Enzo Fernández shows fiery side, Delap injury sparks striker crisis, and wonderkid impresses – five things we learned from Chelsea’s controversial win over Fulham

Chelsea moved to the top of the Premier League with a controversial 2-0 victory over Fulham at Stamford Bridge.

Teenager Josh King thought he had scored his first senior goal for the Cottagers after 21 minutes, finishing confidently past Djordje Petrovic, but the effort was disallowed following a VAR check. Rodrigo Muniz was adjudged to have stepped on Trevoh Chalobah in the build-up.

The hosts eventually took the lead nine minutes into first-half stoppage time, when João Pedro headed home from Enzo Fernández’s corner. The controversy continued after the break when Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon was penalised for handball, with Fernández converting the resulting penalty in the 56th minute to seal all three points for Enzo Maresca’s side.

Here are the key talking points from the derby:

Too late to stop Jackson’s flight, Enzo…

On the day Chelsea sanctioned Christopher Nkunku’s £36 million transfer to AC Milan and gave Nicolas Jackson permission to fly to Germany ahead of a £12.9m loan move to Bayern Munich – with a £56.2m option to buy – Enzo Maresca watched in dismay as Liam Delap pulled up clutching his hamstring.

The 22-year-old forward had been sprinting in behind Fulham’s defence when he sustained the injury, and Maresca later admitted it “does not look good”.

Delap’s setback leaves Chelsea short of natural strikers and raises the prospect of late transfer activity before the window closes. João Pedro remains available, but beyond him the options are limited.

Academy graduate Tyrique George, 19, is being courted by Roma but is not an out-and-out striker. Cole Palmer, absent with a groin injury, and summer signing Estevão Willian, still adapting to English football, are also more suited to wide or creative roles. Even Pedro Neto, used at times as a false nine, is not a natural centre-forward.

Chelsea faced a striker crisis last season when all recognised No.9s were sidelined, and Delap’s injury threatens to create a similar headache.

Fernández shows his fiery side

Enzo Fernández endured a torrid first half and looked destined for substitution after Andrey Santos was sent to warm up. But just before the interval, the Argentine curled in the corner that led to João Pedro’s opener.

Instead of celebrating, Fernández turned to the bench and shouted in frustration. At half-time, he even attempted to hand his captain’s armband to fitness coach Marcos Álvarez before storming down the tunnel.

Fortunately for Chelsea, Maresca kept him on, and Fernández redeemed himself with a confident penalty to double the lead. At full-time, he and Álvarez embraced, seemingly putting the spat behind them.

Marco Silva’s fury boils over

Fulham boss Marco Silva was incandescent after Josh King’s strike was chalked off by VAR. Referee Robert Jones, advised by VAR official Michael Salisbury, ruled that Muniz’s contact on Chalobah in the build-up constituted a “careless challenge”.

Silva and the travelling fans strongly disagreed, with replays showing Muniz appeared to be in control of the ball before the clash. The decision left King, an 18-year-old academy product, denied a dream goal on his full debut.

As Stamford Bridge displayed the replays, boos rang out from the Fulham end, while Maresca could only smirk and wink towards his bench – perhaps acknowledging Chelsea had benefited from a fortunate decision.

The season of the wonderkids

The 2025-26 campaign is rapidly becoming defined by teenage talent. Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha, just 16, starred at Newcastle last week, while Chelsea’s own 15-year-old Max Dowman has already made his debut. Fulham’s King, 18, looked a bright prospect here despite his misfortune.

At Stamford Bridge, 18-year-old Estevão Willian once again caught the eye. While yet to score competitively, the Brazilian has already injected excitement with his pace and flair, lifting a subdued first half with a powerful run that had the crowd on their feet.

Even Hollywood actor Timothée Chalamet, spotted in the stands, was briefly entertained before leaving early.

Brighton pipeline pays dividends again

Chelsea’s close ties with Brighton continue to attract jibes, particularly amid talks over a potential loan for Facundo Buonanotte. But the Seagulls’ production line has undeniably benefited the Blues.

Marc Cucurella and Moisés Caicedo have established themselves as key players, and now João Pedro is quickly proving value for money. Signed for a fee rising to £60m during the Club World Cup, the 23-year-old Brazilian has scored five goals in his first five starts, including the opener here.

Pedro also found the net in both pre-season friendlies against AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen, confirming his status as one of Chelsea’s most in-form attackers.

Brighton may joke about Chelsea being their “best customers”, but Stamford Bridge is reaping the rewards.