Chelsea secured a 2-0 win over Fulham at Stamford Bridge, but the result will be remembered as much for the officiating as for the goals.
The Blues opened the scoring deep into first-half stoppage time, when Joao Pedro powered home a header from Enzo Fernandez’s corner. The £55m summer signing from Brighton has now found the net five times in as many starts, underlining his instant impact in Chelsea blue. Fernandez himself doubled the lead from the penalty spot after the break, converting calmly after Ryan Sessegnon was penalised for handball.
But much of the post-match discussion centered on referee Robert Jones and his team of officials. Fulham thought they had taken the lead in the 21st minute when Josh King tucked the ball away, only for VAR to intervene. Rodrigo Muniz was judged to have fouled Trevoh Chalobah in the build-up—though replays suggested contact was minimal. Jones reviewed the monitor before disallowing the goal, leaving Fulham frustrated.
Despite dominating the first half, Fulham were left stunned as Pedro’s late header swung momentum Chelsea’s way. The penalty decision in the second half only added fuel to manager Marco Silva’s anger, with the Fulham boss left visibly fuming at the officials.
Chelsea, meanwhile, will be pleased to take three points into the international break, though the injury to Liam Delap—forced off early with a hamstring problem—provides a fresh concern for Mauricio Pochettino.
