Fulham

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Joe Rindl, BBC Sport

Fulham's poor away run continues. The Cottagers have lost their past five league games on the road and were beaten 2-1 at Liverpool in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.

But Saturday's outcome may have been very different if referee Anthony Taylor had chosen to send off Chelsea defender Malo Gusto with the game goalless in the 39th minute.

The France right-back caught Willian above his ankle, but the video assistant referee (VAR) was happy to uphold Taylor's decision to award Gusto a yellow card.

"We have to talk about the red card for Gusto, it was clear," Fulham manager Marco Silva told TNT Sports at full-time.

"It is hard to see how things aren't consistent at the level that we're at.

"This is the Premier league. In 10 of those moments, nine times it is a red card. it is a clear red card for me. VAR checked and this time they didn't give."

Ten minutes after Gusto's foul, Cole Palmer gave Chelsea a 1-0 lead from the penalty spot.

Fulham created a handful of chances in the second half but ultimately slipped to a fourth league defeat in five matches. Oh what might have been...

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Fulham midfielder Tom Carney, talking to TNT Sports, about the mood in the changing room: "It is frustration. It was a quite even game, a little bit more open in the second half. we lost to a penalty and maybe a draw would have been a fair result."

On the time they conceded the penalty: "It is as bad as it gets. It was basically the last kick of the first half. Maybe a little bit of a lack of concentration from us."

On the performance: "It was a decent performance but we've come away with nothing. We've been picking up points at home but we need to pick up more points away from home in 2024. We've got a little bit of time to have a break now."

On whether a break is a good thing: "We can cool down a little bit now obviously, there is a lot of frustration in the changing room. It has been a hard week with Liverpool and Chelsea away in the space of a few days."

Fulham manager Marco Silva, talking to TNT Sports: "It was a derby. There was a lot of challenges. The referee started the game as he does normally, letting the game flow, as a derby should be. Chelsea started better than us but after the first 15 minutes we started to balance the game, both sides had moments. After that we started to create some problems.

"We have to talk about the red card for Gusto, it was clear. It is hard to see how things aren't consistent at the level that we're at. This is the Premier league. In 10 of those moments, nine times it is a red card. it is a clear red card for me. VAR checked and this time they didn't give.

"We tried to react in the second half. They had chances, we had chances. The game was more open and they had more space to show their quality. We showed a big, big fight until the end. Wednesday was so intense and this was another one. I have no words for my players. The support was great too. We fought until the end.

"I haven't spoken to the officials. I don't want to say what the fourth official said. He has the same opinion as me but it is not for him to say, it is for the VAR to decide. It is a normal decision from the referee but the help should come from the VAR.

"It is a difficult one to take and a frustrating result for us. We always want to fight and we fought again. We took more risks in the second half and became more open. The game was really balanced when they got their penalty. The VAR decision made a huge impact on the game."

• Chelsea remain unbeaten at home against Fulham in the Premier League (P17 W11 D6), only Arsenal have hosted a specific opponent more often at home in the competition without ever losing (P24 W16 D8 vs Southampton).

• Over half of Chelsea’s Premier League wins this season have come since the start of December (5/9), with only Liverpool (17) picking up more points in the competition in that time than the Blues (15).

• Fulham have lost each of their last five Premier League games away from home and this is the first time they’ve lost three in a row without scoring on the road in the competition since December 2018.

• Fulham have now failed to score in each of their last six league visits to Chelsea, which is their longest such streak against an opponent in their top-flight history.

• Cole Palmer is just the third different Chelsea player to score at least five penalties in a single Premier League season after Frank Lampard (5 in 2012-13 and 10 in 2009-10) and Jorginho (6 in 2021-22 and 7 in 2020-21).

• Raheem Sterling has won three penalties in the Premier League for Chelsea this season, more than any other player, and his 26 in the league overall is at least three more than anyone else.

Cole Palmer's first-half penalty gave Chelsea a narrow win over West London rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.

Palmer's reverse pass set up Raheem Sterling, who was caught by Issa Diop inside the penalty area.

Palmer dispatched the spot-kick, sending Fulham keeper Bernd Leno the wrong way to net his ninth goal since joining the Blues in August.

Conor Gallagher almost added a late second when his sweetly struck effort using the outside of his boot cannoned off the far post.

Chelsea kept Fulham at arm's length and held on for their third consecutive victory to jump to eighth in the table.

The visitors stay in 13th and have lost four of their past five matches.

Were you at Stamford Bridge or did you follow the match from elsewhere?

Chelsea fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Fulham fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

Chelsea are hosting Fulham in the first of two Premier League fixtures on Saturday, with kick-off at Stamford Bridge less than an hour away.

Get all the build-up followed by live text updates here

BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For part one of week 21 - due to the Premier League's winter break - he takes on singer-songwriter and Tottenham fan Declan McKenna.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Where do I even start with this one?

Chelsea had won three games in a row in all competitions and were showing a bit of consistency before they lost to Middlesbrough in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday.

I've backed them, and been wrong, many times already this season so do I make the same mistake again?

It doesn't help me much that there's not too many reasons to go with Fulham here, either. Their last league game was their excellent home win over Arsenal, but their form away from Craven Cottage is poor.

Marco Silva's side always seem to carry a threat when I watch them but they have won only one out of 10 games on the road.

Declan's prediction: 2-2

Fulham are feeling more together this season. It's hard to say which Chelsea will turn up, and I'd love to back Fulham over those 'orrible boys in blue, but I can still see them bagging a few goals.

I can taste a score draw but will be rooting for Fulham.

Read the full predictions list

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Fulham head coach Marco Silva says Chelsea must be patient with manager Mauricio Pochettino after an inconsistent start to his tenure at the Blues.

Fulham would move one point behind their 10th-placed west London rivals with a win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, but Silva says overhaul on and off the pitch at the Blues is contributing to their form.

On whether Pochettino needs patience, Silva said: "Of course when you make many changes inside a football club. What I can see from the outside is that the changes are there and they have a manager who knows the Premier League really well.

"I think what he's done already in his career speaks for itself.

"I have huge respect for him as well. We have a very good relationship and a good connection. They're a very good side with a very good manager as well and I'm sure it will be a very tough game for us."

Brazil winger Willian will return to the ground where he spent seven years on Saturday, having scored in the 2-1 home win against the Blues last season.

"The connection between him and the club (Chelsea) is huge," Silva added. "It is huge for him and the fans. We felt it last season when he was substituted and the ovation he got.

"The respect they show for him is huge and it's deserved as well because what he's doing in our club at 35-years-old makes you think what he can do at 37 or 38."

Fulham boss Marco Silva has been speaking to the media ahead of Saturday's Premier League match away at Chelsea.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Midfielder Harrison Reed "should be OK" after illness this week: "He didn't feel well on the morning before the Liverpool match and wasn't perfect today, but we have some more hours to prepare for the game."

• When asked about Willian, who made more than 200 appearances for Chelsea, Silva said: "The connection between him and the club [Chelsea] is huge. We felt that last season when he got substituted [for Fulham at Stamford Bridge] - the ovation he got from the whole stadium and the respect they showed for him is huge."

• On west London rivals Chelsea: "In London you have a big number of derbies, but you always have one or two more special ones for the fans. We play for the fans and we know it's important for them."

• For Silva, the recovery time between Wednesday night's defeat at Liverpool and the early kick-off at Chelsea on Saturday is "not an excuse but not a normal time between games": "Not even 72 hours to prepare and we know how important that is. It is what it is - it's not for us to take these type of decisions. "

• He wants to see an improvement in performance from the 2-0 home defeat to the Blues earlier this season: "At home, it wasn't our best game. We want to do something different against a very good side. We have to be at a very, very good level because it's going to be an intense game."

Follow the rest of Friday's Premier League news conferences

Manager Marco Silva continues to show his capabilities at Fulham as they deliver in his attractive style and look at home in the Premier League after a fine 2022-23 season. Silva is showing why he is so highly regarded and has guided the Cottagers to the EFL Cup semi-finals for the first time.

Joao Palhinha continues to be a player of real influence after the collapse of his move to Bayern Munich. Fulham will be desperate to keep him this month. There has also been delight at the rejuvenation of Raul Jimenez after the striker struggled to regain his best form following a serious head injury while playing for Wolves.

Current position: 13th.

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 13th.

What McNulty said in August: "Fulham's place (10th in 2021-22) may not be so lofty this season, although I don't expect a relegation struggle either."

• Chelsea are unbeaten in their past 18 home league games against Fulham (W11 D7), since a 2-0 loss in the second tier in October 1979.

• Fulham have won just one of their past 23 Premier League games against Chelsea (D8 L14), beating them 2-1 at Craven Cottage in January 2023.

• Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino has won all five of his Premier League meetings with Fulham. He only has a better win rate in the competition against Hull City (six out of six games).

• The Cottagers have lost their past four away league games, conceding three or more goals in each. Only two sides have lost five in a row on the road in the Premier League while letting in three or more goals each time (Ipswich Town in April 1995 and Barnsley in November 1997).

• Some 40.4% of Fulham’s shots in the Premier League this season have come from outside the box (93/230), the highest share in the division. However, just one of their past 19 league goals has come from longe range.

• Cole Palmer has scored eight league goals this season, more than any other player for Chelsea. The only player to score more in a Premier League campaign for the Blues while aged 21 or younger was Christian Pulisic in 2019-20 (nine).

Image source, Reuters

Former Fulham defender Stephen Kelly believes his former club will feel slightly frustrated to have left Anfield with a 2-1 first-leg deficit in their Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool.

"You would taken that result, but on the night when you watch how the game went, the way they played and with the people Liverpool are currently missing, you feel it's a missed opportunity," Kelly told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"There are not many chances you get to go to Anfield and come away with a win. I think Fulham would feel last night was definitely one.

"They're in a position where they're only 2-1 down. It was a decent performance and they know Liverpool have to go to Craven Cottage, where at times it can be a place where Fulham play some wonderful football."

Goalkeeper Bernd Leno made important saves in the closing minutes of the first leg to ensure Fulham retain a decent chance of progressing to the final against either Middlesbrough or Chelsea.

"It's important that they've not ended up coming away from that, on what was such a positive performance, 3-1 or 4-1 down and thinking 'how did that happen?'," Kelly added.

"There are still a lot of positives to take from it."

We asked for your thoughts on Wednesday's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg between Liverpool and Fulham.

Here are some of your responses:

Liverpool fans

Dan: Wow. What a chaotic game. It was thrilling, end-to-end stuff, but in the end - with the amount of chances that we had - we deserved to win. Darwin and Curtis were super, especially because Curtis was playing with a dead leg for the final 15 minutes or so. Good performance overall from the lads.

Ethan: Given the amount of players unavailable, that was a great win. But, we must improve our first-half performances - it’s been a trend all season! Also, Harvey Elliot is not a winger and Luis Diaz should be covering for Mohamed Salah. But it’s clear Klopp has the best attacking squad depth since he joined Liverpool. Second leg will be tricky but we are favourites now.

Andrew: I was really impressed by Conor Bradley! Klopp could save a fortune by including him as the regular sub for Trent. Jones goes from strength to strength - it’s great to see!

Joel: I don't want to hear people criticise Darwin. The goals haven't come yet but his presence on the pitch is immense. He's fierce, gets in dangerous positions and creates plenty for others. Let's stick with him - he's a Red, no doubt.

Fulham fans

David: We would have taken a one-goal deficit before the game so it is not too bad. If we had taken our chances, it could have been a draw. Fulham fans will remember that we were 3-1 down to Juventus in our 2010 Europa League campaign and won that round. Watch us at the Cottage to see what happens...

Sue: We were so good for so much of this game that it feels disappointing to have a deficit to overturn at the Cottage. However, we’d have snapped your hand off for a one-goal loss before the game so perspective is needed. Still very much in the tie.

D: Good first half but delayed making changes in the second half. It's usually easy to say that from the stands but literally the whole away end was begging for fresh legs, especially for Andreas Pereira who looked as though he had lost his head a little. Still, on to the second leg with hope!

Image source, Reuters

Ex-Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer expects his former club to be "more aggressive" in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool on 24 January.

Willian gave Fulham a first-half lead in the first leg at Anfield, but Marco Silva's side ended up on the wrong end of a 2-1 result.

"It's 2-1, they're still in it and they've got everything to play for at Craven Cottage," Schwarzer told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"Fulham have to come out - they have to be a little bit more aggressive. I don't see Liverpool being the reverse and they are going to go and play their game. With that, there are going to be opportunities for Fulham and they're going to have to be more clinical."

Schwarzer, who played in Fulham's run to the 2010 Europa League final, added: "Craven Cottage is going to have to have that atmosphere again in cup competitions, which we've experienced so many times before in the past and not so long ago. Hopefully that can be recreated.

"I'm sure the fans will be right behind their team to put in a performance and create some history."

More analysis of the semi-final on BBC Sounds

Image source, PA Media

Fulham manager Marco Silva said his team "struggled a bit more" in the second half of their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool.

The Cottagers will need to overturn a 2-1 deficit in the second leg at Craven Cottage if they are to reach the final.

"Two different halves. It wasn't our best performance but even so, in the first half we had a plan. We were ruthless from the first moment and it was really good from Willian when we scored.

"The second half was different and we struggled a bit more. We should manage them in a different way.

"They were a bit lucky [with] the first goal. It was a deflection that changed the game completely, and the only thing that is disappointing is the way we managed the next 10 minutes.

"In a competition where we are playing two legs we cannot concede a fast attack like that. Liverpool had one or two chances to score the third and the reality is that Bernd Leno kept us in the game."

Image source, Getty

BBC Sport's Gary Rose at Anfield: "For the second time in just over a month, Fulham gave Liverpool a scare in their effort to maintain their unbeaten home run so far this season.

"Marco Silva's side lost 4-3 at Anfield in the Premier League on 3 December, having led 3-2 after 80 minutes, and here they took a deserved lead in the first half thanks to Willian's good footwork and finish inside the area.

"They had more chances than Liverpool in the first 45 minutes but struggled to contain their opponents when they stepped it up in the second half.

"But they head into the second leg trailing by just the one goal and will fancy their chances of putting up a strong fight on home soil.

"Fulham are looking to win the League Cup for the first time and that could be the drive they need to get a result."

Liverpool staged a second-half turnaround to beat Fulham at Anfield in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie.

The visitors had taken the lead in the first half when Willian showed great control inside the area to slot in.

It was no less than Fulham deserved after an impressive first half, but Liverpool stepped it up after the break and fought back with two goals in three minutes.

First, Curtis Jones equalised when his 68th-minute strike from distance took a big deflection off Tosin Adarabioyo to wrong-foot Bernd Leno in the Fulham goal.

Substitute Cody Gakpo then drove in a Darwin Nunez pull-back to send the home crowd wild.

It was the second time in just over a month that Liverpool had denied Fulham success at Anfield. Marco Silva's side had led 3-2 in the final 10 minutes of their Premier League clash on 3 December but lost 4-3.

The two sides will meet again in the second leg at Craven Cottage on Wednesday, 24 January, with Jurgen Klopp's men now in the driving seat as they look to keep alive their hopes of a record-extending 10th League Cup win.

Were you at Anfield or following the match from elsewhere?

Reds fans, tell us what you made of the performance

Fulham supporters, submit your post-match thoughts

Follow all the reaction here

Liverpool welcome Fulham to Anfield in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final this evening.

Kick-off is less than an hour away so follow all the build-up over here

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Former Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer believes "anything can happen" in the Whites' Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool on Wednesday.

The Cottagers, who last reached a major final in 2010, are aiming to repeat that famous run to the Europa League showpiece.

"I am hoping for lots of goals and an entertaining game," Schwarzer, who played in the defeat by Atletico Madrid in 2010, told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"Obviously, Liverpool are the favourites but it is a cup semi-final and we saw on Tuesday [when Middlesbrough beat Chelsea 1-0] it doesn’t matter who the favourite is. If you go out there without the right mindset and right intent and don't take your chances, then you can lose the game.

"Marco Silva will be looking at the game thinking his side have a great chance. It is a semi-final of a cup and anything can happen. I am hopeful Fulham can get through."

Listen to the interview on BBC Sounds from 02:23:00

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live match commentary of Liverpool v Fulham at 20:00 GMT on Wednesday