Alex Iwobi scores in vain as Chelsea stage late comeback to beat Fulham

By Monsurah Olatunji

Nigeria international Alex Iwobi was on the scoresheet again for Fulham, but his first-half strike wasn’t enough to prevent a 2–1 home defeat to Chelsea in a dramatic London derby on Sunday.

Fulham dominated early proceedings and thought they had found the breakthrough in the fourth minute, only for VAR to chalk off the effort.

Their persistence eventually paid off as Iwobi opened the scoring after capitalizing on a sloppy pass from Reece James. The Super Eagles midfielder coolly slotted home with his left foot into the bottom corner to give the Cottagers a deserved lead.

The goal marked Iwobi’s ninth in the Premier League this season, his most prolific campaign yet in English football. The 27-year-old has also provided five assists in 31 starts, surpassing his previous records at Arsenal and Everton.

Despite Fulham’s solid defensive performance throughout the second half, Chelsea found their rhythm late on. Tyrique George, a Nigerian-British teenager, equalized in the 83rd minute with a composed finish to mark his first-ever Premier League goal.

With Fulham reeling, Chelsea snatched victory deep into stoppage time as Pedro Neto struck in the 93rd minute, sealing all three points for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

The win lifts Chelsea to fifth place in the Premier League standings, just a point behind Manchester City, and keeps their Champions League qualification hopes very much alive.