Match Report
Chelsea (2) 2-0 (0) Fulham
Premier League Summer Series at FedExField Stadium
Sunday 30th July 2023 KO: 19:45
Referee:
Robert Jones (Merseyside)
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Fulham’s Summer Series campaign came to an end with a 2-0 defeat by Chelsea at FedExField.
In the 30-degree Washington heat, veteran defender Thiago Silva headed in an opener, before Christopher Nkunku wrapped things up before half-time.
After a low-key start to proceedings in which the only incident of note was an injury picked up by Tom Cairney, Chelsea took the lead with a routine corner kick, as Silva rose highest to head in Ben Chilwell’s delivery.
Leno had no chance with that but did keep the score at 1-0 on the half hour mark, beating away Chilwell’s ferocious drive on the angle. The danger remained in the box, though, with Raheem Sterling taking aim and seeing his strike deflect off Harrison Reed and bend round the post.
Chelsea should have doubled their lead in the 36th minute when the ball was put on a plate for Enzo Fernandez, but first the £107m man tamely shot at Leno, before putting the rebound wide.
But then the second goal did arrive, Nkunku tapping into an empty net after Leno had made a fine save to deny Carney Chukwuemeka.
Chelsea made a host of changes at the break, but Fulham only two – Raul Jimenez and Calvin Bassey coming on for their first appearances in the black and white.
Of the two, it’s Raul who was signed for his goals, but it was Bassey who almost brought his new side back into the game, heading over after Willian picked him out with a corner.
Reed then placed one just wide on his weaker left foot as he tried to guide in first time from outside the box.
Raul was then given a couple of sniffs but had the ball taken off his toes on each occasion, the latter one a result of some excellent last ditch defending from Alfie Gilchrist.
The Mexican then turned provider, nodding on for Bobby De Cordova-Reid who saw his strike from an acute angle repelled by goalkeeper Lucas Bergström.
Leno then made a routine stop at the other end to keep out Conor Gallagher’s effort.
It was a more positive second half from the boys, without managing to get on the scoresheet, though one very encouraging sight was the return to action of Andreas Pereira, who was given 25 minutes having recovered from a serious injury.
Chelsea : Slonina (Bergstrom 61), Gusto (James 45), Silva (Chalobah 45'(Gilchrist 60)), Humphreys (Colwill 45), Chilwell (Cucurella 45), Santos (Casadei 46), Fernandez (Gallagher 46), Sterling (Jackson 46), Chukwuemeka (Angelo 47), Nkunku (Hall 61), Burstow (Maatsen 46)
Unused substitutes: Kepa, Mudryk, Moreira, Gilchrist
Goals:
Silva 20 (header from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Ben Chilwell with a cross following a corner.)
Nkunku 41 (left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.)
Fulham : Leno, Tete (Mbabu 66), De Fougerolles (Bassey 45), Diop, Robinson, Reed (Stansfield 81), Lukic (Harris 81), Wilson (Dibley-Dias 81), Cairney (De Cordova-Reid 18), Willian (Pereira 66), Vinicius (Jimenez 45)
Unused substitutes: Rodak, Borto, Parkes, Odutayo, McCoy-Splatt, Godo, Amissah
Referee:
Robert Jones (Merseyside)
Attendance: N/A