Chelsea fans faced a disappointing Boxing Day as their team suffered a shocking 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Stamford Bridge.
The loss not only marked Fulham’s first victory at Chelsea’s home ground since 1979 but also highlighted several flaws in the Blues’ performance.
Cole Palmer gave Chelsea an early advantage with a brilliant solo goal, setting a record for the most goals in a calendar year by a Chelsea player with 26.
Despite dominating the first half and showcasing impressive football, Chelsea failed to extend their lead.
Levi Colwill had a goal disallowed for offside early in the second half, which shifted the momentum in Fulham’s favor.
Harry Wilson equalized with a close-range header, and Rodrigo Muniz sealed the victory with a stoppage-time winner.
The Blues’ poor showing was evident in individual performances, with Malo Gusto, Levi Colwill, and Tosin Adarabioyo receiving player ratings of 4, according to The Express.
Chelsea legend Mikel Obi weighed in, suggesting that some players might benefit from a rest to recover their form.
He noted that while Malo Gusto wasn’t entirely off-track, his lack of aggression and positional awareness contributed to Fulham’s attacking opportunities.
Colwill, despite assisting Palmer’s goal and showing solidity in duels, was questioned for his positioning during Fulham’s winning goal.
Adarabioyo, playing against his former club, struggled with Fulham’s pace and lost track of Wilson during the equalizer.
Robert Sanchez, Chelsea’s goalkeeper, also drew criticism.
Although he made key saves early in the game, his error contributed to Fulham’s second goal.
Mikel Obi suggested giving opportunities to other players, like Jorgensen, and introducing fresh legs in the lineup.
The blame for the loss also fell on manager Enzo Maresca, whose tactical decisions came under scrutiny.
Many fans criticized his substitutions, or lack thereof, as only one change was made late in the game, with Christopher Nkunku replacing Nicolas Jackson.
Additionally, Jadon Sancho, who played the full 90 minutes on the left wing, struggled to make an impact.
Obi highlighted Maresca’s risky strategy of playing with just one defensive midfielder, calling for a more balanced approach by inverting Marc Cucurella or deploying Enzo Fernández in midfield.
Obi emphasized the need for Chelsea to address these mistakes and suggested the club should prioritize securing a top goalkeeper to improve consistency.
Chelsea now faces Ipswich Town on Monday, a crucial game as they aim to end their two-match winless streak and regain momentum in the Premier League.
