However, Delap’s hamstring injury midway through the half disrupted the Blues’ rhythm.

Fulham capitalised and thought they had taken the lead when 18-year-old Josh King finished off a counter-attack for what would have been his first Premier League goal.

The celebrations were short-lived, though, as VAR judged Rodrigo Muniz to have fouled Trevoh Chalobah in the build-up.

Marco Silva was furious on the touchline, protesting the decision. "That is a big moment in the match," Silva said afterwards. "We feel hard done by because it could have changed the game completely."

Chelsea’s breakthrough came late in the first half. Bernd Leno denied Tyrique George with a sharp stop, but from the resulting corner Enzo Fernandez’s delivery was met by Joao Pedro, who powered in a header. It was a rare moment of quality in an otherwise tense first period.

After the interval, VAR played a decisive role once more. Chalobah’s cross struck the arm of Ryan Sessegnon inside the area, and following a pitchside review, referee Rob Jones pointed to the spot.

Fernandez stepped up and confidently converted, doubling Chelsea’s advantage. From that point, the home side controlled proceedings, and Pedro might have added a third when through on goal, only to hesitate and allow Leno to close him down.

Despite the win, Maresca admitted his side still have work to do. "The first half was not good enough, we were slow and predictable," he said. "But we showed resilience, and in the end we got the result. That is what matters."

Fulham will leave west London still searching for their first league win of the campaign.

21:T5a8,

The 27-year-old French international arrived at Stamford Bridge in June 2023 from RB Leipzig. Injuries hampered his first season.

However, Nkunku bounced back in his second campaign, featuring in 48 matches across all competitions and scoring 15 goals, including five in Chelsea's triumphant Conference League run, which culminated in lifting the troph

Michael Olise named Bayern Munich's Player of the Season for 2024/25