Analysis The numbers behind the result
Chelsea's clinical edge trumps Fulham's possession dominance
Despite Fulham's 61% possession advantage and a higher pass accuracy (86% vs 81%), Chelsea were more efficient in front of goal, converting a marginally higher xG (1.70 vs 1.35) into three goals. The Blues scored with their first shot through Joao Pedro inside a minute, setting the tone for a performance where they maximised limited spells of control. Fulham's 14 shots (6 on target) matched Chelsea's 18 (6 on target), but the visitors' superior shot placement inside the box (13 attempts vs 7) proved decisive.
Chelsea's early lead (Joao Pedro 1') and quick response to Fulham's equaliser (Morgan Rogers 41', assisted by Lacroix) showcased their transitional threat, with Cole Palmer's 49th-minute strike (assisted by Joao Pedro) ultimately proving the winner. Fulham's Gonzalo Garcia (54') kept them in contention, but their 6 corners to Chelsea's 4 yielded no reward. The key stat: Chelsea scored 3 goals from 1.70 xG, outperforming their expected output by 1.3 goals, while Fulham's 2 goals from 1.35 xG left them 0.65 shy of parity.