Dailysports player ratings for Chelsea after defeat to Fulham: Neto and Sancho underwhelm
Fulham continues to surprise in the Premier League with impressive performances against top sides. They’ve tested teams like Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Newcastle, and now Chelsea has joined the list of those left frustrated.
It was far from Chelsea’s best showing. Even the standout players had their share of mistakes, ultimately contributing to the loss. The team lacked creativity and urgency, with their highest xG (expected goals) coming from Marc Cucurella’s early chance at just 0.20. Fulham, on the other hand, clearly played with intent.
Here’s a closer look at Chelsea’s key players and performances:
Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez
Formally, Chelsea operates with a single attacking midfielder, but both Palmer and Fernandez take on this role in practice, working on opposite flanks to complement one another. With Nicolas Jackson often dropping as a false nine, much of the creative responsibility falls on this duo.
- Cole Palmer: He registered four shots, three on target, and scored Chelsea’s only goal. In the first half, Palmer was Chelsea’s only consistent attacking threat, barring a strong Cucurella chance. He also completed 2 of 3 dribble attempts. However, in the second half, Palmer’s impact waned as he deferred more to his teammates.
- Enzo Fernandez: Tasked with chance creation, Fernandez delivered 8 passes into the final third, 3 crosses, and 3 key passes. His xA (expected assists) of 0.22 led both teams, narrowly edging Palmer’s 0.20. The duo also handled all set pieces for Chelsea, underlining their pivotal role.
Despite their efforts, the attacking contributions weren’t enough.
Levi Colwill
Colwill was Chelsea’s most involved defender, recording 9 defensive actions, 5 clearances, 2 interceptions, 3 tackles, and winning 7 of his 12 duels. He also provided the assist for Palmer’s goal.
However, fatigue seemed to catch up with him late in the game, as he failed to track back and prevent Fulham’s second goal.
While the numbers might seem modest compared to more intense matches, Colwill stood out among Chelsea’s defenders, especially when compared to Tosin Adarabioyo, who managed only six defensive actions.
Robert Sanchez
Despite conceding twice, Sanchez was among Chelsea’s best performers, making five saves. His highlight was a one-on-one stop against Antonee Robinson, preventing what could have been an even larger deficit.
Player ratings
- Adarabioyo: 6
- Gusto: 6
- Jackson: 6
- Caicedo: 6
- Colwill: 7
- Cucurella: 6
- Neto: 6
- Nkunku: 6
- Palmer: 8
- Sancho: 6
- Sanchez: 7
- Fernandez: 7
While Chelsea showed flashes of potential, their lack of coherence and urgency ultimately cost them against a well-organized Fulham side.
Luis Torres
Dailysports's expert
