Fulham defeat Chelsea 2-1 after Cucurella red card at Craven Cottage
Liam Rosenior was given a sobering first glimpse of the scale of the task ahead as he watched his new Chelsea side suffer a 2-1 defeat at the hands of local rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage. Seated in the stands, the incoming head coach witnessed a performance once again undermined by indiscipline, as Marc Cucurella’s first-half red card proved pivotal in a derby that swung decisively in Fulham’s favour.
The result handed Fulham local bragging rights and further exposed Chelsea’s ongoing struggles in the Premier League, with Rosenior now set to take charge of a side that has managed just one win in its last nine league outings.
Fulham punish Chelsea indiscipline at Craven Cottage
The match turned on its head after just 22 minutes when Cucurella was dismissed for hauling down Harry Wilson as the Fulham winger surged clear. The decision left Chelsea facing a long afternoon with ten men, and while there was little debate over the referee’s call, the sending-off highlighted a recurring issue that has plagued the club all season.
That red card was Chelsea’s seventh across all competitions and marked the third time this campaign they have lost a Premier League fixture after being reduced to ten men. Rosenior, watching on from the stands, will have taken careful note of how quickly control of the game slipped away following the dismissal.
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Before the red card, Chelsea had shown flashes of promise. Midfielder Andrey Santos came agonisingly close to opening the scoring when his powerful header from a corner rattled the crossbar, a moment that might have changed the course of the contest. Instead, Fulham seized the initiative and began to dictate play.
Despite their numerical advantage, Fulham initially struggled to turn possession into clear-cut chances. Harry Wilson thought he had given the hosts the lead just before half-time, only for VAR to intervene and rule the goal out due to an offside involving Raul Jimenez earlier in the move.
Chelsea’s frustrations were compounded by a flurry of yellow cards following Cucurella’s dismissal, as tempers flared and discipline continued to unravel. Throughout the match, sections of the travelling support made their feelings known, chanting against the club’s hierarchy and even singing the name of former owner Roman Abramovich — an audible sign of the unrest surrounding Stamford Bridge.
Fulham finally broke the deadlock ten minutes into the second half, and it was Raul Jimenez who delivered the decisive moment. The Mexican striker rose superbly to meet a pinpoint cross, planting an excellent header beyond the reach of the Chelsea goalkeeper to send Craven Cottage into celebration
To Chelsea’s credit, they responded well to going behind. Liam Delap, making his mark in just his first Premier League goal for the club, dragged the visitors level with a composed finish that briefly reignited hopes of salvaging a point. It was a rare bright spark on a difficult afternoon and a moment that suggested there may still be attacking promise for Rosenior to work with.
However, Fulham refused to be denied. With confidence flowing and the home crowd roaring them on, the pressure told once more. The in-form Harry Wilson, who had been at the centre of much of Fulham’s attacking threat, finally got his reward. His low strike took a slight deflection on its way into the bottom corner, leaving the goalkeeper stranded and sealing the win for Marco Silva’s side.
Craven Cottage erupted as Fulham secured a deserved victory, one built on patience, control, and a ruthless exploitation of Chelsea’s lack of discipline. For caretaker boss Calum McFarlane, the defeat marked a disappointing end to his brief spell in charge. Unable to build on a dramatic last-gasp draw away at Manchester City, he now hands over the reins with Chelsea sitting eighth in the table and facing growing pressure.
For Rosenior, the afternoon served as a stark reminder of the challenges awaiting him. He will have seen first-hand how lapses in discipline continue to cost Chelsea dearly, while also hearing the growing discontent among supporters. As he prepares to officially take charge, his priority will be restoring composure, consistency, and belief — qualities Fulham showed in abundance on a derby day they will long savour.
Source: Skyspots
