
LONDON, October 3: Chelsea ended their goal drought with a 2-0 victory over Fulham in the Premier League, thanks to goals from Mykhailo Mudryk and Armando Broja. Mauricio Pochettino’s team had struggled to find the back of the net in their previous three league matches, scoring only five goals in six league games this season.
The breakthrough for Chelsea came in the first half, with two quick goals in the space of two minutes. In the 18th minute, Ukrainian winger Mudryk controlled a cross from Levi Colwill and calmly slotted the ball past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno to open the scoring. Just a minute later, poor defending by Fulham allowed Broja to double Chelsea’s lead.
This was Mudryk’s first goal for Chelsea since joining the club nine months ago. Broja, who was starting in place of the suspended Nicolas Jackson and making his first start since recovering from a knee injury at the end of 2022, played a crucial role in Chelsea’s victory. However, he was substituted after an hour, walking off the field with the assistance of Chelsea’s medical staff.
Ian Maatsen, who came on as a substitute at halftime due to Mudryk’s injury, came close to adding a third goal for Chelsea when he hit the post in the 62nd minute. Chelsea comfortably secured their second league win of the season with this result, moving up to 11th place in the Premier League standings with eight points, leapfrogging Fulham, who are now in 13th place on goal difference.
(ToI With Reuters inputs)