Enzo Maresca was right – Chelsea are not title contenders! At least they are not looking like ones currently. After the surprising draw against Everton, the Blues allowed Fulham a comeback at Stamford Bridge, losing the game in the dying minutes – 2-1!After Cole Palmer broke the deadlock in the 16th minute, everything looked perfect for Chelsea and – although they were not on the expected level – the Blues were on the verge of an important triumph. Still, Harry Wilson in the 82nd and Rodrigo Muniz in the 95th minute turned the table and brought the Cottagers the first win on Chelsea’s home turf after 45 years!🚨🏴 GOAL | Chelsea 1-2 Fulham | Rodrigo MunizRODRIGO MUNIZ WINS IT FOR FULHAM IN THE 95TH MINUTE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/s73ZieeeIY— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) December 26, 2024 After the initial equal battle, Cole Palmer broke the deadlock in the 16th minute after a fantastic solo effort and a perfect finish, finding the bottom right corner of Bernd Leno’s goal. The injuries forced Fulham boss Marco Silva to opt for the formation with three central defenders for the first time this season, and his men were apparently not used to it, as the Cottagers rarely threatened.Enzo Maresca 2 days ago:“Cole Palmer must get used to being man-marked”Cole Palmer vs Fulham:“Okay boss” And what a goal it was #CFC | #CHEFULpic.twitter.com/7DdbyCs5Z4— Peter Not Drury (@PeterNotDrury) December 26, 2024 Chelsea could have made it 2-0 in the 35th minute over Marc Cucurella, but Leno terrifically stopped the Spaniard’s header following Palmer’s free-kick cross.The Blues were more concrete after the break as well, netting the second, which was disallowed due to Levi Colwill’s offside. Fulham responded over Antonee Robinson, who couldn’t get the ball past Robert Sanchez.52 – Cole Palmer has been involved in 52 goals in his first 50 Premier League starts (34 goals, 18 assists), only Erling Haaland (64) and Andrew Cole (57) have been involved in more across their first 50 starts in the competition. Elite. pic.twitter.com/zxuz1ssMPH— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 26, 2024 However, the US international redeemed himself with an ideal cross in the 82nd minute, which initiated the action for Fulham’s equalizer! Robinson found Timothy Catagne inside, the Belgian headed it for Harry Wilson who sent it home from close range, making it 1-1!🚨🏴 GOAL | Chelsea 1-1 Fulham | Harry WilsonHARRY WILSON HAS EQUALIZED IN THE 82ND MINUTE FOR FULHAM !!!!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/gSV81dvHjq— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) December 26, 2024 The Blues were then forced to attack as hard as they could and it paid them off in the last minute when Pedro Neto found himself in an excellent opportunity, but Leno once more “said no.” Chelsea opted for “all or nothing” tactic and were punished in the 95th minute, when Rodrigo Muniz netted the winner, bringing Fulham their first triumph at Stamford Bridge after 45 years!FULHAM WIN AT STAMFORD BRIDGE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 45 YEARS 🤯#CHEFUL pic.twitter.com/B1d5nkeXnM— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 26, 2024 It was also a favour to Arsenal and Liverpool which will have a chance to overtake the Blues in second spot and extend the advantage, respectively. After the unexpected draw against Everton and even more shocking defeat at home, Enzo Maresca will have headaches ahead of the next round and Chelsea’s clash against Ipswich.Bundesliga giant confronts Serie A great to sign Chelsea’s DisasiFoggy Forest swallow Tottenham! Ever since Spurs beat Man City, they cannot find a decent form, and Nottingham knew how to use it today. The Trees got the lead after 29 minutes through Anthony Elanga and skilfully defended that advantage until the end, handing Spurs their first Boxing Day defeat since 2003. Ange Postecoglou’s team rarely threatened, and even when they found their way to the goal, Matz Sels was an insurmountable obstacle, which secured Forest the vital three points – 1-0.Anthony Elanga has now scored in three consecutive Premier League matches for the first time in his career 😤His goal has put @NFFC 1-0 up at home to Spurs! #NFOTOT pic.twitter.com/nGoBfDHyp5— Premier League (@premierleague) December 26, 2024 In the opening part of the match, the rivals had one decent chance apiece. Nottingham’s Callum Hudson-Odoi tried from distance but was stopped by Fraser Forster, while, on the other side, Brennan Johnson threatened from inside the box, but Matz Sels deflected the Welshman’s powerful strike.Yet, in the 29th minute, the Trees opened the scoring! Morgan Gibbs-White initiated a hasty fastbreak and sent a timely pass for Anthony Elanga, who ideally finished the action with a first-touch effort, making it 1-0!✅ Boxing Day win over Spurs✅ Third in the Premier League✅ Four wins in a row✅ Three goals in three for Elanga#NFFC pic.twitter.com/btXCSbJH2r— ForestFocus (@forestfocuspod) December 26, 2024 Johnson could have levelled 12 minutes into the second half after he used the melee in Nottingham’s box, but Sels once again won the duel with a great save. Even though everyone expected Spurs maximum offensive, Postecoglou’s men were too futile and uninspired to jeopardize Forest’s lead and the eventual victory, which moved Nuno Espirito Santo’s crew to the third Premier League position, while Tottenham are only 11th.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 18Thursday Manchester City – Everton 1-1 (1-1)/Silva 14 – Ndiaye 36/Bournemouth – Crystal Palace 0-0Chelsea – Fulham 1-2 (1-0)/Palmer 16 – Wilson 82, Muniz 90+5/Newcastle – Aston Villa 3-0 (1-0)/Gordon 2, Isak 59, Joelinton 90+1/Nott. Forest – Tottenham 1-0 (1-0)/Elanga 28/Southampton – West Ham 0-1 (0-0)/Bowen 59/20.30: (4.10) Wolverhampton (3.50) Man.Utd. (1.90)23.00: (1.07) Liverpool (13.0) Leicester (25.0)Friday 22.30: (1.70) Brighton (3.90) Brentford (4.90)23.15: (1.13) Arsenal (8.50) Ipswich (19.0)***odds are subject to change***
