Fulham 1-2 Chelsea: Tyrique George and Pedro Neto strike late to earn crucial comeback win to boost Champions League hopes
Report and free match highlights as Chelsea produce late turnaround victory at Fulham; Alex Iwobi fires Fulham ahead in first half; Chelsea booed off at half-time; Tyrique George equalises just five minutes after coming on; Pedro Neto slams in 93rd-minute winner to earn crucial victory
Sunday 20 April 2025 18:56, UK
Pedro Neto smashed in a 93rd-minute winner as Chelsea reignited their Champions League qualification hopes by beating rivals Fulham 2-1 with a dramatic late turnaround.
Chelsea were heading for a damaging defeat having been booed off at half-time by their travelling supporters after Alex Iwobi fired Fulham ahead from the edge of the box during the first half.
The pressure had been mounting on head coach Enzo Maresca after winning only once in their last four league games, but teenager Tyrique George levelled in the 83rd minute, just five minutes after replacing striker Nicolas Jackson.
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Then came a potentially significant moment in Chelsea's season as Neto controlled before swivelling in the box and sending an unstoppable drive high into the net to earn a crucial three points that lifts them into fifth, a point behind Manchester City.
Maresca had brought on Malo Gusto and Jadon Sancho for captain Reece James and Noni Madueke at half-time which helped Chelsea have more control in the second half although they were far from their best despite being at full strength.
Sancho tested Bernd Leno and Neto was denied with the visitors' best chance of the half while Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson both looked woefully out-of-form.
Chelsea, though, who came back from two down against Ipswich last weekend, showed character again and will hope this win can be a springboard for the run-in.
Fulham's hopes of qualifying for Europe have been dented with two defeats this week that leave them in ninth - a point behind eight-placed Bournemouth.
Maresca: Chelsea's season can become very good with CL spot
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said:
"Personally, the goal from Pedro (Neto) doesn't change my view of the season. I said three or four days ago and I will repeat, Chelsea in the last two years have never been in the Champions League spots and this season we spent all season there.
"So today's win doesn't change my view. It's already a good season and can become very good if we finish in the Champions League spots, no doubt.
"But for sure today was an important win because first of all it's a derby, second it gives us the chance to be there. And probably it was the most difficult win and the reason why is because [Chelsea's rivals for the Champions League places] all played yesterday.
"So it was a must-win game and I think after we conceded the goal is the reason why we struggled a bit more because for the players it became more difficult. In the second half we were much better."
Chelsea comeback eases pressure on Maresca
Sky Sports' David Richardson:
It is a sure sign that things are not going well when Chelsea supporters start singing Bob Marley's Three Little Birds, but every little thing turned out alright at Craven Cottage.
The away fans sang what has become their trademark anthem during difficult times in the second half at Fulham after booing their side off at the interval as they braced for a damaging defeat with eight minutes left.
That was until Tyrique George and Pedro Neto struck to earn a priceless victory and ease the pressure on head coach Enzo Maresca, who was booked for his exuberant celebrations following the winner.
Maresca darted down the tunnel at full-time, leaving his players to take the plaudits. It was the most important victory of his tenure after winning just one of their previous four league games.
There a still major problems for him to solve. Cole Palmer is desperately out of form and Nicolas Jackson has failed to make Chelsea's attack click since returning from injury.
Maresca will know that one spirited comeback doesn't paper over the cracks, but the character shown against Fulham offers a foundation to build on. For now, the noise has quieted, the pressure has eased, and Chelsea can look ahead with a little more belief.
Fulham will rue dropped points from leading positions
Sky Sports' William Bitibiri:
Fulham have had a lot to shout about this season, so much so they've been well in the mix among teams eyeing up a European finish.
Down in ninth, they miss the chance to move above Bournemouth in eighth. Their hopes are not over yet but their recent inconsistency is hampering any progress that Marco Silva wants his side to make.
They were in command for spells this afternoon, but that didn't stop them giving Chelsea a lifeline from nothing before Pedro Neto's winner.
Fulham have now lost 25 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season; only Ipswich Town (27) have lost more. If they don't achieve Europe, they'll have themselves to blame.
Silva: A harsh result
Fulham manager Marco Silva said:
"Very difficult moment for us. Our first half was very good. The way we controlled them and the way we played in our way. We connected well with our attacking players and the balance between both things were very, very good and because of that we were winning and were the best team in the first half.
"Unfortunately, we spoke about it at half-time, we had to start the second half really well. We weren't able to build from the back anymore, it was the moment for us to make better decisions and of course without the ball for long periods was difficult for us.
"They didn't have chances, but they arrived in more dangerous areas than us in the second half. It's a harsh result for us because of the way we played in the first half but we should have kept the same quality but unfortunately it was not possible for us."
