Chelsea fans protest against owners; and Malo Gusto misses 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 scoring opportunity and brought down Harry Wilson, which was Chelsea’s No. 8 red card of the season. They then fell behind in the 55th minute thanks to a header from Raul Jimenez.
Liam Delap equalized in 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 had almost put the ball into his own net.
Harry Wilson gave the Cottagers the lead with a clever half-volley winner and ensured Chelsea dropped to 8th in the Premier League with 31 points from 21 games, level with 9th-placed Fulham.
Fans displayed banners reading “BlueCo out” and shouted pointed chants to protest the ownership. New Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior watched from the stands (with caretaker manager Calum McFarlane leading the team).
Could be a penalty and Malo Gusto did that pic.twitter.com/NpfD08iEO6
— Out Of Context Chelsea (@NoContextChe1) January 8, 2026
There were banners at the away game displaying a “BlueCo out” banner and as they watched they chanted against the owner.
Hopefully he gets the message… pic.twitter.com/C3HRxHRcZW
– Sasha (@sashcfc) January 7, 2026
We don’t care about Clearlake, they don’t care about us! pic.twitter.com/KRXfL6FXjj
— Charlie Patrick (@charliepatrick0) January 7, 2026
Before kick-off, a “BlueCo Out” flag was flown in the away team, but the real audible unrest from Chelsea fans only came in the second half, when anti-ownership chants could be heard constantly in the away team.
(@TheAthleticFC) pic.twitter.com/Vw2cLQ3srA
— Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) January 8, 2026
The message is loud and clear #CFC @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/No8IsyjBVR
– Phillip James (@phillipjames4) January 7, 2026
Behdad Eghbali leaves Craven Cottage. pic.twitter.com/PxoVsRaWOz
— Ryan Taylor (@RyanTaylorSport) January 7, 2026
Chelsea interim coach Calum McFarlane spoke to BBC Sport after his side’s defeat to Fulham: “Difficult game. The red card is an important factor and changes our game plan. We did well except for the first goal. We reacted really well. In the second half we had so many opportunities and moments. I’m really happy that Liam Delap scored the goal that was expected. Harry Wilson shows a little quality in the penalty area and decides the game.”
About the red card: “We have to look at what happened to put Harry Wilson in this position. Marc Cucurella is a brilliant defender, one of the best in the world.”
If he thought Chelsea deserved something from the game: “Yes, I do. Fulham had a lot of control and passage of play but we worked hard.
On his time in the role: “It was great. I’ve been training for a long time, since I was 17. Last week was the best experience I’ve ever had. That’s because of the players, the way they treated us. I’m really happy to have been put in this position.”
“I spoke to Liam Rosenior the night before the announcement, yesterday at the training ground and today. I’m really excited to see what he will bring to the team.”
Fulham coach Marco Silva spoke to BBC Sport after his side’s win over Chelsea: “We never expect to win a game if we don’t work hard.
“We knew we controlled the game very well. We had to be aware that we gave them a chance in some transitions. I think we deserved the three points and did more to win the game.”
“With the substitution of Kevin we have become much more attacking. Most of these players have played three games in seven days. This is an incredible achievement by these boys and they deserve all the credit.”
“We had to be patient. I wanted to wait until half-time because then the instructions would be clearer about 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 neighbors. But now they get big feelings.”
About Harry Wilson: “Everything 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 when Chelsea fans protested against the owners and Gusto missed the penalty spot in the defeat to Fulham…
TO THE PROTEST:
@ffcluca: Probably the only fan base I’ve ever seen that managed to screw up this chant, in all fairness
@seancfc89: You agreed with her decision and celebrated it
@KC55548288: The only positive thing from tonight was the away fans, they were FANTASTIC. Keep up the chants! we want a change! Fuck her, get her out!!! @ebehdad @clearlake @Loz_Stew @paulwinstanley9 Get out!! #BlueCoOut
@TheScore01: If Behdad or anyone at the top of the club is angry that the fans are saying that, maybe it’s time to shut up and look at themselves instead of patronizing the fans with nonsense.
@JCFCreaven: Did you think it was all Maresca’s fault?
@cfcire: Why do they say “we” instead of “I” sounds damn
@CFC_Howard: You can see them so clearly on the TV, that’s great
@MrSammyJames: They can’t even figure out that “I” rhymes with “C.”
@aloadofoldshirt: That’s the message. Supporting the team, criticizing the board, the right kind of anger.
@jameshobden5: Finally we’re all on the same page. Fuck Clearlake, fuck Eghbali. If I make them disappear, maybe I can go back to the bridge.
WANTED:
@AmbroseBarnaby: Same old Chelsea, always cheating. #FFC
@Tony1Mont: Can we send him an invoice for last night’s ground crew fees?
@JYOUFC: Retroactive measures should be taken here.
@graceybfc: Supposedly the best players in the world, but the players at the top clubs feel the need to cheat against weaker clubs. Our old manager said it loudly 12 years ago and still no one is listening. Fraudsters should be held accountable. There’s one guy at Burnley who gets caught every week
@JBrianR91: This is the perfect example of where subsequent punishment is necessary. Terrible club.
@LinsBadger: If @premierleague had morals and good sportsmanship they would denounce @FA_PGMOL for doing nothing and suspend the player.
@Fozmeister1: A terrible team!! Dive, cheat, spoil, moan. Oh, and surround the referee every chance you get. 1 billion pounds of disgusting.
