Liam Rosenior had a watching brief in the stands at Craven Cottage as Chelsea lost to Fulham in a west London derby in the Premier League. Rosenior, a former Fulham player, was officially confirmed as the new Blues head coach on Tuesday after leaving BlueCo sister club Strasbourg to succeed Enzo Maresca, but isn’t taking the reins at Cobham until Thursday as he prepares for the FA Cup clash with Charlton.
Instead it was a second and final game at the helm for interim boss Calum McFarlane, who guided Chelsea to an unlikely draw at Manchester City on Sunday thanks to a late equaliser from Enzo Fernandez. McFarlane had a number of players back and made six changes to the team that battled for a point at the Etihad Stadium, but Marc Cucurella’s first-half red card proved costly as Chelsea’s lack of discipline showed once again.
Harry Wilson - on whom Cucurella committed the foul that led to his dismissal - had a goal ruled out for Fulham before Raul Jimenez broke the deadlock after the break, with Liam Delap equalising with his first league goal for Chelsea before the in-form Wilson struck a late winner to continue his remarkable run. Follow Fulham vs Chelsea live below!
Fulham vs Chelsea highlights
- GOAL! Wilson restores Fulham lead late on
- GOAL! Delap scores first in league for Chelsea
- GOAL! Jimenez heads home to break deadlock
- NO GOAL! Wilson effort ruled out before half-time
- RED CARD! Cucurella sent off for foul on Wilson
- New Chelsea boss Rosenior watches on from stands
Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 21:29 , George FloodFull-time
A rare home win over their west London rivals for Fulham, who rise into the top half of the Premier League table and level on points with now eighth-placed Chelsea, the latter ahead only on goal difference.
Not too many more impactful players around than Harry Wilson at the moment.
It’s now six unbeaten in the top-flight for Marco Silva’s confident side, who have been impressing for a couple of months now.
As for Chelsea, it’s one win in nine and a disappointing end to the brief caretaker stint of Calum McFarlane, whose Under-21s were also thrashed 6-2 by Benfica on a doubly bad night.
He will now revert back to that role, with Liam Rosenior taking the first-team reins at Cobham from Thursday ahead of back-to-back cup showdowns with Charlton and Arsenal.
Plenty of work for the new boss to do - the priority will be fixing the chronic lack of discipline that remains a real issue for Chelsea.
Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 21:28 , George Flood95 mins: Great hold-up play from the imposing Traore and Fulham have a late corner.
They quickly lose possession though and there may be time for one more Chelsea chance...
Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 21:25 , George Flood90 mins: Into five minutes of second-half stoppage time as Jimenez is booked for a foul on Chalobah.
Castagne has also been cautioned for Fulham, who have sent on Adama Traore for likely match-winner Wilson.
Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 21:23 , George Flood86 mins: Loud cheers as Sunday’s last-gasp hero against Liverpool, Harrison Reed, entered the fray for Fulham a couple of minutes ago.
Smith Rowe off.
Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 21:22 , George Flood84 mins: Neto’s effort is deflected wide with 10-man Chelsea far from done here.
They go short with the resulting corner but the offside flag is up against Acheampong as they look to deliver to the back post.
GOAL! Fulham 2-1 Chelsea | Harry Wilson 81'
Wednesday 7 January 2026 21:15 , George Flood82 mins: Fulham’s lead is restored with less than 10 minutes to play!
Sanchez had done well to deny both Jimenez and Smith Rowe, but he can’t keep out that low effort from Wilson that crucially deflected off James before nestling in the far corner.
Marco Silva with wild celebrations on the touchline.
Is that the winner?
Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 21:13 , George Flood77 mins: An excellent game this now as Fulham shout for handball inside the box, with a crucial last-ditch block then denying the ever-dangerous Wilson before Kevin’s curling effort is held by Sanchez.
Sessegnon and Lukic have replaced Robinson and Cairney for Fulham.
Acheampong and Joao Pedro on for Gusto - who was limping - and Palmer for Chelsea.
Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 21:09 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at Craven Cottage
That is Liam Delap's first Premier League goal for Chelsea and he seemed to enjoy it, the way he celebrated in front of the away fans.
It's reward for McFarlane's decision to start him up front ahead of Joao Pedro.
GOAL! Fulham 1-1 Chelsea | Liam Delap 72'
Wednesday 7 January 2026 21:06 , George Flood72 mins: It had been coming!
Delap is alert and knocks in his first Premier League goal for Chelsea after a corner from the right is inadvertently flicked by Robinson onto the back post.
Rosenior is delighted in the stands.
Fulham 1-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 21:04 , George Flood69 mins: Fulham need to try and get some control here as Palmer embarks on a mazy run inside the box and Leno saves with his foot.
The Chelsea corners are piling up.
James is on for Fernandez.
Fulham 1-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 21:02 , George Flood66 mins: A really open game this now as Fulham continue to send dangerous low deliveries into the box.
But Chelsea suddenly look far more threatening despite their numerical disadvantage, with Caicedo getting forward and firing low at Leno inside the box.
Fulham 1-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:58 , George Flood63 mins: A huge chance for Chelsea as Tosin’s low pass through the lines is dummied brilliantly by Palmer, opening the door for Delap.
He charges into the box and tries to lift the ball over Leno, who parries as Diop then makes an important clearing header.
A massive opportunity missed for the 10 men.
Fulham 1-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:53 , George Flood60 mins: Hato does well to prevent Fulham from scoring again on the hour mark as Wilson is sent through and the Chelsea substitute manages to nudge him aside and head back to Sanchez.
This will be checked by VAR, but there was nothing wrong with that.
Crucial defending.
Fulham 1-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:52 , George Flood57 mins: Almost a quick-fire second for Fulham as Kevin charges at Tosin and then arrows into the side netting.
Chelsea are rocking.
Fulham 1-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:51 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at Craven Cottage
There's no ruling that one out. Fine goal by Jimenez, a superb header.
"There's only one team in Fulham", cry the home fans in delight.
GOAL! Fulham 1-0 Chelsea | Raul Jimenez 55'
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:49 , George Flood55 mins: Now Fulham do break the deadlock!
Jimenez was at fault for Wilson’s goal being disallowed before half-time, but now he makes amends by bending his run and getting ahead of Chalobah to head home Berge’s cross off the hand of Sanchez.
Craven Cottage erupts!
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:46 , George Flood52 mins: Both sides look dangerous in attack during the opening stages of this second period.
Chelsea force another corner, with Hato heading Fernandez’s delivery from the left over.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:44 , George Flood50 mins: Wilson’s swerving low strike spins wide of the back post off the deflection by Chalobah.
Diop can’t find the target after Fulham go short with the resulting corner from the right.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:41 , George Flood47 mins: A lively start to the second half as Fulham attack and Chelsea quickly counter, with Neto shooting well wide.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:40 , George FloodBack underway at Craven Cottage, where Silva is changing to a more attacking shape against Chelsea’s 10 men.
Winger Kevin replaces centre-back Cuenca, who was on a yellow for dragging down Palmer before the break.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:32 , George FloodHere is the challenge that led to Cucurella’s red card.
No idea what Chelsea were complaining about - they got three yellows for their protests.
One long ball from Leno had them in all sorts of trouble, Wilson sent through one-on-one.
Cucurella pulls down Wilson on the edge of the penalty area and is given his marching orders! 🟥 pic.twitter.com/8vPliMWqxo
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 7, 2026
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:25 , George FloodHalf-time
Chelsea are hugely relieved as the whistle sounds and their 10 men get a chance to regroup in the dressing room.
A penny for Liam Rosenior’s thoughts at the interval...
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:24 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at Craven Cottage
What a reprieve. Wilson's glorious scoring run almost continued, but Chelsea survive thanks to a rogue Jimenez foot leaning offside. It's such a let-off for the visitors.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:21 , George Flood50 mins: NO GOAL!
Jimenez was offside in the build-up there and it’s ruled out.
A massive reprieve for Chelsea’s 10 men, who will be desperate for the half-time whistle.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:20 , George Flood49 mins: Fulham’s extra man tells on the stroke of half-time!
And it’s their man of the moment again as Wilson fires low past Sanchez.
But there were a couple of potential offside shouts there during some nifty Fulham build-up and we will go over to the VAR...
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:16 , George Flood45 mins: Chelsea are under huge pressure as we move into six minutes of added time at the end of an eventful first half.
Caicedo is back on.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:15 , George Flood44 mins: Caicedo comes off worse from another challenge with Berge and leaves Chelsea temporarily defending with nine men before half-time.
Not sure what he hurt there.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:13 , George Flood42 mins: That is poor from Palmer as Chelsea break and he goes for goal, firing too close to Leno from a tough angle.
Here come Fulham again, Smith Rowe picking up the ball in a pocket of space outside the box and fizzing a swerving effort narrowly over the crossbar.
That was close.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:11 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at Craven Cottage
Harry Wilson seems to just perennially be free and unmarked in the middle of the park for Fulham team-mates to use as an out ball.
Chelsea have to pick him up better and get tighter to the Welshman in midfield.
He is, after all, the league's most prolific goal contributor besides Erling Haaland since the November international break.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:10 , George Flood36 mins: Gusto diving in unnecessarily opens the door for Smith Rowe once more, but Fulham can’t make the most of it.
More errant kicking off the deck by Sanchez in the Chelsea goal.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:08 , George FloodChelsea’s disciplinary problem laid bare.
Enzo Maresca said he wasn’t concerned by it, but Liam Rosenior surely will be.
5 - Chelsea have received five red cards in the Premier League this season - only in 2007-08 have they ever been given more (6) in a single campaign in the competition. Problem. pic.twitter.com/cjYsNc6Oyo
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 7, 2026
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:07 , George Flood34 mins: Smith Rowe fires well off target as Fulham look to make their numerical advantage count before the break.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:05 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at Craven Cottage
Youngest squad in the Premier League or not, the indiscipline at Chelsea is a disgrace and something Liam Rosenior must sort out.
Yellow cards get you suspensions, red cards lose you games. It has to improve.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:04 , George Flood31 mins: Fulham look confident with their extra man, now more spice as Chelsea take exception to Berge’s foul on Caicedo, who doesn’t react well with Gusto also involved.
Discipline is by far the biggest problem that Rosenior needs to sort out at Chelsea.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:01 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at Craven Cottage
New coach - no coach? - but no difference in terms of Chelsea's discipline.
They're down to 10 men as Cucurella is sent off rightly.
Rosenior in the stands had a long conversation with Winstanley, sat in front of him.
Fernandez needlessly complaining and has been booked. Discipline, discipline, discipline.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:58 , George Flood27 mins: Wilson’s free-kick is blocked well by Caicedo before Santos does likewise to deny Jimenez.
McFarlane is making an early change after that Cucurella dismissal.
Hato is coming on for Santos.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:57 , George Flood25 mins: It’s all kicking off at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea protest furiously to the referee and Palmer, Tosin and Fernandez are all booked.
An angry Marco Silva is also shown yellow and will now serve a touchline ban.
Is he arguing that should have been a penalty?
It stays a free-kick on the edge of the box after a VAR check.
What drama in this derby!
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:54 , George Flood22 mins: Two more quick-fire Fernandez corners from the left cause yet more issues for Leno after a fine array of one-touch passing leads to a hopeful Fernandez effort that is diverted behind off Berge.
Fulham break with a long ball from Leno and Cucurella drags down Wilson just outside the box.
It’s a clear goalscoring opportunity and Cucurella is shown a straight red card by referee Peter Bankes!
Chelsea’s woeful disciplinary record continues.
That foul looked to start outside the box and continue inside.
Cucurella marches off as VAR checks for a possible penalty...
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:51 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at Craven Cottage
That's twice now that Fernandez corners have caused real trouble for Leno and the Fulham defence.
Again, it does look as though he's shot, and that it's hitting the post or going in if not for the touch.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:51 , George Flood18 mins: Another devilish Fernandez corner - this time to the back post - from the left causes more chaos in Fulham’s six-yard box, with the ball bouncing off the shoulder of the unsuspecting Santos and onto the crossbar from point-blank range.
Caicedo’s low follow-up drive is blocked on the line by Berge before the offside flag goes up.
A huge let-off for Fulham.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:47 , George Flood16 mins: Palmer is denied a free-kick on the edge of the Fulham box and the hosts counter-attack again, with a long-range drive charged down.
They are starting to look more lively.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:46 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at Craven Cottage
No real surprise here that Fulham have gone with the same back-three system that worked so well against Liverpool.
That was only the second time this season they had used it.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:45 , George Flood14 mins: Wilson has been in excellent form for Fulham of late and looks to test Sanchez with a bending effort that is easily held by the Chelsea goalkeeper.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:45 , George Flood11 mins: Chelsea are seeing most of the ball early on here, with Fernandez caught by Diop as he tries to release Neto with an overhit pass that runs harmlessly out of play for a goal kick.
A sore one, but he’s back up quickly.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:41 , George Flood8 mins: Leno has to be alert as he scrambles at his front post to keep Fernandez’s wicked corner delivery from the left from flying straight in.
Diop conceded the corner.
Delap did his best to stop Leno getting there, with Fulham wanting a free-kick.
I think that would have been ruled out, had it gone in.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:40 , George FloodLiam Rosenior, deep in conversation with Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali in the stands at Craven Cottage...
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:38 , George Flood7 mins: As expected, it’s Caicedo and Santos as the midfield duo for Chelsea, with Fernandez playing further forward as the No10.
Palmer down the right and Neto on the left, with Delap through the middle.
A wild effort from range from stand-in captain Fernandez was never troubling Leno in the Fulham goal.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:36 , George Flood5 mins: A bit of a sluggish start from Chelsea as Palmer runs the ball out of play for a goal kick, much to the amusement of the home fans.
Now an aimless pass sails out of play on the near side.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:34 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at Craven Cottage
Rosenior is sat next to Eghbali and they're deep in conversation. That's what my binoculars are showing me, anyway.
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:33 , George Flood2 mins: Caicedo goes down early for Chelsea but is now back on his feet.
Fulham play on and Sanchez has to make a comfortable save from the in-form Wilson at his near post.
There is a ‘BlueCo out’ banner in the away end...
Fulham vs Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:31 , George FloodUnderway at Craven Cottage, where Chelsea have fared very well over the years.
Will they impress new boss Liam Rosenior?
All white vs all blue on the kit front, with Peter Bankes the referee and John Brooks leading the VAR team.
Rosenior: We have to hit the ground running
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:27 , George FloodMore from Liam Rosenior as the teams emerge from the tunnel at Craven Cottage, where there has been a pre-match light show and plenty of pyrotechnics...
"Super excited. I can't wait," he told Sky Sports.
"As a young man I have always wanted to be a coach, I've talked about it a lot.
"For this opportunity to come up at this stage of my career is great but my biggest focus is not about being Chelsea manager, it's about being a winning Chelsea manager, and that is the message that I gave the players yesterday when I was fortunate enough to meet them for the first time.
"We need to hit the ground running for the rest of the season.
"Every manager has an idea of the way that they want to play. That's what makes you a coach. For me I have an idea of the way that I want to play, it has to suit the players.
"I think that is one of the reasons I have been brought to the club, it suits the players perfectly, but you have to be able to adapt in terms of tactics, systems, formations.
"The lads when I was working in Strasbourg were very supportive of me. We are very aligned in terms of recruitment, style of play.
"That is why I was brought into the project to begin with.
“To be honest I never thought it would end up with me stood here in January as Chelsea manager but in life you never know what's going to happen."
Rosenior explains watching brief against Fulham
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:26 , George FloodHere’s Liam Rosenior’s response when asked why he isn’t taking charge of Chelsea tonight...
"Travel, but mainly the fact that Calum [McFarlane] did such an incredible job against Manchester City,” he told Sky Sports.
"I thought the performance of the players, certainly in the second half, the energy, the intensity, the quality that they played with.
“Not just Calum but Harry (Hudson) as well, they have supported the lads in a really difficult moment in a really good way.
"I flew in from Strasbourg yesterday morning, so it is a difficult time frame for me to get in the tactical work I want to get into to get the lads to give them the best possible chance to win.
"I've got full faith in Calum and the lads to win tonight."
Liam Rosenior speaking to Sky Sports
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:16 , George FloodLiam Rosenior has been speaking to Sky Sports ahead of kick-off at Craven Cottage...
"Chelsea's built on winning... I want to entertain as well!"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 7, 2026
Liam Rosenior on his aims at Chelsea going forward 📈🏆 pic.twitter.com/kAypWkyNpI
Chelsea stars eager to impress new boss Rosenior
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:12 , George FloodHere is more from Standard Sport’s Chelsea correspondent Dom Smith ahead of kick-off at Craven Cottage...
🗣️ "A very busy few days for Chelsea."@MrDomSmith previews tonight's west London derby at Craven Cottage, where Liam Rosenior is watching his new team from the stands
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) January 7, 2026
LIVE: https://t.co/UyMtdaaeS0#FULCHE pic.twitter.com/b7GLiQY3cF
Liam Rosenior arrives at Craven Cottage
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:05 , George FloodThe man of the moment has arrived at Craven Cottage...
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Craven Cottage
This is the fifth home league game against Chelsea in which Marco Silva has led Fulham against their west London rivals.
A different man has been in the Chelsea dugout each and every time.
Six Chelsea changes from Man City draw
Wednesday 7 January 2026 18:50 , George FloodInterim coach Calum McFarlane makes six changes to the Chelsea side that grabbed an unlikely late draw at Manchester City on Sunday.
Robert Sanchez has recovered from a small muscle issue so returns in goal in place of Filip Jorgensen, with Marc Cucurella shaking off his hamstring injury to come back in at left-back as Malo Gusto switches to the right and Josh Acheampong moves to the bench.
There is no Benoit Badiashile at all as Tosin Adarabioyo comes in to partner Trevoh Chalobah in the heart of defence.
Moises Caicedo returns from his one-match ban and partners Andrey Santos in midfield, with Reece James only on the bench and Enzo Fernandez - who wears the captain’s armband - presumably pushed into the No10 spot and Cole Palmer moving out wide.
Liam Delap is preferred to Joao Pedro up front.
Wesley Fofana is fit enough for the bench, alongside Estevao Willian after his half-time substitution at the Etihad.
Gabriel Slonina, Marc Guiu and young Max Merrick all drop out of the matchday squad.
One Fulham change as Berge replaces Lukic
Wednesday 7 January 2026 18:41 , George FloodFulham show just the one change from Sunday’s dramatic last-gasp home draw with Liverpool.
Sander Berge is back in midfield as Sasa Lukic drops to the bench.
Ryan Sessegnon is named among the substitutes after more than a month out, with young goalkeeper Alfie McNally dropping out.
Harrison Reed’s late wonderstrike at the weekend is not enough to earn a start.
Fulham lineup
Wednesday 7 January 2026 18:25 , George FloodFulham XI: Leno, Diop, Andersen, Cuenca, Castagne, Berge, Cairney, Robinson, Wilson, Smith Rowe, Jimenez
Subs: Lecomte, Sessegnon, Amissah, Reed, Lukic, Ridgeon, Adama, Kevin, Kusi-Asare
Chelsea lineup
Wednesday 7 January 2026 18:20 , George FloodChelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella, Caicedo, Santos, Fernandez, Palmer, Neto, Delap
Subs: Jorgensen, Acheampong, James, Fofana, Hato, Estevao, Garnacho, Gittens, Joao Pedro
Liam Rosenior travels to Craven Cottage on Chelsea team bus
Wednesday 7 January 2026 18:15 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at Craven Cottage
Behdad Eghbali and Paul Winstanley are here at Craven Cottage.
They could well be sat in the stands with new head coach Liam Rosenior, who just arrived on the team bus.
Fulham contact PGMOL over Florian Wirtz goal for Liverpool
Wednesday 7 January 2026 18:13 , George FloodFulham have been no stranger to VAR controversy this season, with Marco Silva left raging by some of the decisions that went against his side in their 2-0 defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in August - namely Josh King’s disallowed goal at 0-0 for a foul by Rodrigo Muniz on Trevoh Chalobah, and Ryan Sessegnon - in contention to return from injury tonight - giving away a penalty for handball.
Fulham have also now written to the PGMOL over Florian Wirtz’s contentious goal for Liverpool at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
Silva insisted he “could not believe” the goal was given, and said yesterday: “The club is trying to get in contact [with the PGMOL] - until now we didn't have any feedback.
"We are still waiting for some feedback from the Premier League, from PGMOL, because it is very important for us.
"We didn't have the one to make us understand why and not have the same opinion.
"Not just me... me, my staff, our football club, all the other players, fans.
"I think if you go to ask all Premier League [teams, each club] is going to have the same opinion.
“All the people that love football will have the same opinion as myself.
"I don't have a way to measure, but in my opinion it is much more than 5cm.
"When you see the moment of the pass in all the images, the player was clear offside."
Liam Rosenior: Chelsea's potential is 'scary'
Wednesday 7 January 2026 17:49 , George FloodThere was plenty in Liam Rosenior’s first Chelsea interview to excite fans, many of whom seem rather underwhelmed by the appointment.
That included the new head coach describing the club’s potential as “scary” when asked what excites him most about the challenge ahead at Stamford Bridge.
“The potential – I think the potential is scary,” he said.
“If you have what we have here in terms of the raw tools, the ingredients, the quality of the players, the age they're at, and in terms the staff.
“Then, in terms of the supporters, when Stamford Bridge is rocking and with the away fans, Chelsea away fans are top.
“My job is to create an atmosphere where we consistently win.
“I want to be here for a long time. I know I need to win in the short term, but I need to build for the long term.
“I don't want to single out individual players because every member of that squad is world-class in my eyes; I just want to improve them and I'm really, really looking forward to getting to work with them in the next few days.”
Liam Rosenior: Joining Chelsea one of my proudest days
Wednesday 7 January 2026 17:40 , George FloodLiam Rosenior has already given his first official interview as Chelsea’s new head coach.
“Proud. Excited. Can't wait to start,” he told the club’s in-house media team earlier today when asked how it felt to be appointed.
“It's a lot of hard work in my life to get to this point, but as I've already said to the players, getting to this club is one thing, but I want to win at this amazing football club with these players and the staff.
“That is what my focus is on.
“When I first heard that Chelsea Football Club were interested in me becoming the new head coach, it was one of the proudest days of my life.
“Now I am sat here having met the staff and the players, and it's a day that myself and my family will never forget.”
Asked for his first message to Chelsea fans, Rosenior said: “Believe. Believe in what's an amazing football club.
“Believe in the players, as when you give energy to your team, you help them win.
“That’s why I'm here. It’s why my staff are here. It’s why the players are here.
“We're here to win and I really, really need the fans to help us achieve that. I can't wait to meet them really soon.”
Fulham vs Chelsea prediction
Wednesday 7 January 2026 17:31 , George FloodChelsea remain something of an unknown quantity under Calum McFarlane’s interim leadership, but the squad proved against Manchester City that they have not let their standards slip.
With incoming manager Liam Rosenior watching on from the stands, those Blues on the pitch will be keen to impress and snap their winless run.
With key players returning from injury and Fulham dealing with several absentees, the cards seem stacked in Chelsea’s favour.
While it is true that Fulham are in fine form, this revitalised Chelsea side will take some beating as they embark on a new era.
Chelsea to win, 2-0.
Chelsea team news
Wednesday 7 January 2026 17:26 , George FloodChelsea have Moises Caicedo back from his latest suspension tonight in a massive boost for Calum McFarlane.
The Blues’ caretaker boss said yesterday that first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and defenders Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana would also be back available if they managed to get through a final training session at Cobham unscathed.
Filip Jorgensen deputised in goal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday after Sanchez suffered a small muscle injury, while Cucurella failed to shrug off a hamstring problem in time to feature and Fofana woke up ill.
Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo and Levi Colwill are all still out.
Fulham team news
Wednesday 7 January 2026 17:19 , George FloodFulham remain without the trio of Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze, all of whom have progressed through to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals in Morocco with Nigeria.
Kenny Tete, Rodrigo Muniz and Josh King - who saw a brilliant goal against Chelsea controversially disallowed at Stamford Bridge back in August - are out injured.
How to watch Fulham vs Chelsea
Wednesday 7 January 2026 17:07 , George FloodTV channel: In the UK, tonight’s west London derby will be televised live on Sky Sports Football, with coverage starting at 6pm GMT.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.
Fulham vs Chelsea live
Wednesday 7 January 2026 16:59 , George FloodChelsea await the imminent start of yet another new era as they travel the short distance to Fulham tonight for a west London derby in the Premier League.
Following Enzo Maresca’s exit on New Year’s Day, Liam Rosenior was officially confirmed yesterday as their new head coach on a six-and-a-half year contract after leaving sister club Strasbourg.
However, he won’t take his first training session at Cobham until tomorrow ahead of a first game away at Charlton in the FA Cup third round on Saturday night, so will be watching from the stands this evening at a stadium he knows very well from his playing days.
Instead it’s a second and final match at the helm for usual Under-21s coach Calum McFarlane, Chelsea’s interim boss, who led them to a surprising draw at Manchester City on Sunday thanks to Enzo Fernandez’s late equaliser.
Chelsea have an excellent record away against Fulham, but the hosts have been in fine form under Marco Silva over recent months and had Harrison Reed’s last-gasp goal-of-the-season contender to thank for making it five unbeaten in the top-flight with a dramatic 2-2 draw with Liverpool at the weekend.
11th plays fifth in the league, with kick-off at the slightly earlier time of 7:30pm GMT.
Stick with us for match build-up, breaking team news and minute-by-minute game updates, including expert insight and analysis from Standard Sport’s Chelsea correspondent Dom Smith at Craven Cottage.
