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Mudryk and Broja end Chelsea goal drought in 2-0 win at Fulham – ARN News Centre
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AFP
Chelsea finally found the net as they won 2-0 at neighbours Fulham in the Premier League on Monday with Mykhailo Mudryk scoring his first goal for the Blues and Armando Broja also on target as he celebrated his full return from injury.
Mauricio Pochettino’s hugely expensive, new-look side had failed to score in each of their previous three league games and had notched up only five goals in six top-flight matches this season before their visit to Craven Cottage.
However, in the space of two first-half minutes they seized control of the West London derby.
In the 18th, Ukraine winger Mudryk chested down a cross from Levi Colwill and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Bernd Leno before poor defending by the hosts allowed Broja to double the lead a minute later.
It was Mudryk’s first goal since signing for Chelsea nine months ago while Broja – replacing the suspended Nicolas Jackson – was making his first start since sustaining a knee injury at the end of 2022.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s been a long time coming,” Broja told talkSPORT about his goal.
“We are gelling as a team. It’s not going to happen overnight. It’s important for us to have that time and to keep progressing as a team.”
Ian Maatsen – who came off the bench at halftime after Mudryk picked up an injury – almost made it three for Chelsea when he hit the post in the 62nd minute, with the visitors cruising to only their second league win of the season.
The result pushed Chelsea up to 11th spot with eight points, leapfrogging Fulham, who are 13th, on goal difference.
“The performance was fantastic – too many good things, very positive things. We need to keep working, keep believing,” said a relieved Pochettino.
“The belief was there … and the team today in the end got what we wanted. Now it’s about being ruthless and working really hard and finding better solutions.”
Pochettino played down worries that Broja, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez might have picked up fresh injuries – with several other key players already sidelined – but he said Mudryk had felt a problem in his thigh at the end of the first half.
Fulham coach Marco Silva lamented what he said were soft goals his side had offered up to the visitors.
“It created a really difficult scenario for us and the perfect one for Chelsea,” he noted.
The Portuguese dismissed suggestions his team were missing the firepower of Serbia forward Aleksandar Mitrovic, who joined Saudi club Al-Hilal in August, saying he was only focused on his current crop of players.
“Of course we have to keep working,” Silva added. “We have to be more effective. We have to decide better.”
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Indian chess star Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu produced a brilliant final-round victory to win Norway Chess 2026, capping a dramatic finish to one of the year’s most prestigious tournaments.
Entering the final day half a point behind leader Wesley So, Praggnanandhaa knew only a win would give him a realistic chance of claiming the title. The 19-year-old delivered under pressure, defeating Vincent Keymer with the white pieces to secure the full three points and surge to first place.
The victory lifted Praggnanandhaa to 18 points, enough to overtake Wesley So and clinch the Norway Chess crown in Oslo.
So, who had led the standings heading into the final round, drew his classical game against Alireza Firouzja before winning the Armageddon tiebreak. However, the extra points were not enough to keep him ahead of the charging Indian grandmaster.
Firouzja completed a strong campaign to finish third overall.
Elsewhere, world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen signed off in style with a classical victory over reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju, delighting home fans with a final-round win.
Final Standings
- Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu – 18 points
- Wesley So – 17 points
- Alireza Firouzja – 15.5 points
Assaubayeva dominates women’s event
In the Norway Chess Women’s tournament, Bibisara Assaubayeva completed a dominant campaign to secure the title after having already wrapped up first place with a round to spare.
The final day featured three decisive classical games, eliminating the need for Armageddon tiebreaks.
Women’s world champion Ju Wenjun handed Assaubayeva her first classical defeat of the tournament, while Zhu Jiner defeated Humpy Koneru to secure second place overall. Anna Muzychuk also ended her campaign on a high note with a victory over Divya Deshmukh to finish third.
Norway Chess women’s final standings
- Bibisara Assaubayeva – 16.5 points
- Zhu Jiner – 16 points
- Anna Muzychuk – 15 points
Praggnanandhaa’s triumph marks another major milestone in the young Indian grandmaster’s rapidly rising career and further strengthens India’s growing influence at the highest level of world chess.
The battle for the Norway Chess 2026 title is set for a thrilling finish after a dramatic Round 9 left three players firmly in contention heading into the final day in Oslo.
Tournament leader Wesley So maintained his narrow advantage after drawing his classical game against Magnus Carlsen before winning the Armageddon tiebreak to secure valuable extra points.
The standout result of the day came from Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, who defeated reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju with the black pieces. The victory earned Praggnanandhaa three points and moved him to within half a point of the tournament lead.
Meanwhile, Alireza Firouzja kept his championship hopes alive by overcoming Vincent Keymer in Armageddon after their classical game ended in a draw.
With one round remaining, Wesley So leads the standings on 15.5 points, followed by Praggnanandhaa on 15 points and Firouzja on 14.5 points, setting up a nail-biting conclusion to the tournament.
Assaubayeva seals women’s title
In the women’s competition, Bibisara Assaubayeva secured the Norway Chess Women 2026 title with a round to spare.
Assaubayeva drew her classical game against Anna Muzychuk, who later claimed the Armageddon win. However, the result was enough to guarantee Assaubayeva an unassailable lead at the top of the standings.
The only decisive classical result in the women’s event came from Zhu Jiner, who defeated Divya Deshmukh to move into second place.
Elsewhere, Humpy Koneru and Ju Wenjun drew their classical encounter before Ju Wenjun claimed the Armageddon victory.
After Round 9, Assaubayeva tops the women’s standings with 16.5 points, ahead of Zhu Jiner on 13 points and Anna Muzychuk on 12 points.
Praggnanandhaa wins Norway Chess 2026 title after stunning comeback
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