The mood around Chelsea right now is extremely dull after a poor 3-1 defeat against Tottenham at the weekend, but it’s important to remember this was the first defeat of the season.
Fortunately for Maurizio Sarri’s side they don’t have to wait long to respond and will hoping for a professional job at home to PAOK in the Europa League on Thursday.
The Blues then host West London rivals Fulham on Sunday at Stamford Bridge and it’s imperative they get back on track in the Premier League.
Chelsea currently boast a 12-year stranglehold over neighbours Fulham, as they are unbeaten against them in their last 17 meetings.
The Blues last lost to Fulham 1-0 back in March 2006 in a league fixture, but the duo will now meet for the first time since the Cottagers’ relegation in the 2013/14 season.
Chelsea have to pick up the three points at home to keep on track for a top four finish, but there is the worrying factor of Claudio Ranieri that lingers over the fixture.
Ranieri has returned to Premier League management at Craven Cottage and helped a struggling Fulham side beat Southampton 3-2 in his first game in charge.
The boost of a new manager is certainly going to give Fulham some confidence moving forward and they may feel now is the perfect to face the Blues.
But Chelsea have more than enough quality within the ranks to earn three points and owe the fans a much better performance than the one they turned in at Spurs.