Supervisor Enzo Maresca has defended Reece James regardless of his half in Fulham’s purpose in opposition to Chelsea and supplied an replace on Malo Gusto, who changed the captain at half-time however needed to be taken off throughout the Blues’ late Premier League win.
Wideman James, whose minutes have been fastidiously managed by Chelsea due to the England worldwide’s damage historical past, was surprisingly included of their beginning facet for the journey to Craven Cottage on Sunday, with many anticipating him to be on the bench as a result of he featured all through their Europa League defeat at residence to Legia Warsaw three days earlier.
Ryan Sessegnon dispossessed James to arrange Alex Iwobi’s Twentieth-minute opener, though positive strikes from Tyrique George and Pedro Neto – the latter within the 93rd minute – gave Chelsea their first league away victory since December 8.
Celebrating with our away followers. 👏#CFC | #FULCHE pic.twitter.com/1mWAwCWFVP
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 20, 2025
Fulham vs Chelsea: Reece James ‘plan’
“I’m very blissful as a result of he performed 90 minutes two days in the past and performed 45 at present,” stated Maresca, calling James’ participation and health “incredible”.
“It’s an necessary second for us as a staff as a result of we will begin to consider [playing] him each three days. That is incredible for us as a result of he’s our captain and a principal participant.
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“We conceded the primary purpose once we misplaced the ball – it might occur. The rationale why we modified him was simply because he performed 90 minutes two days in the past. That was the plan.”
Phrases from the boss after our massive win. 🎤#CFC | #FULCHE pic.twitter.com/GuN0xIps4k
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 20, 2025
Malo Gusto damage muscular
Winger George’s 83rd-minute equaliser arrived 5 minutes after the winger changed Nicolas Jackson, however the pleasure of the 19-year-old’s first league purpose for the membership was tempered by Gusto’s subsequent damage.
“That, sadly, shouldn’t be a superb one,” Maresca stated of the right-back, who missed eight video games final season by damage. “It’s a muscular drawback.
“Towards Ipswich, he modified the sport within the second half [when Chelsea recovered to draw 2-2 on April 13]. At the moment he modified the sport. Malu Gusto is necessary for us.”
Levi’s response to our dramatic win! #CFC | #FULCHE pic.twitter.com/bMi5h4trTS
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 20, 2025
Premier League desk: Chelsea fifth
Chelsea occupy the fifth and closing Champions League qualification place within the table with 5 video games of their season remaining, though sixth-placed Nottingham Forest are solely behind them on purpose distinction and have a recreation extra to play.
Fourth-placed Manchester Metropolis are some extent above them, with third-placed Newcastle one additional forward. Fulham stay ninth, one level behind Bournemouth within the eighth place that might safe European qualification.
Chelsea are subsequent in motion after they host Thirteenth-placed Everton on Saturday (12:30 BST), whereas Fulham are at relegated Southampton on the identical day (15:00).
