New-look Chelsea held to home draw by Fulham as Enzo Fernandez makes debut

🕘 Posted on: February 4, 2023 | Last updated on: March 11, 2023

a fresh look In Friday's west London derby at Stamford Bridge, Fulham held Chelsea to a scoreless draw as Chelsea struggled offensively. Three of Chelsea's eight January additions were on the field, including Benoit Badiashile, Mykhailo Mudryk, and starting British record deal Enzo Fernandez, who arrived from Benfica in just 72 hours.However, despite now having played at least one more game than the clubs behind them in the rankings, the worst scorers in the top 10 of the Premier League once again lacked a cutting edge in attack, putting them in ninth position.Meanwhile, Fulham's remarkable season continues as they climb up to sixth position, two points ahead of their local rivals but with a game more played.Graham Potter, the manager of Chelsea, remarked, "There's a nice spirit throughout the team." I agree that during the game we didn't do enough to increase the number of opportunities we created, which is something we need to accomplish."I believe you witnessed a highly structured and strong defensive squad playing against us." Given that we had guys returning from injuries and newcomers to the squad, we likely missed a little bit of the connection and understanding you need. So that's the situation as it is right now.Of course, some are beneficial to us.

"The enthusiasm and the effort were there, but as an offensive squad, we would like to accomplish more," the player said.Along with the new additions to Chelsea, Reece James made a welcome comeback from injury at right-back, and winger Hakim Ziyech unexpectedly earned a spot only days after his last-minute deadline-day transfer to Paris Saint-Germain fell through.But Potter's team once again struggled to consistently pose an offensive threat. They had only scored 22 goals in their first 20 games. However, Fernandez was a bright light and the driving force behind the most of the great offensive plays made by the hosts in the first half.Mason Mount was given space down the left by the World Cup winner's lofted pass in the 32nd minute, and only a pivotal touch from Tim Ream likely kept Kai Havertz from converting Mount's low cross.A few minutes later, Ziyech was freed by another Fernandez ball as he raced into the box on the right, but the Moroccan international's shot went wildly off target.The finest opportunity to open the scoring in the first half fell to Havertz, who was once more unimpressive in the No. 9 position, but his lofted attempt over Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno hit the post.

Fulham, who won the rematch 2-1 only three weeks prior, started to gain control of the game at the opposite end. Andreas Pereira also came near with a low shot, forcing Kepa Arrizabalaga to dive full-length to block it.Furthermore, in the second half, Fulham offered everything they had.At the beginning of the half, Willian forced Kepa into a save against his old team, and shortly after, he gave Pereira another opportunity.In search of a game-winning goal, Potter resorted to two additional January signings: Noni Madueke and David Datro Fofana.With 11 seconds left, Fofana came close to delivering it. Ream came back to make a sliding clearing off the line to prevent a definite goal and a share of the points after the Ivorian attacker rounded a helpless Leno on the outside of the area.It's a team effort. According to Fulham captain Ream, "We work on it every week." "Protect from the front and strike from behind." It requires all 11 players, including any newcomers.

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New-look Chelsea held to home draw by Fulham as Enzo Fernandez makes debut

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