Mauricio Pochettino hopes hard-fought win will benefit Chelsea
Mauricio Pochettino predicted Chelsea will benefit from having to “suffer” though the final minutes of their 1-0 win over Fulham at Stamford Bridge.
Cole Palmer’s first-half penalty was the difference but Marco Silva’s side never looked beaten and threw everything at their hosts in search of a late leveller.
Chelsea were perhaps fortunate not to lose Malo Gusto to a red card after 38 minutes for catching Willian with his studs, a VAR check confirming the on-field decision of a booking.
Effortless from the spot. #CFC | #CheFul pic.twitter.com/ojyS5yLC7U
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 13, 2024
Palmer scored his ninth goal since arriving from Manchester City in the summer when he slotted in from the spot on the stroke of half-time, a foul awarded against defender Issa Diop on Raheem Sterling after collecting Palmer’s sublime through-ball.
It was the kind of pass Chelsea have so often laboured to find this season, and that was the case for much of the first half here.
Indeed Fulham would have been more than good value for going in at the break level, and might even have taken the lead had Harry Wilson been more accurate with his far-post finish from Andreas Pereira’s cross, striking his effort too close to goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
Four home #PL wins on the bounce! #CFC | #CheFul pic.twitter.com/7XIknEdZQV
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 13, 2024
Chelsea’s best chance of the first 45 minutes prior to the goal fell to the head of Armando Broja who thumped wide from Enzo Fernandez’s cross. Sterling was a lingering threat down the left but on the whole was dealt with by Fulham right-back Kenny Tete.
“The first half wasn’t the first half that we sought or planned,” said Pochettino. “Something happened before the game, I don’t want
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