William Saliba scored in the second half to secure a draw for the team in a challenging London derby marked by wet weather. The defender finished off a header from Kai Havertz, which came from a corner taken by Declan Rice early in the second half.
Despite starting the game strong, with plenty of possession, the team fell behind at half-time when Raul Jimenez scored for Fulham with their first shot on goal. Jimenez capitalized on a swift counterattack, executing a well-placed finish past goalkeeper David Raya.
After conceding, the team continued to dominate possession but struggled to create clear chances. Fulham’s goalkeeper, Bernd Leno, effectively dealt with shots from both Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, preventing them from finding the back of the net.
As the second half began, the team ramped up their intensity. A free kick by Rice led to a corner, and this set piece proved crucial again. Saliba was perfectly positioned to score from Havertz’s header, responding effectively after a VAR check confirmed the goal was valid.
In the closing stages, the game saw more urgency with both teams creating opportunities. Partey had a chance to secure a winner but missed the target, while Raya made an important save to deny Fulham’s Andres Pereira.
With this result, the team remains six points behind Liverpool, who sit second in the league standings. Looking ahead, the team will shift focus back to Champions League action on Wednesday against AS Monaco, followed by a Premier League match against Everton next weekend.
This draw, while not ideal, indicates resilience and ability to recover under pressure. There’s still positivity to draw from as they continue fighting for crucial points in both domestic and European competitions.
In summary, the team displayed good possession and resilience despite challenging conditions and rallied to earn a draw, setting a hopeful tone for their upcoming matches.