Stamford Bridge served as the backdrop to a very controversial Chelsea win over Fulham in the English Premier League early kick off game on Saturday, August 30.
The Blues beat Fulham 2-0 at home in its third London derby game in a row to open the 2025-2026 season having drawn goalless with Crystal Palace and hammered West Ham 5-0 in the prior games.
Joao Pedro scored at the end of the first half via a header from a corner kick before Enzo Fernandez swept home Chelsea’s second from the penalty spot.
However, the game was marred in controversy as Josh King’s goal for Fulham was disallowed after a VAR check. Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz was deemed to have fouled Trevoh Chalobah with a “careless challenge” effectively cancelling what would have been King’s first goal at the senior level.
The frustration for Fulham manager Marco Silva worsened after Pedro handled the ball just five seconds before Chalobah’s cross hit Ryan Sessegnon’s arm leading to a penalty for Chelsea that was converted by Fernandez.
“The referee makes his decisions. I don’t have anything to say about it. If the referee gives that, it’s good for us. I knew my hand was close to my body. I just waited for the decision from the referee and he gave the penalty for us” Joao Pedro said in an interview after the game according to the BBC.
