Chelsea secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Fulham at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League's third matchday, extending their unbeaten start to the season. Goals from João Pedro and Enzo Fernández sealed the points in a West London derby marred by VAR decisions that went in the way of the blues. While Chelsea's performance improved markedly after the break, the game highlighted ongoing concerns about their first-half sluggishness. Below is a detailed breakdown of the match.
Match Summary
The game kicked off with Fulham showing early intent, creating the better chances in a tentative opening from Chelsea. A disallowed goal for Fulham in the 22nd minute due to a VAR-overturned foul shifted the momentum, leading to João Pedro's header on the stroke of halftime to give Chelsea a 1-0 lead. The second half saw Chelsea dominate possession and territory, culminating in Fernández's penalty in the 56th minute after another VAR intervention. Fulham pushed late but couldn't break down a resolute Chelsea defense.
Key stats: Chelsea had 55% possession, 12 shots to Fulham's 8, and 5 corners to 3. This result moves Chelsea to 7 points from three games, sitting top of the table, while Fulham remain on 2 points in 16th.
First Half: Chelsea's Slow Start and Fulham's Missed Opportunity
Chelsea's first half was a stark reminder of their occasional sluggish beginnings this season, echoing their goalless draw against Crystal Palace in the opener. The Blues struggled to find rhythm early, with possession often wasted in midfield and limited penetration on the wings.
Fulham capitalized on this lethargy, firing the first shots through Joachim Andersen and Alex Iwobi, both narrowly wide. The turning point came in the 22nd minute when Josh King turned past Tosin Adarabioyo and slotted home, only for VAR to intervene. This decision incensed Fulham manager Marco Silva and the away fans, disrupting their momentum. Robert Sánchez then made a crucial point-blank save from Muniz, and Moisés Caicedo blocked Timothy Castagne's effort, keeping the score level.
Chelsea's new signing Liam Delap, starting up front, was forced off injured after just 13 minutes with a hamstring issue, forcing an early reshuffle. Despite the slow tempo, the half ended with João Pedro's brilliant header from an Enzo Fernández corner in the 45+9th minute, giving the hosts the lead.
Maresca Provides Update on Liam Delap’s Injury 👇https://t.co/18tBIwj71V
— PureFootball (@PureFootball_co) August 30, 2025
Second Half: Chelsea's Dominant Display Seals the Win
If the first half was a grind, the second belonged entirely to Chelsea, who flipped the script with a dominant performance that showcased their depth and attacking flair. Trailing at the break might have awakened the Blues, as they emerged with renewed energy, controlling the majority of the ball and creating multiple clear chances. Estêvão, the 18-year-old winger, bought energy with his dribbling, drawing a smart save from Bernd Leno early on.
The decisive moment arrived in the 56th minute: another VAR double-check first cleared João Pedro of a foul before spotting handball by Ryan Sessegnon in the box, awarding Chelsea a penalty. Fernández stepped up with no issues, sending Leno the wrong way to make it 2-0. This goal, his second of the season, highlighted Chelsea's clinical edge from set-pieces—five of their seven league goals this term have come from dead balls. Fulham, now deflated, struggled to respond, managing just one shot on target in the half.
Chelsea's midfield duo of Caicedo and Fernández dictated play, with the latter also providing the assist for Pedro's opener. The hosts had further opportunities—Pedro was denied by Leno one-on-one, and Estêvão forced another stop—but two goals proved more than enough to get the job done.
Looking Ahead
Chelsea's win restores normality to the west London derby, where they've picked up more points than any London side in derbies this last year. With 7 points, they sit comfortably in the top four, but Maresca must address slow starts ahead of historically tougher fixtures like Manchester United. Pedro's form (7 goal involvements in 5 starts) bodes well for their title aspirations. This result underscores Chelsea's potential when firing on all cylinders, but consistency remains key in a competitive season.
