In a pulsating London derby at Stamford Bridge on August 30, 2025, Chelsea secured a convincing 2-0 victory over Fulham.
This victory extended their strong start to the 2025/26 Premier League season.
With this win, the Blues maintained their unbeaten run, amassing seven points from their opening three matches, while Fulham slumped to their second defeat, highlighting early-season vulnerabilities.
From the outset, Chelsea asserted dominance, controlling 59% of possession and dictating the tempo with precise passing.
Moreover, their attacking intent was evident, registering 10 total shots compared to Fulham’s modest 6, including 3 big chances that underscored their clinical edge.
In contrast, Fulham struggled to convert opportunities, posting a meagre expected goal score (xG) of 0.43 against Chelsea’s impressive 2.28.
This disparity in quality chances not only reflected Chelsea’s superior creativity but also exposed Fulham’s defensive frailties, particularly in set-piece situations.
Fulham denied an early goal
The match’s turning points arrived early and dramatically. Around the 20th minute, Fulham thought they had broken the deadlock when Josh King found the net, but VAR intervened, disallowing the goal for an infringement.
This decision shifted momentum firmly toward Chelsea.
Thus, the hosts capitalised in the second half. In the 53rd minute, João Pedro soared above the rest to nod in a precise delivery from Enzo Fernández off a corner. This shattered the stalemate with a strike that showcased Chelsea’s dominance in the air.
Just two minutes later, another VAR review proved pivotal: Ryan Sessegnon’s handball in the box led to a penalty. Fernández coolly converted with a right-footed strike to the centre, doubling the lead.
Enzo Fernández stole the spotlight, masterfully directing the midfield with a goal and an assist, complemented by Moisés Caicedo’s tenacious support, even after earning a yellow card for a strategic foul in the 37th minute.
Additionally, young talents like Estêvão shone before being substituted for Jamie Gittens in the 68th minute, adding flair to Chelsea’s 4-2-3-1 setup.
On the other hand, Fulham’s efforts were hampered by disciplinary issues, with yellow cards to Alex Iwobi (72nd minute) and Sasa Lukic (95th minute) compounding their frustrations.
Marco Silva’s side introduced substitutes like Emile Smith Rowe and Raúl Jiménez around the hour mark, yet they failed to muster a comeback, with Bernd Leno making key saves but unable to prevent the shutout.
Chelsea were great defensively
Defensively, Chelsea were resolute, committing fewer fouls and earning no red cards, while Fulham’s offside traps caught the Blues thrice but couldn’t stem the tide.
However, the game’s officiating drew scrutiny as former defender Curtis Davies noted on commentary that inconsistent VAR calls disrupted Fulham’s rhythm and potentially altered the contest’s flow.
Overall, this result bolsters Chelsea’s title aspirations under their current management, showcasing tactical discipline and squad depth.
For Fulham, though, it serves as a wake-up call to tighten their backline and capitalise on rare openings.
As the season unfolds, these fierce derbies will challenge both sides’ grit, but for the moment, Chelsea’s clinical precision stands unrivalled.
