Fulham scored twice in the last 10 minutes to snap Chelsea‘s 12-game unbeaten streak in all competitions with a dramatic 2-1 Premier League victory at Stamford Bridge.
Substitutes Fulham’s first away victory over their West London rivals since 1979 came courtesy of Harry Wilson and Rodrigo Muniz.
Defeat leaves second-place Chelsea four points behind leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand over their nearest rivals, beginning with a visit from Leicester later on Thursday.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has argued in recent weeks that his young team is not yet ready for a title challenge, despite their impressive run.
And the home team demonstrated their manager’s point by failing to build on a dream start provided by the class of Cole Palmer.
There didn’t appear to be much going on until Levi Colwill passed the ball to Palmer’s foot about 40 yards out.
But the England star sprung into life, spinning away from Andreas Pereira and gliding past Sasa Lukic to the edge of the box.
Palmer then finished off by sliding the ball through the legs of defender Issa Diop and into the corner of Bernd Leno’s goal.
Palmer’s 26th league goal of 2024 broke Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s Premier League goal scoring record from 2001.
The 22-year-old nearly scored again moments later, with a nutmeg on the edge of the box followed by a low shot that was superbly saved by Leno.
Fulham’s German custodian also made key saves to thwart Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez from extending to Chelsea’s lead either side of halftime.
Marco Silva’s side has now grabbed points from Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea this month, and the Portuguese’ alterations have shifted the tide in the visitors’ favour.
Eight minutes from now, another substitution Timothy Castagne headed Tom Cairney’s ball across goal, and Wilson glanced in at the far post.
Both sides had chances to win it in a thrilling conclusion, but Fulham took theirs in the 95th minute to clinch a memorable victory.
