Pedro Neto stunner gives Chelsea last-gasp comeback victory over Fulham
By
SABC Sport
21st April 2025
Chelsea reignited their pursuit of a top-five Premier League finish with a dramatic 2-1 victory over city rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday, courtesy of a superb stoppage-time winner from Pedro Neto.
The win lifts Chelsea to fifth in the Premier League standings on 57 points, level with Nottingham Forest, who are set to face Tottenham Hotspur on Monday. Fulham remain in ninth place with 48 points.
The match appeared to be slipping away from the visitors until a late surge turned the tide. Substitute Tyrique George equalised in the 83rd minute with a well-taken strike - his first Premier League goal-before Neto sealed the comeback with a powerful finish in injury time, sparking jubilant celebrations among the travelling supporters.
Reflecting on the significance of the victory, Neto acknowledged the psychological boost it provided in Chelsea's campaign.
"I think this could be a decisive moment in our season. We showed character today. Honestly, I have no words," Neto said post-match. "It's not easy to fall out of the top four after being there for so long, but the belief in this group has never wavered - even during difficult spells."
Fulham made a lively start and thought they had taken the lead inside three minutes when Andreas Pereira found the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
The hosts did eventually go ahead in the 20th minute after Chelsea captain Reece James surrendered possession cheaply. Ryan Sessegnon capitalised and laid the ball off to Alex Iwobi, who finished with precision from the edge of the penalty area.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca responded decisively at halftime, introducing Malo Gusto and Jadon Sancho. The tactical shift paid dividends as Sancho added energy down the left flank and Gusto threatened from distance.
Despite Chelsea's renewed attacking intent, Fulham remained disciplined in defence and appeared poised to secure a rare league double over their West London neighbours. That changed when George latched onto a loose ball in the box to bring the sides level, setting the stage for Neto's late heroics.
The Portuguese international turned sharply just outside the area and unleashed a thunderous drive past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno, clinching a long-awaited away win for the Blues - their first since December, when they defeated Tottenham Hotspur.
Fulham manager Marco Silva expressed disappointment with his side's second-half display.
"We had a good start and wanted to carry that momentum into the second half, but our execution dropped," Silva told the BBC. "We failed to connect passes in key areas, and our build-up play was not at the level required. I believe the result is harsh, but we were second best in the second half and ultimately paid the price."
The result not only revitalizes Chelsea's Champions League ambitions but also marks the end of an eight-match winless streak away from home in the league.
