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Friday, December 27, 2024

EPL: Fulham hand Chelsea major setback in title race

Chelsea have now gone four points adrift of Liverpool, who can extend the lead to seven points if they beat Leicester City in their game later on Thursday.

• December 26, 2024
Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey
Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey

Chelsea faced a major setback in the Premier League title race following a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day. The Blues failed to reduce the gap between them and leaders Liverpool to one point.

Despite Chelsea players and fans alluding to the fact that they are not in the title race, the Blues will definitely feel the ripple effect in the race for the title as they failed to bounce back from last Sunday’s goalless draw against Everton.

Cole Palmer continued his impressive run this season and once again scored only 18 minutes into the tie to put Chelsea in the lead. The England international grabbed a pass from Levi Colwill before putting a low shot into the net.

Surprisingly, Fulham’s play came alive after conceding the goal, and they were able to go toe-to-toe with the Blues, but they would not allow them to score another goal.

Fulham’s determination to score an equaliser paid off in the 82nd minute when substitute Harry Wilson headed home Timothy Castagne’s header assist to once again score from the bench this season.

The dramatic win came for Fulham in stoppage time. Rodrigo Muniz sent goalkeeper Roberto Sanchez the wrong way to put Sasa Lukic’s timely assist into the net to secure Fulham’s first-ever Premier League at Chelsea.

Chelsea have now gone four points adrift of Liverpool, who can extend the lead to seven points if they beat Leicester City in their game later on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Manchester City’s woes continue across all competitions after they were held to a one-all draw at home by Everton on Boxing Day too.

Fourteen minutes into the tie, Bernardo Silva gave City the advantage from an assist by Jeremy Doku before Iliman Ndiaye equalised for Everton with a cool finish outside of his right foot to send the ball into the top-right corner in the 36th minute.

Erling Haaland had the opportunity to secure City’s second win in 13 games from penalty. However, the Norwegian’s effort was saved by Jordan Pickford, who shared the spoils at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola’s side has now only managed to win one of their last 13 matches across all competitions with three draws and nine losses as they dropped to seventh on the table with 28 points.

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