Chelsea secured a crucial three points at Stamford Bridge in the early Premier League kick-off against west London rivals Fulham. Cole Palmer's penalty, after Raheem Sterling was fouled, ensured a 1-0 victory, marking the Blues' third consecutive win in the top-flight. Palmer's successful conversion marked his ninth Premier League goal of the season, guiding Chelsea to a hard-fought triumph.
Despite relentless pressure from Chelsea to find a second goal, they couldn't put the game to bed. Fulham had their moments, but Chelsea's goalkeeper, Djordje Petrovic, made key saves to preserve the clean sheet. Manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed satisfaction with his team's performance at Stamford Bridge, highlighting a positive start to the year in the Premier League.
With the win secured, Chelsea now enjoys a week-and-a-half break before their upcoming Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg clash against Middlesbrough. The victory not only bolsters Chelsea's position in the league but also sets a positive tone as they head into further challenging fixtures in 2024.
