Chelsea 1-2 Fulham PLAYER RATINGS: Which star needed more help in midfield? Who lacked the necessary spark? And which player still managed to impress at Stamford Bridge?
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Fulham snatched victory from west London rivals Chelsea with a smash-and-grab 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day. The Blues have made their Fulham Road home a fortress to their nearest neighbours, who had failed to win at the ground since 1979. In the first-half, surprise title-contenders Chelsea looked to be setting up a routine victory, with Cole Palmer supplying the initial lead courtsey of a superb individual goal in the 16th minute.
![[Marc Cucurella came close to helping get Chelsea over the line but couldn't find the winner]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/26/17/93498287-14227753-image-a-41_1735233244836.jpg)
But as the hosts failed to build on their lead, Fulham grew in stature, with Harry Wilson finding the equaliser eight minutes before the end of normal time. With both sides chasing a lead, it was the visitors who ended on top thanks to Rodrigo Muniz's latest of winners five minutes into extra time.
![[The Blues' budding title aspirations may have faltered before they really began in 2024-25]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/26/17/93498299-14227753-image-a-43_1735233264812.jpg)
But who managed to distinguish themselves on a difficult day for Enzo Maresca's men? And who should have done more to avert disaster?. Chelsea lost to west London rivals Fulham for the first time in over 45 years on Boxing Day. Marc Cucurella came close to helping get Chelsea over the line but couldn't find the winner.
![[Robert Sanchez has been an uneven player for Chelsea but made some impressive saves]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/26/17/93498385-14227753-image-a-47_1735233503455.jpg)
The Blues' budding title aspirations may have faltered before they really began in 2024-25. Robert Sanchez – 6. Some of the saves made by Sanchez were spectacular as it looked like he was inspiring Chelsea towards victory. Sadly, all that hard work was undone in the 82nd and 95th minutes.
![[Levi Colwill (centre) found the back of the net but saw his would-be winner chalked off by VAR]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/26/17/93498387-14227753-image-a-46_1735233499296.jpg)
