What Liam Rosenior learned in Chelsea’s defeat to Fulham – One player was the shining light
Liam Rosenior was watching on as 10-man Chelsea lost 2-1 to Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night.
Chelsea hired Rosenior on Tuesday, with the Englishman set to oversee his first game in charge against Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
The 41-year-old will have plenty to reflect on in the build-up to that clash, after watching his team stumble on Wednesday.
Marc Cucurella‘s early red card got the Blues off to the worst possible start, before Raul Jimenez gave the home side the lead in the second half.
Chelsea would equalise through Liam Delap, but Harry Wilson‘s late goal saw them leave with nothing.
Discipline issues still massively prevalent at Chelsea
Chelsea’s issues with red cards have been no secret this season. In the Premier League alone, they have received five.
Caicedo was sent off against Arsenal, but it was not the midfielder at fault for the Blues on this occasion.
Bernd Leno‘s long ball had been allowed to bounce, before Wilson used his strength to get the wrong side of Cucurella.
The left-back proceeded to pull him down by the arm, earning himself a red card, and he can count himself lucky not to have given away a penalty as well.
By itself, that would have been enough to frustrate Rosenior. A player of Cucurella’s experience should be aware that a one-goal deficit is far preferable to a one-man one.
The reaction after would only have added to the disappointment, with three Chelsea players getting themselves booked for their comments to the referee following the decision.
Defensive issues at the top of Liam Rosenior’s list
Trevor Chalobah is among the Chelsea defenders to be criticised this season, with the Blues seriously lacking in quality options.
Enzo Maresca rotated between Tosin Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Josh Acheampong, Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile, finding little consistency in any of them.
It was the first two starting on Wednesday, and the same issues were prevalent as Rosenior watched on.
Chalobah had been in the perfect position with Jimenez in the build-up to his goal. The Englishman was goal-side, had the Mexico international in holding range and had both eyes locked on him.
In one moment, however, Jimenez’s slight movement gave him the space to drop Chalobah and head in Sander Berge‘s cross.
A soft goal to undo all of Chelsea’s defensive work to stay in the game, and a serious problem that Rosenior must look at.
Rosenior has inherited a fighting squad and Liam Delap could be his man
Rosenior worked with Delap at Hull City, and the new head coach will be glad to have him among his options once again.
The striker had impressed off the bench against Manchester City on Sunday, and he played with serious purpose on Wednesday.
| Liam Delap | Vs Fulham |
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Chances created | 2 |
| Shots | 3 |
| Recoveries | 4 |
Delap battled for every single ball, and should have got the equaliser before he eventually did, when Leno saved his timid chip.
But not long after, the 22-year-old did get his goal, firing in a rebound after Chelsea’s corner had caused all types of problems.
While his side ultimately lost, Rosenior can take huge positives in the way that the Blues stayed in the game despite their early sending off.