Player ratings: Fulham 2-1 Chelsea

George Rossiter looks back on one of the most iconic nights under the Cottage lights, as we beat Chelsea 2-1.

I’m pinching myself writing this: Fulham TWO. Chelsea ONE. Dreamland for Fulham; a fifth consecutive win since the World Cup break across the Premier League and the FA Cup, and a second win over Chelsea in 40 years and up to sixth in the Premier League. It feels as if we have said this a lot in the last 18 months, but it is a truly special time to be a Fulham fan.

Bernd Leno

Obviously Aaron Ramsdale is a good goalkeeper, but how on earth have we convinced Arsenal to sell Leno to us for the tiny fee they have. Another mighty performance from the German, who aside from the goal coped wonderfully with facing four big chances amongst a total of 10 Chelsea shots on target. He is once again establishing himself as one of the league’s best goalkeepers. 8.5/10

Kenny Tete

Tete dealt really well with the threat of Lewis Hall, who Potter had clearly set up to push Chelsea up the pitch, but time after time Tete pushed him back into his own half. It was this intensity in pushing high up the pitch that resulted in the Joao Felix red card on the halfway line, and an intensity that didn’t ever stop, shown by his chase and subsequent tackle on Cucurella in injury time. 8/10

Tosin

A near faultless performance from Tosin, who despite doubts over his replacement of Diop in recent weeks has completely proven his worth with a wonderful defensive display. It was a rare occasion where the defender didn’t have any scary moments on the ball, and he even carried the ball through the Chelsea defence on more than one occasion. 8.5/10

Tim Ream

Halfway through the season now and you can see why Ream has only missed three minutes in the whole league campaign. He is calmness personified at the back and that calmness is infectious along the backline. Not even an early Joao Felix nutmeg put him off his game as Ream cleared everything that came at him. 8/10

Antonee Robinson

Robinson’s pace was absolutely vital in dealing with Chelsea’s threat on the break, frequently the last man facing the likes of Felix and Havertz on the counter attack. While the overlapping runs were constant, the final ball was sometimes lacking, but it feels harsh to criticise anything on such an amazing night! 7.5/10

Joao Palhinha

While Palhinha’s performances may not have been as good since the World Cup (yet), maybe that’s a sign of the standards he’s set himself. His passing either seemed exceptional or slightly off but his ability to stop attacks when Reed and Pereira are slightly more advanced is second to none and he was a hugely calming influence in the midfield as Chelsea pushed for a draw. 7/10

Harrison Reed

Chelsea may not have had Kante on the pitch, but there was still a player of his ilk on the pitch. Harrison may not come across as someone with the speed of Robinson or James but his acceleration when the ball goes loose in the midfield is absolutely outstanding. He was everywhere again. 7.5/10

Andreas Pereira

Comfortably the best player on the pitch. The intensity he played with in the first half was second to none, covering every inch of grass in the Chelsea half. Every ball he received on the half turn was used to perfection in the final third. His cross for the winning goal was on a sixpence and capped off Andreas’s best performance to date in a Fulham shirt, he was magnificent. 9.5/10 – Man of the match

Willian

The Brazilian proved a point against Chelsea, not that he was still good enough or that he still ‘had it’, but that he now plays for SW6’s finest and that he’s absolutely loving it. How Cesar Azpilicueta can play with the man for so many years and still let him cut inside and shoot is crazy but hilarious. The space the 34-year old is still able to manipulate is a joy to watch every week. 8/10

Bobby De Cordova-Reid

Lewis Hall must be feeling ever so slightly nauseous this morning after the knots he was tied in by Bobby last night in what was arguably one of BDR’s best showings in the white of Fulham. The Jamaican was so close to a first half goal, crashing an effort against the crossbar. His link-up with Tete down the right continues to be immaculate. 8.5/10

Carlos Vinicius

If he never scores again, we will not care. Carlos Vinicius will forever be a hero at this football club after his winning goal in the derby. But even before that it was his best game for the club. His link-up play continues to impress and he was strong against a strong Chelsea back three. I’ve been backing Vinicius for a while, waiting for a game where chances came his way, and last night it was third time lucky. Two efforts came close, the third found the net. What a moment for the Brazilian. 8/10

Substitutes

Tom Cairney (68’ for Harrison Reed)

The game went stale after the red card with Chelsea going so compact, but TC changed the pace of the game and found space where others struggled to. His role off the bench is so vital. 7.5/10

Harry Wilson (68’ for Bobby De Cordova-Reid)

While it was encouraging to see Wilson adapt to the pace of the game so quickly, his quality on the ball we are so used to just was not there again. 6/10

Manor Solomon (83’ for Willian)

Didn’t see much of the ball but it’s more important minutes at Premier League intensity for the Israeli winger. 6/10

Dan James (90+3’ for Andreas Pereira)

Chased every ball into the corner in the final moments of the game. 6.5/10

Nathaniel Chalobah (90+3 for Carlos Vinicius)

Threw his body everywhere in midfield to stop Chelsea mounting a late charge for an equaliser. 6.5/10