Calum McFarlane’s second match in command of Chelsea on a caretaker foundation went significantly worse than the primary.
This time, as new head coach Liam Rosenior watched on from the stands, there was no last-gasp rescue act.
Fulham started to dominate, fired loads of pictures at Chelsea, and both aspect of Liam Delap’s first Premier League objective for the Blues they scored by Raul Jimenez and Harry Wilson.
It introduced the McFarlane caretaker reign to a shedding finish and earned Fulham bragging rights in an area derby the place Chelsea huffed and puffed however have been punished for taking place to 10 males.
Rosenior nicely concerned already
This was the fifth residence league sport in opposition to Chelsea by which Marco Silva has led Fulham and a distinct man has been within the away dugout every time.
Right here it was McFarlane, however Chelsea’s new everlasting head coach nonetheless made his presence recognized, albeit from the stands.
Rosenior arrived at Craven Cottage on the workforce bus and sat subsequent to co-owner Behdad Eghbali and sporting director Paul Winstanley, with whom he could possibly be seen in deep dialog at any time when Chelsea missed an opportunity.
First, although, he agreed to do an interview with Sky Sports activities, the place he stated he “can’t wait” to get began at Chelsea. He’ll little doubt have seen lots of their efficiency he’ll really feel he can enhance.
Meals for thought: Liam Rosenior in dialogue with Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali at Craven Cottage
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Indiscipline nonetheless a serious challenge
Youngest squad within the Premier League or not, the indiscipline at Chelsea remains to be a major problem and one thing Rosenior should kind out quick.
Chelsea are backside of the Premier League truthful play desk, and watching them at Fulham, it was straightforward to see how they’ve ended up there.
Cucurella introduced down Wilson within the first half, and, whereas it was simply exterior the field so Chelsea escaped a Fulham penalty, they didn’t keep away from a fifth pink card of the season because the Spanish left-back was given his marching orders.
Inside three minutes, Enzo Fernandez, Tosin Adarabioyo and Cole Palmer had all been proven yellow playing cards for remonstrations to the referee – one thing which seems like a worryingly widespread motive for Chelsea bookings this time period.
One small silver lining was that Chelsea have been at all times within the sport after the pink card, even when on the ropes and hanging on for durations.
The most important trigger for optimism for Rosenior and his newly-formed teaching employees once they evaluation this defeat, although, may have been the very fact Delap notched his first Premier League objective for Chelsea and requested fixed and assorted questions of the Fulham defence all night.
He didn’t at all times get the rub of the inexperienced, spent loads of time on the deck calling for free-kicks that seldom got here, however was on his toes, battled with Fulham’s again three, and confirmed the useful and markedly totally different possibility he affords Rosenior in comparison with Joao Pedro, who got here on just for the ultimate quarter-hour.
Chelsea have been overwhelmed, however McFarlane’s resolution to start out Delap was rewarded.
