It’s lax marking from Fulham, who’ll be incredibly frustrated given their first-half display.
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
13:24 , Callum Rice-Coates45+9 mins: Chalobah lets fly from long range and his effort deflects way off target. From the corner, the ball drops to George a few yards out, but he’s denied by Leno.
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
13:21 , Callum Rice-Coates45+6 mins: The game suddenly opens up late in the half. A Fulham corner is cleared and Chelsea break, but it comes to nothing. The hosts have lacked composure so far.
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
13:20 , Callum Rice-Coates45+5 mins: Chance! Brilliant football from Fulham as Lukic slips King through down the right, and his cut back is perfect for Castagne. The full-back’s shot is superbly blocked by Caicedo, though.
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
13:17 , Callum Rice-Coates45+2 mins: Excellent defending from Gusto to get a foot in and deny King, who looks set to get a shot off in the box.
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
13:16 , Callum Rice-Coates45+1 mins: There’ll be eight minutes of added time, because of the various stoppages, most notably the controversial VAR check.
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
13:16 , Callum Rice-Coates45 mins: Estevao dribbles down the right, beating a couple of players before his cut back is intercepted. Fulham are furious; they want a foul for an earlier challenge.
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
13:13 , Callum Rice-Coates43 mins: Close! Fernandez sends a corner into the six-yard box and it’s headed over from close range by Tosin.
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
13:10 , Callum Rice-Coates40 mins: Poor from Neto, who floats a free kick into the box but makes it easy for Leno. It’s been tepid from Chelsea in the final third.
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
13:09 , Jack Rathborn38 mins: This is a tense London derby, Fulham fans have brought plenty of noise, but they were left furious after King's goal was ruled out. Chelsea look a little flustered and the crowd is already growing restless. There's nothing smooth about their build-up, it's frantic from Enzo as he carries the ball out from the back in transition and Caicedo has picked up a yellow card.
A crucial momennt ahead of half-time, can either side find some composure?
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
13:05 , Callum Rice-Coates35 mins: Chelsea really haven’t got going in this first half, and Fulham have been the better side. Enzo Maresca looks concerned on the touchline.
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
13:02 , Callum Rice-Coates31 mins: A big chance for Muniz, who meets a deflected Sessegnon cross at the near post but sees his close-range effort saved. The flag is up for offside anyway though.
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
12:59 , Callum Rice-Coates29 mins: Fulham feel hard done by here and their fans are understandably angry. VAR controversy will be a major talking point again here. There’s more time to reflect on it with Muniz down injured, though he soon gets back on his feet.
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
12:57 , Callum Rice-Coates27 mins: King, determined to get the goal he was denied, gets the ball on the edge of the box and hits a low shot, which Sanchez saves. The Fulham youngster looks very lively.
NO GOAL! Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
12:55 , Callum Rice-Coates25 mins: The goal is disallowed! Rodrigo Muniz accidentally stamped on Chalobah’s foot before Berge’s through ball. A foul is given and parity restored. Marco Silva is not happy.
Chelsea 0-1 Fulham
12:53 , Callum Rice-Coates23 mins: There is a VAR check ongoing. The goal may yet be ruled out for a potential foul on Chalobah...
GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Fulham (King)
12:52 , Callum Rice-Coates21 mins: Fulham lead! It’s a ruthless breakaway from the visitors. Chalobah is dispossessed and Berge plays a superb through ball into Josh King, who races clear, cuts back onto his right foot and slots coolly past Sanchez at the near post.
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
12:50 , Callum Rice-Coates19 mins: Iwobi drives into space and tries to guide a shot into the bottom left corner from distance. It rolls harmlessly wide.
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
12:48 , Callum Rice-Coates18 mins: A good spell for Fulham, who spend some time in Chelsea’s half. Cucurella gives away a free kick, which is swung into the box but easily headed clear.
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
12:44 , Callum Rice-Coates14 mins: Teenager Tyrique George comes on to replace the injured Liam Delap, who’s straight down the tunnel.
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
12:43 , Callum Rice-Coates13 mins: A worrying moment for Chelsea as Delap chases a long ball and pulls up clutching his hamstring. It looks like he won’t be able to continue.
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
12:41 , Callum Rice-Coates11 mins: Gusto overhits a cross in the direction of Pedro Neto. Early glimpses of promise from Estevao on the right flank, after his eye-catching display at West Ham last time out.
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
12:38 , Callum Rice-Coates7 mins: Half a chance for Fulham. Andersen surges forward from the back, plays a one-two with Berge, but then sends a shot well wide from inside the box.
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
12:36 , Callum Rice-Coates6 mins: Nice move from Chelsea. Cucurella wriggles away on the left flank and cuts the ball back for Delap, whose powerful strike is well blocked by Berge.
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
12:35 , Callum Rice-Coates5 mins: An awkward moment at the back for Fulham as Leno is closed down and forced into a loose pass. The ball comes to Joao Pedro, who hits a low shot with his left foot, but it’s a comfortable save for Leno.
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
12:33 , Callum Rice-Coates3 mins: A first foray forward for Fulham, who threaten down the right. Cucurella makes a strong tackle and is then fouled.
Kick-off!
12:30 , Callum Rice-CoatesChelsea get us underway!
Smoke show
12:28 , Jack RathbornA smoke show at the Bridge! Blue smoke comes out of the tunnel ahead of this fiery derby, Fulham fans in the corner of the Shed End in good voice. Chelsea fans with a big banner in the Matthew Harding stand, it reads, 'London's first, London's finest', in reference to that historic Champions League win over Bayern in 2012. They'll be back in Munich in a few weeks, of course.
Teams are out
12:27 , Callum Rice-CoatesThe players emerge from the tunnel at Stamford Bridge. Almost time for the opening game of this Premier League weekend...
Unbeaten start
12:21 , Callum Rice-CoatesBoth sides have yet to lose in the Premier League this season. Fulham started with back-to-back draws, including last weekend’s point against Manchester United.
Chelsea, meanwhile, were held by Crystal Palace before thrashing London rivals West Ham. They will expect a sterner test at Stamford Bridge today though.
Maresca on Fulham challenge
12:11 , Callum Rice-CoatesChelsea boss Enzo Maresca: "Solid, well organised, they play nice football and it is not random they are doing well. Marco [Silva] is good, the players are good. We need to be careful, as always.”
On coping without Palmer: "When Cole is not in the game, we need to find different solutions. Hopefully tomorrow we can do the same."
Silva on Chelsea clash
12:07 , Callum Rice-CoatesFulham boss Marco Silva: "It's going to be a big one. It's a special moment for our fans. It also gives the players extra motivation because there's something more special behind the three points.
"Since I joined the club, we have changed the record against Chelsea. We are now really competitive against them and we can match them. They have spent billions to strengthen their squad so they are in a completely different world to us off the pitch, they can do things we cannot.
"We know their strengths very well, they have individual and overall quality. They have a clear identity in terms of the way Enzo Maresca wants to play, such as overloading certain areas and stretching teams. For us, it's clear what he wants in each moment of the game."
Fulham in need of transfer reinforcements
12:00 , Flo CliffordMarco Silva could possibly have done with taking a few of Chelsea’s offloaded forward options. Prior to today’s clash he said: “We have a fantastic group of players here, but we still need depth, quality and competition. We need at least three players.”
“Two players and one midfielder” were the key targets, he said, adding: “We probably need a striker as well, but that probably isn't going to be possible.”
Let’s see how they fare against Chelsea’s expensive forward line today.
Chelsea offload forwards in busy final transfer weekend
11:50 , Flo CliffordChelsea’s summer activity continued with the announcement that fellow forward Christopher Nkunku will leave the club on a permanent transfer to AC Milan. He has signed a five-year deal with the Serie A side.
The France international joined the Blues from RB Leipzig in 2023 in a deal worth £52m, scoring 18 goals in 62 appearances during a spell impacted by injury.
“We thank Christo for his efforts throughout his time at the club and wish him well as he begins a new chapter in his career,” read a statement on Chelsea’s website.
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson to join Bayern Munich in record loan deal
11:40 , Flo CliffordChelsea striker Nicolas Jackson is to join Bayern Munich in a record loan deal ahead of a potential £56.2million transfer.
The Blyes will receive an initial loan fee of £13m and the German champions have a purchase option on the Senegal international worth £56.2m.
The 24-year-old, who has slipped down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge after the high-profile arrivals of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro this summer, has travelled to Germany to finalise the move.
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson to join Bayern Munich in record loan deal
Cole Palmer ruled out for Chelsea against Fulham after England squad omission
11:30 , Flo CliffordCole Palmer will miss Chelsea’s game against Fulham through injury having been left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the upcoming internationals.
The Chelsea No 10 “felt something” in the warm-up against West Ham, forcing Enzo Maresca into a late reshuffle, as Willian Estevao started in the 5-1 victory for the Blues at the London Stadium.
Tuchel has omitted Palmer for the upcoming World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.
The 23-year-old was not seen outside in training on Tuesday as the media gathered at the club’s Cobham training base, and Maresca confirmed on Friday that he would not play this weekend.
Cole Palmer ruled out for Chelsea against Fulham after England squad omission
Team news
11:25 , Flo CliffordNo changes for either side, with Cole Palmer a notable absence but one which manager Enzo Maresca confirmed in the build-up to the game after he “felt something” against West Ham.
After that 5-1 thrashing of Graham Potter’s sorry Hammers, Maresca has clearly decided if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Marco Silva has also opted for an unchanged side following their 1-1 draw with Man United last time out. Harry Wilson had been an injury doubt but he’s on the bench.
Team news - Fulham
11:23 , Flo CliffordFulham XI: Leno, Tete, Anderson, Bassey, Castagne, Lukic, Berge, Sessegnon, King, Iwobi, Muniz
Substitutes: Lecomte, Cuenca, Robinson, Reed, Cairney, Adama, Wilson, Smith Rowe, Jimenez
Team news - Chelsea
11:20 , Flo CliffordTeam news just in:
Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Estevao, Joao Pedro, Neto, Delap
Substitutes: Jorgensen, Acheampong, James, Fofana, Hato, Essugo, Santos, George, Gittens
Good morning
11:04 , Flo CliffordHello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Chelsea v Fulham!
Today’s clash at Stamford Bridge kicks off at 12.30pm, and we’ll have all the build-up and action right here.
