Chelsea’s recent victory over Fulham showcased their resilience, as Pedro Neto’s late goal secured a 2-1 win. This triumph at Craven Cottage propelled Chelsea to fifth in the Premier League, keeping their Champions League aspirations alive.
Fulham initially led through Alex Iwobi, but substitute Tyrique George and Neto turned the game around in the final minutes.
Neto’s decisive goal, timed at 92:31, marked Chelsea’s latest winning strike in a Premier League London derby since 2006-07. Despite his pivotal role, Neto praised his teammates for their determination. “I think it could be a big part of the season for us. We showed character. To be honest, I have no words,” he expressed.
Reflecting on his goal, Neto shared his thoughts on the moment. “When I received the ball, I just span around and shot as hard as I can. The ball went in,” he said. He also mentioned his frustration after an earlier save by Leno, which motivated him to put more power into his second attempt.
Tyrique George made history by becoming Chelsea’s fifth-youngest Premier League goalscorer at 19 years and 75 days old. Neto commended George’s performance, stating, “What a finish it was. He has been working with us for a while.” George’s goal highlighted his potential and contributed significantly to Chelsea’s victory.
Enzo Maresca’s team ended an eight-game winless streak away from home with this result. Although Neto acknowledged that their performance wasn’t flawless, he believed they deserved the win due to their spirit and determination. “Sometimes in this game it is not about the quality; it’s about the spirit,” he noted.
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Fulham’s European Ambitions
For Fulham and manager Marco Silva, Neto’s late strike was a setback in their quest for European football. Currently ninth with five games remaining, Fulham trails by nine points from European qualification spots. Silva remains optimistic about finishing in the top six despite this defeat.
Silva emphasised the importance of upcoming matches: “We have five finals to play. We have to face it as it is.” Fulham has dropped 25 points from winning positions this season, only surpassed by Ipswich Town with 27 points lost under similar circumstances.
As Chelsea looks ahead to Everton, they aim to build on this momentum and maintain their position among the league leaders. Meanwhile, Fulham must regroup quickly to keep their European dreams alive amidst fierce competition from other clubs vying for similar goals.