Report, result, goals as Maresca defends James and says Gusto injury ‘is not a good one’
Manager Enzo Maresca has defended Reece James despite his part in Fulham’s goal against Chelsea and provided an update on Malo Gusto, who replaced the captain at half-time but had to be taken off during the Blues’ late Premier League win.
Wideman James, whose minutes have been carefully managed by Chelsea because of the England international’s injury history, was surprisingly included in their starting side for the trip to Craven Cottage on Sunday, with many expecting him to be on the bench because he featured throughout their Europa League defeat at home to Legia Warsaw three days earlier.
Ryan Sessegnon dispossessed James to set up Alex Iwobi’s 20th-minute opener, although fine strikes from Tyrique George and Pedro Neto – the latter in the 93rd minute – gave Chelsea their first league away victory since December 8.
Celebrating with our away fans. 👏#CFC | #FULCHE pic.twitter.com/1mWAwCWFVP
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 20, 2025
Fulham vs Chelsea: Reece James ‘plan’
“I’m very happy because he played 90 minutes two days ago and played 45 today,” said Maresca, calling James’ participation and fitness “fantastic”.
“It’s an important moment for us as a team because we can start to think about [playing] him every three days. This is fantastic for us because he’s our captain and a main player.
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“We conceded the first goal when we lost the ball – it can happen. The reason why we changed him was just because he played 90 minutes two days ago. That was the plan.”
Words from the boss after our big win. 🎤#CFC | #FULCHE pic.twitter.com/GuN0xIps4k
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 20, 2025
Malo Gusto injury muscular
Winger George’s 83rd-minute equaliser arrived five minutes after the winger replaced Nicolas Jackson, but the joy of the 19-year-old’s first league goal for the club was tempered by Gusto’s subsequent injury.
“That, unfortunately, is not a good one,” Maresca said of the right-back, who missed eight games last season through injury. “It’s a muscular problem.
“Against Ipswich, he changed the game in the second half [when Chelsea recovered to draw 2-2 on April 13]. Today he changed the game. Malu Gusto is important for us.”
Levi’s reaction to our dramatic win! #CFC | #FULCHE pic.twitter.com/bMi5h4trTS
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 20, 2025
Premier League table: Chelsea fifth
Chelsea occupy the fifth and final Champions League qualification position in the table with five games of their season remaining, although sixth-placed Nottingham Forest are only behind them on goal difference and have a game more to play.
Fourth-placed Manchester City are a point above them, with third-placed Newcastle one further ahead. Fulham remain ninth, one point behind Bournemouth in the eighth place that could secure European qualification.
Chelsea are next in action when they host 13th-placed Everton on Saturday (12:30 BST), while Fulham are at relegated Southampton on the same day (15:00).
