The Tanner Report: Chelsea 2 Fulham 0

No surprises here.

Chelsea maintained their almost invincible record against us at Stamford Bridge. I can remember being in deep cover in a stand when we last won there and that was 1976.

Even a few years ago, if a team played a semi-final against Real Madrid, there was a fair bet they would be tired come the weekend but such is the depth of their squad – in which England international Tammy Abrahams was on the bench – that like a well-oiled limousine they cruised to a comfortable two-nil win.

Fulham are doomed.

It’s now a question of being relegated in a state when we can return as Norwich have just done after only getting 22 points and finishing bottom of the Premier.

Relegated Watford achieved automatic promotion and Bournemouth might win the play-offs.

Some might think Scott Parker delusional for backing his team but in my view he wants them to know they have his confidence.

Many will leave (Areola, Andersen, Aina, Loftus Cheek, Lookman and Maya) but some of the team that achieved promotion can replace them (Rodek, Hector, Bryan, Onomah and Cairney).

The loss of form of Alex Mitrovic is as troubling as it’s extraordinary.

For the sake of  continuity and there being no obvious replacement I fervently hope Scott Parker stays.

Overshadowing all is the new stand which will now open its doors to the likes of Peterborough rather than Chelsea. It shows the wealth and confidence of owner Shahid Khan to continue to fund  the project during the pandemic.