Chelsea fans protest against the owners; and Malo Gusto scuffs the penalty spot in his side’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham.
The Blues had Marc Cucurella sent off in the 22nd minute for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, bring down Harry Wilson to make it an red card number 8 for Chelsea this season. They then fell behind on 55 minutes through Raul Jimenez’s header.
Liam Delap levelled on the 72nd minute with a rebound from close range when the ball came back to him off the post from a corner, after Antonee Robinson almost put the ball into his own net.
Harry Wilson put the Cottagers ahead with a smart half-volley winner to see Chelsea drop to 8th in the Premier League with 31 points from 21 games, level with 9th place Fulham.
Fans displayed ‘BlueCo out’ banners and aimed chants in protest against ownership, with new Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior watching from the stands (with caretaker Calum McFarlane managing the team.
Might be a penalty and Malo Gusto did this ššš¤£ pic.twitter.com/NpfD08iEO6
ā Out Of Context Chelsea (@NoContextChe1) January 8, 2026
There were banners in the away end, with a ‘BlueCo out’ banner displayed, and chants against the ownership as they watched on.
Chelsea caretaker boss Calum McFarlane spoke BBC Sport after his side’s defeat by Fulham:Ā “Tough game. The red card is a big factor and changes our game plan. We did that well other than the first goal. We reacted really well. In the second half we had so many opportunities and moments. I’m really glad for Liam Delap to get that goal it’s been coming. Harry Wilson shows a bit of quality in the box and it decides the game.”
On the red card:Ā “We’ll have to look at what happened for Harry Wilson to get in that position. Marc Cucurella is a brilliant defender, one of the best in the world.”
On if he thought Chelsea deserved something from the game:Ā “I do, yeah. Fulham had a lot of control and passages of play but we worked hard. We had opportunities to counter. Liam had a big chance. Until the last eight minutes I was confident we could draw or even nick a win.”
On his time in the role:Ā “It’s been amazing. I’ve been coaching since I was 17, a long time. The last week has been the best experience I’ve ever had. That’s down to the players, the way they’ve treated us. I’m really fortunate to have been put in that position.
“I spoke to Liam Rosenior the night before the announcement was made, yesterday at the training ground and today. I’m really excited about what he’s going to bring to the team.”
Hopefully he gets the messageā¦ pic.twitter.com/C3HRxHRcZW
ā Sashaš¦ (@sashcfc) January 7, 2026
We donāt care about Clearlake, they donāt care about us! pic.twitter.com/KRXfL6FXjj
ā Charlie Patrick (@charliepatrick0) January 7, 2026
A āBlueCo Outā flag was being held up in the away end before kick-off, but the real audible disquiet from Chelseaās fans came in the second half, the away end was consistently ringing with anti-ownership chants.
[@TheAthleticFC] pic.twitter.com/Vw2cLQ3srA
ā Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) January 8, 2026
The message is loud and clear #CFC @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/No8IsyjBVR
ā phillip james (@phillipjames4) January 7, 2026
Behdad Eghbali leaving Craven Cottage. pic.twitter.com/PxoVsRaWOz
ā Ryan Taylor (@RyanTaylorSport) January 7, 2026
https://t.co/VMrTn2J3wq pic.twitter.com/z6T0BiiCU2
ā Źį“Źį“Ź š (@cfcxhayley) January 7, 2026
ChelseaĀ interim bossĀ Calum McFarlane, per Sky Sports:
“We got into our rhythm probably a minute before the sending off and it makes the game really difficult. These things happen and you have to react.
“Going 1-0 down, it was a great reaction again and just a bit of quality from Harry Wilson at the end decides the game.
“We could have been a little bit more clinical. We’re really disappointed but proud of the effort.”
“Discipline an issue? I don’t think the red card is a discipline issue, it’s just a one-vs-one and he’s been brought down in that situation.
“Rather than discipline it’s looking at the structure and why we’re getting countered one-vs-one.
“It’s not like it’s a high tackle, aggressive tackle or dangerous tackle. It’s a one-vs-one moment. It’s more structural than discipline.”
Fulham boss Marco Silva spoke to BBC Sport after his side’s victory over Chelsea:Ā “We never expect to win a game if we don’t work hard.
“We knew we controlled very well the game. We had to be aware with some transitions we gave them a chance. I believe we deserved the three points and did more to win the game.
“We changed with the substitution of Kevin to be much more offensive. Most of these players played three games in seven days. It’s an incredible effort from these guys and they deserve all the credit.
“We had to be patient. I wanted to wait for half-time because it would be more clear the instructions for what we needed for the game. It was a great win for these guys [fans]. In the past the fans weren’t used to winning against their neighbours. But they’re getting the great feelings now.”
On Harry Wilson:Ā “Every thing he does is something. What a finish for the disallowed goal. He’s in a top moment. He’s in the best moment of his career so far. He’s helping the team. What a season from him.”
Here’s how Twitter users reacted as Chelsea fans protest against the owners and Gusto scuffs the penalty spot in defeat to Fulham…
ON THE PROTEST:
@ffcLuca: Probably the only fanbase I’ve ever seen manage to fuck up this chant, fair play
@seancfc89: You agreed with their decision and celebrated it
@KC55548288: the only positive from tonight was the away fans you guys have been AMAZING. šš¼šš¼šš¼ keep the chants! we want a change! f*** them get them out!!! @ebehdad @clearlake @Loz_Stew @paulwinstanley9 get out!! #BlueCoOut
@TheScore01: If Behdad or anyone near the top of the club is angry fans are saying this, maybe its time to shut up and look at yourselves instead of patronising fans with bullshit.
@JCFCreaven: Thought everything was Marescas fault?
@cfcire: why are they saying āusā instead of āmeā sounds dogshit
@CFC_Howard: You can here them so clearly through the telly it’s class
@MrSammyJames: They can’t even work out that ‘me’ rhymes with ‘C’
@aloadofoldshirt: This is the message. Back the team, criticise the board, the right sort of anger.
@jameshobden5: Finally weāre all on the same page. Fuck Clearlake, Fuck Eghbali. Get them gone and I may get to go back to the bridge.
ON GUSTO:
@AmbroseBarnaby: Same old Chelsea always cheating. #FFC
@Tony1Mont: Can we send him an invoice for last nightās ground staff fees?
@JYOUFC: This is where retrospective action should be applied.
@graceybfc: Supposed best players in the world but the players at the top clubs feel the need to cheat against lesser clubs, our old manager was calling it out 12 years ago and still no one listens, cheats should be made accountable, we have one at Burnley he gets caught every week
@JBrianR91: This is the perfect example of where retrospective punishment is needed. Horrible club.
@LinsBadger: If @premierleague had morals and good sportsmanship they’d call out @FA_PGMOL for doing nothing & they’d suspend the player.
@Fozmeister1: A horrible team!! Dive, cheat, spoil, moan. Oh, and surround the ref at every feasible opportunity. š¤¬ Ā£1b pound of disgustingness.
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