Premier League: Fulham breaks through Chelsea's massive streak

Fulham delivered a stunning upset at Stamford Bridge, scoring twice in the final 10 minutes to hand Chelsea a shocking 2-1 defeat and end their impressive 12-game unbeaten run across all competitions. The dramatic Premier League encounter saw substitutes Harry Wilson and Rodrigo Muniz step up to secure a memorable win for Fulham, marking their first away victory over their west London rivals since 1979. The defeat dealt a significant blow to second-placed Chelsea’s title aspirations. They now remain four points behind league leaders Liverpool, who have the advantage of two games in hand. Liverpool will look to extend their lead when they host Leicester later on Thursday.

For Chelsea, the result highlights the mounting pressure as they falter in their pursuit of the top spot. Fulham’s triumph, on the other hand, propelled them to eighth place in the Premier League standings. The victory places them level on points with reigning champions Manchester City and just one point shy of fifth-placed Newcastle United, keeping their European hopes for the next season alive and well. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has consistently tempered expectations, emphasizing that his young squad is still a work in progress and not yet ready to mount a serious title challenge despite their impressive recent form.

This point was underscored during their latest outing, where Chelsea failed to capitalize on a dream start orchestrated by the brilliance of Cole Palmer. The home side struggled to maintain momentum, allowing their opponents to exploit their inexperience. The moment of promise came when Levi Colwill delivered a pass to Palmer’s feet approximately 40 yards from goal. Despite the potential, Chelsea couldn’t convert this early spark into sustained dominance, highlighting the growing pains of a developing team. Maresca’s cautious perspective serves as a reminder that, while Chelsea’s future is bright, they still have much to learn in their pursuit of consistent success.

"We were winning for most of the game, but to lose at the end is difficult. Second half we lost a bit of control. They're a good transition team and like to run direct, we got caught up in their game and paid the price," said Palmer.

Cole Palmer nearly doubled his tally moments after his opening goal with a skillful nutmeg on the edge of the box, followed by a low strike that was impressively saved by Fulham’s German goalkeeper, Bernd Leno. Leno continued to frustrate Chelsea, denying both Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez in crucial moments on either side of halftime to keep Fulham within striking distance.

Marco Silva's Fulham, who had already taken points from Liverpool, Arsenal, and now Chelsea this month, displayed resilience and tactical acumen. Silva’s substitutions proved decisive as the visitors turned the tide late in the game. With eight minutes remaining, Tom Cairney delivered a precise cross that Timothy Castagne headed across the goal, allowing Harry Wilson to glance it into the far post for the equalizer.

The closing stages turned into a frantic battle, with both teams pushing for the win. Fulham seized their opportunity in the dying moments of stoppage time. Sasa Lukic surged forward from midfield and delivered a perfectly timed pass to Rodrigo Muniz, who slotted the ball into the bottom corner with composure, sending the traveling supporters into raptures. Fulham's 95th-minute goal sealed a memorable 2-1 victory, their first at Stamford Bridge since 1979.