Friends of Fulham

At first, both teams were frequently losing possession, but Chelsea appeared to be the more threatening side. Everything shifted after about 20 minutes with a clear red card. The team put in a strong performance overall, although there were still some moments of poor defending. Raul and Wilson scored excellent goals. It's unfortunate that Wilson's first goal was disallowed, but he remains my Man of the Match.

UP THE FULHAM!  ::scarf::  ::scarf::  ::scarf::

What a match. I loving love Harry Wilson! Everyone played a blinder today including Kevin who I think had his best 45 mins with us so far. Perhaps he should be pairing with Sess as his appearances with Jedi have been pretty fruitless

Wilson was given the Sky Player Of The Match, good post match interview just now.

I will give it to him, he did a load of great runs forward too, negating the lack of pace in Raul.
. He has really stepped up as a player this last few months, I think physically he is looking much stronger and fitter to go along with the skill he always had.

Leno was second choice for me for me, he made 2 excellent saves.

We probably gave Chelsea too much of the game considering they were 10 men for most of it, but a terrific result.

Why have you got 1-1 as the score.😄

It's funny how different people see the same match. I thought that it was a very tired slow display from Fulham but the sending off probably decided the match. My heart was in my mouth every time that they got a corner

Wilson.
Word for Berge who I thought had one of his best games for us.

Great performance by the whole team. Harry MoM. Very unlucky with the offside but he stuck away the goal well and he is on fire at the moment. COYW  ::scarf::

Big game from Wilson who is in red hot form once again. Doesn't help with his wages demands mind you!

Brilliant from Kevin and Sess too

The subs were too late but when they finally came they made a difference thankfully. Wasnt sure about Sess for Robinson but it turned out to be a genius move.

Would love for that to have been more comfortable than it was but my god, despite AFCON + king weve churned out another brilliant result , granted, massively helped by the red card today 😅

Absolutely love it

Leeds

AFCON boys return.
Then it's

Brighton
United
Everton

Huge opportunity to position ourselves in the race going into February

Quote from: Stoneleigh Loyalist on January 07, 2026, 09:37:32 PMIt's funny how different people see the same match. I thought that it was a very tired slow display from Fulham but the sending off probably decided the match. My heart was in my mouth every time that they got a corner

Totally agree our passing was shocking as well. We take the three points and move on!

Two points off the champions league...

I can hear that anthem now!

Has to be Harry

How much would he cost if we were looking to buy him?

Tosin  :slap:  :slap:  :slap:  :slap:  :slap:  :slap:  :slap:  :slap:

Wilson for me - the main threat even when he drifts out of the game.

Not a brilliant performance overall, but we ground it out and rallied when Chelsea equalised.

Special shout out to Sessegnon who invigorated us in 2nd half, combined really well with Kevin. Thought Robinson was awful today, passing was woeful and poor header on the goal.

We weren't brilliant but also nullified a multi billion pound team or whatever they paid for that bunch of diving cheats and outside of a 10 min window where we weirdly retreated, I don't think Chelsea really threatened outside of corners. Raul and Wilso will get the headlines but I thought Berge was very good in the middle today

Quote from: Coastwalker on January 07, 2026, 09:35:39 PMWhy have you got 1-1 as the score.😄

Whoops  ::tongue::

Quote from: Stoneleigh Loyalist on January 07, 2026, 09:37:32 PMIt's funny how different people see the same match. I thought that it was a very tired slow display from Fulham but the sending off probably decided the match. My heart was in my mouth every time that they got a corner

I mean obviously the bad points are that we cannot defend corners still but we didn't lose. If a couple months ago you told me we'd go on a six game unbeaten streak winning 14 points in the process while drawing with Liverpool and beating Chelsea I'd have called you a liar.

Are we safe from relegation yet?

Wilson for drawing the red and an outrageous touch before burying the second.

The boys looked knackered and yet managed to beat a Chelsea team loaded with expensive talent.

Cracking result.

I think credit is also due to Marco for changing the system at halftime from a 5 at the back to a more attacking 4 at the back.  Bringing on Kevin and taking off Cuenca, who was on a yellow, was a good decision. 

Quote from: Steeeeeeeeeed on January 07, 2026, 09:35:31 PMWilson was given the Sky Player Of The Match, good post match interview just now.

I will give it to him, he did a load of great runs forward too, negating the lack of pace in Raul.
. He has really stepped up as a player this last few months, I think physically he is looking much stronger and fitter to go along with the skill he always had.

Leno was second choice for me for me, he made 2 excellent saves.

We probably gave Chelsea too much of the game considering they were 10 men for most of it, but a terrific result.

Leno is a good shout as well, also caused them problems with his route 1.

Quote from: bencher on January 07, 2026, 09:45:14 PMAre we safe from relegation yet?

Marco out!

Wilson, but Kevin is getting better by the game. Watch this boy when he gets a goal in his locker.
Great result.

Quote from: jayffc on January 07, 2026, 09:39:43 PMBig game from Wilson who is in red hot form once again. Doesn't help with his wages demands mind you!

Brilliant from Kevin and Sess too

The subs were too late but when they finally came they made a difference thankfully. Wasnt sure about Sess for Robinson but it turned out to be a genius move.

Would love for that to have been more comfortable than it was but my god, despite AFCON + king weve churned out another brilliant result , granted, massively helped by the red card today 😅

Absolutely love it

Leeds

AFCON boys return.
Then it's

Brighton
United
Everton

Huge opportunity to position ourselves in the race going into February

Don't forget muniz, Tete and King to come back too.

And hopefully some January reinforcements

Quote from: Jonny4 on January 07, 2026, 09:41:27 PMSpecial shout out to Sessegnon who invigorated us in 2nd half, combined really well with Kevin. Thought Robinson was awful today, passing was woeful and poor header on the goal.

It was an awful performance by Robbo. Consistently giving the ball away. He's always been the better left back, but on this showing Sess should get the nod.

We are now 3rd in the league over the last 6 games, and 4th over the last 10

Fantastic result. Listened on Talksport they seemed gutted that Fulham had beaten the Chelsea all stars especially that Minto idiot. Please report the match without bias.
THERE'S ONLY ONE TEAM IN FULHAM!

All I can say is a win is a win.
I think we need to play more from the left and cross the ball in. 🙄
And get Harry signed...

Massive 3 points in front of a run of games where we could plunder more and maybe get to 6th . 1st half Chelsea were trying to force their way with an overlap through the middle , we coped with that ok but were too slow with passing and over possessed at times , then the game changed with the Red card to Cucurella , we finished the 1st half just not being aggressive enough despite the Wilson offside goal. 2nd half again not aggressive enough and over possessed at times , we then managed to build some pressure and Raul with a strong header for the lead, they made a change in tactics with quicker more direct passing and equalized ,  Silva then made some changes which stabilzed the game and we maintained more control and Wilson with a vital goal to secure the win

Wilson is a man possessed at the moment. He gets my vote. COYW

It was our 5th game in 17 days and we are lacking depth. There was tired legs out there and Robinson was probably one of them. The red card was of course enormous and probably the reason we got 3 points. I think 11v11 at the end of a string of games, it was going to be extreemly difficult to get a win.

Wilson is just magic and is so much more consistent than last year. I was dubious he was a game-in-game-out starter, but he has proven me so wrong.

Also Jiminez in a warrior. The guy battles every match and we are lucky to have him.

What a great day.

Quote from: Stoneleigh Loyalist on January 07, 2026, 09:37:32 PMIt's funny how different people see the same match. I thought that it was a very tired slow display from Fulham but the sending off probably decided the match. My heart was in my mouth every time that they got a corner

Agreed, it wasn't our best game.

Sadly, the 5cm rule wasn't enforced for some reason today. It's not a game of margins apparently?

Great to beat our rival neighbours, second half was nail-biting, sometimes looked like we had the ten men. Best result of the season.

Quote from: love4ffc on January 07, 2026, 09:48:16 PMI think credit is also due to Marco for changing the system at halftime from a 5 at the back to a more attacking 4 at the back.  Bringing on Kevin and taking off Cuenca, who was on a yellow, was a good decision. 

Right decision as Chelsea were looking to get Cuenca sent off but I thought it unbalanced our defence and Chelsea had much more space. However Kevin gets better every game and unlucky not to score.

Quote from: bencher on January 07, 2026, 09:45:14 PMAre we safe from relegation yet?

No. But no team in PL history has gone down having gained 31 points at this stage of the season

Quote from: sarnian on January 07, 2026, 10:09:30 PM

Quote from: love4ffc on January 07, 2026, 09:48:16 PMI think credit is also due to Marco for changing the system at halftime from a 5 at the back to a more attacking 4 at the back.  Bringing on Kevin and taking off Cuenca, who was on a yellow, was a good decision. 

Right decision as Chelsea were looking to get Cuenca sent off but I thought it unbalanced our defence and Chelsea had much more space. However Kevin gets better every game and unlucky not to score.

Completely agree.
We looked worse defensively but better in attack. I suppose unsuprisingly. If cuenca hadn't been on the yellow I suspect it might have been Diop of, Who was still decent. But on the balance you could just see Chelsea cheating their way to a red there

Wilson for me also, it's always a great win against Chels.

Quote from: The Rock on January 07, 2026, 10:07:18 PM

Quote from: Stoneleigh Loyalist on January 07, 2026, 09:37:32 PMIt's funny how different people see the same match. I thought that it was a very tired slow display from Fulham but the sending off probably decided the match. My heart was in my mouth every time that they got a corner

Agreed, it wasn't our best game.

Sadly, the 5cm rule wasn't enforced for some reason today. It's not a game of margins apparently?

Raul was much more than 5cm offside

Extremely happy, The red card really gave us that result as we looked din trouble the first 20 minutes. Very smart from Leno to release Harry like that

How good were Sess and Kevin together? Sliced them upon at will down the left when they were sat deep which is usually a big problem point for us.

Stamford bridge is falling down....

Not our best performance, not our worst. Incredible team spirit and effort from everyone involved. Special mentions to Leno, who made some excellent saves, Berge, for an all around decent performance and what I believe was his first ever direct goal contribution in a Fulham shirt and obviously to our match winner and my MOTM Wilson. He got Cucurella sent off with a brilliant run(good pass from Leno there too), even if I feel it was very stupid from Cucurella to foul him there but I don't mind the gift from him, and obviously a brilliant goal. Also Raul battled hard as always and scored a great header.

On to the next game, let's hope this run continues for a long time. COYW!!!

Obviously Wilson. But credit to several decent performances; Berge was excellent and showed a bit more adventure today, Leon's varied distribution helped us be less predictable, Cuenca solid, Jimenez' stamina amazing, Kevin starting to look like a player.
I also wanted to mention Sess who made a huge difference when he came on and his understanding and link ups with Kevin look very exciting indeed.

I certainly wouldn't begrudge Harry for any accolades going his way. It's great to see a good player in prime form. A right foot goal, too!

I'd maybe go for Berg for his essential contributions in attack and defence.

Has to be Wilson!

Quote from: Jonny4 on January 07, 2026, 09:41:27 PMWilson for me - the main threat even when he drifts out of the game.

Not a brilliant performance overall, but we ground it out and rallied when Chelsea equalised.

Special shout out to Sessegnon who invigorated us in 2nd half, combined really well with Kevin. Thought Robinson was awful today, passing was woeful and poor header on the goal.

Totally agree with your analysis but I also think Cairney was awful today much as we all love him

Quote from: Andyb on January 07, 2026, 09:40:09 PM

Quote from: Stoneleigh Loyalist on January 07, 2026, 09:37:32 PMIt's funny how different people see the same match. I thought that it was a very tired slow display from Fulham but the sending off probably decided the match. My heart was in my mouth every time that they got a corner

Totally agree our passing was shocking as well. We take the three points and move on!

Our gameplan should have changed first half as seeon as Chelsea were down to ten men, but it did not and we really did not exploit the space as much as we should have.

I thought we were OK when when we were on the offensivealthough I was concerned at our everpresent inability to see to corners.  At least during the second half with our subs we did better. The win should have been easier though and by more goals! 

Quote from: acji on January 07, 2026, 10:45:31 PM

Quote from: Andyb on January 07, 2026, 09:40:09 PM

Quote from: Stoneleigh Loyalist on January 07, 2026, 09:37:32 PMIt's funny how different people see the same match. I thought that it was a very tired slow display from Fulham but the sending off probably decided the match. My heart was in my mouth every time that they got a corner

Totally agree our passing was shocking as well. We take the three points and move on!

Our gameplan should have changed first half as soon as Chelsea were down to ten men, but it did not and we really did not exploit the space as much as we should have.

I thought we were OK when we were on the offensive although I was concerned at our everpresent inability to see to corners.  At least during the second half with our subs we did better. The win should have been easier though and by more goals! 

Wilson MOTM. Jimenez and Leno were excellent. Encouraged by Kevin's second half performance and his work rate. I've been very critical of Berge and Diop but I thought both were very good today. I'm a fan of Robinson but he struggled defensively, as did Anderson to some extent. Lukic should have come on for Cairney when Chelsea started knocking on the door; that substitution was 10 minutes too late.

From a Chelsea perspective, I thought the Palmer substitution was bizarre. He was running their game and when he came off it changed the game in our favour.

Wilson for me,but thought the referee was decent for a change and worth a mention.COYW

I have to say I'm proud of the boys beating perhaps the nastiest group of players I've ever seen at the Cottage.

Voted for Harry of course. Runner up for his big effect on the match: Cuckoorella

Wilson a clear MoM, he was fantastic today as was Jimenez.  Castagne did a very good job on Pedro Neto too - a run of games and he's found his groove, with Neto breaking the PL record for dribbling sideways.  Sessegnon and Kevin, a great partnership.

Wilson's season is turning into the one Clint Dempsey had around 2012.  Hard work paying off.

Kevin just needs a goal. Who would have thought that at this point in the season his rainbow flick tally would exceed his goals scored and the way we would find out his goal celebration would be one of Ivan's daft competitions. Still think he's going to be as much a cheat code on the left as Saka is for Arsenal on the right.

Brilliant evening. Not a perfect performance, but who cares, we beat Chelsea.

Match Of The Day gave a glowing review of Harry just now, Danny Murphy spent a few minutes taking about him, and then they praised how he got the red card after.

Quote from: love4ffc on January 07, 2026, 09:48:16 PMI think credit is also due to Marco for changing the system at halftime from a 5 at the back to a more attacking 4 at the back.  Bringing on Kevin and taking off Cuenca, who was on a yellow, was a good decision. 

Yeah, thought so too. Credit to Marco Silva for some bold, decisive subs👏 Sess and Lukic coming on was also on the money.

Chelsea fans really seem to hate their players. I dont blame them.

Quote from: Sgt Fulham on January 07, 2026, 11:42:53 PMChelsea fans really seem to hate their players. I dont blame them.

Every Chelsea YouTuber seem to hate Tosin. I don't blame them for that.

I thought that Cairney was magnificent in the first half.

Harry as Danny Murphy said his intelligence in the box,without physicality
(Private joke "There is only one team in SW6) !

Wilson for me but great games from Berge and Super Bernt!!

Gone for Bernd today, crucial saves at 1-0.

Bloody nervy game, but we got through it. Love what Raul is doing atm.

Kevin and Sess made good impact off the bench. Subs came a bit late, and was a bit frustrated how much we sat back. Had Kevin's shot made it 2-0 think it could have been a rout.

Quote from: demeant0r on January 07, 2026, 11:48:59 PM

Quote from: Sgt Fulham on January 07, 2026, 11:42:53 PMChelsea fans really seem to hate their players. I dont blame them.

Every Chelsea YouTuber seem to hate Tosin. I don't blame them for that.
[/quot

Quote from: demeant0r on January 07, 2026, 11:48:59 PM

Quote from: Sgt Fulham on January 07, 2026, 11:42:53 PMChelsea fans really seem to hate their players. I dont blame them.

Every Chelsea YouTuber seem to hate Tosin. I don't blame them for that.

Tosin thinks a lot of himself for an average baller

Quote from: Coastwalker on January 07, 2026, 09:35:39 PMWhy have you got 1-1 as the score.😄

He's a closet Blue!!!!

Quote from: SP on January 07, 2026, 11:16:08 PMI have to say I'm proud of the boys beating perhaps the nastiest group of players I've ever seen at the Cottage.

That's a high bar.

Quote from: Stoneleigh Loyalist on January 07, 2026, 09:37:32 PMIt's funny how different people see the same match. I thought that it was a very tired slow display from Fulham but the sending off probably decided the match. My heart was in my mouth every time that they got a corner

We played well and held our own but I also worried about corners, Leno looked really vulnerable each time

I was worried about Timothy coming into the game but overall I think he did well given his lack of minutes this season.He won some important battles and headers!

As much as our subs really helped (which they did) we benefited from palmer coming off at the same time.

Motm is Wilson for me. What a player

My vote

Quote from: Simply91 on January 08, 2026, 07:12:50 AMI was worried about Timothy coming into the game but overall I think he did well given his lack of minutes this season.He won some important battles and headers!

As much as our subs really helped (which they did) we benefited from palmer coming off at the same time.

Motm is Wilson for me. What a player

My vote

We also benefited from Palmer, Enzo and Tosin all getting yellow cards in the aftermath of the red card

Quote from: Stoneleigh Loyalist on January 07, 2026, 09:37:32 PMIt's funny how different people see the same match. I thought that it was a very tired slow display from Fulham but the sending off probably decided the match. My heart was in my mouth every time that they got a corner

I agree.

Wilson, Smith Rowe & Diop for me ...but can't fault any player

Aint it nice that I am struggling to make my choice as everyone played so well. But I go for Harry as anyone who scores a winner against that lot is special. (recently Vinicius, Muniz) Well played everyone. A mention for Raul's celebration for his brilliant goal! I will not try to copy this.  ::thumb::  ::scarf::  ::scarf::  :claping20hands:     

It shout for Berge and Castange, but I went for Raul, for his sheer work rate and a well taken goal.

Terrific win and three points!  Had to vote Wilson motm.  Was dangerous the whole game, a real problem for Chelsea.

I thought after the red when game opened up a bit, we were a little dodgy and sloppy with some of our passing.  I think during this unbeaten run, our best overall performance was the Liverpool game, where I think we had cleaned up a lot of that sloppiness, easy giveaways and unforced errors.  But, still a good game v Chelsea.  Always a pleasure beating that lot!

Just because a team is up a man doesn't mean an automatic win or even a draw.  I thought FFC, with a few exceptions, played real well offensively and trying to take advantage of being up a man.  But these top clubs are loaded with talent, and it's still not an easy game to get a result.  Was it last season or the one before, when we played City and they were a man down for much of the match, and we still lost and actually looked like we were the team down a man.  So, cap tip to Jimenez, Wilson and the rest of the lads for a job well done v a loaded top club.

Robinson - thought he had poor game, very poor on his passing/crosses
Berge - one of his better games of the season
Leno - had good game
Sessegnon/Kevin - both played real well, and made that whole left side attack a real problem for Chelsea, when Kevin finally scores a goal he could really go off positively
Jimenez/Wilson - great jobs by both, scoring the goals, Wilson dangerous the whole game
Garnacho - glad he stayed on bench whole game, maybe being down a man tactically kept him there, always worried about him, really dangerous player, still remember how he beat us with goal at the death when with ManU
 

Quote from: KentFulham on January 08, 2026, 07:25:11 AMWe also benefited from Palmer, Enzo and Tosin all getting yellow cards in the aftermath of the red card

As did Mr. Silva, not wanting to be left out...which I thought was hilarious.

Garnacho on the bench was an error by the Under 21 boss as was substituting Palmer after they had equalised. Now they have a Premiership rookie to take the reins. Good luck Chelsea or rather not!

Additional to my post above - I thought our defensive set up to start the game (bend don't break) was very good prior to the red.  I think, if memory serves, we even had a couple half chances to score.  Anyway, looked similar to what we were doing v Liverpool, and we are a tough team to break down and score against when in that arrangement.  Of course, the red changed the game and play opened up. 

Quote from: WindyCity on January 08, 2026, 03:53:49 PMAdditional to my post above - I thought our defensive set up to start the game (bend don't break) was very good prior to the red.  I think, if memory serves, we even had a couple half chances to score.  Anyway, looked similar to what we were doing v Liverpool, and we are a tough team to break down and score against when in that arrangement.  Of course, the red changed the game and play opened up. 

We had two chances I think before the red, though we came close a couple of times to imploding with some very poor backpass/pass accross the box choices, Chelsea were pressing us here and we looked shaky. Once the red happened Chelsea all but gave up pressing the keeper.

https://x.com/FulHambone/status/2009108284893221315?s=20

Just seen this.

Orrible bunch of cheats

Shouldn't be surprised by anything from a club that revered John Terry.

Quote from: jayffc on January 09, 2026, 12:27:00 PMhttps://x.com/FulHambone/status/2009108284893221315?s=20

Just seen this.

Orrible bunch of cheats

I'm surprised this hasn't been flagged with its own thread to gain more exposure. The club should take this up as it's rare to see such blatant gamesmanship.  It should be punished, or at least called out officially.
Nogood "being appalled, isit" Boyo

I see Harrison Reed got a vote, I don't recall, but he must've had a fantastic seven minutes?

Quote from: SP on January 09, 2026, 02:50:09 PMI see Harrison Reed got a vote, I don't recall, but he must've had a fantastic seven minutes?

Methinks any time Harrison Thunderbolt Reed makes an appearance he is gonna garnish votes.  That strike is tattooed in my brain, and I suspect in many FFC fans heads too.

Quote from: WindyCity on January 09, 2026, 02:55:38 PM

Quote from: SP on January 09, 2026, 02:50:09 PMI see Harrison Reed got a vote, I don't recall, but he must've had a fantastic seven minutes?

Methinks any time Harrison Thunderbolt Reed makes an appearance he is gonna garnish votes.  That strike is tattooed in my brain, and I suspect in many FFC fans heads too.

Ah, Harley syndrome?

https://www.skysports.com/football/video/30998/13066663/on-this-day-jon-harleys-40-yard-screamer-against-aston-villa