CHELSEA ENDED A run of four winless games to beat Fulham 2-0 and move to the top of the Premier League on Saturday, after Southampton stunned previous leaders Liverpool earlier in the day.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho created a stir by dropping Juan Mata from his squad for the visit of west London rivals Fulham and saw his side struggle to create chances in the first half at Stamford Bridge.
Indeed, the away side procured the best opportunity of the opening 45 minutes, only for Darren Bent to shoot straight at Petr Cech when sent clear by Pajtim Kasami.
It was Chelsea who made the breakthrough, however, with Oscar scrambling home from close range in the 52nd minute after Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale parried from Andre Schurrle and Samuel Eto’o.
After consecutive losses to Everton and Basel, it was a timely victory for the Europa League champions, who lead the standings on goal difference from Liverpool, albeit having played a game more than several of the teams below them.
“The beauty of the Premier League is that everybody loses matches,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.
“So no dramas. I agree that we are not playing very well, I agree that the results have not been very, very good, but the reality is that we are there, we have 10 points.
“Maybe tomorrow, Arsenal, Tottenham, they have 12, but they don’t have 20.”
Mata-less Chelsea go top of Premier League in convincing style
CHELSEA ENDED A run of four winless games to beat Fulham 2-0 and move to the top of the Premier League on Saturday, after Southampton stunned previous leaders Liverpool earlier in the day.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho created a stir by dropping Juan Mata from his squad for the visit of west London rivals Fulham and saw his side struggle to create chances in the first half at Stamford Bridge.
Indeed, the away side procured the best opportunity of the opening 45 minutes, only for Darren Bent to shoot straight at Petr Cech when sent clear by Pajtim Kasami.
It was Chelsea who made the breakthrough, however, with Oscar scrambling home from close range in the 52nd minute after Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale parried from Andre Schurrle and Samuel Eto’o.
YouTube: Highlights21Neymar
John Obi Mikel made it 2-0 in the 84th minute, converting a John Terry knock-down from close range to end his 185-game wait for a first league goal.
YouTube: livescoreHD
After consecutive losses to Everton and Basel, it was a timely victory for the Europa League champions, who lead the standings on goal difference from Liverpool, albeit having played a game more than several of the teams below them.
“The beauty of the Premier League is that everybody loses matches,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.
“So no dramas. I agree that we are not playing very well, I agree that the results have not been very, very good, but the reality is that we are there, we have 10 points.
“Maybe tomorrow, Arsenal, Tottenham, they have 12, but they don’t have 20.”
(C) AFP, 2013
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