Chelsea suffered their third defeat in four Under-21 Premier League matches, losing 3-1 to Fulham at a rain-swept Craven Cottage on Friday evening.
Fulham’s starting line-up included Philippe Senderos, new signing Mickael Tavares and fellow recent arrival Ashkan Dejagah, while Kerim Frei made an impressive return from injury.
Alex Smith hit the Chelsea post with a free-kick before Charles Banya embarrassed Blues keeper Jamal Blackman with a lob from an awkward angle to put the home side ahead.
A mistake by Fulham keeper Csaba Somogyi, who weakly palmed Billy Clifford’s free-kick into the net, helped Chelsea draw level.
But Marcello Trotta scored following Frei’s cross just before the break and then headed home early in the second half – again from a cross by Frei, who played 73 minutes.
Chelsea’s Lucas Piazon and Lewis Baker hit the woodwork as Dermot Drummy’s team tried to find a way back into the game.
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