CHELSEA picked up an important 2-0 win over London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage to ease the pressure on manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The Blues have been enduring a rough start to their campaign following a series of injuries and poor results.
Chelsea picked up an important 2-0 win over Fulham at Craven CottageAP
Cole Palmer stood out for Chelsea against FulhamGetty
However, the West Londoners climbed up to 11th place in the Premier League table following an impressive performance against the Cottagers.
The visitors opened the scoring after just 18 minutes with Mykhailo Mudryk finally scoring his first ever Chelsea goal after 24 appearances thanks to an assist by Levi Colwill.
Pochettino’s men doubled their lead just a minute later with Armando Broja following a poor clearance by Tim Ream.
But who stood out for Chelsea? Isabelle Barker rates each player at Craven Cottage:
ROBERT SANCHEZ – 7
The Chelsea goalkeeper looked way more comfortable with his feet. His passing decisions and distribution improved throughout. Fans will be hoping he can keep progressing but he still needs to cut out the occasional, sloppy error.
AXEL DISASI – 8
Mopped up the damage for the Blues at the back, and had pin-point accuracy with his long-balls. Also registered more successful ball recoveries (6) than any other player for either Fulham or Chelsea inside the first half.
MARC CUCURELLA – 7
Solid in the right-back role. Injected bundles of energy into the side and actually looked better in the right-back position than left.
THIAGO SILVA – 7
Showed he is 39-years-old and still balling. His silky smooth performance made him look like he was in his early twenties.
ENZO FERNANDEZ – 7
Produced blistering runs that were unchallenged by any of the Fulham players. Was almost on target on the edge of the box but blazed wide.
MYKHAILO MUDRYK – 8
Scored his first-ever Chelsea goal and that will do him the world of good, given his £88.5million price tag has weighed heavily on his shoulders. The goal gave him positivity, confidence and energy on the ball. If Chelsea can get him back to the level he was when he signed from Shakhtar Donetsk, they will have some player on their hands.
ARMANDO BROJA – 8
Looked like the striker that Chelsea have been missing all this time. Missed a sitter early on but became a hero by hitting his first Prem goal in a year. Certainly did not look like a player who’s failed to start a game for 11 months. His movement, composure and link up play was so impressive.
COLE PALMER – 9
A menace from the offset and teed up Broja beautifully for the second. Clearly what was City’s bench player is becoming one of Chelsea’s best players.
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Mykhailo Mudryk finally scored his first ever Chelsea goalAP
CONOR GALLAGHER – 8
Was an absolute workhorse in the middle in the ultimate riposte to the social media trolls. He also supplied a lovely ball to set up Broja for the club’s first chance. Was constantly at the heart of Chelsea’s best attacking play.
MOISES CAICEDO – 7
Was involved in the build up to Mudryk’s opener with a peach of a pass to Colwill.
LEVI COLWILL – 8
Supplied an inch perfect cross for the opener and pulled the strings for most of Chelsea’s brightest moments. He created the joint-most chances (1), and registered more successful tackles (2/2) than any other player from both sides in the first half.
Armando Broja doubled Chelsea’ lead and sealed the win at FulhamGetty
SUBS
IAN MAATSEN – 7
Cracked a rasping effort off the post.
RAHEEM STERLING – 6
Not the best performance for Sterling whose involvement in less than two minutes was an offside and a yellow card.
LESLEY UGOCHUKWU – 6
Comfortable performance.
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