da esport bet： The England winger was the difference maker yet again to help the Blues – who could easily have been down to 10 men – get over the line.

da betsul： Luck – and VAR – was on Chelsea's side as Mauricio Pochettino's men edged Fulham 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday to move up to eighth in the Premier League table. Indeed, Malo Gusto could have had no complaints had he been shown a straight red for a crunching, studs-up challenge on Willian, with referee Anthony Taylor opting to only show a yellow.

The Blues were far from their best but had that man Cole Palmer to thank as he was the match winner yet again. The 21-year-old was the coolest man in the stadium as he stepped up and sent Bernd Leno the wrong way from the spot to score his ninth league goal in what has been a hugely impressive debut season at the club.

There's no doubt Chelsea fans would've been nervy at the end as Fulham pushed for a late equaliser but Thiago Silva and Enzo Fernandez were determined to ensure that wouldn't be the case, throwing themselves in front of everything in stoppage time to ensure there would be no late twist.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Stamford Bridge…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Djordje Petrovic (7/10):

He didn't have a great deal to do over the 90 minutes but on the two occasions he was called upon he was more than up to the task, keeping out presentable chances for both Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez to preserve his clean sheet.

Malo Gusto (4/10):

Could've easily seen red after planting his studs into Willian's shin and he's fortunate VAR didn't intervene. Struggled to deal with the overlapping runs of Antonee Robinson at times and his end product was largely poor when he got forward at the other end.

Axel Disasi (6/10):

Had a pretty easy afternoon up against Jimenez, who was isolated in attack. Silly booking for kicking the ball away but played his part as the Blues held on.

Thiago Silva (7/10):

Dealt with the limited threat that Fulham posed with ease. Booked for a tactical foul on Jimenez that stopped him racing through but the veteran centre-back will be delighted to have marshalled his side to a rare clean sheet.

Levi Colwill (6/10):

Defensively solid, with Wilson never really getting the better of him before the Fulham winger was taken off in the second half. Doesn't possesses the same threat as Chilwell going forward, though, and might now lose his place to the returning left-back.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Enzo Fernandez (7/10):

Set the tone with his pressing and box-to-box running, with his passing typically assured. The only criticism you can level at him is his finishing, which was wayward to say the least. Huge block at the end to deny Tom Cairney as Fulham pushed for an equaliser.

Conor Gallagher (6/10):

Always a willing runner and continued to go again even though things weren't quite going to plan for him. He picks up some really clever positions in the No.10 area but his end product is severely lacking. Unlucky not to score late on with a bending effort that struck the post.

Moises Caicedo (6/10):

A pretty comfortable afternoon's work for Caicedo, with Fulham offering little as an attacking threat. Mopped up when he needed to, though, and that's essentially what he's there for.

Getty ImagesAttack

Cole Palmer (8/10):

He's ice cold! Tucked the penalty away to give Chelsea the lead and always looked the most likely to make things happen for the hosts. His pass to put Sterling through in the build-up to the spot-kick was sublime and he's undoubtedly the Blues' most dangerous and effective player at the moment.

Armando Broja (5/10):

Not his day. Headed a presentable chance wide in the first half and generally never looked comfortable when he had a chance to unleash at goal. Can't fault his hold-up play but Chelsea need far more from a No.9. Hooked midway through the second half.

Raheem Sterling (7/10):

Clever play to cut inside and completely bamboozle Issa Diop and ultimately earn the penalty. Offside flag spared his blushes after he headed a big chance onto the post in the second half but it was a largely positive performance from the winger. Taken off for Chilwell as Fulham applied some late pressure.

Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Noni Madueke (6/10):

Replaced the ineffective Broja after 66 minutes and looked lively on the right-hand side, with Palmer being pushed further forward into a No.9 role.

Ben Chilwell (6/10):

A welcome return to action for Chilwell, who got the final 15 minutes in this one as he pulled on a Chelsea shirt for the first time since September.

Alfie Gilchrist (N/A):

Came on for Gusto in stoppage time.

Carney Chukwuemeka (N/A):

Replaced Palmer for the final couple of minutes.

Mauricio Pochettino (7/10):

Job done… just about! Fulham never really looked like scoring but after the disappointment of losing the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg to Middlesbrough in midweek, Pochettino will be glad to be back on track in the league. The decision to make just the one change from the loss at the Riverside Stadium paid off, with his players justifying the show of faith.