Wed | Nov 29, 2023

Mudryk, Broja score as Chelsea blank Fulham

Published:Tuesday | October 3, 2023 | 12:06 AM
Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the English Premier League match between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage in London yesterday.
AP
Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the English Premier League match between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage in London yesterday.

LONDON, England (AP):

Chelsea’s long wait for another English Premier League win came to an end yesterday with a 2-0 victory at Fulham.

Two goals in the space of a minute in the first half from Mykhailo Mudryk and Armando Broja secured the points for Mauricio Pochettino’s struggling team at Craven Cottage and moved them up to 11th in the standings.

It was Chelsea’s first win in the league since August 25, and only their second in the top flight all season.

The victory will give Pochettino something to build on after such a troubled start to the season, and comes after his side beat Brighton in the English League Cup last week.

It has not been an easy start for Pochettino after he was hired at the end of last season and charged with the responsibility of returning Chelsea to their glory days.

Despite his appointment lifting the mood around the club after their worst-ever Premier League season last term, there has been no instant uplift in form.

Chelsea’s only win in the league going into yesterday’s game had come against newly promoted Luton, and their only other victories had come in the League Cup.

That is despite owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital spending big in the transfer market again in the off season.

But Chelsea were well on their way to ensuring their first away win of the season, after scoring two goals in quick succession in the first half.

Mudryk opened the scoring in the 18th after finishing off Levi Colwill’s pass.

Broja then doubled the lead a minute later, with summer signing from Manchester City, Cole Palmer, providing the assist.

In the second half, substitute Ian Maatsen was close to adding a third when his side-footed effort came back off the post. Enzo Fernandez tried to convert the rebound but his shot was blocked by Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

Fulham substitute Sasa Lukic had the chance to pull a goal back in the 77th with a shot from around six yards, but he fired straight at Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez.