Rise of a Football God

Alex Iwobi never had to be introduced into the game.

After Sam and Smith's masterpiece in the first half, Coach Marco Silva had the luxury to heavily rotate his team in the second half, giving rest to a few important players of his squad in preparations for Fulham's next game.

With Sam out of the game, Fulham's threat in front of goal lessened considerably as Southampton finally started coming out of their box.

They tried to create a few chances for their forwards but none of them was concrete enough, the rugged Fulham defense kept every attacking opportunity that they created at bay.

In the end, even Emile Smith Rowe was taken off in the 65th minute of this game after one of the best games of his career.

Fulham was still winning 4-0.

In the 72nd minute, Fulham finally added the nail to the coffin as Raul Jimenez set Pereira up to slam in the 5th goal of this game, dooming Southampton to sure defeat and shutting off all non-existent hopes of a comeback.

By the 90th minute, the body language of the Southampton players made it seem like they could not wait to leave the pitch.

This was not just any defeat; it was a mutilation.

Emile Smith Rowe won another man of the match award for the season after contributing with 4 incredible goal contributions.

Later that evening, after the titanic clash between Tottenham and Liverpool, the premier league table was finally updated again after an exciting matchday.

(Premier league results:)

(Matchday 17 of 38:)

(Aston Villa 2-2 Man City)

(Date: 21st December, 2024)

…

(West Ham 1-2 Brighton)

(Date: 21st December, 2024)

…

(Ipswich Town 1-4 Newcastle)

(Date: 21st December, 2024)

…

(Brentford 1-1 Nottm Forest)

(Date: 21st December, 2024)

…

(Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal)

(Date: 21st December, 2024)

…

(Everton 0-2 Chelsea)

(Date: 22nd December, 2024)

…

(Man United 2-1 Bournemouth)

(Date: 22nd December, 2024)

…

(Fulham 5-0 Southampton)

(Date: 22nd December, 2024)

…

(Leicester City 1-1 Wolves)

(Date: 22nd December, 2024)

…

(Tottenham 1-3 Liverpool)

(Date: 22nd December, 2024)

…

(Updated premier league table standings:)

(1. Fulham GP: 17/ W:14/ D:2/ L:1/ Pts: 45)

(2. Liverpool GP: 17/ W:11/ D:2/ L:2/ Pts: 39)

(3. Chelsea GP: 17/ W:11/ D:4/ L:2/ Pts: 37)
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(4. Arsenal GP: 17/ W:9/ D:6/ L:2/ Pts: 33)

(5. Nottm Forest GP: 17/ W:8/ D:5/ L:4/ Pts: 29)

(6. Brighton GP: 17/ W:7/ D:6/ L:4/ Pts: 27)

(7. Man City GP: 17/ W:7/ D:5/ L:5/ Pts: 26)

(8. Newcastle GP: 17/ W:7/ D:5/ L:5/ Pts: 26)

(9. Aston Villa GP: 17/ W:7/ D:4/ L:7/ Pts: 25)

(10. Bournemouth GP: 17/ W:7/ D:4/ L:6/ Pts: 25)

(11. Brentford GP: 17/ W:7/ D:3/ L:7/ Pts: 24)

(12. Man United GP: 17/ W:6/ D:4/ L:7/ Pts: 22)

(13. Tottenham GP: 17/ W:7/ D:1/ L:9/ Pts: 22)

(14. West Ham GP: 17/ W:5/ D:4/ L:8/ Pts: 19)

(15. Crystal Palace GP: 17/ W:3/ D:7/ L:7/ Pts: 16)

(16. Leicester GP: 17/ W:3/ D:6/ L:8/ Pts: 15)

(17. Everton GP: 17/ W:3/ D:5/ L:8/ Pts: 14)

(18. Ipswich Town GP: 17/ W:2/ D:6/ L:9/ Pts: 12)

(19. Wolves GP: 17/ W:1/ D:4/ L:12/ Pts: 7)

(20. Southampton GP: 17/ W:1/ D:1/ L:13/ Pts: 4)

After 17 matchdays of the English premier league, this was how the premier league table looked. Fulham was still leading the line with 6 points.

This was no longer a shock to the premier league audience though, this time, the shock was that Manchester City, the reigning premier league champions finally dropped to 7th position in the league after their run of atrocious results.

Manchester City was truly going through a crisis, nothing seemed to be working for them at the moment.

On the pitch, under the eye test, Man City seemed to have regained their mojo and were playing well but the X factor was just not in their favor.

Fulham did not have time to worry about the form of the champions though, this was because their next game was a troubling one.

After clashing against almost all the top clubs in the English premier league and surviving this season already, they were now finally about to clash with the club that was rated as currently the most in-form team alongside them.

Chelsea was in imperious form, and now, these 2 teams were set to clash in a London derby that was going to send ripples through the premier league scene.

(Premier league:)

(Matchday 18 of 38:)

(Man City – Everton)

(Date: 26th December, 2024)

…

(Newcastle – Aston Villa)

(Date: 26th December, 2024)

…

(Nottm Forest – Tottenham)

(Date: 26th December, 2024)

…

(Bournemouth – Crystal Palace)

(Date: 26th December, 2024)

…

(Chelsea – Fulham)

(Date: 26th December, 2024)

…

(Southampton – West Ham)

(Date: 26th December, 2024)

…

(Wolves – Man United)

(Date: 26th December, 2024)

…

(Liverpool – Leicester City)

(Date: 26th December, 2024)

…

(Brighton – Brentford)

(Date: 27th December, 2024)

…

(Arsenal – Ipswich Town)

(Date: 27th December, 2024)

Having quietly snuck to 3rd place in the premier league table while claiming that they were not in a title race, a resurgent Chelsea finally had a shot at the surprise package of this season, Fulham.

The buildup to this game proved to be even more explosive than the build up to Liverpool vs Fulham as the media fanned the flames.

The game was dubbed the London Rumble.

It was a chance for Fulham to prove their credentials for the umpteenth time this season, proving that they were not up there by mistake and it was also a chance for Chelsea to show their credentials in front of their home fans.

It was a Chelsea home game meaning the fans in blue would be welcoming the high-flying Fulham in Stamford Bridge.

It was going to be a tough game but the Fulham players were undeterred.

They approached it like every other game this season, giving their all in training, staying at an elite level throughout.

With them doing their part, time did its part, accelerating and in the blink of an eye, it was 26th…, it was D-day.

Chelsea welcomed Fulham to Stamford Bridge.