The speed of the strike from Pedro Neto was knocking on 60mph, the ball going from boot to goal in 0.53 seconds as it blurred 15 yards in a blink, and it came after he had performed a spin with the grace and balance of Fred Astaire.

It was booming and beautiful, all mashed into a singular moment which could yet save Chelsea’s season as it kept them in a Champions League chase they had been contriving to exit and delivered Enzo Maresca his first away win in the Premier League in 2025.

Given they had waited since December 8 for this feeling, and the pressure with which they were playing under, you could understand the eruption of ecstasy that followed Neto’s 15-yard finish in stoppage time. It was not a convincing victory, neither was it particularly pretty, but this was big, and the animalistic celebrations at Craven Cottage told us that.

At full-time, Levi Colwill and Co practically chucked themselves into the away end in excitement. Tyrique George, the 19-year-old from the academy, was pushed forward towards the fans to receive his flowers for scoring his own superb equaliser before Neto’s banger.

This was not the worst day for Chelsea to choose for a footballing resurrection, and in finally showing that they can win away from home, Europe’s elite competition could still follow.

Chelsea staged a dramatic comeback against Fulham to win Sunday’s west London derby 2-1

Fulham took the lead through Alex Iwobi on 20 minutes and were ahead for most of the game

Tyrique George scored his first Premier League goal to equalise for Chelsea in the 84th minute

‘It was a moment for the players,’ Maresca said. ‘They deserved to share that moment with the fans. Tyrique’s goal gave us extra energy. Fortunately it was not Marc Cucurella again!’

Indeed, Chelsea have relied on Cucurella a few times this season with Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson still struggling to score. They took themselves to 16 and 13 games without a goal here.

Fulham manager Marco Silva was frustrated inevitably, particularly after they had played so well initially. ‘It was very good from us in the first half,’ he said. ‘We were the best team on the pitch. I was thinking a draw was fair but we conceded a late goal.’

Robert Sanchez was making his 50th appearance for Chelsea here. According to his harshest critics in the fanbase, it is 50 too many. He is prone to mad moments, and Colwill was telling his jittery goalkeeper to calm it within 30 seconds here after an anxious pass from the back.

Sanchez was picking the ball out of his goal after three minutes when Andreas Pereira tapped in following pinball carnage in Chelsea’s box. However, the offside flag was raised against Alex Iwobi after he had provided the assist – a call ratified by those in the VAR bunker.

Before the game, while everyone else was warming up collectively for Chelsea, Palmer was doing individual work, accompanied by a coach and with Marcus Bettinelli in goal, practising shooting from 20 yards or further. His first opportunity to test Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno from such a scenario in real time saw him scuff it. Such has been his luck of late.

Ever since Reece James returned from his most recent hamstring injury, Maresca has maintained he cannot play every three days. He even reiterated that on Thursday after Chelsea’s captain completed a full 90 in the Conference League. And yet, here he was, starting.

It was one dream of a cross-field ball which led to a foul on Neto. James took the wide free-kick and, while we were all anticipating a cross, he went for it. However, Leno was wise to the deception as the ball arched into his arms.

Nine minutes later, Pedro Neto completed the turnaround to notch a winner in added time

Enzo Maresca’s side moved up to fifth, ahead of Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa in the table

Chelsea are now two points behind Newcastle in third but also just two points ahead of Villa in seventh – such are the tight margins in the race for Champions League football

Chelsea are better with James in their side, but he was the culprit at fault when they conceded after 20 minutes. He was casual in bringing the ball forward from his defensive third, completely unaware that Ryan Sessegnon was creeping up behind him.

Fulham countered as Sessegnon played an inside pass into Iwobi, whose low drive from 18 yards beat Sanchez. Silva’s side deserved their lead, and should have doubled it when Sander Berge completely missed the ball when he had a free header from a corner.

It was a good job for Maresca that referee Anthony Taylor wronged Fulham by blowing his half-time whistle before they could take their corner. 

The boos from the home supporters meant those from the away section were not as discernible as they would otherwise have been.

At half-time, Noni Madueke was replaced by Jadon Sancho, and James by Malo Gusto. After 55 minutes, Jackson set up Neto. He had to score. He was 10 yards from goal and with space. But he drilled the ball directly into Leno rather than either side of him.

Sancho likewise sent one straight into Leno from 20 yards, while Cucurella saw his curler cleared on the line by the retreating Antonee Robinson.

Maresca made a Hail Mary of a substitute by replacing Jackson with one of Chelsea’s own in George. After 83 minutes, the 19-year-old pounced on a loose ball, striking from 20 yards to make it 1-1 with his first Premier League goal. 

As Chelsea’s head coach said in his post-match press conference, that energised the team.

Meanwhile, Fulham’s rough form continues, as they have now lost four of their last five games

After six minutes of stoppage time were announced, Chelsea went on the attack. Palmer had possession and fed it wide to Enzo Fernandez. He set up Neto, who controlled, spun, swung, and scored. Leno barely had time to lift an arm.

Chelsea’s delirious fans sang: ‘How s*** must you be? We’re winning away.’ Indeed, this was their first Premier League victory on the road all year, and my word, it was needed if they still want to remain relevant in that Champions League chase.