Calum McFarlane explains how one Chelsea player “did well and got us up the pitch” vs Fulham | OneFootball

Chelsea’s interim head coach Calum McFarlane has been explaining how one Chelsea player “did well and got us up the pitch” vs Fulham.

It was difficult to find any positives from the 2-1 defeat to Fulham last night, but perhaps our number 9 Liam Delap bagging a goal was one of them, because I feel he certainly needed a goal. It was his first league goal in a Chelsea shirt and he has been suffering with injuries and bad form since he arrived at the club.

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Delap had missed a big chance earlier in the game but this goal got Chelsea back in the game and had them believing that they could get something out of it despite being down to ten men after Marc Cucurella got sent off early in the game.

Delap had some good moments in the game and he did hold the ball up well, as well as bring others into the game and move Chelsea up the pitch. It was certainly far from a perfect performance from the striker, but at least his last two games played he has shown a lot more promise and been more encouraging.

McFarlane on Delap

Liam Delap celebrates his first Premier League goal. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

As picked up on X after the game last night, McFarlane said:

“I thought Liam was brilliant when he came on at the Etihad. Tough circumstances tonight being the single striker when you’re down to 10 men.

“But he did well and got us up the pitch. I’m delighted he got his goal.”

He needs to kick on now

Delap needs to use this good bit of form and the goal last night to kick on and turn it into a sustained run of top form and prove that he can be the man to lead the line for Chelsea. Because there are huge doubts about that now amongst the fan base.