PEDRO NETO produced an injury time winner to rescue Chelsea’s Champions League dreams – and their self-respect.
The Portuguese winger blasted home a stunning shot to snatch a last gasp victory that completed a dramatic ten minute turnaround.
GettyPedro Neto completed a stunning comeback for Chelsea[/caption]
Fulham were heading for their first double over their next door neighbours before sub Tyrique George equalised in the 83rd minute.
And three minutes into stoppage time Neto pounced with a classy rising shot that handed his team an undeserved win but which lifts them up into sixth place in the Premier League table.
They are still two points off fifth – the benchmark for Champions League qualification – but a first league away win since December is a huge relief for under pressure boss Enzo Maresca.
His side went into their closest derby on the back of losing to Polish minnows Legia Warsaw on Thursday in the Conference League and an underwhelming draw at home to struggling Ipswich last Sunday.
Fulham were so close to rewriting history and boss Marco Silva and his players will be gutted at throwing away their precious lead so late on.
Winger Alex Iwobi put them ahead in the 20th minute and they looked like holding on until rookie George and Neto dug Chelsea out of trouble.
George came on for striker Nicolas Jackson in the 78th minute with The Blues running out of ideas and steam.
But the home grown academy graduate latched onto a mistake by Fulham full back and skipper Antonee Robinson to lash home a powerful shot from 20 yards to level just five minutes after coming on.
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And with the visitors pressing, Neto scored one of the best goals of his career to round off a three man move involving Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez to beat Leno with a thunderbolt drive.
Chelsea were second best for the vast majority of the game though and got out of jail with this late double.
Defeat would have left them in seventh place with only five games of the season left and pressure cranking up on boss Maresca.
The two West London teams are just two stations apart on the District Line tube and are playing in the same season for the 40th time.
Fulham have never managed to beat their more illustrious neighbours twice in the same campaign and will never get a better chance.
They won 2-1 at Craven Cottage on Boxing Day and were within a whisker of securing an unprecedented win before George and Neto broke their hearts.
GettyAlex Iwobi put Fulham ahead[/caption]
ReutersThe Cottagers were close to doing the double over Chelsea[/caption]
GettyTyrique George kickstarted the fight back[/caption]
ReutersGeorge proved to be an inspired sub[/caption]
ReutersNeto scored Chelsea’s late winner[/caption]
ReutersIt keeps Chelsea’s Champions League hopes alive[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
