Izuchukwu Okosi
Derby honours were shared as Chelsea was held to an entertaining goalless draw by Fulham at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Fernandez made his Chelsea debut following his club-record arrival on Deadline Day and was impressive, while Mykhailo Mudryk started for the first time but made way first minute into the second half.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelBoth sides had chances in the opening 45 minutes, with Kepa Arrizabalaga making a fingertip save to deny Fulham’s Andreas Pereira.
At the other end, Kai Havertz almost put Chelsea ahead just before the break, but his lofted effort clipped the woodwork.
New signing and young England Under-21 international, Noni Madueke, who could well play for Nigeria at the senior level- where he has his heritage – replaced Mudryk and in so doing became the 31st player used by Graham Potter’s side in the Premier League this season, their most in a campaign since 1996/97.
Aleksandar Mitrovic came close with an audacious lob from the halfway line, while Chelsea pushed hard for a late breakthrough.
Fernandez almost marked his first appearance with a goal as his 30-yard strike swerved inches wide, while substitute David Fofana was denied a debut goal by Tim Ream’s goalline clearance.
The draw moves both Chelsea up one place to ninth on 30 points, two behind Fulham, who claimed their first point at Stamford Bridge since 2012, in the sixth spot.
The first of seven Saturday fixtures begin with Everton, led by new manager Sean Dyche, taking on leaders Arsenal.
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An away win would take Arsenal eight points clear of reigning champions Manchester City, who face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
The top-four battle continues with both Newcastle United and Manchester United looking to stay within touching distance of the top.
Third-placed Newcastle host a West Ham United side hovering one point above the drop zone, while Man Utd, in fourth, face Crystal Palace at Old Trafford without Wilfried Zaha for this crucial game.
There are Midlands derby honours at stake when Aston Villa welcome Leicester City, while victory for Brighton & Hove Albion against AFC Bournemouth would move the Seagulls to within two points of Spurs in fifth.
Elsewhere, bottom club Southampton faces a tough trip to Brentford, who are unbeaten in eight Premier League matches, and Liverpool travels to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
