Fulham 0-2 Chelsea: 3 Blues talking points from victory

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LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 02: Marc Cucurella of Chelsea controls the ball during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Chelsea FC at Craven Cottage on October 02, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) /

Three Blues talking points from Chelsea’s West London derby win

Two wins in two for Chelsea as Cucurella played a huge role on both occasions

After securing a 1-0 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, it was crucial for The Blues to continue their momentum with a league win against Fulham. With only five points from the first six games, the Blues’ performance has resembled that of a team facing relegation and the injury list isn’t helping. There was one Blue who stepped in at a crucial time, and with no right-backs available, he had to be forced to play out of position. This left-back put his name back into Poch’s plans.

Despite not having played a single minute in the Premier League under Pochettino until tonight, Marc Cucurella’s unexpected role shift to right-back seemed precarious at first. Yet, after gaining some experience against his former club in the Carabao Cup, the 25-year-old tackled his new position with commendable skill. His improved positional awareness, not typically considered one of his strong suits, was particularly noteworthy, and he managed to handle playing on the opposite side without apparent difficulty.

However, with wins in both the cup and against Fulham, there’s a positive shift in their outlook. This marks the first Premier League win for Mauricio Pochettino’s side since August. With this victory, they have climbed to the 11th position in the league standings.

Cole Palmer’s price-tag looks to be worthy

In the Carabao Cup match last week, the 21-year-old earned his first start for Chelsea. After delivering the game-winning assist, he retained his spot in the starting lineup for this game. Once more, the dynamic playmaker orchestrated a goal and exhibited a top-notch performance, showcasing an array of skills, including deft tricks, precise flicks, and crucial interceptions. Despite the hefty £45 million investment from Chelsea to acquire him from Manchester City, it’s evident that they’ve secured a remarkable talent.

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