Chelsea missed an opportunity to go above Fulham and restore confidence in the squad after a frustrating 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge on Friday night.
Graham Potter’s side created the best goal-scoring opportunities of the game with Kai Havertz seeing his lopped effort coming off the post late in the first half and Datro Fofana seeing his effort cleared off the line despite beating Bern Leno in post for Fulham.
Potter had given a start to British record signing Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk but the former would only last the first half having looked unfit and didn’t move well in the first 45 minutes he was in the game.
Reece James also started his first game in a month and lasted 60 minutes- but not even he could help this Chelsea side to all three points. The draw now means Graham Potter has never beaten Fulham as a Premier League manager in five attempts.
The point takes Chelsea to 9th on the league table, just a point above 10th placed Liverpool who have two games in hand. This winter transfer window saw Chelsea spend almost £ 300 million on new signings and most fans had expected to see an improved side and three point but what they were served was fleeting moments of brilliance, promise and frustrations.
Ben Chilwell who missed the World Cup due to injuries was also a late substitute as he returned to action for the first time this year.
Here is how we rated all the Chelsea players out there at Stamford Bridge.
1. Kepa Arrizabalaga- 5
Confident passing. Great save to keep Chelse in it in the first half.
2. Enzo Fernandez- 6
Brilliant with his passing and quite really effortless with his reading of the game. Decent debut.
3. Benoit Badiashile- 5
Great passing and looks a really decent player on the ball, needs to move the ball a bit quicker though.
4. Thiago Silva-6
Looked really good in the first half playing in the back four. Only criticism is that he needs to be a much more vocal leader