Chelsea reignited their Champions League hopes with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage, thanks to two late goals from Tyrique George and Pedro Neto. The result not only snapped the Blues’ eight-game winless streak away from home but also propelled them back into fifth place, edging above Nottingham Forest on goal difference.
Fulham had taken the lead in the 20th minute when Ryan Sessegnon dispossessed Reece James and set up Alex Iwobi, whose clinical finish beat Đorđe Petrović in the bottom corner. The hosts looked on course for a historic first-ever league double over Chelsea, dominating the midfield and creating more chances in the first half.
Despite Chelsea’s sluggish start and continued issues in the final third, manager Enzo Maresca’s halftime changes eventually made the difference. Jadon Sancho and Malo Gusto were introduced, but it was 19-year-old Tyrique George who changed the game. Entering as a substitute, George equalised in the 83rd minute with a thunderous first-time strike from the edge of the box becoming Chelsea’s fifth-youngest Premier League goalscorer and the youngest since Callum Hudson-Odoi in 2020.
With the game seemingly heading for a draw, Chelsea found a moment of brilliance deep into stoppage time. In the 93rd minute, Enzo Fernandez’s cutback was slightly miscued, but Pedro Neto controlled it brilliantly, turned sharply, and smashed a half-volley into the roof of the net to seal a memorable win. It was Chelsea’s latest winning goal in a Premier League London derby on record (since 2006-07), and a huge lift after a difficult week that included a Conference League loss to Legia Warsaw.
Fulham, meanwhile, were left to rue yet another collapse from a winning position now having dropped 25 points from leading situations this season, second only to Ipswich Town in England’s top four leagues. Marco Silva’s side, once resilient and organized, crumbled under pressure once more, leaving them ninth in the standings.
Chelsea’s victory provides much-needed momentum ahead of their upcoming Conference League semi-final against Djurgårdens and eases pressure on Maresca, whose tactics and selections had come under increasing scrutiny. For now, the Blues’ dreams of a top-four finish remain alive, sparked by the youthful energy of George and the brilliance of Neto.
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