Chelsea v Fulham ratings: Petrovic 8, Palmer 8; Diop 5, Jimenez 6

Palmer scores from penalty spot for third straight Premier League win

CHELSEA RATINGS: Petrovic convincingly dealt with efforts from Andreas Pereira, Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez to maintain his clean sheet, while he also held Kenny Tete’s high cross well under pressurShow more

Put in a decent defensive display and made good runs forward but was often found lacking with his final pass in the first half, as was epitomised when he got booked after fouling Willian having taken Show more

Played some great passes and was calm on the ball, although there were some moments in which he looked indecisive defensively. Blocked Willian’s effort well. Received a needless booking for kicking thShow more

Read the game brilliantly and often took control in the first half, matching Pereira’s runs, making dominant headers and dealing with Antonee Robinson’s cross. Wasn’t as convincing in the second half,Show more

Was turned by Pereira in the early stages but went on to put in a solid display. Also made some good forays forward but sent his shot harmlessly off-target. EPA

While there were some sloppy moments, he often moved the ball efficiently and got out well to block Wilson’s shot. Booked for a foul on Pereira in a dangerous area. Getty Images

Often got on the ball and played some lovely passes, notably showing good movement and delivering an inviting cross for Armando Broja’s chance. Also put in some good defensive work but was booked for Show more

Showed intent from the off with a nice turn and was busy, but his shooting and quality in the final third was lacking at times. Was unlucky not to get anything after pickpocketing Cairney and to then Show more

Wasn’t quite at his best for a lot of the first half but made the difference before the break, playing a superb pass for Raheem Sterling to win the penalty and converting from the spot. Had some otherShow more

Worked hard for the team and held the ball up brilliantly at times. Sent a header marginally wide before seeing another effort deflected wide by Tosin Adarabioyo. AFP

Constantly caused problems for Fulham’s backline in the first half and lured Issa Diop into conceding the penalty. AP

SUBS: (Broja, 66’) Looked bright as soon as he came on and created the chance for Colwill’s attempt before seeing his own shot saved by Bernd Leno. Cleared the ball amid the chaos with the final kick Show more

(Sterling, 77’) Made his return from injury and offered a reminder of his quality with a lovely corner delivery towards Disasi but then fouled Bobby Decordova-Reid in the final moments. Carney ChukwueShow more

FULHAM RATINGS: Leno had been given little to do before being beaten by Palmer’s penalty and looked confident whenever called into action after that, stopping Madueke’s shot well. AFP

Was stretched by Sterling throughout but often did just enough to halt him, as encapsulated when the Dutchman blocked his shot after initially being turned and stopped Gusto’s pass from reaching him. Show more

Often took the no-nonsense approach and cleared his lines convincingly, while he also did well to stop a shot from Fernandez and stop Broja in the box on a few occasions. AP

Anticipated the play well at times but didn’t always have much conviction in his actions, looking unconvincing on the ball at times and conceding the penalty for Chelsea’s opener. Did well to stop PalShow more

Picked his moments to get forward and made the most of it when he did, picking out Wilson with a great cross and finding Jimenez with another ball into the box. Made a vital intervention to stop PalmeShow more

Was typically impressive in winning the ball back but also conceded possession cheaply at times. Made a great recovery tackle to stop Sterling. PA

Put in some impressive challenges and was also composed on the ball in the first half, although he did see an awkward shot sail off-target. Wasn’t quite as influential in the second period and saw hisShow more

Tried to make things happen but saw his shot saved after popping up at the back post, then had a shot deflected wide by Caicedo. Booked for stopping Fernandez from racing forward. PA

Turned away from Colwill early on but saw a tame shot saved routinely and put in disappointing corner deliveries. Did well to create a chance for Jimenez, then won a free-kick in a dangerous area but Show more

Showed plenty of composure, even when Fulham were under pressure, but couldn’t quite do enough to carve Chelsea open with his shot being blocked by Disasi. Sent his free-kick over the crossbar. AFP

A lot of his hold-up play was weak in the first half, although he showed more conviction in the second period. Sent his header comfortably off-target and saw two low shots saved. Tried an audacious shShow more

SUBS: (Wilson, 64’) Was quiet for large periods and looked visibly frustrated when Timothy Castagne overhit a pass to him, but did well to win a free-kick in a dangerous area and almost scored from inShow more

(Tete, 64’) Gave an assured defensive performance, putting in a good challenge to stop Palmer, but overhit his pass to Reid. Rodrigo Muniz (Pereira, 82’) – N/A. Sasa Lukic (Palhinha, 82’) – N/A. AFP

Cole Palmer rose to the challenge by scoring a penalty to give Chelsea a 1-0 win over Fulham on Saturday - their third straight Premier League victory.

Palmer sent Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno the wrong way from the spot in first-half stoppage time after Raheem Sterling had been tripped in the area.

It was the 21-year-old's ninth league goal of the season and fifth from the penalty spot, the former Manchester City player emerging as the most successful of Chelsea's many expensive offseason signings.

Palmer's penalty erased the bitter taste from the shock 1-0 loss against second-tier Middlesbrough in the semi-final first leg on Tuesday.

That League Cup calamity was just the latest disappointment in a troubled season for Mauricio Pochettino's side. Chelsea were barely better than Fulham, but Pochettino will take heart from the way they ground out a victory.

After a 10-day winter break, the Blues will have a chance to overturn the League Cup deficit when they return to action against Middlesbrough in the second leg on January 23.

Fulham's best chance for an equaliser fell to Raul Jimenez whose shot forced Djordje Petrovic into a one-handed save in the 73rd minute. Chelsea captain Conor Gallagher smacked the post with a shot from the outside of his boot in the 83rd minute.

One of the biggest cheers came when Ben Chilwell was sent on from the Chelsea bench, marking the England defender's return from injury and potentially solving the Blue's left-back problem which centre half Levi Colwill has struggled to fix.

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