Thomas Tuchel’s reign at Chelsea has so far been an impressive one, with the Blues through to the FA Cup final, faring well in the Champions League semi-finals and into the top four of the Premier League.
But there’s still room for improvement – and their home form domestically might be one of those areas for the manager to focus on. The Blues have won just one of their last four at Stamford Bridge in the league, with their two most recent home games being a defeat to West Brom and a draw with Brighton.
Victory here will give them not only a comfortable gap down to fifth-place West Ham in the battle for a top-four finish, but also push local rivals Fulham closer toward the trapdoor of relegation.
Scott Parker’s side were gaining ground on the teams above them up until a month ago, but four straight defeats and conceding a very late goal to draw with Arsenal last time out has them on the brink of the drop.
Wins are all-important for the Cottagers at this stage, but it doesn’t come much tougher than facing European semi-finalists who have an agenda of their own making three points vital.
Follow our live coverage of Chelsea against Fulham below, along with the day’s Premier League action.
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24 mins: Antonee Robinson’s forward press is working a treat for Fulham as he wins the ball before picking out Ademola Lookman. A brilliant first touch by Lookman gives him half a yard and he smokes a low shot at Edouard Mendy forcing the Chelsea goalkeeper into a low save.
Michael Jones1 May 2021 17:58
Silva denies De Cordova-Reid!
20 mins: Billy Gilmour breathes a sigh of relief after Josh Maja catches him on the ball deep in Chelsea’s half. It was a poor pass into the youngster from Thiago Silva and Maja latches onto it. He wins the ball and sends it into the right side of the area for Bobby De Cordova-Reid. He wastes no time and drills one at goal only for Silva to jump across and block it behind.
Michael Jones1 May 2021 17:54
Havertz has his second disallowed!
16 mins: Chelsea thought they’d double their lead after an enterprising run from Kurt Zouma. He takes the ball into Fulham’s final third before leaving it for Mason Mount. Mount is allowed time on the ball around the Fulham box as the defenders don’t close him down. Kai Havertz darts in behind and Mount lifts the ball over the top. He picks out Havertz expertly who then taps it over Alphonse Areola in Fulham’s goal. But, the offside flag is raised as Havertz set off too soon.
Michael Jones1 May 2021 17:50
13 mins: An already difficult task just got a whole lot tougher for Scott Parker’s Fulham. Chelsea seem to have found their rhythm, they’re pushing the visitors deep into their own half.
Michael Jones1 May 2021 17:44
GOAL! Kai Havertz puts Chelsea in front!
10 mins: Goal! An aerial ball comes into the midfield and it’s won by Mason Mount. His first touch to control the ball is top quality, as is the threaded pass into the box for Kai Havertz in front of him. Havertz takes over, one touch to set himself and a second to find the far side of the goal. Chelsea have the lead at Stamford Bridge.
Michael Jones1 May 2021 17:42
8 mins: Chelsea string together their first real attack. Mason Mount bringing the ball down the left side before drilling a low ball into the six-yard box. Timo Werner is free but the ball goes just out of his reach.
Michael Jones1 May 2021 17:41
Good effort from Antonee Robinson!
3 mins: Fulham win an early corner Ademola Lookman fires a sharp cross into the box. Thiago Silva leaps high into the air to head the ball cleat. Kai Havertz takes it away but is caught in possession by Antonee Robinson. He wins the ball, carries it up to the edge of the box and lets fly, forcing Edouard Mendy to tip the shot over the crossbar.
Michael Jones1 May 2021 17:37
Chelsea kick off the game at Stamford Bridge
Kick off: Kai Havertz gets the match underway with a pass into his own defence. Kurt Zouma collects the ball and fires a long aerial pass up the pitch. Havertz himself is the target but Joachim Andersen beats him in the air and wins the ball for Fulham.
Michael Jones1 May 2021 17:32
The teams head out
The two sides make their way out onto the pitch at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea will create a six point cushion over West Ham if they pick up all three points today. They’ll also move within two points of Leicester in third to pull them back into the fight for Champions League places.
Michael Jones1 May 2021 17:28
Scott Parker on Fulham’s relegation battle
Michael Jones1 May 2021 17:23