Pedro Neto scored a stunning stoppage-time winner as Chelsea fought back from a goal down to beat local rivals Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage on Sunday, April 20th, reviving their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
Fulham started brightly and thought they had taken the lead in the third minute through Andreas Pereira, but the goal was correctly disallowed for offside. The hosts did go ahead in the 20th minute when Alex Iwobi fired low into the bottom corner after Chelsea captain Reece James lost possession cheaply to Ryan Sessegnon, who provided the assist.
Chelsea, despite creating some opportunities through wide play, failed to find an equaliser before the break. Coach Enzo Maresca introduced Jadon Sancho and Malo Gusto at halftime, and the changes sparked improvement, with Sancho looking lively and Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno forced into saves from Gusto, Sancho, and Neto.
The visitors’ pressure eventually told in the 83rd minute when substitute Tyrique George netted his first Premier League goal with an instinctive close-range finish to level the scores.
Buoyed by the equalizer, Chelsea pushed for a winner and found it three minutes into added time. Neto controlled the ball, swivelled, and unleashed a powerful strike into the net, securing a dramatic three points and ending Chelsea’s eight-game run without an away win in the Premier League (their last coming at Tottenham in early December).
“I think it could be a big part of the season for us. We showed character,” Neto said post-match. “The belief has always been there, even in the bad moments.”
Fulham manager Marco Silva felt the result was “very harsh,” but admitted his side’s second-half performance was “not our level.”
The crucial victory lifts Chelsea to fifth place in the Premier League standings with 57 points, level with Nottingham Forest (who play Tottenham on Monday) and significantly boosts their chances in the race for a top-five finish and Champions League qualification. Fulham remain ninth with 48 points.
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