Fulham’s Harry Wilson struck an 81st-minute winner to hand Chelsea a damaging 2-1 defeat in the Premier League on Wednesday, condemning the Blues to another setback in a difficult run of form as their new head coach watched from the stands.
The result saw Chelsea slip from fifth to seventh in the table, extending a worrying sequence that now stands at just one win from their last nine matches. Incoming head coach Liam Rosenior, formerly of Strasbourg, observed proceedings knowing he faces an immediate challenge to revive confidence, results, and discipline within the squad.
Chelsea’s problems were compounded early on when defender Marc Cucurella was sent off in the 22nd minute for hauling down Wilson. The dismissal marked Chelsea’s eighth red card of the season in all competitions, including one picked up under former manager Enzo Maresca, highlighting an ongoing issue Rosenior must address.
Wilson was central to Fulham’s attacking threat throughout the evening. He had a first-half goal disallowed by VAR due to an offside in the buildup, but his persistence paid off late on. With Chelsea visibly tiring, the Welsh winger reacted quickest after goalkeeper Robert Sanchez blocked an initial effort, slotting home to seal the victory for Fulham.
The hosts had earlier taken the lead in the 55th minute when striker Raul Jimenez powered in a diving header. Chelsea responded despite being down to ten men, levelling the match in the 72nd minute through Liam Delap, who finished clinically to briefly raise hopes of salvaging a point.
Those hopes nearly became reality, but Delap and Moises Caicedo were both denied by an impressive Bernd Leno in the Fulham goal.
Chelsea’s travelling supporters voiced their frustration throughout the match, directing chants at the club’s American owners, BlueCo. Maresca departed on New Year’s Day following a breakdown in relations with the ownership group, who also oversee Strasbourg.
It was a bruising night for interim coach Calum McFarlane, whose short spell in charge ends with a draw against Manchester City and defeat here against neighbours just 2.2 kilometres away in southwest London.
