New-look Chelsea held to disappointing draw by Fulham

James Hilsum

Enzo Fernández had an impressive debut for ChelseaAFP

Chelsea's extraordinary exploits in the transfer market failed to have an immediate impact on the pitch as they were held to a goalless draw by Fulham at Stamford Bridge. Graham Potter can consider the Cottagers somewhat of a 'bogey' side, having failed to win any of his five managerial meetings with them.

There were subplots aplenty heading into this intriguing clash, as new British record signing Enzo Fernández made his Chelsea debut, while wantaway forward Hakim Ziyech was also included in the starting line-up after his proposed deadline-day move to Paris Saint-Germain collapsed.

Despite Potter’s side taking most of the pre-match headlines, it was Fulham that created the first meaningful chance of the match when Andreas Pereira’s stinging strike forced a fine one-handed stop from Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Fernández looked to show his worth with a beautiful pass towards Mason Mount, who in turn picked out Kai Havertz, but the German could only divert his sliding attempt over the bar.

Chelsea struggled to break down a resolute Fulham sideAFP

A subdued Stamford Bridge did not have too much else to get excited about, until Havertz timed his run to perfection from Ziyech’s pass, but his attempted lob was denied by the post on the stroke of half-time.

One January signing replaced another for the Blues ahead of the restart, with the largely anonymous Mykhailo Mudryk replaced by another debutant, Noni Madueke. However, it was the Cottagers looking the more dangerous outfit again, with Willian, a former Chelsea stalwart, seeing his low driven effort saved by Kepa.

The Spanish shot-stopper was breathing a huge sigh of relief later in the half as he scampered back and managed to hold Aleksandar Mitrović’s audacious long-range attempt.

Kai Havertz saw his effort saved by Bernd Leno in the Fulham goalAFP

Chelsea had managed only one shot on target as the game entered the final 10 minutes, but came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock when David Datro Fofana rounded Bernd Leno, only for his strike to be brilliantly cleared to safety by Tim Ream.

The Blues looked relatively short of ideas going forward, as Fulham held on comfortably for a well-earned point, and their supporters’ cries of ‘what a waste of money’ will likely dictate the narrative around this expensive group of Chelsea players until Potter can improve on a run of just two wins from their last 12 league games.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Tim Ream (Fulham)