Liam Rosenior watched on as new club Chelsea lost 2-1 to local rivals Fulham after Marc Cucurella received a first-half red card.
Following a fine header from Raul Jimenez, Liam Delap gave the visitors hope of snatching a point with his first Premier League goal for Chelsea, but the in-form Harry Wilson scored with the help of a deflection into the bottom corner, giving Fulham victory and bragging rights over their neighbors.
Rosenior, who was sitting in the stands at Craven Cottage, will take over a team that has won just one of their last nine Premier League games.
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Harry Wilson’s stunning strike puts Fulham back on top
He will have seen firsthand how indiscipline continues to hold Chelsea back. Cucurella’s sending off after just 22 minutes was the team’s seventh red card in all competitions this season. This is the third time they have lost in a league match since falling to 10 points. Cucurella’s red card was followed by a series of yellow cards.
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Raul Jimenez puts Fulham ahead in the second half against Chelsea
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Liam Delap equalizes for Chelsea
Rosseniol will also have heard the complaints of the club’s supporters, who opposed Chelsea’s hierarchy throughout the game and sang songs for former owner Roman Abramovich.
Caretaker manager Callum Macfarlane’s last game in charge ended in a draw against Man City, but he was unable to produce any results and surrendered eighth place to Chelsea. Andrei Santos will regret the red card given he had hit the bar from a corner kick before Cucurella’s foul, but the Spanish defender won’t be complaining about the decision.
Wilson thought he had taken advantage of Fulham’s numerical advantage just before half-time, but saw his strike canceled out by VAR for Jimenez’s offside early on. However, the Mexican made up for it with a superb header in the 55th minute and when Wilson finally scored, Craven Cottage exploded.
Fulham’s win, inspired by hot-blooded Wilson who has been involved in nine goals in their last 10 games, moves them into the top half of the table.
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Mark Cucurella was shown a red card at Craven Cottage.
Silva: Wilson had the best moment of his career
Fulham manager Marco Silva:
“(Wilson) was unbelievable. Everything he touches now is magical. Fans should have fun and try to get the best out of him.”
“It’s easy to talk about now, but Harry will remember last season. We had conversations and he wasn’t at the best of times. He can be more calm at times in terms of maturity, decision-making, but you don’t need to be 100 per cent fast in everything.”
“Without a doubt, this is the best moment of his career. But at the same time he is working very hard. The numbers are at the top, it’s unbelievable.”
Macfarlane praises Chelsea’s effort with 10 men
Chelsea interim manager Callum MacFarlane:
“We found our rhythm probably a minute before he was sent off and that makes the game really difficult. Things like this happen and you have to react.
“We lost 1-0, but it was another great reaction and a bit of quality from Harry Wilson decided the game in the end. We could have been a little more flexible. It’s a real shame, but I’m proud of the effort.”
“Discipline is an issue? I don’t think the red card is a discipline issue. It’s just one-on-one and he was taken down in that situation. It’s more about structure and why you get countered in one-on-one. It’s not a high tackle, an offensive tackle, a dangerous tackle. It’s a one-on-one moment. It’s more about structure than discipline.”
