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Chelsea got a vital victory even though they were not at their best against Fulham. You would expect Fulham to pose a great threat to Chelsea as Fulham had drawn 4 times before this game and they were hoping to get a fifth against Chelsea.
Also, Chelsea's defence had conceded 21 times already this season, so you could understand how Fulham could pose a threat but Chelsea fought hard to grind out the result. It wasn't a convincing result but it is more than enough to lift them to 7th position and just 3 points off the top 4. Duly deserved.
Mount turned up on the night when Chelsea was looking for answers. He asked most of the questions and got an answer which was enough to ease the pressure on Lampard who has had only 1 win in 6 games.
Mason Mount tried to take the lead early on but his effort was blocked, just as Giroud also slashed a brilliant shot agonizingly wide.
Fulham had a chance of their own but couldn't find the control in the box. Both tried to get the goal first but none could get it. Fulham came so close to drawing the first blood when the hero in the last game against Tottenham, Cavaleiro had his effort saved by the crossbar.
Ziyech had his effort saved while Mason Mount also had a brilliant strike saved by the crossbar that left the bar still shaking.
Areola kept his team in the game despite the constant barging as Chelsea tried to unlock the defence.
Chelsea got the lifeline when Fulham players were reduced to 10 men with Robinson's clumsy challenge on Ceaser Azpilicueta in the 45th minute. He received his marching orders to tilt the advantage in Chelsea's favour. His lack of control cost his team.
Giroud had a great chance in the 52nd minute only to have his tame header easily gathered from a corner. Shortly after, Fulham broke through on the counter but Ola Aina (former Chelsea player) wasted the effort when he blazed it over.
Chelsea enjoyed a good passing moment and it almost paid off when Ziyech tried to go for the spectacular but it went far above and not handsome. Chelsea bossed the game 86% to Fulham's 14% as at the 55th minute of the game.
Ziyech attempted another effort but it was blocked. Giroud wasn't on form as it was evident when he missed an absolute sitter even though he would have been offside.
Tammy Abraham came into the fray and his first involvement, he headed straight at the goalkeeper. Ziyech also had a glorious ball into the box but there was no one to connect.
Lack of concentration almost cost Chelsea when a back pass to the keeper fell to Cavaleiro but for the timely intervention of Thiago Silva, it would have been an easy goal. Despite being a man down, Fulham would break forward with good intent.
Most of Chelsea's goals came around 60th minute, so it was expected that the goal from Chelsea might be imminent.
In the 78th minute with another masterclass passing and connection from Chelsea, Odoi found Chilwell who gave an inviting cross into the box. Areola made a mistake of punching his saved effort into the path of the onrushing Mason Mount, who carefully gave a low drive shot to register his second goal of the season and Chelsea's first on the night.
Timo Werner's performance tonight clearly epitomises his off form when he was played through and he only passed to Abraham. Abraham instead slipped in the box at a crucial moment.
Azpilicueta who last scored last year and none this season tried his luck too but fired wide. In the 94th minute, Timo Werner had a counter broke through and while being one on one with the goalkeeper, he fired terribly wide. Mount's goal was enough for Chelsea to win on the night and move to 7th place.
Fulham would have it tough against Manchester United on Wednesday because of Robinson's red card and he would miss the United's game while Reid also got the 5th yellow card that would automatically make him miss one game.
It was a hard-fought victory for Chelsea and it was duly deserved.
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