Chelsea vs Fulham LIVE: Premier League latest score and updates as Blues look to keep pressure on Liverpool | OneFootball

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Chelsea 'can't rely' on Palmer in every game - Maresca

Chelsea host Fulham at Stamford Bridge in a London derby today, with the Blues looking to keep up the pressure on Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.

Enzo Maresca’s side missed the chance to briefly go top when they drew 0-0 to Everton last week, and they are now six points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand.

Though they insist they are not in a title race, Chelsea will know that three points today is vital to any hopes they may have, while it would also give them a huge advantage in the race for top four.

And they face a Fulham side who have quietly creeped up the table in recent weeks, with four draws and a win from their last five matches. Marco Silva’s men sit in ninth, and could climb as high as sixth with a win.

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8’ - Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Not too much early goalmouth action to report but Chelsea tend to like building control before swarming forward from higher upfield.

Sancho dips a cross just over Jackson and looking for Neto, but Leno is able to gather; Adama and Iwobi combine at the other end but Tosin is again in place to clear. This is only the sixth league start of the season for the former Fulham man, so he’ll be happy to be in place against his old side.

Karl Matchett26 December 2024 15:11

4’ - Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Bright start from the hosts. Neto tries to make ground down the right twice, then Robinson attempts to do the same at the other end of the pitch. Good recovery run from Tosin to clear.

Karl Matchett26 December 2024 15:06

1’ - Chelsea 0-0 Fulham

Right, we’re underway. Chelsea excellent overall this season but needing better form at home perhaps. What can Fulham do to keep the trend going?

Karl Matchett26 December 2024 15:02

Chelsea v Fulham - live

Just about ready to go at Stamford Bridge. Fulham could go as high as fifth with a win, though it would have to be a big one. More importantly, going a sixth straight league game unbeaten would keep their momentum and confidence and see them remain in touch with the European places.

Karl Matchett26 December 2024 14:59

Chelsea v Fulham - live

The Cottagers have had a relatively settled side for much of this term, though Joachim Andersen has missed matches through injury.

Perhaps the one member of the team today who wouldn’t generally be considered a first-choice is right wing-back Timothy Castagne - he’s making just a third league start of 24/25 and he’s played only 268 league minutes all season.

Quite the task then to be facing up to an in-form Jadon Sancho. That head to head battle could turn out key.

Karl Matchett26 December 2024 14:53

Match facts

Fulham are unbeaten in each of their last five Premier League games (W1 D4), with each of the last three finishing level. They last had more consecutive top-flight draws in December/January in 2020-21 (5).

They are unbeaten in each of their last nine Premier League London derby matches (W4 D5), since a 1-0 loss at Chelsea in January this year.

Emile Smith Rowe has either scored (2 goals) or assisted (1) in three of his four Premier League starts against Chelsea (all for Arsenal), with both goals against the Blues coming at Stamford Bridge.

Chris Wilson26 December 2024 14:40

Match facts

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League games (W6 D3), last having a longer run without defeat in Thomas Tuchel’s first 10 in charge of the club between January and March 2021. The Blues’ only two defeats this season have come against reigning champions Manchester City, and current league leaders Liverpool.

Nicolas Jackson has a combined 15 goals (11) and assists (4) in his last 19 Premier League starts at Stamford Bridge. Jackson also has 13 goal involvements in his last 12 London derby appearances in the league (11 goals, 2 assists).

Chris Wilson26 December 2024 14:30

Maresca: “We are ahead of our expectations"

In his pre-match conference, Enzo Maresca said that Chelsea “are ahead of our expectations in terms of the way we are playing and in terms of points. Our main focus is to see how we can improve the players.

“It’s not about the pressure. I would like to have that kind or pressure and hopefully we can have that pressure. The reality for me is we are not there [as title challengers],” he added.

“I think, for sure, the reality is we are second. It’s almost halfway so probably the table reflect the teams where they are. Liverpool are doing fantastic since the first day.

“Probably the squad, they have already lived that kind of moment [to win a trophy]. You need to live that kind of moment to raise and be close. I think Manchester City at the end will be there [too],” he added when asked about the teams at the top.

Chris Wilson