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Neil Johnston
All times stated are UK
Goodbye
That's your lot for this live text.
Chelsea win the west London derby, but there's more football to come.
Head over here from 16:15 GMT for build-up of Newcastle against Manchester City.
A victory for Pep Guardiola's side will lift them up into second - two points behind leaders Liverpool.
Catch you soon.
'It should have been a red card for Gusto'
FT: Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Fulham
Fulham boss Marco Silva, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It was a challenging game for us and Chelsea. It was a derby. We didn't start the game well. The first 15 minutes were not at a very good level, Chelsea were better. After 20, 25 minutes we started to play in our way. Unfortunately for us, they had the penalty in the last minute of the first half. It should have been a red card for Gusto. It's difficult for the referee on the field to see if there's something more, he gave the yellow card. My opinion in that moment was that help should have come with the vision of the VAR. That has not been consistent so far this season. Second half we were more open, took more risks. We had our chances. Chelsea were clinical."
On Gusto yellow card: "I got information straight away from the bench on the screen. It was clear. I know the officials opinion. 100 per cent sure. I think Anthony Taylor, it is difficult for him. The vision from the VAR is needed. He gave a yellow card and the VAR should have overturned the decision."
See AlsoMatch report: Chelsea 1-0 FulhamFußball Premier League: Chelsea gegen Fulham - Liveticker - 21. Spieltag - 2023/2024 | Sportschau.dePremier League: Reaction as Chelsea frustrated by Fulham - reactionFulham beat Chelsea after Joao Felix sent off on Blues debut - reactionOn effort of the players: "The players gave everything and the away fans were with us. We played some very good teams and we needed the moments to create more chances."
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GT: Can Poch organise training sessions around players not getting booked for kicking the ball away after a foul, something along the lines of "whistle has blown, don't boot the ball". Shouldn't be too hard to grasp after a few weeks working on it.
'Clear VAR mistake'
FT: Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Alex Howell
BBC Sport at Stamford Bridge
Marco Silva was again asked in the press conference about the tackle from Malo Gusto that saw him pick up a yellow card: "The decision? A clear mistake from the VAR. My opinion and the conversation with the fourth official it’s a clear red card."
Asked if the tackle was reviewed by VAR: "I don't know. I cannot answer you. I didn't see it on the screen. At this type of moment they usually put it on the screen to show the fans and I didn't see that."
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Seymour: Every game it’s Cole Palmer. As a Man City fan, I’m glad for him. Top baller. Good luck to him and Chelsea.
'We need to kick on'
FT: Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Chelsea
Chelsea's Cole Palmer, taking to BBC Match of the Day: "Fulham are a good team, we knew it wasn't always going to be easy, we knew we had to be strong and fight, and we were and thankfully we got three points."
On bouncing back personally after missing big chances in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg in the week: "It happens, it is one of those games. It is what it is. I just wanted to put it behind me and be brave in front of the net. Thankfully I scored. Everyone knows as a player you can have those games and you've just got to put it behind you."
On what three wins in a row in the league means: "Crucial. There isn't many games in the league this month but we know we need to get points on the board because our position in the league is poor so we know we need to kick on. We know we've got talent in the changing room so we just need to put that on the pitch. We create chances, everybody knows that, but some games we're just lacking that pass in the crucial moment. We can improve on that and when we get that right we'll score a lot more goals."
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Dlions: Fulham shouldn't be losing to teams like Chelsea.
'I accept that Gusto's tackle was maybe a red'
FT: Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Chelsea
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, speaking to TNT Sports: "It was a different momentum during the game. The first half was really tough but we played really, really well in the second half for the first 30 minutes. I think we deserved our victory, we were the better team. I am so, so pleased."
On Malo Gusto's tackle: "Of course I understand. I respect his opinion. It was a challenge, a difficult one for the referees and VAR. We've already suffered some sendings off for actions like this. I'm not going to say nothing, I accept and understand that it was maybe a red card. I don't to say too much because I've not seen all the angles. That is football though, sometimes it is for you and sometimes it isn't."
On Cole Palmer: "We believe in him, even when he didn't score with the three big chances in Middlesbrough. We believe in him and he has the quality to play. It is important for young guys to feel the support of the coaching staff, club and team-mates. It is the first season they [Palmer and Levi Colwill] are playing consistently every week and this kind of up and down can happen. It is important to relay that confidence and belief."
On Ben Chillwell returning: "It is important to have players with experience of the Premier League. If we compared our players to Fulham's players, they have players who have played in the league for many years and us not too many. We talk about this is Chelsea, and yes, sure, but we are in a process to a build a team that are new. This is the type of game that can help us believe in the process."
On three Premier League wins on the bounce: "This type of victory is important because when you see Fulham in the way they played against Liverpool or Arsenal in the last few weeks you need to put some value on the win. The players deserved credit. They are not an easy side to play against. People suppose that Chelsea should be in a different position but we are in a realistic position and in a position that we deserve because we weren't clinical enough. we'll get what we want. We are in a process to build and fighting to do our best. I am so happy with the squad."
'A draw would have been fair'
FT: Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Fulham
Fulham midfielder Tom Carney, talking to TNT Sports, about the mood in the changing room: "It is frustration. It was a quite even game, a little bit more open in the second half. we lost to a penalty and maybe a draw would have been a fair result."
On the time they conceded the penalty: "It is as bad as it gets. It was basically the last kick of the first half. Maybe a little bit of a lack of concentration from us."
On the performance: "It was a decent performance but we've come away with nothing. We've been picking up points at home but we need to pick up more points away from home in 2024. We've got a little bit of time to have a break now."
On whether a break is a good thing: "We can cool down a little bit now obviously, there is a lot of frustration in the changing room. It has been a hard week with Liverpool and Chelsea away in the space of a few days."
'Big credit to our players because we played good'
FT: Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Chelsea
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, speaking to Match of the Day: "That is the Premier League, you watch some games and some happen like this. It was a really tough game. Overall we deserved the victory, we were the better side. We needed the three points and now I think it is four victories in a row here at Stamford Bridge."
On Middlesbrough response: "The disappointment was that we didn't win, the performance was good. We needed to compete against a really good side like Fulham. Big credit to our players because we played good."
On Cole Palmer: "He's 20-years-old and in his first season of playing. He had three or four chances at Middlesbrough but we are so happy with how he is playing."
Momentum building: "It is important. We need to keep pushing. We have a break but that will be good for our players. Too many players played too many games so a break is good."
Nkunku injury changes transfer plans: "No. We are talking, assessing the squad but it is not. I think Nkunku is going to be ready as soon as possible."
Post update
FT: Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Now Mauricio Pochettino is facing the TV cameras. He says he understands why Marco Silva might think Malo Gusto should have been sent off and respects the Fulham manager's opinion.
Full quotes coming up.
Post update
FT: Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Chelsea
Over half of Chelsea’s Premier League wins this seasonhave come since the start of December (5/9), with only Liverpool (17) pickingup more points in the competition in that time than the Blues (15).
'Gusto tackle a red card nine times out of 10'
FT: Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Fulham
Fulham manager Marco Silva, talking to TNT Sports: "It was a derby. There was a lot of challenges. The referee started the game as he does normally, letting the game flow, as a derby should be. Chelsea started better than us but after the first 15 minutes we started to balance the game, both sides had moments. After that we started to create some problems.
"We have to talk about the red card for Gusto, it was clear. It is hard to see how things aren't consistent at the level that we're at. This is the Premier league. In 10 of those moments, nine times it is a red card. it is a clear red card for me. VAR checked and this time they didn't give.
"We tried to react in the second half. They had chances, we had chances. The game was more open and they had more space to show their quality. We showed a big, big fight until the end. Wednesday was so intense and this was another one. I have no words for my players. The support was great too. We fought until the end.
"I haven't spoken to the officials. I don't want to say what the fourth official said. He has the same opinion as me but it is not for him to say, it is for the VAR to decide. It is a normal decision from the referee but the help should come from the VAR.
"It is a difficult one to take and a frustrating result for us. We always want to fight and we fought again. We took more risks in the second half and became more open. The game was really balanced when they got their penalty. The VAR decision made a huge impact on the game."
'The boys need to understand what the fans demand'
FT: Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Chelsea
Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling, speaking to TNT Sports: "It was a difficult game, we got the first goal and tried to get the second. You know what the Premier League is like if you don't get that crucial second goal."
Three wins in a row in Premier League: "That's the level we know we need to get to. A big club like Chelsea, if we don't get the first goal early then we try to overdo it. We need to keep building on results like this and get better."
Being a leader: "On matchdays you can try to help people but don't overdo. I keep saying it, but at a football club like Chelsea, the boys need to understand what the fans demand. The goals will keep coming."
On Cole Palmer: "Cole is someone I know very well and someone with a lot of ability. Anything I can do to help him, I try to do. He's got his goal today. I know him from my Manchester City days and I used to see it all in training. He gets in great positions, he can time a pass or cut inside and shoot."
On Middlesbrough cup game: "The more wins you get together as a group, you can get in a rhythm and keep building. We need to rest and look forward to that, come back here and get the win. Hopefully, we can get to the final."
'It was a clear red card'
FT: Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Fulham
Marco Silva tells TNT Sports that Malo Gusto should have received a red card.
'It's my job'
FT: Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Chelsea
Chelsea goalscorer Cole Palmer, speaking to TNT Sports: "Fulham are a good side and we knew it wasn't going to be easy so to get the three points is good after the result the other night."
Missed chances against Middlesbrough: "After the game I was disappointed like anyone would be missing that many chances. You have those games and I've put it behind me and scored."
Pressure of goals: "I like to try and help the team every game with goals and assists. It's my job going forward."
Post update
FT: Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Fulham
Since his first Premier League season in 2018-19,Fulham’s Issa Diop has conceded seven penalties. Only Wilfred Ndidi (8) hasconceded more during that time.
Post update
FT: Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Chelsea
Nine points out of nine for Chelsea on the Premier League stage.
They have won three consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since a run of four from September to October 2022 (Thomas Tuchel's final league game as manager and Graham Potter's opening three league games in charge).
Post update
FT: Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Joe Cole
Ex-Chelsea and England midfielder on TNT Sports
Conor Gallagher was outstanding again today and that is another conundrum the club have to solve.
Post update
FT: Chelsea 1-0 Fulham
Chelsea's players are still out on the pitch showing their appreciation to fans.
That's four Premier League wins in a row at Stamford Bridge.
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