There was a lot of enthusiasm and anticipation tonight at Stamford Bridge after an exciting transfer window, but it was also clear to everyone that the serious process of getting Chelsea back on their feet was still to come. Out of the winter reinforcements batch, Graham Potter added Benoit Badiashile, Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk to the starting line-up tonight, in the second half also the super-fast Noni Madueke, but all that was not enough to break the solid and well-organized Fulham – 0:0.The Blues almost fell asleep in the 75th minute of the game, and then they missed two great chances in the span of just a few minutes. First, Gallagher slyly shot from the edge of the penalty area into the near corner, but the ball ended up in the outer part of the net, and then David Datro Fofana had an even better chance. In the 80th minute, he threw several opposing players on the grass, including goalkeeper Bernd Leno, but his shot was blocked at the last moment.1. Chelsea have lots to improve on2. Enzo looked right at home on his debut, but that’s Fulham3. Saw Madueke at PSV and he really is a live wire. Always looking to make things happen4. Tete brilliant at right back for Fulham5. Palhinha brilliant once again#PLTakes #CHEFUL pic.twitter.com/tzTv8o2rk9— Ochieng’ Stephen (@soo_ochieng) February 3, 2023 Before that, Fulham were often more dangerous for a goal than the hosts. Marcos Silva’s chosen ones deliberately gave the initiative to the opponent, and then lurked every opportunity to respond from dangerous counterattacks. It was a scarry situation for Kepa Arrizabalaga in the 25th minute, when the Spaniard stopped Andreas Pereira’s shot with a great save, but also on several other occasions during the first part of the game.Potter added intensity with his changes in the second half. Raheem Sterling, who returned from injury, replaced Hakim Ziyech on the hour mark, while Cesar Azpilicueta came on for Reece James. Final options of the home strategist were David Fofana and Ben Chilwell, but none of them brought much concrete action to change the result.The most positive impression from today’s Chelsea match was Badiashile’s performance. The until-recently Monaco sweeper fitted in excellently in tandem with Thiago Silva. He was calm on the ball and decisive in breaks and direct duels, so there were not too many cracks in front of the Arrizabalaga’s goal. Only three games were enough for him to fully adapt to the team.However, Chelsea lacked creation in the midfield and decisiveness in the attack, where Kai Havertz did what he could.The Blues remained in a disappointing ninth place in the table, with two points less than tonight’s opponent. Fulham are in a great position, sitting sixth. They are seven points away the Champions League places and just four off the Europa League, so everything is still wide open when it comes to the club from Craven Cottage.Chelsea spent £223,700,000 to go from losing to Fulham to drawing with Fulham. #ffc— Fulhambone (@FulHambone) February 3, 2023 PREMIER LEAUGE – Matchday 22FridayChelsea – Fulham 0-0Saturday 15.30: (8.50) Everton (4.50) Arsenal (1.45)18.00: (2.00) Aston Villa (3.50) Leicester (4.10)18.00: (1.95) Brentford (3.50) Southampton (4.40)18.00: (1.40) Brighton (4.90) Bournemouth (9.00)18.00: (1.40) Man.Utd. (4.50) Crystal Palace (8.50)18.00: (4.00) Wolverhampton (3.60) Liverpool (2.00)20.30: (1.70) Newcastle (3.70) West Ham (5.90)Sunday 17.00: (2.70) Nott.Forest (3.10) Leeds (2.75)19.30: (4.90) Tottenham (3.60) Man.City (1.75)***odds are subject to change***
