Fulham vs Chelsea LIVE! Premier League result, match stream and latest updates today

Fulham vs Chelsea LIVE!

A west London derby under the lights on the banks of the River Thames rounds off another thrilling Premier League weekend tonight. Chelsea make the short journey to Craven Cottage hoping desperately that last week’s nervy Carabao Cup win over Brighton can kickstart a much-needed turnaround in the top-flight under Mauricio Pochettino, who has overseen their worst start to a season since 1978-79.

The Blues sit down in 15th place after taking just five points from their first six league matches this term, winning only two of their last 18 in total as last season’s horrendous struggles have continued. Pochettino will be missing his cup match-winner Nicolas Jackson this evening due to suspension and requires others to step up for a goal-shy attack that is surprisingly led by the fit-again Armando Broja, plus Cole Palmer.

Mid-table Fulham have eight points in the bank so far but will be aiming to turbo-charge their own campaign with only a third Premier League win over their local rivals in 33 attempts, having bested them here 2-1 back in January. Follow Fulham vs Chelsea live with Standard Sport below, featuring expert analysis from Nizaar Kinsella and Dom Smith at Craven Cottage.

Fulham vs Chelsea latest news

• Caicedo limps off in stoppage time

• Broja also forced off with injury after break

• Mudryk goes off at half-time for Chelsea

• GOAL! Broja makes it two in 82 seconds after Ream error

• GOAL! Confident Mudryk fires Chelsea in front early

Fulham FC 0 - 2 Chelsea FC

22:11 , George Flood

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

22:00 , George Flood

Full-time

A much-improved performance from Chelsea and a much-needed win - only their second in the league this term - to claim west London bragging rights and move up to 11th in the table.

Mudryk with his first goal at last and Broja’s first since October 2022, though Pochettino will hope neither is badly injured after they both went off.

Likewise Caicedo, who limped off in stoppage time.

Plenty of positives for Chelsea though, not least the display of summer signing Palmer on his full league debut. They travel to Turf Moor to face Burnley on Saturday.

Fulham suffer their third league loss of the season and slip down to 12th ahead of hosting troubled Sheffield United next weekend.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:59 , George Flood

97 mins: We’re into the added on time in added time after a couple of injury breaks beyond the 90 minutes.

Iwobi gets away with a poor pass back to Castagne that is almost seized upon by Sterling, but the ball ricochets off the England winger and back to Leno.

Fulham with one last venture forward, but Vinicius can’t trouble Sanchez and the final whistle sounds.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:56 , George Flood

94 mins: Caicedo does well to track back and shut off the threat of Willian, with both players down now after colliding in rather painful fashion.

They each receive treatment as Noni Madueke and young Alex Matos come on for the final 30 seconds or so of this game for Chelsea.

Fernandez and Caicedo go off.

Caicedo limping off very gingerly indeed. Yet another injury concern for Pochettino to contend with.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:54 , George Flood

92 mins: Fernandez is down now and writhing in pain after being wrestled and kicked by Palhinha, then having his legs taken out by Willian.

Pure frustration from Fulham, but Pochettino won’t want to sustain any more injury worries with goalscorers Mudryk and Broja both forced off already tonight to add to their extensive list of absentees.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:52 , George Flood

90 mins: Five minutes of additional time have been signalled at Craven Cottage.

Fulham still not lacking for industry but they look a beaten side.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:50 , George Flood

88 mins: Sanchez gratefully gathers a Castagne cut-back before Gallagher is named as man of the match.

It’s just not happened for Fulham in front of goal tonight.

But how different things might have been had Lukic steered home that golden chance.

“We’re gonna bounce in a minute,” is the chant from the Chelsea fans, who are certainly enjoying themselves tonight.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:48 , George Flood

86 mins: Vinicius steers another tame header wide.

Sanchez now booked for time-wasting.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:46 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Craven Cottage

Fulham have had a much better second half. It makes conceding twice in 82 seconds in the first period all the more agonising.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:45 , George Flood

83 mins: Time is really running out for the Fulham comeback now as Willian speeds in off the left flank, leaving Fernandez trailing before an ambitious long-range attempt is fired straight at Sanchez.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:43 , George Flood

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:42 , George Flood

78 mins: Palmer off for Chelsea now after another fine display on his full league debut for the club.

He’s replaced by Lesley Ugochukwu.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:39 , George Flood

77 mins: How is that not 2-1?!

Willian drives down the left and into the box, picking out Cairney who turns and threads a glorious pass through for Lukic.

Either side of the ‘keeper with the close-range finish and that’s a goal, but instead substitute Lukic steers straight at him.

What a chance.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:38 , George Flood

75 mins: Fulham’s fourth change of the night sees the fit-again Sasa Lukic replace Pereira.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:36 , George Flood

73 mins: Fulham have had success down the flanks at times tonight, with Ream sweeping a pass out to Castagne.

The Belgian passes inside to Iwobi, whose clipped cross is headed straight at Sanchez by Vinicius.

That was a tough header - he had to try and generate some sort of power but couldn’t do it.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:34 , George Flood

72 mins: Chelsea, to their credit, have rather taken the sting out of that brief Fulham rally and are looking extremely comfortable at 2-0 as things stand.

The hosts need a spark inside the final 20 minutes.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:32 , George Flood

68 mins: Sterling kicks the ball away and gets a quick yellow card for his troubles.

He protests that he never heard the whistle, but referee Tim Robinson isn’t interested.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:28 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Craven Cottage

There are serious questions about the decision to play Armando Broja for 63 minutes here after the first heavy tackle he received forced him off with another knee injury.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:28 , George Flood

66 mins: Fulham send on their captain now.

Tom Cairney replaces Reed.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:25 , George Flood

65 mins: Concern for Broja here, who has stayed down for some treatment and will be going off.

He limps off, hopefully that’s not a serious setback for the Albanian striker.

Sterling comes on in his place.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:24 , George Flood

63 mins: So, so close to 3-0 for Chelsea!

It’s great link-up play between Gallagher and Broja, with the former’s cut-back steered against the post by Maatsen.

Fernandez takes a great first touch and his follow-up attempt is saved by Leno.

That should have been game over.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:23 , George Flood

61 mins: Chance for Fulham!

They make great inroads down the right flank and Reed’s useful cross is headed over by a leaping Vinicius.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:21 , George Flood

60 mins: Fulham are seeing a lot of the ball now as we tick past the hour mark, with Iwobi offering an obvious spark from the bench despite that wasted opportunity a few minutes ago.

69 per cent possession for the hosts in the last five minutes, with Chelsea presumably content to sit off and then try to pick them off again on the counter to put the game to bed.

It’s a risky strategy from Pochettino’s men.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:20 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Craven Cottage

Chelsea need to be careful here.

They have begun to sit off and look passive after going two goals up.

It has offered Fulham some encouragement. Their support hasn’t given up and neither have Marco Silva’s players.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:19 , George Flood

58 mins: Tempers are fraying now as Vinicius bizarrely slaps fellow Brazilian Thiago Silva in the head and then angrily pushes him when he goes down.

He’s lucky to avoid a caution for that, though Pereira has been booked for dissent.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:18 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Craven Cottage

Not a bad start to the second half from Fulham. Iwobi and Vinicius come on from the bench.

Two players plenty of fans wanted to see start this match. They’re on now. Interesting to see whether either can make an impact.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:18 , George Flood

56 mins: Nice play from Fulham to get down the left as Robinson’s fine cross to the back post is tamely tapped back inside by Iwobi, who should have aimed a volley at goal but was caught in two minds.

Some feisty derby challenges going in now as stand-in Chelsea captain Gallagher clatters Palhinha.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:16 , George Flood

55 mins: Industrious play from both Caicedo and Broja leads to a shooting opportunity for Palmer, whose bending effort is easily held by Leno.

Palmer then has his name taken for a really unnecessary challenge on Robinson.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:14 , George Flood

52 mins: Iwobi and Vinicius do indeed enter the west London derby fray, with Wilson and Jimenez off.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:13 , George Flood

50 mins: Fulham are beginning to ask a few more questions now after that latest reprieve, but Colwill and Thiago Silva are defending stoutly at the moment.

A double change is imminent from Marco Silva, with Alex Iwobi and Carlos Vinicius about to come on.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:09 , George Flood

48 mins: The first chance of the second half falls for Chelsea, with Broja in front of Diop as he flicks a header from Palmer’s cross over the bar.

You sense there are definitely more goals in this for Pochettino’s rejuvenated side.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:08 , George Flood

Watch: Broja quickly doubles Chelsea’s lead

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:08 , George Flood

Watch: Mudryk scores first Premier League goal

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

21:05 , George Flood

A concern for Chelsea here with impressive goalscorer Mudryk coming off at the break, presumably due to injury.

Ian Maatsen is on in his place.

That’s the last thing Pochettino needs amid this ongoing fitness crisis.

Back underway at Craven Cottage. No changes from Fulham just yet.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

20:58 , George Flood

Stat attack

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

20:58 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Craven Cottage

Raheem Sterling, Noni Madueke and Lesley Ugochukwu are all warming up with some purpose. A possible triple half-time change is coming from Chelsea.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

20:57 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Craven Cottage

That was one of the most frustrating halves Fulham supporters have had to endure for a long, long time.

Marco Silva appeared to be quietly boiling with anger on the touchline during a lot of it — and who, really, can blame him?

The goals Chelsea scored within two minutes, finished by Mudryk and Broja, were so poor from a defensive perspective. Fulham deserve to return to the dressing room two down, and indeed they do.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

20:56 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Craven Cottage

Mauricio Pochettino left the field briefing Cole Palmer, despite him being one of the outstanding performers on the ball.

He has seen something he doesn’t like, probably a defensive or off-the-ball issue.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

20:51 , George Flood

Half-time

Two goals in a minute from Mudryk - his first in blue - and Broja have much-improved Chelsea firmly on course for only a second top-flight win of the season.

Fulham dreadful in that opening 45 and the game may already be lost, unless Marco Silva can inspire a rousing second-half fightback.

So flat for a derby.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

20:50 , George Flood

47 mins: Almost an awkward moment in that Chelsea defence but a springing Sanchez leaps out to snuff out the danger posed by Jimenez.

The Blues break and almost fashion another chance at the other end on the stroke of half-time.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

20:48 , George Flood

45 mins: Two minutes of added time have been signalled at the end of this first half.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

20:48 , George Flood

43 mins: Fulham earn another late first-half corner as Disasi blocks from Willian.

But this time they can’t fashion any sort of chance.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

20:45 , George Flood

41 mins: Fulham can’t handle Mudryk’s pace and trickery for the most part and a frustrated body check from Palhinha gives the Ukrainian the chance to flight a free-kick into the box.

He aims for Disasi, but a Fulham head meets the ball first and the offside flag is up anyway.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

20:43 , George Flood

39 mins: Brighter from Fulham as they earn a corner that is whipped in from the right.

Fernandez opts not to challenge Jimenez but rather just stands there and does enough to ensure that the Mexican steers his header wide of Sanchez’s far post.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

20:42 , George Flood

37 mins: Chelsea look like scoring virtually every time they come forward so far tonight.

The Fulham midfield and defence are being cut through so easily, this time they are lucky to survive after Broja is set free to the byline and plays a dangerous low ball across the six-yard box with Leno in trouble.

That’s 3-0 if someone in blue gambles there. A hot knife through butter springs to mind.

Pereira probably fortunate to avoid joining Cucurella in the book for slamming into a challenge on Gallagher.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

20:39 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Craven Cottage

Fulham fans are voicing their frustration here, at what they deem a pretty abject performance from their side so far.

Harry Wilson just delivered a free-kick from the left wing from a decent position. A Fulham player in the box was flagged offside from the delivery and the chance was over.

They won’t be making their way back into the game with basic errors like that.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

20:38 , George Flood

33 mins: Fulham have a chance to swing in a free-kick from Wilson wide on the left after Cucurella’s not-so-subtle challenge on the wily Willian.

But Chelsea easily repel the delivery into the middle as the offside flag goes up.

“How s**t must you be, we’re winning away” and “only one team in Fulham” are among the noisy chants currently getting an airing from the jubilant away end at Craven Cottage.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

20:36 , George Flood

31 mins: Some murmurs of frustration from the home fans now as they struggle to get past Chelsea’s effective high press.

Cucurella goes into the book for taking out Willian, who had him beaten all ends up down that Fulham left.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

20:31 , George Flood

28 mins: Fulham have been so desperately sloppy in possession so far tonight as well as woeful at the back.

Diop gifts it to Fernandez, who plays a superb first-time pass for Palmer.

The former Manchester City man is crowded out before another dire clearance from Ream is slammed over by Fernandez.

The hosts need to get a grip here, and quickly.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

20:30 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Craven Cottage

Goals are like buses for Chelsea, who have waited three matches for it and got two - a brilliant one from Mykhailo Mudryk and one that needed some overdue luck from Armando Broja.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

20:29 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Craven Cottage

Quite a painful minute for Fulham, that.

Two quick-fire goals from Chelsea have left the hosts looking, almost unanimously, at the turf.

Tim Ream at fault twice for the second goal. He looks absolutely dejected.

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

20:29 , George Flood

26 mins: Stunned Fulham are doing their best to mount a response here but Chelsea’s defence are standing firm.

Here come Chelsea again and Mudryk’s fierce low cross is crucially held by Leno.

Mudryk is causing Fulham all sorts of problems in this first half.

GOAL! Fulham 0-2 Chelsea | Armando Broja 19’

20:21 , George Flood

20 mins: Goals like London buses for Chelsea!

It’s two in just a minute as Palmer seizes on a dreadful pass from Ream, finding Broja.

Ream actually then ends up kicking it at Broja and the ball slams in.

An absolute horror show from Fulham, but Chelsea are rolling at long last.

GOAL! Fulham 0-1 Chelsea | Mykhailo Mudryk 18'

20:20 , George Flood

18 mins: Chelsea strike first in the west London derby!

Mudryk ghosts in behind Diop to collect Colwill’s lofted ball from the left and fire confidently through the legs of Leno.

That will do him the world of good.

Woeful defending from Fulham, though.

Fulham 0-0 Chelsea

20:19 , George Flood

16 mins: A shaky hoofed clearance from Cucurella there as Fulham start to apply some pressure, earning a corner.

Pereira’s delivery from the right is flicked on dangerously by a speeding Jimenez at the front post, but Chelsea scramble clear.

Fulham 0-0 Chelsea

20:17 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Craven Cottage

Occasional streaks of lightning and rumbles of thunder here at Craven Cottage.

It makes for a great occasion on a chilly Monday night. The football has started well, though Chelsea have been well on top.

Fulham 0-0 Chelsea

20:13 , George Flood

10 mins: Fulham are absolutely wide open in midfield here as sharp Chelsea build another promising attack that starts with Sanchez and sees Colwill find Fernandez in acres of space.

The Argentine drives through the middle with purpose before laying off to Mudryk, who cuts inside his man before blasting well off target to more ironic cheers from the home faithful.

The finishing has been wretched from Chelsea so far tonight, but the build-up play looks very positive indeed.

Fulham 0-0 Chelsea

20:11 , George Flood

8 mins: The oft-maligned Mudryk has generally been much better for Chelsea of late, but that’s poor as he looks to take on Castagne after some incisive and quick build-up play from Pochettino’s side.

The Ukrainian gets it all wrong and the ball rolls harmlessly out of play for a pressure-relieving Leno goal kick.

Fulham 0-0 Chelsea

20:09 , George Flood

6 mins: It’s combative stuff early on at the Cottage, with Caicedo in the thick of it for Chelsea, whose travelling fans are in fine voice.

Chelsea are seeing a lot of the ball in the initial exchanges and playing some good stuff.

Fulham 0-0 Chelsea

20:07 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Craven Cottage

This match has started at a rampant pace. Diop in with a crunching challenge on Mudryk, then Broja hammers over — both sides making inroads in the opposition’s half already. Very competitive start here at Craven Cottage.

Fulham 0-0 Chelsea

20:05 , George Flood

3 mins: A lively start to this derby with Fulham almost getting in down the Chelsea left and Diop then smashing into Mudryk.

Broja has a brilliant early chance for the Blues with Leno all at sea, but he fires horribly high and wide.

The Albanian’s blushes are spared by the offside flag, however.

Chelsea looking sharp early on here.

Fulham 0-0 Chelsea

20:04 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Craven Cottage

Marc Cucurella is playing at right-back with Levi Colwill at left-back. He did well there against Brighton but it’s another big ask.

Fulham vs Chelsea

20:02 , George Flood

We are underway at Craven Cottage!

Fulham vs Chelsea

19:59 , George Flood

Light show complete, here come the teams at Stamford Bridge!

A real big-game feel to this west London derby under the lights.

Fulham vs Chelsea

19:59 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Craven Cottage

Fulham are gradually opening up more and more of that Riverside Stand.

It should boost the atmosphere even further with more Fulham supporters inside. They are enjoying a hype-building, dazzling pre-match light show at the moment.

Fulham vs Chelsea

19:58 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Craven Cottage

Chelsea have only scored one goal in September, lost eight of the past nine away matches against teams starting above them in the table and failed to score in their last three league games.

These are just three of the dismal statistics available to show how Chelsea are struggling both in front of goal and away from home.

Castagne keeps Fulham place with Tete still not fit

19:48 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Craven Cottage

Timothy Castagne starts for Fulham at right-back again, with Kenny Tete still not having recovered from his injury.

Part of the reason Castagne was signed is that Fulham needed to strengthen in both full-back areas towards the end of the transfer window.

Signing the Belgian has the effect of bringing in two full-backs, as he has great experience of playing on both flanks.

Fulham vs Chelsea

19:38 , George Flood

Standard Sport duo Nizaar Kinsella and Dom Smith run through those team news surprises from their vantage point at Craven Cottage...

Chances for Palmer and Cucurella

19:32 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Craven Cottage

Cole Palmer playing ahead of Raheem Sterling is also a selection that will intrigue, especially ahead of the England squad announcement on Thursday.

Notable that Marc Cucurella is selected ahead of Ian Maatsen. That spot is opened up by so many defensive absentees and Ben Chilwell’s hamstring injury.

Pochettino rolls the dice on Broja

19:31 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Craven Cottage

Pochettino rolls the dice to unleash Broja. He has played just 14 minutes from the bench this season after a nine-month lay-off due to an ACL injury but is deemed fit enough to start.

Nicolas Jackson is suspended but watching on from Craven Cottage.

Pochettino addresses Sterling and Broja decisions

19:24 , George Flood

Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Raheem Sterling has been suffering with a virus this week that has prevented him from training, hence his surprise omission from the starting lineup.

He’s also backed Armando Broja to make an impact from the off at Craven Cottage tonight, though admits he is unlikely to be fit enough for the full 90 minutes.

The Chelsea boss said in his pre-match interview with Sky Sports: “Raheem Sterling didn’t train in the last three days as he’s had a virus, that’s why he’s not in the starting XI.

“Armando Broja is ready to play, maybe not 90 minutes but he can make an impact from the start. We hope he can deal with the competition, it’s always difficult for a player.

“He’s our striker and he needs to build his fitness and confidence. It’s a good opportunity.”

One Fulham change as Harry Wilson starts

19:19 , George Flood

Fulham show just the one change from their last Premier League outing, the goalless draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid drops to the bench as Harry Wilson comes into the attack.

The fit-again Sasa Lukic is back among the substitutes after a groin issue, with Tyrese Francois dropping out of the matchday squad.

Willian lines up against his former club.

Broja and Palmer lead Chelsea attack

19:13 , George Flood

So Armando Broja does indeed lead the line for Chelsea tonight in place of the banned Nicolas Jackson, making his first senior start for the club since rupturing his ACL in the mid-season friendly against Aston Villa in Dubai last December.

Pochettino has pledged caution and patience with the fitness of the Albanian international, but must believe he is ready to go from the off after a couple of brief substitute cameos against Villa and Brighton.

He’s joined in attack by Cole Palmer, who makes his first Premier League start for his new club after impressing in the Carabao Cup.

Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez are also in support with Raheem Sterling curiously only on the bench, with Moises Caicedo holding along with Conor Gallagher.

Axel Disasi fills in at right-back with no Reece James or Malo Gusto, with Levi Colwill shifting back into central defence alongside Thiago Silva with Marc Cucurella starting for the first time in the league this term on the left having got the nod over Ian Maatsen with Ben Chilwell now out.

Noni Madueke is also a substitute along with several youngsters including Alfie Gilchrist, Josh Brooking and Alex Matos.

Chelsea lineup

19:03 , George Flood

Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Disasi, Thiago Silva, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Gallagher; Palmer, Fernandez, Mudryk; Broja

Subs: Petrovic; Gilchrist, Brooking, Maatsen; Ugochukwu, Matos, Madueke, Sterling; Washington

Fulham lineup

19:01 , George Flood

Fulham XI: Leno; Castagne, Diop, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha, Andreas; Wilson, Jimenez, Willian

Subs: Rodak; Bassey, Ballo-Toure; Cairney, Lukic, Iwobi, De Cordova-Reid; Muniz, Vinicius

Broja and Palmer set for Chelsea starts?

18:55 , George Flood

Whispers on X suggest that Armando Broja and Cole Palmer are both starting in attack for Chelsea tonight.

Official lineups on the way in just five minutes’ time.

18:50 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Craven Cottage

Fulham won 2-1 in this fixture last season, and Chelsea are tonight looking to avoid back-to-back defeats at Craven Cottage for the first time since 1977.

Lineups will be announced shortly.

18:48 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Craven Cottage

Noni Madueke is with Chelsea’s squad to face Fulham at Craven Cottage.

He had been publicly admonished by Mauricio Pochettino for not meeting standards.

Nicolas Jackson has travelled despite being suspended, along with a host of youth players amid an injury crisis.

Who are Infinite Athlete?

18:45 , George Flood

So who exactly are Chelsea’s new front-of-shirt sponsors Infinite Athlete?

Standard Sport’s Jonathan Gorrie explains....

Infinite Athlete are an American sports technology company based in San Francisco that “power infinite innovation” that “makes sport better for the fan, the game and the athlete.”

Their goal is to “create a single technological foundation across all major sports, upon which innovative sports technology and media products can be built.”

Established in 2023 after the merger of Tempus Ex Machina and Biocore, they combine and connect sports data from all sources to create “infinite possibilities”.

“Infinite Athlete currently powers innovative technology enhancements for the club and its global fanbase including the launch of Match View X via the club’s official app,” read a Chelsea statement earlier this week.

“Infinite Athlete combines Tempus Ex Machina’s cutting-edge sports video and data technology with groundbreaking safety and performance analytics from partner company Biocore and currently hold dynamic partnerships leveraging its proprietary technology across the NFL, Colorado Athletics, and more.

“Its mission is to be the industry-standard operating system across all global sports, empowering a better experience, with greater opportunities and access to the highest quality technology for fans, the game and athletes.”

Chelsea to show off new shirt sponsor Infinite Athlete

18:33 , George Flood

Tonight will see Chelsea’s men’s team wear shirts bearing their new main sponsor for the first time.

The Blues announced over the weekend their deal with Infinite Athlete that will see the US sports technology company become their front-of-shirt sponsor.

The agreement is said to be worth more than £40m and covers the whole 2023-24 campaign, with Chelsea having been without a front-of-shirt sponsor so far this season after their deal with mobile phone network Three expired at the end of last term.

Emma Hayes’ women’s team wore the sponsor as they opened the new WSL season with a 2-1 win over rivals Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Pochettino wants more involvement in Chelsea transfers

18:22 , George Flood

Chelsea’s chronic attacking struggles so far this term have come despite another significant summer transfer outlay leaving them without a top-class centre-forward.

Quizzed on if that is something the club will be urgently looking to address in the January window amid more links to banned Brentford striker Ivan Toney, Pochettino insisted that he must now be more heavily involved in recruitment decisions going forward having already set to work on picking out potential New Year targets.

"The good thing, the relationship is very good with the owners and the sporting directors. I think like I told before, when the transfer window was closed, I need to be involved, more involved now, in every single decision. I think we need to start identifying what we need for January,” he said.

"I think football is very dynamic, it's the present always. Things can change until January. Now we need to work and try to recover Nkunku and of course Armando Broja and to try and provide the team more goals and to be more solid but of course, parallel to working to improvise to improve the team and the way we assess the team for the competition. But of course, we already start to work."

Pochettino on striker plans with no Jackson

18:13 , George Flood

Asked if he could play with a false nine tonight in the absence of Jackson, Pochettino told reporters at Friday’s pre-match press conference: “The most important [thing] is to adapt to the squad and the players that might be available and to try and perform, to find a way to perform.

“We can play with one striker or maybe without a striker. I think it’s a difficult few days, I need to think and come up with a decision.

“We have a few options to play with a striker and without a striker. We also need to assess the squad after the [Brighton] game.

“Things appear after 48 hours and I’m going to see how they are and how they recover from Wednesday, but different options.”

Raheem Sterling tipped to lead Chelsea attack

18:03 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Craven Cottage

It will be interesting to see how Pochettino copes without Nicolas Jackson tonight.

He’s talked about the false nine option, which I think is most likely.

It will probably be Raheem Sterling, since he effectively operates a bit like a striker already in the asymmetric system.

Armando Broja is available but Chelsea are managing him carefully.

Who will replace Nicolas Jackson?

18:01 , George Flood

Cole Palmer’s performance on his full debut was a real plus point from Chelsea following the Carabao Cup win over Brighton.

It seems likely that the surprise £40million summer deadline day signing from Manchester City will start in the Premier League for the first time for the Blues tonight with Nicolas Jackson suspended.

Here is how Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella sees Pochettino lining up tonight, with Raheem Sterling leading the line in place of Jackson and supported by a trio of Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and the improving Mykhailo Mudryk.

Axel Disasi could well fill in at right-back again with Reece James still out and Malo Gusto banned, with Levi Colwill shifting back into the middle of defence and Marc Cucurella then potentially playing on the left with no Chilwell.

Chelsea predicted XI: Sanchez; Disasi, Thiago Silva, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Gallagher; Palmer, Fernandez, Mudryk; Sterling

Fulham vs Chelsea prediction

17:50 , George Flood

Chelsea scraped past much-changed Brighton in the Carabao Cup, but the performance was certainly still nothing to shout about - they should have seen midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu sent off in the first half with the score tied at 0-0 - and didn’t exactly herald a likely immediate upturn in fortunes.

There were signs that their luck might finally be beginning to change, though a trip to a Fulham side that will relish the chance to inflict more misery on their closest neighbours represents another tough test.

Fulham are searching for consistency after blowing rather hot and cold so far this term, with a feisty draw likely on the cards this evening.

1-1 draw.

Chelsea team news

17:47 , George Flood

Chelsea’s quest to end that three-match scoreless streak in the league is not helped by the suspension of Nicolas Jackson, who got their winner against Brighton in the Carabao Cup but tonight must serve a one-match ban for accumulating five yellow cards already this term.

Malo Gusto serves the second game of a three-match suspension for his sending off in last weekend’s home defeat by Aston Villa, meanwhile, with captain Reece James closing in on a return to first-team training but still sidelined for now along with Christopher Nkunku, Romeo Lavia, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana and Marcus Bettinelli.

Vice-skipper Ben Chilwell is also now facing weeks on the sidelines with another hamstring injury suffered late on against Brighton last week.

Chelsea could though be boosted tonight by the returns of Noni Madueke and Carney Chukwuemeka.

Fulham team news

17:43 , George Flood

Fulham will be boosted by the return of Serbian midfielder Sasa Lukic tonight, their summer signing from Torino having now resumed first-team training following a groin injury.

Right-back Kenny Tete faces a late fitness test, while centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo and winger Adama Traore are both sidelined.

Where to watch Fulham vs Chelsea

17:40 , George Flood

TV channel: In the UK, Fulham vs Chelsea will be televised live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage of Monday Night Football beginning at 6:30pm BST.

Live stream: Subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.

Fulham vs Chelsea live

17:31 , George Flood

Fulham and Chelsea lock horns in a west London derby tussle under the lights at Craven Cottage this evening.

The Blues head to their local rivals desperately needing to kick-start their Premier League campaign after some of the early pressure on boss Mauricio Pochettino was eased with a battling 1-0 Carabao Cup third-round win over Brighton last week.

England’s secondary club competition has provided the only source of minor solace for Chelsea so far this term with their dreadful form from last season carrying over despite another huge summer transfer spend and popular new managerial appointment, with Pochettino overseeing their worst start to a top-flight campaign since their relegation season of 1978-79.

The Blues sit a lowly 15th in the early table after the weekend’s action with just five points to their name from the first six games, with no goals in their last three league games and cup hero Nicolas Jackson unavailable tonight.

Looking to pile more misery on their troubled neighbours is a Fulham team that sit perched in 12th with eight points so far this season, a so-so opening under Marco Silva.

The Cottagers have a dreadful record against tonight’s opponents overall, though did manage only a second league win over Chelsea in 32 attempts at this ground back in January.

Kick-off tonight is at 8pm BST, so stay tuned for all the latest match build-up, team news and live updates including expert analysis from Evening Standard football reporters Nizaar Kinsella and Dom Smith at Craven Cottage.