Fulham vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League latest score and goal updates as Willian fires home side in front

Graham Potter takes his Chelsea side to Craven Cottage this evening as the Blues face Fulham in the Premier League. Chelsea have plummeted down the table in recent weeks having won just once in nine league games but the manager can ease the pressure on his team by beating the in-form Cottagers away from home.

This fixture is one that the Chelsea fans will be expecting to win despite Fulham (7th) being three places ahead of the Blues in the table. Chelsea have been victorious in the previous seven meeting between the London clubs, a run that dates back to November 2012.

However, Marco Silva’s Cottagers are the surprise package of the season so far. They are unbeaten in five matches across all competitions following the World Cup break and could jump above Liverpool if they take points away from the Blues tonight. Silva has admitted that he isn’t thinking about European football but if his team maintain their current form they will be right in the mix to end the season in the top seven.

Follow all the action as Fulham host Chelsea at Craven Cottage:

Fulham vs Chelsea

Marco Silva’s Cottagers are unbeaten in five matches across all competitions

Graham Potter seeks to ease pressure after just one win in nine league games

73’ GOAL! – Vinicius’ header beats Kepa and Fulham lead again (FUL 2-1 CHE)

58’ RED CARD! – Joao Felix sent off for Chelsea (FUL 1-1 CHE)

53’ SHOT! – Pereira’s shot is pushed wide of the near post (FUL 1-1 CHE)

47’ GOAL! – Koulibaly taps in from close range following Mounts rebounded shot (FUL 1-1 CHE)

25’ GOAL! – Willian sends Fulham in front (FUL 1-0 CHE)

23’ CROSSBAR! – De Cordova-Reid rattles the bar (FUL 0-0 CHE)

9’ SHOT! – Felix pulls one wide after a free kick (FUL 0-0 CHE)

3’ CHANCE! – Hall’s shot from inside the box stopped by Leno (FUL 0-0 CHE)

Fulham FC 2 – 1 Chelsea FC

Fulham 2-1 Chelsea

21:46 , Michael Jones

85 mins: Chukwuemeka knocks the ball wide to Cucurella who whips a cross into the Fulham six-yard area. It drops onto the foot of Cesar Azpilicueta whose uncontrolled volley goes wide just as the offside flag gets raised.

Story continues

Fulham are controlling this game but they need to remain switched on if they want to win it.

Fulham 2-1 Chelsea

21:43 , Michael Jones

82 mins: Willian is given a warm round of applause from the Fulham fans after his opening goal in the first half. Manor Solomon comes on to replace him but is given a bunch of rapid instructions from Marco Silva before he enters the fray.

Basically, don’t let Chelsea score.

Fulham 2-1 Chelsea

21:40 , Michael Jones

79 mins: Needs must for Chelsea now as Graham Potter makes a quadruple change. Marc Cucurella, Hakim Ziyech, Carney Chukwuemeka and Conor Gallager all come on spark some life into the final 10 minutes or so.

They’ve replaced Trevoh Chalobah, Mateo Kovacic, Lewis Hall and Mason Mount.

Fulham 2-1 Chelsea

21:38 , Michael Jones

76 mins: Chelsea have to muster a comeback from somewhere and with one man less on the pitch. The visiting supporters won’t be pleased with what they’ve witnessed tonight.

The pressure is piling on Graham Potter once more but Fulham have been fantastic. They’ve been confident, positive and clinical. It’ll be an amazing win if they get over the line.

GOAL! Fulham 2-1 Chelsea (Vinicius, 73’)⚽️

21:32 , Michael Jones

73 mins: It’s a long way back for Chelsea now!

Fulham flay the ball out wide to Kenny Tete on the right side of the pitch but he lays it off to Andreas Pereira. The midfielder takes a touch before whipping a pinpoint cross into the middle.

Carlos Vinicius eases in between the two Chelsea centre-backs before nodding the ball past Kepa to send the home side back in front!

Fulham 1-1 Chelsea

21:31 , Michael Jones

70 mins: Close! A quick pass out of midfield sends Andreas Pereira into space on the right wing. He carries the ball to the edge of the box before pulling it back into the middle.

Trevoh Chalobah sticks to the arriving Carlos Vinicius like glue and puts just enough pressure of the forward to force him to overrun the ball and the visitors then clear their lines.

Fulham 1-1 Chelsea

21:29 , Michael Jones

67 mins: There’s a double change from Marco Silva who will be encouraging his team to get the ball further up the pitch. Tom Cairney and Harry Wilson come on to replace Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Harrison Reed.

Can Fulham get themselves in front?

Fulham 1-1 Chelsea

21:25 , Michael Jones

64 mins: Joao Felix – Chelsea’s short term loanee – will now miss the next three Premier League games after his straight red card. The Blues paid between £8-£11m for him which is a hefty sum for less than half a season’s play time.

Kai Havertz makes a decent run into the penalty area and receives the ball. He guides it over to the near post but Bernd Leno palms the ball wide of the target.

Decent effort that from the German.

Fulham 1-1 Chelsea

21:22 , Michael Jones

61 mins: This is a huge opportunity for Fulham now. Their record against Chelsea is woeful to say the least but with the Blues down to 10-men and their main threat having been sent off the Cottagers should look to win this game.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid is flattened by Lewis Hall when trying to initiate a counter-attack. Hall goes in the book as well but it’s only a yellow.

RED CARD! Joao Felix is off!

21:18 , Michael Jones

Fulham 1-1 Chelsea

58 mins: Welcome to the Premier League Joao Felix. He loses the ball and looks to quickly recover it with a lunging tackles on Kenny Tete.

He leaps into the challenge and scrapes his studs down Tete’s shin. The referee takes his time over the decision but eventually pulls out a red card!

Chelsea are down to 10-men.

Fulham 1-1 Chelsea

21:15 , Michael Jones

56 mins: Denis Zakaria is down for Chelsea after hooking a clearance away from the visitors. He’s got the phyisos checking out both legs but doesn’t look like he’ll be able to play on.

Zakaria hobbles off the pitch and is replaced with Jorginho.

Fulham 1-1 Chelsea

21:13 , Michael Jones

53 mins: Save! Chelsea are opened up as Andreas Pereira makes a run in behind Trevoh Chalobah. The ball is dinked down the left wing and sent up to Andreas who pokes it into the box before smoking an effort at goal that Kepa Arrizabalaga tips wide.

Fulham 1-1 Chelsea

21:11 , Michael Jones

50 mins: That was a scrappy goal for Chelsea to score but it’s got them back on level terms in this game. Can that equaliser provide a platform for them to attack the second half?

GOAL! Fulham 1-1 Chelsea (Koulibaly, 47’)

21:08 , Michael Jones

47 mins: Lewis Hall takes the ball inside of Kenny Tete before getting sandwiched between the defender and Booby De Cordova-Reid winning a free kick.

Mason Mount whips a shot at goal that Bernd Leno tips onto the post. The ball bounces back into the six-yard area where Kalidou Koulibaly is the first to react.

He turns the ball back towards goal and gets it over the line before Leno flaps it away from off the floor. Chelsea are level!

Second half: Fulham 1-0 Chelsea

21:05 , Michael Jones

Chelsea get the ball rolling again for the second half at Craven Cottage. Neither manager has made any changes to the line-ups during the break so it’s as you were for both teams.

HT Fulham 1-0 Chelsea

21:00 , Michael Jones

With the inclusion of João Félix in tonight’s starting XI, Chelsea have now used more players in the Premier League this season (27) than they did in the entirety of last season (26).

HT Fulham 1-0 Chelsea

20:56 , Michael Jones

Willian is the 26th player to score against Chelsea in the Premier League after previously playing for them in the competition; Chelsea have now had the most such players score against them of any side in the competition.

HT Fulham 1-0 Chelsea

20:52 , Michael Jones

Willian, the former Chelsea forward, sends Fulham in front midway through the first half at Craven Cottage. Can Fulham go on to win this match now?

(Action Images via Reuters)

(Action Images via Reuters)

Half-time: Fulham 1-0 Chelsea

20:48 , Michael Jones

45+3 mins: That’s been a great first half for Fulham. They’ve played positively and pressed in numbers to upset Chelsea’s rhythm. Willian’s opener was a well struck effort that a deflection took past Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Chelsea had created a couple of decent chances with their main threat coming through Joao Felix on debut. This match is still pretty open but Chelsea will need to up their levels.

Marco Silva will be the happier of the two managers.

Fulham 1-0 Chelsea

20:44 , Michael Jones

43 mins: Close! Fulham push for a second goal as they win the ball high up the pitch. It’s played across to Kenny Tete who curls a cross into the middle and finds Carlos Vinicius.

He heads an effort over to the far corner but Kepa scurries across and flaps it away before Thiago Silva completes the clearance!

Fulham 1-0 Chelsea

20:41 , Michael Jones

40 mins: Save! Kai Havertz bullies Tosin Adarabioyo off the ball when it comes over the top and regains possession inside the Fulham box.

He lays the ball off to Joao Felix who sneaks a shot in between the closest two defenders before forcing a low but sharp save out of Bernd Leno!

Fulham 1-0 Chelsea

20:37 , Michael Jones

37 mins: Yellow card! Trevoh Chalobah finds himself under pressure trying win the ball under pressure from two Fulham defenders. He lunges into a challenge on Joao Palhinha and takes out the man with his studs showing.

Fulham want a harsher punishment but the referee thinks that a yellow card is sufficient.

Fulham 1-0 Chelsea

20:36 , Michael Jones

34 mins: Oh hello! Chelsea win a corner that gets whipped into the six-yard box. Tosin Adarabioyo leaps above everyone to nod the ball clear but it comes out to Mateo Kovacic.

He decides to shoot with a scissor kick but smokes his effort over the crossbar!

Fulham 1-0 Chelsea

20:33 , Michael Jones

31 mins: Chelsea look seriously bereft of confidence in possession. Graham Potter obviously wants them to play out from the back but they’re not making runs into space nor passing the ball with any pace or fluidity.

At the other end of the pitch they’re seeing some joy through Joao Felix. He’s been a nuisance all game and almost gets on the end of a Lewis Hall cross but his lunge just comes short of the dropping ball.

Fulham 1-0 Chelsea

20:30 , Michael Jones

28 mins: Marco Silva went wild in the Fulham dugout whn that goal went in. His team could possible have struggled for goals tonight without Aleksandar Mitrovic but now they’ve got something to defend.

Is there a way back for Chelsea?

GOAL! Fulham 1-0 Chelsea (Willian, 25’)⚽️

20:26 , Michael Jones

25 mins: Fulham have the lead!

Andreas Pereira switches the play over to Kenny Tete who slips a pass out wide to Bobby De Cordova-Reid. The Fulham midfielder swings a cross over to the back post where the ball drops to Willian.

He cuts inside and shoots with the effort getting a lucky deflection off Trevoh Chalobah that takes it away from Kepa Arrizabalaga before landing in the far bottom corner!

Fulham 0-0 Chelsea

20:25 , Michael Jones

23 mins: Off the bar! A long ball is pumped up the pitch by Bernd Leno and bounces through to Trevoh Chalobah. The defender tries to nod the ball square but miscues it straight to Carlos Vinicius who slips Bobby De Cordova-Reid into the right side of the box.

De Cordova-Reid fizzes a shot at goal and Kepa Arrizabalaga is beaten by the pace. The shot continues to rise and strikes the crossbar before Chelsea clear the danger!

Fulham 0-0 Chelsea

20:22 , Michael Jones

21 mins: Shot! Fulham take a short corner and send the ball across to Harrison Reed who’s waiting just outside the penalty area. Reed stops the ball before letting fly a right-footed effort but there are too many bodies inside the box and his effort is blocked.

Fulham 0-0 Chelsea

20:20 , Michael Jones

18 mins: Joao Palhinha rises highest to head away Mason Mount’s corner kick but the ball gets recovered by Lewis Hall.

Chelsea slip Joao Felix into the left side of the box but his cross is also defended and Fulham push out of the box as a unit to force Chelsea to retreat.

Fulham 0-0 Chelsea

20:15 , Michael Jones

15 mins: Close! Wonderful play from Chelsea as the ball is sent up to Mason Mount who spins towards goal from midfield and combines with Kai Havertz for a quick one-two to get into space on the right side of the box.

Mount swings over a cross and picks out the run from Joao Felix who volleys his effort high and wide before the offside flag gets raised.

Fulham 0-0 Chelsea

20:13 , Michael Jones

12 mins: It’s Fulham’s time to work the ball into the penalty area after Cesar Azpilicueta gives away a free kick. Andreas Pereira whips in the cross but it’s well defended by Chelsea’s Kai Havertz.

Fulham 0-0 Chelsea

20:10 , Michael Jones

9 mins: This could be a long night for Antonee Robinson. Joao Felix is played in down the right once again and Robinson is drawn into the foul earning himself a yellow card. It’s his fifth of the season so the defender will face a suspension.

Chelsea’s resultant free kick is curled into the box but cleared as far as Mateo Kovacic. His shot from range is deflected and drops to Joao Felix who pulls his first effort at goal wide of the near post!

Fulham 0-0 Chelsea

20:08 , Michael Jones

6 mins: Fulham win the first corner of the game after a forward run from Antonee Robinson who sees his cross into the box nodded behind.

The win a second attempt at the set piece after Andreas Pereira’s delivery is headed behind by one of Chelsea’s defenders. The second corner is sent out for a throw which Fulham take quickly.

Robinson is played to the byline and manages to cut a pass back to Carlos Vinicius who controls the ball and fizzes a shot wide of the back post on the turn.

Fulham 0-0 Chelsea

20:04 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Chance! Joao Felix’s debut for Chelsea almost gets off to the perfect start as he makes a run down the right wing and is given the ball but Cesar Azpilicueta’s pass down the line.

Felix darts inside of Tim ream before sliding a pass to Kai Havertz whose first time shot is blocked. The ball rebounds over to Lewis Hall who also lets fly with a shot but Bernd Leno is well positioned to keep it out!

Kick off: Fulham 0-0 Chelsea

20:01 , Michael Jones

The rain is coming down over Craven Cottage as Fulham get the ball rolling for this Premier League encounter. They work the ball over to the left side of the pitch where Willian keeps it in play and nods the ball into the box.

He’s got a couple of teammates making runs but the ball bounces safely through to Kepa Arrizabalaga who scoops it into his arms.

Fulham vs Chelsea

19:54 , Michael Jones

Here come the teams.

Fulham will put themselves in a fantastic position to challenge for European football if they defeat Chelsea at Craven Cottage tonight. They will jump above Liverpool in the table and will be just four points off the top four.

Chelsea need to win. There’s a lot of pressure building on Graham Potter to get a positive result. A string of wins will put the Blues back in the hunt for the Champions League places and Potter will want that run to start as soon as possible.

Fulham vs Chelsea

19:51 , Michael Jones

What kind of impact will Joao Felix have on Chelsea? Can he help lift them back into the top four race?

(PA)

Can Chelsea spark a revival?

19:47 , Michael Jones

Chelsea are winless in all seven Premier League fixtures this season against teams above them in the table with three draws and four defeats.

But, the Blues have won nine of their last 11 away London derbies in the Premier League.

Can Fulham win this London derby?

19:43 , Michael Jones

Fulham are looking to win consecutive Premier League London derbies for the first time since April 2013, when they won three in a row.

Marco Silva’s side have scored in 16 different Premier League matches this campaign, a joint-league high alongside Arsenal, Manchester City and Spurs.

Lacking the clinical edge

19:39 , Michael Jones

Graham Potter’s side have scored just five goals in their last eight league matches, failing to score in half of those. Will the inclusion of new signing Joao Felix give Chelsea their clinical edge back in front of goal?

A terrible run of form

19:35 , Michael Jones

Chelsea could go winless in six successive away games in all competitions for the first time since September to November 2015 under Jose Mourinho, who was sacked the following month.

Can Graham Potter avoid the same fate?

Fulham in fine form

19:31 , Michael Jones

Fulham are aiming to win four consecutive top-flight games for the first time since 1966, when they had a run of five.

They have taken nine points from their last four league matches – only three Premier League sides have earned more in that period. Can they shock Chelsea tonight?

What Joao Felix will bring to Chelsea

19:27 , Michael Jones

Chelsea have completed a six-month loan move for Portugal forward Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid.

The 23-year-old will bolster the attacking options for head coach Graham Potter, whose squad is currently beset by injuries.

Here we take a look at what the player will bring to the London club.

An extra dimension with a point to prove: What Joao Felix will bring to Chelsea

Fulham vs Chelsea

19:23 , Michael Jones

Fulham have won just one of their 30 Premier League matches against Chelsea. It was a 1-0 victory in March 2006.

The Blues have shipped just six goals in their last 15 Premier League games against Fulham, and have not conceded more than once in any of those fixtures.

Fulham vs Chelsea

19:19 , Michael Jones

Chelsea have won seven straight league meetings with Fulham dating back to November 2012.

Meanwhile, the Cottagers have won just seven of the 74 league meetings between the sides. It is the lowest win rate in a fixture to have been played at least 50 times in English football league history.

Joao Felix brings buzz to Chelsea but underlines haphazard nature of ownership

19:14 , Michael Jones

The lure of Joao Felix proved too much for Todd Boehly. One last splash to prove his worth before seemingly handing the keys at Chelsea to one of the most extensive and deep recruitment teams ever assembled in European football.

The Portuguese forward has rarely displayed the consistency to justify Atletico Madrid’s staggering €126m (£112.9m) outlay from 2019, yet that is precisely why such a precocious talent is even available.

The allure of Felix was clear weeks ago, as Manchester United and Arsenal, a neater fit for his intrinsic control and movement, pondered their own loan offers.

Yet both clubs baulked at the mere suggestion of a fee north of €10m for the privilege of just six months of service.

Joao Felix brings buzz to Chelsea but underlines haphazard nature of ownership

Fulham vs Chelsea team changes

19:09 , Michael Jones

Marco Silva makes a heap of changes to the Fulham side that defeated Hull City 2-0 in the FA Cup third round at the weekend. Only Andreas Pereira, Carlos Vinicius, Harrison Reed and Tosin Adarabioyo keep their spots.

Graham Potter makes four changes to his Chelsea side. Thiago Silva returns to the defence along with Cesar Azpilicueta. Denis Zakaria starts in midfield and Joao Felix is given his Chelsea debut up top alongside Kai Havertz and Mason Mount.

Fulham vs Chelsea line-ups

19:00 , Michael Jones

Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Tosin, Ream, Robinson, Palhinha, Reed, Pereira, De Cordova-Reid, Vinicius, Willian

Chelsea XI: Kepa, Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Koulibaly, Azpilicueta, Zakaria, Kovacic, Hall, Mount, Havertz, Joao Felix

Aleksandar Mitrovic ‘getting better every single day’, Marco Silva believes

18:55 , Michael Jones

Fulham boss Marco Silva believes Aleksandar Mitrovic is getting back to his best.

The Serbia international scored his 11th goal of the season to secure a 1-0 victory at Leicester on Tuesday. It meant the Cottagers have already equalled their mark from when they were relegated with 28 points two years ago.

Mitrovic suffered a foot injury on international duty before the World Cup and struggled to regain fitness but Silva feels the striker is edging towards top form.

Aleksandar Mitrovic ‘getting better every single day’, Marco Silva believes

Fulham vs Chelsea

18:50 , Michael Jones

The Blues don’t have far to travel for tonight’s fixture against London rivals Fulham. Can Graham Potter’s side get back to winning ways?

Fulham boss Marco Silva plays down Chelsea’s poor run of form

18:45 , Michael Jones

Fulham manager Marco Silva has “no doubts” over Chelsea’s high quality despite their recent poor form ahead of Thursday’s west London derby at Craven Cottage.

Silva’s side head into the match seventh in the table having won all three Premier League games since action resumed in December following the World Cup, and having already equalled the points tally from their last top-flight campaign (28), when they were relegated under Scott Parker in 2020-21.

Graham Potter’s Blues, in contrast, have managed just one win in their last eight league matches and are currently dealing with a severe injury crisis, but Silva still expects them to be a force to be reckoned with.

Fulham boss Marco Silva plays down Chelsea’s poor run of form

Can Fulham win without Mitrovic?

18:40 , Michael Jones

Fulham will be without top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic for tonight’s fixture with Chelsea because he is banned after receiving a fifth yellow card of the season earlier this month.

Can the Cottagers win without their leading goalscorer?

(Action Images via Reuters)

Graham Potter says Chelsea manager is the ‘hardest job in football’

18:35 , Michael Jones

Graham Potter believes he has the hardest job in football as Chelsea labour to get to grips with their “new chapter” since Todd Boehly bought the club.

The team have struggled in the wake of being sold by Roman Abramovich, who brought unprecedented success during his nearly two decades in control, with a huge transfer outlay sanctioned by Boehly during the last six months yet to pay off.

Chelsea are 10th in the Premier League despite having spent nearly £350million since the American took control, with supporters singing the name of Abramovich and former head coach Thomas Tuchel during Sunday’s 4-0 defeat at Manchester City in the FA Cup third round.

Graham Potter says Chelsea manager is the ‘hardest job in football’

Under-fire Chelsea manager Graham Potter accepts frustrated fans need to see more

18:30 , Michael Jones

Graham Potter admits Chelsea must improve after their heavy FA Cup defeat to Manchester City, as he came under fire for leading the club to just two wins in nine games.

“The results in a small space of time are not positive,” he said.

“You can make excuses and look for reasons or say it isn’t good enough. Both of those answers are correct.

“We have to keep improving and stick together because clearly we are suffering as a football club and it’s not nice at all. But that’s where we are at the moment.”

Fulham focused on beating the drop and not dreaming of Europe

18:25 , Michael Jones

Boss Marco Silva vowed Fulham were focused on beating the drop and not Europe after Aleksandar Mitrovic sunk Leicester.

The Cottagers sit seventh in the Premier League after reaching 28 points – the same amount they were relegated with two years ago – following Tuesday night’s narrow 1-0 win.

Mitrovic’s 11th goal of the season also equalled his best Premier League tally, although a fifth booking means he will miss next week’s visit of Chelsea.

Fulham are 14 points clear of the bottom three but Silva insisted they must stay out of trouble.

Marco Silva: Fulham focused on beating the drop and not dreaming of Europe

Fulham ‘not thinking’ about European football

18:20 , Michael Jones

Fulham captain Tom Cairney explained to the BBC that his team aren’t aiming too high and thinking about finishing the season inside the European spots but are instead focused on making sure they stay in the top flight after winning promotion from the Championship last year.

“That’s not in our mind at all,” he said when asked about Europe, “We’re not thinking about European football, at all. It’s not in our mindset, the aim for any newly-promoted side is to stay in the Premier League.”

Cairney went on to speak about what he’s expecting from tonight’s clash with Chelsea and whether his side can defeat the Blues.

“We’re above them in the table right now, but it doesn’t mean a lot,” Cairney added. “They’ve got a lot of strength in depth. They can turn it on at any point. It’s going to be a tough, tough match at the Cottage.”

Fulham vs Chelsea prediction

18:15 , Michael Jones

Chelsea have a 10-year winning run in this fixture so it comes at a good time for Graham Potter’s struggling side.

They’ll feel confident of overcoming Fulham despite being away from home but Marco Silva has his team playing with confidence and aggression so they’ll bite back at whatever Chelsea throw their way which should make for an interesting contest.

Fulham 1-1 Chelsea.

Fulham vs Chelsea predicted line-ups

18:10 , Michael Jones

Fulham: Leno; Tete, Ream, Adarabioyo, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha; De Cordova-Reid, Pereira, Willian; Vinicius

Chelsea: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Koulibaly, Silva, Cucurella; Kovacic, Zakaria, Jorginho; Ziyech, Havertz, Mount

Christian Pulisic faces two months out injured, confirms Chelsea boss Graham Potter

18:05 , Michael Jones

Chelsea boss Graham Potter has confirmed that he will be without two forwards for up to two months, just as the Blues confirm the capture on loan of Joao Felix.

Christian Pulisic faces eight weeks on the sidelines after departing the recent defeat to Manchester City – and Raheem Sterling, who went off in the same game, could be absent for almost as long.

The Blues will at least have striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang available, but they are still awaiting to hear whether or not new arrival Felix has been registered in time to face Fulham on Thursday night.

Pulisic faces two months out injured, confirms Chelsea boss Potter

What is the early team news?

18:00 , Michael Jones

Fulham will be without top-scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic. The striker picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Leicester and serves a one-match suspension. Shane Duffy has not yet recovered from illness, while Neeskens Kebano remains a long-term injury absentee.

Chelsea will have Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang available after a back injury, but Christian Pulisic is still a couple of months away from returning and Raheem Sterling is also not close to a comeback. Ben Chilwell, Reuben Loftus-Cheek, Reece James and N’Golo Kante remain out, while the club are waiting to hear whether new signing Joao Felix was registered in time to feature.

How to watch Fulham vs Chelsea

17:55 , Michael Jones

The match will kick off at 8pm BST on Thursday 12 January.

The match will be shown live on BT Sport 1, with coverage starting at 7pm BST. BT Sport customers can also stream the match live on the BT Sport app and website.

Fulham vs Chelsea

17:17 , Michael Jones

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Premier League action as Fulham host Chelsea at Craven Cottage.

Marco Silva’s men are seventh in the table after a four game unbeaten run following the return of domestic football after the World Cup. They’ve West Ham, Crystal Palace and Southampton before Aleksandar Mitrovic’s first half strike saw them ease past Leicester 1-0 last time out. Fulham will jump ahead of Liverpool into sixth if they are triumphant tonight and will be confident of overcoming Graham Potter’s struggling Blues.

Chelsea have won just once in their last nine league matches which is a run that has seen them slip to 10th in the table. There is pressure on the manager with fans chanting out for former boss Thomas Tuchel during the Blues’ recent defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup.

Chelsea have a strong record against Fulham and should be the favourites to win tonight but their form is poor and they’re away from home so this could be another difficult night for Potter’s side.

Kick off at Craven Cottage is at 8pm and we’ll have all the build-up, team news and updates leading up to the game.