Published on 03.10.2023
Mauricio Pochettino’s team secured their initial Premier League victory since August by defeating West London rivals Fulham 2-0 at Craven Cottage, with Mykhailo Mudryk scoring his debut goal for Chelsea.
Mudryk showcased his scoring prowess in the 18th minute by elegantly controlling Levi Colwill’s cross with his chest and slotting the ball into the net. This marked his first goal since his £88.5 million transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk in January.
Chelsea had encountered a goal drought in the Premier League since their win against Luton on August 25. However, their second goal came in a flash, as Armando Broja capitalized on Tim Ream’s mistake, finding the net just 20 seconds after the second kickoff. This marked Broja’s first start in 11 months.
As Fulham attempted to mount a response in the second half, Chelsea displayed sturdy defensive skills. However, the evening had its setbacks, with goal-scorers Mudryk and Broja both exiting the field due to apparent injuries. Moises Caicedo also limped off during stoppage time.
Pochettino downplayed these injury concerns in his post-match comments, instead expressing his joy at the victory. This win propels Chelsea to 11th place and could potentially mark a turning point following their lackluster start to the season. In contrast, Fulham remains in the 13th position.
Off the mark in style! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/tq5ArP8Qd2
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 2, 2023
While a third goal would have added some extra shine to the result, it was an overall satisfying night for the Blues, despite the additional potential injuries adding to their already lengthy list.
