Blues benefit from THREE controversial decisions in fiery London derby

THE ability to win games when you play poorly is the mark of a team that can compete for the Premier League title.

But Chelsea will need to improve quickly if they're going to be anywhere near the top of the tree in May, as two VAR calls decided the early kick-off at Stamford Bridge .

9 Enzo Fernandez and Joao Pedro were the difference makers as Chelsea beat Fulham 2-0 in controversial fashion Credit: Getty

9 Fulham manager Marco Silva was left seething at a string of decisions against his team Credit: AFP

Enzo Maresca 's list of injury woes was extended after just 12 minutes, as Liam Delap pulled up clutching his hamstring, with reports he could be out for up to six weeks.

Delap was replaced by Tyrique George , who previously looked set to follow Bayern Munich-bound Nicolas Jackson out of the exit doors at Chelsea.

The derby sprung into life 20 minutes in, when Fulham boss Marco Silva was left absolutely furious by a controversial VAR decision that can only be summed up by three words: 'the game's gone.'

As Rodrigo Muniz turned with the ball on the halfway line, he stood on the foot of Trevoh Chalobah , allowing Fulham to break.

Rising star Josh King, 18, took advantage to score his first Premier League goal with a superb solo run from the halfway line - only for it to be denied over an extremely soft 'foul'.

Chelsea were let off, and fortunate not to be behind at the break - with youngster King running the show and Muniz causing a handful of problems for the Blues' defence.

With both sets of fans subdued, the Stamford Bridge mood flipped on its head when Joao Pedro leapt like a salmon to head home an Enzo Fernandez corner right on the stroke of half-time.

Bitter Fulham fans, who had been singing 'we won a foul' and '1-0, to the referee' in the way of Rob Jones, booed the officials off with a sour taste in their mouth when the whistle went.

9 Fulham’s Josh King had his spectacular solo goal ruled out after a VAR review Credit: AP

9 Referee Rob Jones ruled out the goal after being sent to the monitor Credit: Reuters

9 Rodrigo Muniz was deemed to have fouled Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah while performing a roulette in the build up to the goal Credit: Reuters

9 A VAR review showed that Muniz stood on Chalobah's foot Credit: TNT SPORT

Manager Marco Silva even waited for Jones at half-time , only to be ordered down the tunnel.

Silva, who had been fuming for the entire game, was seemingly seething that Chelsea's goal had come in the ninth minute of eight minutes of added time.

It was a day that went from bad to worse for experienced official Jones when he was asked to go to the monitor after Ryan Sessegnon handled the ball in the Fulham box early in the second half too.

It was even more controversy as Sessegnon's block was deemed to have been made by his arm in an "unnatural" position, but the ball had also struck Joao Pedro's hand in the build-up.

Regardless, Jones and his team awarded the spot kick which was coolly dispatched by Enzo Fernandez in Cole Palmer 's absence to put the Blues 2-0 up.

Fulham gaffer Silva resorted to laughing at VAR's latest blunder after using up all his anger at the first half controversies.

Stamford Bridge willed their latest Brazilian star Estevao, or as they call him, Steve, to get his first Premier League goal as the game progressed and Chelsea took charge with their two goal advantage.

The youngster looked hesitant to let fly on more than one occasion, though Sessegnon will be put off Churrasco for life after having to deal with the tricky winger for 68 minutes.

The Blues looked comfortable in the second half, with Pedro going close on the stretch and with a venomous volley in front of new signing Alejandro Garnacho, who watched on from above in a hospitality suite.

With an international break to follow, Chelsea will need to perk up their ideas at the start of games before they face Brentford two weeks from now.

While the fallout from this game will be centred more around VAR and officiating than the performance of either side.

9 Joao Pedro put Chelsea ahead in the ninth minute of added time at the end of the first half Credit: Reuters

9 Enzo Fernandez doubled the Blues' lead from the spot Credit: PA

9 New Chelsea signing Alejandro Garnacho watched on from the stands Credit: PA