CHELSEA 2-0 FULHAM: REPORT

Chelsea have moved up to third in the table with a 2-0 win over Fulham, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek continuing to improve for the Blues.

Source: BBC Sport

An early Pedro goal was added to by Loftus-Cheek in excellent fashion after some good link-up play with Eden Hazard.

Chelsea have now moved up to third in the Premier League table, and Fulham remain bottom of the division.

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HOW IT HAPPENED

Chelsea took an early lead against their rivals, in their first meeting in almost five years - just four minutes in.

Fulham's tactic of playing it out of their defence seemed a bit of a risk with the midfield ability that Chelsea possess.

N'Golo Kante did what he does best and dispossessed Jean Michael Seri and played the perfect through ball to Pedro, who finished well.

Olivier Giroud came close to a second for the Blues, but Sergio Rico saved well in the Cottagers' goal.

Giroud made one of his trademark near post runs and was again denied by Rico, after meeting a Cesar Azpilicueta cross.

After the restart, Pedro tested Rico once more, but it was a comfortable height for the Fulham goalkeeper, who was having a busy afternoon at Stamford Bridge.

Fulham had their best chance of the game when Calum Chambers' header was well saved by Kepa from a Fulham corner.

Chelsea missed a golden chance to double their advantage with not long left to go. Eden Hazard's deflected shot was parried by Rico into the path of Alvaro Morata, who fired over an open goal from six yards out.

Substitute Loftus-Cheek then linked up well with Hazard, playing a one-two, before a very assured finish from the England midfielder. Excellent play.

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THE MANAGERS

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri:

"We can't do much about the game against Tottenham - we played very badly and lost the game. Today was difficult, we started well and we had a good level of application.

"We created some opportunities for 2-0 but missed them - we were in control of the match and I was afraid only because I saw that the team were a bit tense. The last 15 minutes could have been a problem but then we scored.

"Ruben Loftus-Cheek played very well in the Europa League and I am very happy with him. Today Mateo Kovacic had a knock to his ankle so he came on, it is not a problem to play with him. He is improving and he will be very important for us in the future."

Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri:

"We played so so in the first half, we made a mistake for the first goal but we were much better in the second. We made chances but when you play big champions they can do that. It was a positive match for us, we are improving.

"It will be very emotional for me to play Leicester on Wednesday, but it is very important for us. I am positive."