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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has explained his decision to drop Noni Madueke from the side Boxing Day clash with Fulham on Thursday, December 26. The Blues suffered a 2-1 loss to the Cottagers at Stamford Bridge.
Cole Palmer gave his side the lead in the 16th minute, scoring his 12th league goal of the season. The Blues were ahead until the 82nd minute when Harry Wilson headed home to level the score. Rodrigo Muniz scored a late winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time to complete a comeback win for Fulham.
Madueke was not named in the squad for the clash against Marco Silva's side. Maresca opted to deploy Pedro Neto in the right winger position. According to the Daily Mail journalist Kieran Gill (via CFC Pys on X), the manager disclosed that Madueke wasn't injured and was omitted from the team due to a technical decision.
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The 22-year-old played a part in the side's 0-0 draw with Everton last Sunday (December 22). He came off the bench in the 76th minute, replacing Neto. The Englishman has been a key member of Maresca's setup this season, having made 16 league appearances and registered five goals and three assists.
Chelsea's loss to Fulham ended their 10-game unbeaten run in the league. The Blues have now dropped points in consecutive league games. They remain second in the standings but now trail table-toppers Liverpool, who have played two less games, by four points.
Fulham defeat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for the first time in 45 years
Chelsea's 1-2 loss to Fulham on Thursday, December 26 was their first defeat at home to their west London neighbors since 1979. The Blues were on course to secure their 11th league win of the season but fell short in the last few minutes of the clash.
The loss was Enzo Maresca's third league defeat of the season after losses to Manchester City and Liverpool. As for Fulham, the win extended their form to six games with a loss, which includes draws against Tottenham Hotspur (1-1), Arsenal (1-1) and Liverpool (2-2).
Chelsea will next play Ipswich Town on Monday, December 30, while Fulham welcome Bournemouth to Craven Cottage on Sunday, December 29.
