Chelsea extended their unbeaten run at Stamford Bridge to eight matches in all competitions with a narrow 1-0 victory over Fulham in the Premier League.
While the Blues dominated possession and created more chances, it was a first-half penalty converted by Cole Palmer that separated the two sides.
Palmer stepped up calmly after Raheem Sterling was brought down in the box just before halftime, sending Bernd Leno the wrong way with his spot-kick.
Chelsea continued to press in the second half, striking the woodwork twice through Sterling and Gallagher, but couldn’t add to their lead.
Fulham had their moments, with Raul Jimenez coming closest to an equalizer, but Djordje Petrovic made a stunning save to preserve the Blues’ advantage.
The win moved Chelsea up to eighth in the Premier League table, level on points with seventh-place Brighton.
Their next match is the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Middlesbrough at home.
