Reece James reacts to Pedro Neto’s heartfelt Chelsea message
Reece James was alongside other Chelsea teammates to react to Pedro Neto’s social media message after he scored the dramatic winner against Fulham.
Chelsea kept their Champions League hopes alive thanks to a stunning stoppage-time strike from Neto, who fired home to seal a 2-1 victory at Craven Cottage.
It wasn’t the perfect afternoon for James, who came under fire from Chelsea fans after giving the ball away in the lead-up to Fulham’s opening goal. The mistake allowed Alex Iwobi to slot home and put the hosts ahead in the first half.
However, the Blues showed resilience. Tyrique George pulled them level with just seven minutes of normal time remaining, before Neto produced a moment of brilliance–turning sharply from a low cross and blasting in the winner deep into stoppage time.
The result was vital for Enzo Maresca’s side, who remain locked in a tight battle for a top-five finish and Champions League qualification next season.
Following the win, Neto shared a message with fans online that quickly drew reactions from several teammates, including club captain James.
Pedro Neto responds to critics with match-winning moment for Chelsea
Neto shared a short but passionate message on Instagram following Chelsea’s dramatic win over Fulham, writing: “Thank you for the support! We are Chelsea.”
The post received plenty of love from his teammates, with James reacting with a heart emoji and Jadon Sancho commenting “Hermano” in support. Others, including Enzo Fernandez and Malo Gusto, also showed appreciation by liking the post.
Neto has been under scrutiny this season due to his underwhelming numbers in front of goal. Since his £54 million move last summer, the Portuguese winger has registered just four Premier League goals and six in all competitions across 39 appearances.
Despite the criticism, his decisive strike against Fulham showed he still has the belief and quality to deliver when it matters most. With Champions League qualification still on the line, Neto’s confidence could prove vital in Chelsea’s run-in.
| Season statistics | Pedro Neto |
| Appearances | 39 |
| Goals | 6 |
| Assists | 7 |
Enzo Maresca aims for Champions League and European glory amid sack pressure
Maresca’s side were considered early contenders for the Premier League title, but a dip in form since the turn of the year has left them scrambling for a European spot instead.
Chelsea supporters have voiced frustration with Maresca and the team’s inconsistency, and many have called for his departure. However, Chelsea remain in the Conference League and are still battling for a place in next season’s Champions League.
If the Italian manager can guide his team to European silverware and secure a top-five finish, it may be enough to quieten the critics and turn the season into a success.