Rodrigo Muniz scored a last-gasp winner as Fulham sensationally came from behind to defeat West London rivals Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Aiming for a 20th straight home league game without defeat against their near neighbours, Chelsea did not explode out of the blocks at Stamford Bridge, but Cole Palmer soon did what Cole Palmer does best.
A magnificent piece of individual skill and delightfully composed finish gave the hosts a slender half-time lead, which they failed to add to thanks to the heroics of Bernd Leno.
A 1-0 lead always seemed vulnerable for the men in blue, and so it proved when Harry Wilson levelled matters approaching injury time, before Muniz sparked Cottagers delirium with no fewer than 95 minutes on the board.
While Chelsea remain second in the Premier League rankings, they are six points behind Liverpool having played two games more, while Marco Silva's Fulham rise to eighth as their European charge continues.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Talk about a festive fright! The elation that Fulham fans may have felt maybe mirrored how their counterparts at Anfield feel, as the Cottagers gave Liverpool the best kind of Christmas gift in West London.
As sensational as Palmer's opener was, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca would have been all too aware that the hosts could not rely on that solo strike to get them over the line, and Fulham had threatened a response before their marvellous late show.
Not since 1979 had Fulham beaten Chelsea in a league game away from home, but not a single soul can say that the Cottagers did not deserve it. Could this be the start of a slippery slope for Liverpool's closest challengers?
CHELSEA VS. FULHAM HIGHLIGHTS
Cole Palmer goal vs. Fulham (16th min, Chelsea 1-0 Fulham)
Cole Palmer casually passing it into the back of the net for Chelsea's opener 🥶👏#PLonPrime #CHEFUL pic.twitter.com/P1YHHHneQM
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 26, 2024
Yet another rabbit out of the hat from the resident Stamford Bridge magician.
Levi Colwill fizzes a pass into Palmer some 40 yards from goal, which the midfielder takes with complete ease before skipping past two white shirts and coolly finding the bottom corner through Issa Diop's legs.
Possibly the crispest finish we will witness on Boxing Day - the way the ball glided into the bottom corner was a thing of beauty. Just the 26 Premier League goals in 2024 for the prolific Palmer.
Harry Wilson goal vs. Chelsea (82nd min, Chelsea 1-1 Fulham)
SCENES in the Fulham away end!
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 26, 2024
A late leveller against Chelsea through Harry Wilson who remains onside to nod home! 👏⚪️#PLonPrime #CHEFUL pic.twitter.com/pPPD3B74SQ
A goal that will be celebrated on the red half of Merseyside just as much as it will in the Stamford Bridge away end! A rolling Pedro Neto wants a foul as Alex Iwobi bullies him out of the way - nothing doing, and Antonee Robinson delivers a deep across from the byline.
Timothy Castagne is alert and heads the ball back into the six-yard box, where Wilson - the former Liverpool man - is totally unmarked at the back stick and cannot miss in front of the travelling fans.
Rodrigo Muniz goal vs. Chelsea (90+5 min, Chelsea 1-2 Fulham)
SCENES AT STAMFORD BRIDGE 😲#CHEFUL pic.twitter.com/WpM9GmhU66
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 26, 2024
Unbelievable! Muniz wins it for the visitors with the final attack of the game.
It all comes from a Robert Sanchez goal kick which Fulham immediately intercept, and Chelsea's defence is all over the place as Sasa Lukic squares for Muniz to bundle home.
MAN OF THE MATCH - BERND LENO
© IconSport
The plaudits may very well go to the goalscorers, but Leno repelled Chelsea time and time again in the capital, and his contributions should not be overlooked at all.
The former Arsenal goalkeeper could not have done much about Palmer's fine finish, but he came up with seven terrific saves to prevent Chelsea from adding to their lead before the Wilson and Muniz late show.
CHELSEA VS. FULHAM MATCH STATS
Possession: Chelsea 47%-53% Fulham
Shots: Chelsea 12-14 Fulham
Shots on target: Chelsea 8-7 Fulham
Corners: Chelsea 3-1 Fulham
Fouls: Chelsea 13-13 Fulham
BEST STATS
52 – Cole Palmer has been involved in 52 goals in his first 50 Premier League starts (34 goals, 18 assists), only Erling Haaland (64) and Andrew Cole (57) have been involved in more across their first 50 starts in the competition. Elite. pic.twitter.com/zxuz1ssMPH
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 26, 2024
Fulham have beaten Chelsea in the league at Stamford Bridge for the first time since 1979.
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 26, 2024
A huge result in the title race. 👁️ pic.twitter.com/eMc7Z4rCgg
Most substitute goals in the Premier League this season:
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) December 26, 2024
Harry Wilson - 4
Jhon Durán - 4
Jordan Ayew - 3
Rodrigo Muniz - 3
Enes Ünal - 2
Harvey Barnes - 2
Alejandro Garnacho - 2 pic.twitter.com/1JXnvt3Wrp
WHAT NEXT?
A trip to Ipswich Town's Portman Road base is last up for a shell-shocked Chelsea in 2024 - that game takes place on Monday - before their 2025 opener comes away to London rivals Crystal Palace on January 4.
Meanwhile, a bouncing Fulham will be back at Craven Cottage on Sunday against Bournemouth, prior to their own home clash with Ipswich on January 5.
Ben Knapton
