Chelsea had an unwanted start to their Premier League match at home to Fulham on Saturday when Liam Delap was forced off injured before Josh King had the ball in the back of the net for The Cottagers.
New forward Delap pulled up and clutched the back of his right leg while chasing the ball early in the first half on his full home debut, with Tyrique George replacing the £30 million signing.
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho, who is expected to join Chelsea, was in the stands at Stamford Bridge and saw his side concede in the 21st minute, only for the effort to be ruled out.
Josh King’s opening goal is disallowed for a ‘careless challenge’ after VAR review ❌
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Chelsea vs Fulham: Garnacho transfer close
Garnacho will join Chelsea for £40 million on a contract until 2032, according to multiple reports this week including ESPN.
The outlet said United will receive 10% of any future transfer fee Chelsea receive for Garnacho, having initially wanted £50m.
Alejandro Garnacho is at Stamford Bridge ahead of his pending move to Chelsea 👀
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The 21-year-old was left out of United’s pre-season preparations after criticising manager Ruben Amorim.
Chelsea vs Fulham – Premier League Free Bets, Top Betting Offers & Match Tips
Josh King goal: VAR denies Fulham
Fulham academy product King thought he had scored his first Premier League goal in composed fashion when he reached Rodrigo Muniz’s perceptive pass, entered the penalty area and beat goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Forward Muniz produced an inspired spin inside the centre circle to create the goal, which was disallowed following a pitchside monitor review by referee Rob Jones, who decided that Muniz had fouled Trevoh Chalobah.
“I’m fuming,” former Premier League defender Curtis Davies told BBC Radio 5 Live. “Trevor Chalobah has gone for a tackle that was never in his favour.
“Rodrigo Muniz takes the ball and accidentally steps on his foot. I don’t know how that’s a foul, never mind taking off the goal. It’s ridiculous.”
Chelsea vs Fulham teams
Chelsea were again without Cole Palmer because of a groin problem the midfielder suffered during the warm-up at West Ham clash.
Joao Pedro and Delap initially led the line in an unchanged side. Defender Benoit Badiashile and midfielders Romeo Lavia and Omari Kellyman are injured, while winger Mykhaylo Mudryk continues to serve a suspension for alleged anti-doping violations.
Key defender Levi Colwill is expected to miss the majority of the campaign with a serious knee injury and long-term absentee Wesley Fofana continued his comeback on the bench.
Chelsea starting XI: Robert Sanchez, Malo Gusto, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Estevao, Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto, Liam Delap
Chelsea substitutes: Filip Jorgensen, Josh Acheampong, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Jorrel Hato, Dario Essugo, Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, Jamie Gittens
Fulham lineup vs Chelsea
Fulham were also unchanged. Midfielder Harry Wilson had been a doubt but was on the bench alongside forward Raul Jimenez, who scored in the 2-0 EFL Cup home win over second-tier Bristol City on Wednesday.
Fulham starting XI: Bernd Leno, Kenny Tete, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, Timothy Castagne, Sasa Lukic, Sander Berge, Ryan Sessegnon, Joshua King, Alex Iwobi, Rodrigo Muniz
Fulham substitutes: Benjamin Lecomte, Jorge Cuenca, Antonee Robinson, Harrison Reed, Tom Cairney, Adama Traore, Harry Wilson, Emile Smith Rowe, Raul Jimenez
How to watch Chelsea vs Fulham: Live stream, TV channel
Kick-off on Saturday was at 12:30 BST (07:30 ET / 04:30 PT), with live coverage in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate.
According to BT, TNT Sports costs £20 a month when bought with a broadband package or £30.99 a month without a contract.
The game can be live-streamed on a vast variety of devices on the accompanying Discovery Plus app.
