FROM STAMFORD BRIDGE - Chelsea just about did enough to see off neighbours Fulham in a nervy west London derby on Saturday.
A first-half penalty from Cole Palmer was all that separated the two sides on a day where neither really got going in attack.
Mauricio Pochettino's men have climbed to eighth in the Premier League table above Manchester United and Newcastle United, who play later this weekend, while Marco Silva's charges remain 13th.
How the game unfolded
The first real sight of goal came on the 15-minute mark when Conor Gallagher fired over when surrounded by five Fulham bodies on the edge of the penalty area.
Chelsea went closer soon after as Enzo Fernandez's pinpoint cross from the left flank was met by Armando Broja, but his header sailed wide of the near post.
Fulham went nearly broke the deadlock when Antonee Robinson's low cross travelled all the way through the Chelsea six-yard box and found Harry Wilson, whose first-time strike was denied by the legs of Djordje Petrovic.
The visitors were outraged that Malo Gusto was not shown a red card for a challenge high on Willian's ankle before the half-time break, with VAR agreeing with referee Anthony Taylor's on-field decision of only booking the right-back.
In first-half stoppage time, Chelsea were awarded a penalty when Raheem Sterling was tripped by Issa Diop. Palmer, whose clever pass found Sterling in the first place, stepped up and sent Bernd Leno the wrong way to give the hosts the lead.
Just after the break, Sterling went close to adding a second when he met a cross from Fernandez, but his glanced attempt ricocheted off the post.
A similar chance saw Tosin Adarabioyo get behind a tame strike from Broja on the end of a Gusto delivery as Chelsea continued to push for another goal to give them breathing space.
Fulham finally got going in the second half when Robinson's ball forward found Andreas Pereira, and his cutback reached Raul Jimenez, but his tame shot was palmed aside by Petrovic.
Chelsea struck the post again late in the day when Conor Gallagher's outside-of-the-boot shot flew round several Fulham defenders.
The hosts withstood a barrage of stoppage-time pressure to eek out a much-needed victory.
Chelsea player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Djordje Petrovic - 6/10 - Didn't have too much to do but dealt with everything that was thrown his way. Beginning to make a claim for a starting spot when Robert Sanchez returns to fitness.
RB: Malo Gusto - 6/10 - A tad fortunate not to have been sent off for a foul on Willian in the first half. Got forward at will at times where Chelsea needed even more attacking impetus.
CB: Thiago Silva - 6/10 - Showed signs of his age and declining physicality at times, notably late on when he cynically fouled Jimenez, but for the most part defended well.
CB: Axel Disasi - 8/10 - Imperious in his duels with the busy Jimenez. Calm when in possession of the ball even if his passing was unambitious.
LB: Levi Colwill - 8/10 - Probably Colwill's best game in this un-favoured left-back role. Spun by Wilson early on but did not put a foot wrong after, even beginning Chelsea attacks with uncharacteristic drives down the left.
CM: Moises Caicedo - 6/10 - Played some fine passes from time to time but still lacked the awareness he was coveted for at Brighton.
CM: Enzo Fernandez - 6/10 - Produced some fine crosses in the final third but Chelsea's inability to progress the ball at pace was in part due to the Argentine's reluctance to receive the ball in central areas.
RM: Cole Palmer - 8/10 - His goal came from the penalty spot but Palmer was the one player who got fans off their seats with a series of flicks and tricks.
AM: Conor Gallagher - 5/10 - Didn't provide enough of a tangible spark. Should probably have been switched with Fernandez.
LM: Raheem Sterling - 6/10 - Won the penalty but often ran down dead ends as Chelsea attacks came to a halt.
CF: Armando Broja - 4/10 - Gobbled up by Fulham's towering centre-backs. Failed to get into the game effectively and his slow decision-making was groaned upon by home fans.
Substitutes
SUB: Noni Madueke (66' for Broja) - 5/10
SUB: Ben Chilwell (77' for Sterling) - 5/10
SUB: Alfie Gilchrist (90' for Gusto) - N/A
SUB: Carney Chukwuemeka (90' for Palmer) - N/A
Subs not used: Marcus Bettinelli (GK), Lucas Bergstrom (GK), Benoit Badiashile, Mykhailo Mudryk, Deivid Washington
Manager
Mauricio Pochettino - 6/10 - Chelsea were stale in attack but they could at least rely on some defensive solidity to get over the line. The Argentine was unusually tetchy on the touchline.
Fulham player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Bernd Leno - 5/10 - As was the case with Petrovic, Leno didn't have a lot to do in way of shot-stopping.
RB: Kenny Tete - 6/10 - Made Sterling fight for every inch to the point where the winger decided to take up more central roles.
CB: Tosin Adarabioyo - 7/10 - Another fine performance from a man rejuvenated in recent months. Didn't deserve to lose his clean sheet.
CB: Issa Diop - 4/10 - Appeared nervy from the off and gave Fulham a lot to do by conceding a penalty so close to half-time.
LB: Antonee Robinson - 7/10 - Most of Fulham's best attacks came through the United States international, whose stock is increasing by the week.
CM: Joao Palhinha - 5/10 - Flew into challenges with full blood but hid from possession at times where Fulham needed him to be calm.
CM: Tom Cairney - 5/10 - Danced his way out of tight spots though was lacking in a physical midfield battle.
RM: Harry Wilson - 5/10 - Gave Colwill some trouble early doors but his influence quickly waned.
AM: Andreas Pereira - 4/10 - Chelsea didn't need to worry about the midfielder from either open play or on set pieces. A rare off day.
LM: Willian - 4/10 - Home fans sang his chant loudly, and judging by his quiet performance you'd be forgiven for thinking he was still playing for Chelsea instead.
CF: Raul Jimenez - 5/10 - Wiped out in the first half and though he was more involved after the break, the Mexican lacked conviction in everything he did.
Substitutes
SUB: Timothy Castagne (64' for Tete) - 5/10
SUB: Bobby De Cordova-Reid (64' for Wilson) - 5/10
SUB: Rodrigo Muniz (82' for Pereira) - 5/10
SUB: Sasa Lukic (82' for Palhinha) - 3/10
Subs not used: Marek Rodak (GK), Tim Ream, Harrison Reed, Tyrese Francois, Carlos Vinicius
Manager
Marco Silva - 4/10 - Fulham were seriously void of composure in the final third and he cut a frustrated figure on the touchline for it.
