26 December 2053 – Craven Cottage, London. On a bracing Boxing Day afternoon, Chelsea turned on the style and crushed Fulham 4–0, with Jairzinho delivering a performance for the ages.
⚡ Jairzinho Unleashed
The Brazilian winger was electric from the off, tormenting Fulham’s defence with searing pace and exquisite close control. He opened the scoring with a thunderous finish in the 15th minute, hammering the ball in off the inside of the post. His second, just before the hour mark, was a poacher’s effort from close range after a slick passing move.
By full-time, Jairzinho had two goals, one assist, eight dribbles and four key passes — earning a perfect 10.0 rating and his crown as Player of the Match.
⚙️ Control and Execution
Mario Cardozo and Scott Crichton added gloss to the scoreline. Cardozo fired low into the corner on 67 minutes to make it 3–0 before Crichton capped the win with a stoppage-time header from a floated cross. Fulham, despite moments of midfield promise, were dismantled in transition and outclassed in both boxes.
🧠 Tactical Response
After the flat home defeat to Arsenal, this was the response manager Calin Dimario demanded. Chelsea were sharper in every phase — Quiroga calm in distribution, Mazzocco overlapping with menace, and Banton bossing aerial duels.
📊 Match Summary
- Score: Fulham 0–4 Chelsea
- Goals: Jairzinho (15’, 59’), Cardozo (67’), Crichton (90+7’)
- Player of the Match: Jairzinho – 10.0
- xG: Fulham 0.59 – Chelsea 1.92
- Possession: Fulham 60% – Chelsea 40%
- Shots: Fulham 8 – Chelsea 15
📈 Title Race
This emphatic result stretches Chelsea’s lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points. Both they and Arsenal have played 19 games, but Dimario’s side now sit on 47 points to the Gunners’ 40. Tottenham and Fulham follow behind on 36 and 34 respectively.
With a goal difference of +58 and Jairzinho in this form, Chelsea will march into the new year as firm title favourites.
Related:
→ Chelsea 0–1 Arsenal: Kretschzmar Stunner Stuns the Bridge
→ Chelsea 1–1 Man City: Crichton Scores, But Points Dropped
→ Player Dossier: McKauley Civzelis