During a freezing evening at Craven Cottage, the Blues had wrestled control of the contest before Marc Cucurella was dismissed in the 22nd minute after being adjudged to have fouled Harry Wilson.

We fought hard to restrict the home side but, early into the second half, Raul Jimenez headed Fulham ahead. Chelsea responded and we were able to fashion an equaliser when Delap turned the ball in from close range following a corner.

Unfortunately, we couldn't hold on to the lead as, with nine minutes remaining, a deflected shot from Harry Wilson consigned us to defeat.

‘I'm really proud of the performance but we have to talk about it in different ways,' said McFarlane, who took charge of the match with new head coach Liam Rosenior watching from the stands.

'I thought Fulham started better, won more duels and second balls. We were too aggressive on the ball in the first 10 minutes., but then I thought we found our rhythm and we got into some good areas, even though they gave us a lot of respect in terms of their defensive structure in the 5-4-1.

'We had just got into our rhythm, had a couple of set-pieces, but we got countered and went down to 10 men. Then it’s about how compact we are, how we control our box and our final third. We did that really well until they scored the first goal.

'We had moments and I was really proud of the character to get back in the game. We didn’t look like conceding again until a bit of quality from Harry Wilson that decided the game. So we’re disappointed.’

The main positive for the evening was Delap getting off the mark for the Blues in the Premier League. The 22-year-old also completed 90 minutes for the first time since February 2025.

'They were tough circumstances tonight for Liam, being the single nine while we’re down to 10 men, but you saw him fight, bully, control centre-backs and get us up the pitch,' reflected McFarlane.

'He had a big chance that he’ll be disappointed to miss after great link-up play between him and Cole, but I’m delighted he got his goal. He deserves that, will take confidence from that, and hopefully his performances will remain at this level.’