In a titanic tussle, involving West London’s finest, it was Chelsea who emerged victors in a five goal thriller. However, halfway through the first-half, with Chelsea leading 2-0 you wouldn’t have given the visitors a chance of making it a close affair. Indeed with Fulham having not won at Stamford Bridge in twenty-six years you could have been forgiven for thinking that another rout was about to be handed out. Unfortunately, for Chelsea, that was not to be the case as Fulham contrived (albeit assisted by Chelsea) to force their way back into the match.
The day had started with Jose Mourinho shuffling his side and introducing Robert Huth in place of Ricardo Carvalho, Hernan Crespo in place of Didier Drogba and Shaun Wright-Phillips in place of Michael Essien. For Fulham, Boa Morte passed a late fitness test whilst the influentional Papa Dioup failed his.
The game started with Chelsea in the ascendency. Two classy crosses from Paulo Ferriera and William Gallas were well cleared by the Fulham defence before Chelsea took a very early lead through the unlikely source of William Gallas. The dependable defender somehow found himself unmarked two yards out and nonchantly swept home a Frank Lampard corner that had initially been won by Arjen Robben and flicked on by Robert Huth. The goal was the first Gallas had scored for thirteen months with that goal also coming against Fulham.
When Frank Lampard dispatched a twenty-five yard drive, albeit with the help of a deflection, into the net past the despairing dive of Mark Crossley, on the twenty-four minute mark, you thought that Chelsea would be looking at a convincing win. However, the afternoon was to unfold in an unlikely manner.
Just before the half hour mark, McBride reduced arrears after latching onto a bad, but rare, mistake from Petr Cech. Trying to handle a Boa Morte free kick the Czech somehow contrived to let the ball slip between his legs for the lurking McBride to stab the ball home. The goal ended a clean sheet run that had extended almost to the twelve hour mark (eleven hours and fifty eight minutes to be precise).
Stunned by the sudden comeback Mourinho changed matters by introducing Eidur Gudjohnsen for Shaun Wright-Phillips for the second half. The change saw Chelsea move up through the gears and force a succession of three quick corners before a vigorous claim for a penalty, thanks to a Zak Knight handball, was amazingly waved away by Graham Poll.
Unfortunately, the official had no such intentions of ignoring a Fulham shout for a penalty after Joe Cole had fouled McBride as the forward raced onto a Rosenior through ball. Helguson stepped up and cooly sent Petr Cech the wrong way. After leading 2-0 the game was delicately poised at 2-2. Could Fulham snatch an unlikely winner?
Thankfully the answer was emphatically no! Mourinho upped the ante and introduced Didier Drogba in place of Robert Huth. The change meant that Chelsea had switched to an attacking formation of 3-3-4. It was a change that was to work.
Almost immediately Crespo met a superb Cole cross full on the volley and substitute keeper, Tony Warner, was retrieving the ball out of the Fulham net. Mourinho, aware that it would spark a Fulham surge withdrew Crespo and introduced Geremi, thereby reverting to his favoured 4-3-3 formation for the last quarter of an hour.
Fulham tried to force the issue but only really had a hopeful claim for handball, by John Terry, to hang any hopes on of snatching that vital third goal. Graham Poll wasn’t as convinced this time and waved away claims for a second penalty for the visitors.
Three points gained, some spectacular goals, a couple of gifts and only a booking for Joe Cole to have Mourinho seriously flinching. The in-form Cole will now miss a game through suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.
Player Ratings
Petr Cech 5
Will remember this game for a horrendous mistake that enabled Fulham to get back into the game.
Paulo Ferriera 7
Got forward on occasion but showed that his defensive work remains his strongest asset.
William Gallas 8
Notched his first goal of the season and remains probably the most under-rated defender in the Premiership.
John Terry 8
A rock once again. Organised his defence well when Mourinho decided that, to force matters, he’d play with three at the back.
Robert Huth 6
Called in to replace Ricardo Carvalho. Initially Jurgen Klinsmann would have been delighted to see the young German in the starting line up. However, I doubt he’d have been too impressed when Robert was replaced by Didier Drogba as Chelsea went in search of that winning goal.
Frank Lampard 9
Stepped up to the oche at a crucial stage. Scored a great goal from twenty-five yards and with a more lenient referee could have had another in the second half.
Claude Makelele 8
Mr Dependable. Held things together at the head of the defence. Allows the full backs to bomb forward and offers the necessary cover.
Shaun Wright-Phillips 6
Substituted early and looks a shadow of the player we all know he can be. Goes to show just how much of an attribute confidence can be.
Joe Cole 8
Mr Consistency at the moment. Delivered the cross that produced the winner. Booked for a challenge that resulted in the Fulham penalty. Will now miss a game after picking up five yellow cards.
Hernan Crespo 7
Never seems to win a ball in the air but just when you think all is lost produces a wonderful winner.
Arjen Robben 7
Still getting back to his true form but showed some nice touches. Will have benefited from a full ninety-minutes.
Eidur Gudjohnsen 8
Manages to come off the bench and change ganes. Why he can’t do it for ninety minutes remains a mystery.
Didier Drogba 7
Formed a twin striking partnership with Crespo and his heading ability helped to win second ball for the midfield. Missed a chance that you feel Crespo would have buried but has a certain something about him that scares defenders.
Came on late as Mourinho sought to tie up a 3-2 win.
Manager Rating
Jose Mourinho showed that he is a master tactician as he went for the three points. Switched from 4-3-3 to 3-3-4 and then back to 4-3-3 as his moves ensured Chelsea saw off stiff Fulham opposition.
Opponent Rating
Chris Coleman – Faced a hard task with a lengthy injury list but will have been heartened by his teams display. Suffered a further mishap when Mark Crossly had to limp off.
One in the Bag!
With four Premiership games in eight days, it’s nice to get a win in the first one, it’s nice to keep the nine point lead.