A collector’s item from John Obi Mikel helped Chelsea end a week of frustration by beating Fulham in the west London derby at Stamford Bridge.

Mikel’s first Premier League goal combined with a scrappy Oscar effort saw the Blues take the three points from a tepid encounter.

All the talk pre-match was about Juan Mata, who was omitted from the squad amid criticism from Jose Mourinho, and the Spaniard’s creative talents were missed early on.

Chelsea entered the match without a victory in their last four matches in all competitions, and could have trailed in the early stages when Fulham striker Darren Bent was presented with a terrific chance.

Mourinho left out Mata and David Luiz, both of whom sat behind the bench having failed to satisfy their manager's tactical demands.

In the first half, it looked like Chelsea could have done with them, Mata for his guile and Luiz for his ability to play a defence-splitting pass.

Four changes were made following Wednesday's shock Champions League Group E loss to Basle, with John Terry, Mikel, Ramires and Andre Schurrle brought in.

Mikel Obi justified the coach's decision by playing brilliantly and capping it up with a goal.

It took Mikel 185 premier league games and seven years to get that goal and what a finish.



Mikel's previous goals were in successive FA Cup rounds in January 2007 against Macclesfield and Nottingham Forest and in the remaining minutes Mikel was urged to shoot by the Stamford Bridge faithful, even when in his more customary position protecting the back four.



http://futbolgist.com/2013/09/21/chelsea-2-fulham-0-mikel-obi-scores-his-first-ever-premier-league-goal/

Chelsea back to winning ways and Mikel contributed to that.

MIkel is now forward thinking in Chelsea. Good goal bro. A striker's finish.

[quote author=futbolman][/quote] Ichie Mikel scores...haha End Time Tinz

again i say WHAT

Miíikeeel!!!

Yes he a true son of the soil........
Nwa afo Igbo

David Luiz is too undisciplined to play defense for Jose Mourhino.

I took his name to okija, and the curse was broken.

futbolman:

MIkel is now forward thinking in Chelsea. Good goal bro. A striker's finish.

And don't lament when fast strikers take advantage of Luiz, Ivano wich, all leaving their positions to become striker/defenders.