EPL: Fulham dent Chelsea’s title hopes as Everton draw Man City

Premier League title contenders Chelsea suffered a first home defeat against Fulham since 1979 on Thursday, while crisis-torn Manchester City failed to end their dismal run with a 1-1 draw against Everton.

City have just one victory in their last 13 games in all competitions as their Christmas schedule started in disappointing fashion.

Bernardo Silva put City in front early on before Iliman Ndiaye salvaged a point for Everton.

City are languishing in seventh place and sit five points adrift of the top four, with their astonishing decline showing no sign of ending.

City boss Pep Guardiola conceded ahead of the game that his troubled side are at risk of failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 15 years and their latest setback was another blow to that target.

Guardiola said: “Of course we need results and we didn’t get it. The team played really good again in all departments and unfortunately could not win.

“We accept it. It is life. We did not expect it to not win games many times. But what do you have to do? Continue.”

At Stamford Bridge, second-placed Chelsea were stunned by Fulham’s late fightback for a 2-1 win in a dramatic West London derby.

Cole Palmer put Chelsea ahead after 16 minutes, the England forward drilling home from the edge of the area after weaving through the Fulham defence in dazzling style.

But Fulham levelled with eight minutes left when Antonee Robinson’s cross was headed down by Timothy Castagne and Harry Wilson nodded in from close range.

3 Premier League talking points

Chelsea were furious, claiming Alex Iwobi had fouled Pedro Neto in the build-up to the goal.

But there was worse to come for the Blues in stoppage-time when Rodrigo Muniz converted Sasa Lukic’s pass with a clinical strike.

Chelsea are four points behind leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand and host Leicester City on Thursday night.

Nottingham Forest climbed to third place after a 1-0 win against spluttering Tottenham at the City Ground.
Tottenham are stuck in 11th place as the pressure mounts on boss Ange Postecoglou.

Newcastle also thrashed 10-man Aston Villa 3-0, moving up to fifth place after winning three consecutive league games for the first time since 2023.

Villa’s Jhon Duran was sent off in the 32nd minute for violent conduct after stamping on Newcastle’s Fabian Schar.

Jarrod Bowen’s 59th-minute goal gave West Ham a 1-0 win at bottom-of-the-table Southampton after the visitors saw Guido Rodriguez’s red card overturned by VAR.

Bournemouth and Crystal Palace shared a goalless draw at the Vitality Stadium.

The Star