Chelsea 1-0 Fulham LIVE REACTION: Palmer inspires Blues to west London derby win at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 1-0 Fulham - REACTION

Right, that's it from us this afternoon as Chelsea seal a hard-fought win in the west London derby to ease some of the tension around Mauricio Pochettino.

Cole Palmer was the difference once again as he slammed home the winning penalty in first-half stoppage time.

From there, the Blues dug in and can be pleased with three points.

We hope you enjoyed the coverage and will see you all again soon.

If you want to know more, read our match report.

Pochettino pleased with performance

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino was happy with his side's display in their 1-0 win over Fulham.

Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: "There was different momentum during the game.

"I think the first half was tough. Second half, I think we played really well for the first 30 minutes.

"In the end, we were the better side, and I am so pleased because we needed the three points."

Chelsea up to eighth

That's a huge win for the Blues, who now find themselves in eighth in the Premier League.

Gusto a lucky boy

It's clear that Marco Silva feels that Malo Gusto was very lucky.

He doesn't blame Anthony Taylor for the decision and is annoyed that VAR didn't step in.

On reflection, it was a dangerous challenge from the right-back on Willian, and he got away with one.

Silva reflects on defeat

Fulham boss Marco Silva has been speaking to TNT Sports about the Cottagers' 1-0 defeat to Chelsea.

He said: "Chelsea started better than us. After the first 15 minutes, we started to get into the game. They had moments, we had moments.

"We had a very good chance through Harry [Wilson] to take the lead. Unfortunately, the penalty gives them the chance to take the lead.

"Before that, we have to talk about the red card. It has to be a red card for Malo Gusto. It's difficult to understand how things aren't consistent.

"It's a clear dangerous foul on Willian.

"Second half, we tried to react, and the players fought until the end. They gave everything and I want to thank our fans for their great support."

Some company

Chelsea 1-0 Fulham - REACTION

Chelsea remain unbeaten at home against Fulham in the Premier League (P17 W11 D6), only Arsenal have hosted a specific opponent more often at home in the competition without ever losing (P24 W16 D8 vs Southampton). Over half of Chelsea’s Premier League wins this season have come since the start of December (5/9), with only Liverpool (17) picking up more points in the competition in that time than the Blues (15). Fulham have lost each of their last five Premier League games away from home, while this is the first time they’ve lost three games consecutively without scoring on the road in the competition since December 2018.

Palmer reflects on win

Chelsea's matchwinner Cole Palmer has been speaking to TNT Sports about the 1-0 win over Fulham.

He said: "Fulham are a good side. We knew it wasn't going to be easy, so to get the three points, I am delighted.

"After the game [Middlesbrough], I was disappointed, but it's one of those, so I just wanted to put it behind me, and I scored.

"It's my job as one of the forwards to get a goal."

Chelsea 1-0 Fulham - REACTION

Cole Palmer was talkSPORT's Man of the Match, and rightly so.

He was the difference between the two sides today as his penalty sealed a win for the hosts.

But he should have had a few assists to go along with his goals because he was excellent throughout.

And he massively impressed Martin Keown, who said: "If only more players could copy Cole Palmer. He was the only calm head on the pitch. Even Thiago Silva was panicking at the end. Palmer was the difference between the two teams.

“He could rescue Chelsea’s season this year.”

Chelsea 1-0 Fulham - FULL TIME

There goes the whistle and it's a huge win for the hosts.

They had to dig in at the end, but they've just about done enough to claim three points.

Palmer's ninth Premier League goal and fifth penalty of the season was the difference.

The visitors offered very little until the last ten minutes and their awful run at Stamford Bridge goes on.

Chelsea 1-0 Fulham - Chance

90+' - It's a stunning ball in from Willian.

Muniz heads it across goal for Decordova-Reid.

He throws himself at it and Chelsea make a huge block before Fernandez stops Cairney's effort.

Chelsea 1-0 Fulham

90+' - Late free-kick for the visitors wide on the right.

The Fulham fans are chanting 'Leno, Leno, Leno' as they want the goalkeeper to come forward.

He doesn't, but here comes the free-kick...

Chelsea 1-0 Fulham

90+' - Chukwuemeka and Gilchrist come on for Palmer and Gusto.

Chelsea 1-0 Fulham

90+' - Five minutes of added time indicated as Madueke warms Leno's gloves with a low left-footed shot.

Chelsea 1-0 Fulham

89' - Castagne peels out to the right and curls a pass in behind the Chelsea defence.

Decordova-Reid gives chase, but Petrovic comes off his line and gathers.

Chelsea 1-0 Fulham

88' - This is really end-to-end now.

Fulham are throwing everything they have at the Blues, who look dangerous on the break.

Positive sight for Chelsea

Chelsea 1-0 Fulham

86' - Willian steps up and smashes his effort at goal.

It whizzes about a yard over the bar.

He absolutely lashed that one.

Keown: "That's a let off for Chelsea."

Chelsea 1-0 Fulham

84' - Down the other end, Colwill fouls Muniz right on the edge of the box.

Willian and Cairney are eyeing up this one.

This is a brilliant position for a free-kick...

Chelsea 1-0 Fulham

83' - Gallagher smashes the outside of the post with a stunning effort.

Chelsea come down the right and Gusto's cross drops for the midfielder on the edge of the box, and he slices a strike that beats Leno but rattles the post.

Chelsea 1-0 Fulham

82' - Lukic and Munix enter the field in place of Pereira and Palhinha.

Chelsea 1-0 Fulham

81' - Decent ball in from Chilwell.

It drops for Madueke, but Gusto loses it.

Jimenez sees Petrovic off his line and goes for goal from inside his half.

It's a brilliant idea, but the ball doesn't have the flight and Petrovic deals with it.

Chelsea 1-0 Fulham

80' - Chilwell is playing on the left wing and wins a corner off Castagne.

He will take the corner...

Chelsea 1-0 Fulham

78' - Jimenez bursts through the Chelsea midfield.

He skips by Thiago Silva, who brings him down, and the Brazilian goes into the book.

Keown: "That was an example where he got done for pace and started blaming other people."

Chelsea 1-0 Fulham

75' - The Brazilian smashes in an effort that flies miles over the bar and that signals Chilwell's return.

Sterling goes off, and he takes the captain's armband to huge cheers.

Hopefully, he can stay fit.