Chelsea miss chance to keep pressure on Liverpool as Fulham win at Stamford Bridge

Newcastle beat 10-man Aston Villa to move to fifth in Premier League table as Nottingham Forest beat Spurs

Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal in the 2-1 Premier League win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on December 26, 2024. AFP

Rodrigo Muniz of Fulham scores his team's winner. Getty Images

Fulham's Harry Wilson celebrates with teammates after scoring the equaliser. AFP

Fulham's Harry Wilson celebrates after scoring the equalising goal. AFP

Cole Palmer of Chelsea scores his team's first goal. Getty Images

Chelsea's Cole Palmer celebrates after scoring the opening goal. AP Photo

Cole Palmer scores the first goal. AFP

Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and Fulham striker Raul Jimenez after a clash. AFP

Chelsea's Levi Colwill scores a goal that was later disallowed for offside. Action Images

Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno saves a Chelsea shot. AFP

Chelsea squandered the chance to maintain the pressure on Liverpool at the top of the Premier League as visitors Fulham battled back to win 2-1 on Boxing Day.

It was Fulham's first victory at Stamford Bridge for 45 years.

The home side took the lead through Cole Palmer after 16 minutes but Fulham substitute Harry Wilson got his side back in the match with an 82nd-minute equaliser before Rodrigo Muniz snatched a winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

It was the second week running that Enzo Maresca's side had fluffed their lines after they could only draw with Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Wilson's equaliser was the first goal Fulham have scored at Stamford Bridge since Clint Dempsey netted in a 1-1 draw on Boxing Day in 2011.

Elsewhere, Newcastle beat Aston Villa 3-0 thanks to goals from Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak and Joelinton, Nottingham Forest beat Tottenham 1-0 after Anthony Elanga's strike, and West Ham made it four games unbeaten after Jarrod Bowen gave them a 1-0 win at Southampton.

Things did not look promising for Fulham when England star Palmer put Chelsea ahead after 16 minutes.

Levi Colwill played the ball into Palmer’s feet about 40 yards out before he jinked away from Andreas Pereira and went past Sasa Lukic near the edge of the area.

Palmer then applied the finish, almost nonchalantly passing the ball through the legs of defender Issa Diop and into the corner of Bernd Leno’s goal.

It was Palmer’s 26th league strike of 2024, beating the Chelsea record for Premier League goals scored in a calendar year set by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in 2001.

But with eight minutes left, Wilson headed in the equaliser at the far post, then five minutes into stoppage time, Lukic squared for Muniz to score in the bottom corner and snatch a memorable win for the visitors.

After goals from Gordon, Isak and Joelinton gave his side a 3-0 win over 10-man Aston Villa, who had striker Jhon Duran sent off in the 32nd minute, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said: "I love Alexander Isak, he has unbelievable quality. He's the right age, has the right athletic profile, I signed him and love him. I wouldn't swap him for anyone.

"Tonight? I will go back and watch the game again and see where we can improve. We go to Manchester United on Monday with real quality and confidence."

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson said after their 1-0 win over Spurs thanks to Elanga's 28th-minute goal: "I think we're doing really well at the minute. The lads are buzzing in there, as you can hear, it's a great win.

"[The team spirit] is massive. Team spirit is very, very good. Everyone is buzzing. I think we work so hard and it is paying off. It is good."

On Elanga's form, he said: "I think everyone knew he is always at it. You've just got to believe in him and know that he can bring these moments. He's flying at the minute and hopefully, it continues."