Metlife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Chelsea FC made the short trip to Craven Cottage to face their local rivals Fulham FC in the West London Derby. The teams went into the game with opposite ambitions. Chelsea were looking to add three points, and distance themselves from the other title contenders. While Fulham are in a desperate race to stay in the top flight. The game saw the return of Andre Schurrle and Nemanja Matic to the starting XI for the Blues.
Fulham were almost given a dream start, as loanee Clint Dempsey got onto the end of a cross in just the third minute, but sent the ball agonizingly wide of Petr Cech’s far post.
Fulham keeper Maarten Steklenburg had a series of close calls in the beginning of the game. The most dangerous one came in the 14th minute, as he took his to the clear the ball, Fernando Torres charged in and got in the way of his attempted kick. Torres then took the ball down, and got a shot off, but could not convert the opportunity. Aside from this, Chelsea were largely disappointing in the first half, not creating many clear chances.
However, Fulham pleased their home fans by showing a couple more signs of life. In the 38th minute it was Dempsey threatening again, this time after receiving a pass from Scott Parker. Dempsey thought he had a chance to get a shot off, but Gary Cahill came in and took the ball off of his foot.
Again Fulham made the traveling fans nervous, after a well orchestrated set piece tested Cech. After a couple of dummies, Patjim Kasami fired a low shot at Cech’s goal, but the keeper was able to get in front and keep the ball out.
At the half it was 0-0, with neither team looking ready to break the deadlock.
Any doubt that may have crept into the minds of Chelsea fans at halftime was put to rest after an excellent 2nd half performance from the Blues.
Eden Hazard would work his magic in the 52nd minute, and find Andre Schurrle streaking down the right flank. Schurrle nodded the ball down and cut in front of his marker, then proceeded to finish calmly, giving Chelsea the lead they wanted
Just minutes later Hazard found Torres with a lofted ball into the box, but the Spain international had his header blocked. But in the 64th minute Chelsea would double their lead, again Hazard finding Schurrle, who finished far post giving himself a brace.
Five minutes later the game looked to be all but over. Torres did well to claim a header near the halfway line, and played in Schurrle again, who made another good run behind the Fulham defense. He continued on towards goal, and did well on the finish, giving himself a hat trick.
The Cottagers would not go down without a whimper though. In the 73rd minute the home fans were given a bit of hope, as Johnny Heitinga pounced on a corner kick after Chelsea couldn’t clear their lines.
As Jose Mourinho insists his Chelsea team do, today they were able to “kill off” the game, effectively slamming the door after Fulham were able to pull one back. Chelsea fans will be pleased to have gotten one over on one of their rivals, and extend their premier league lead.
Man of the Match – Andre Schurrle: It could have gone to either Schurrle or Hazard. While Hazard was the man setting up the plays, Schurrle did well to bag three goals, on the road no less.
Follow us on Twitter at @PrideOLondon
Like us on Facebook at The Pride of London