Summer Series

Chelsea beat Fulham to win Summer Series

30 Jul 2023
Reece James

Thiago Silva and Christopher Nkunku score as Blues are crowned champions in United States

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Chelsea have won the Premier League Summer Series after a 2-0 victory over Fulham at FedExField in Landover, Maryland.

After Aston Vila's 3-3 draw with Brentford earlier in the day, Chelsea knew only a victory would be enough to be crowned champions due to Villa's stronger goal difference.

But a much-changed Chelsea team took control of a west London derby on US soil thanks to first-half goals from Thiago Silva and Christopher Nkunku.

Thiago Silva's goal was a header from a Ben Chilwell corner, while Nkunku's came from close range after Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno could only parry a shot into his path. It was Nkunku's second goal of the tournament and his third since signing.

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Chelsea started 19-year-old American goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina but Fulham could not seriously test him or substitute goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom, managing only one shot on target all match.

There was a welcome boost for Fulham fans, though, as Raul Jimenez and Calvin Bassey both played for the first time following their arrivals from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Ajax respectively.

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However, both teams suffered injury blows, with captain Tom Cairney going off for Fulham with a suspected hamstring injury, while Trevoh Chalobah only lasted 15 minutes having come on as a second-half substitute.

Chelsea's win means they end the tournament with two wins and one draw, and remain unbeaten in pre-season under Mauricio Pochettino. They have one match remaining, against Borussia Dortmund on 2 August, before their Premier League opener at home to Liverpool on 13 August.

Summer Series

Position Pos Club Played Pl GD Points Pts
1 Chelsea CHE 3 +3 7
2 Aston Villa AVL 3 +2 5
3 Newcastle NEW 3 +1 5
4 Brighton BHA 3 0 3
5 Fulham FUL 3 -3 3
6 Brentford BRE 3 -3 1
View More

Nkunku says lifting silverware in pre-season is a great boost ahead of the start of the Premier League.

"It's good for the confidence," he said. "We've had a great pre-season. We'll be ready for the season."

See: Pochettino pleased with squad but open to new signings

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