Mason Mount’s 79th-minute half-volley was enough to secure a much-needed 1-0 victory for Chelsea away against the 10-men of Fulham.
Antonee Robinson was shown red just before the break after a rash challenge on Cesar Azpilicueta in what proved to be the catalyst for a Blues victory.
Mount was once again the standout player for Chelsea and his manager Frank Lampard heaped praise on the 22-year-old post-match, saying: ‘He was outstanding, he has been outstanding for us this season and last season. He’s maturing all the time he just turned 22 last week and his general play was great.
‘He deserved that goal tonight. He cares about and wants to be top player for this club and I’m really happy to have him.’
Despite having won just once in their last six matches in the league, Chelsea started on the front foot and kept Fulham loanee goalkeeper Alphonse Areola busy in the opening exchanges. Hakim Ziyech and Olivier Giroud tested the Frenchman before Mount then saw his half-volley rattle the crossbar.
The Cottagers grew into the game and looked to create chances themselves – the best of which was spurned by Ivan Cavaleiro who shot onto his own foot with only Edouard Mendy to beat.
The game-changing moment came in the 44th minute when Robinson lunged in late on Azpilicueta with his studs raised and, despite not making contact with them directly, it was enough for referee Peter Banks give the American his marching orders.
The hosts had the chance to regroup at half-time and came out in the second half looking to defend the point they had by sitting back.
The Blues were frustrated for the mos part and failed to create any clear-cut chances before Azpilicueta and Mendy’s mix-up gifted Cavaleiro another chance to give Fulham the lead but this time it was Thiago Silva who blocked to save the Senegalese keeper’s blushes.
Lampard made three attacking substitutions in search of the winner and that eventually came when Areola could only parry Ben Chilwell’s cross into the path of Mount – who this time made no mistake, keeping his effort low to drill into the back of the net.
Chelsea had a golden chance to double their lead in stoppage time but substitute Timo Werner fired well-wide having raced through on goal to see his league goal drought move to 10 games.
By Sajidur Rahman
