The Blues were the better side across the 90 minutes, struck the woodwork twice, and forced Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno into several good stops. Yet the difference on the scoreboard was Palmer's penalty.

It was awarded just before the interval as Raheem Sterling tricked his way into the penalty box and was brought down by Issa Diop. Palmer stepped up and, once again, converted what proved to be the match-winner.

Pochettino made just one change to the side that started the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Middlesbrough.

Armando Broja returned to the attack in place of Noni Madueke, who was on a substitutes' bench that included the returning Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka.

On a chilly afternoon at Stamford Bridge, a composed start was required. Chelsea delivered. The Blues dominated possession in the opening exchanges and threatened the Fulham goal.

Conor Gallagher had the first effort of the afternoon – a shot from distance that cleared the crossbar – before Broja guided a header narrowly wide from a well-delivered Enzo Fernandez cross.

The Blues continued to move the ball neatly across the pitch to try to break down the visitors' backline, but we were almost caught out on the half-hour mark.

A Fulham attack was built down the Chelsea right and Antonee Robinson delivered a ball to the back post for Harry Wilson. The Wales international's shot was destined for the bottom corner but Djordje Petrovic reacted quickly to get his body in the way.

Chelsea immediately responded and Palmer forced Leno into a stop with a shot from the edge of the penalty area. Enzo then fired over from distance.

It appeared as though the game would be level at the interval. That was until Sterling produced a moment of trickery in the penalty box and Diop brought down the winger.

A spot kick was awarded and Palmer – as has been the case throughout his Chelsea career – made no mistake from the spot. He went left. Leno went right. The Blues went in at the break ahead.

It was an advantage to build on in the second period. Pochettino's side looked to do so. Palmer whipped a shot narrowly wide before Sterling struck the post with a header after a neat pass from Enzo. The offside flag had been raised, however.

An smart block in a crowded penalty area denied Sterling again moments later after excellent work from Malo Gusto and Palmer. Levi Colwill then curled a shot over from 18 yards.

Opportunities for Fulham were sporadic, but the visitors almost grabbed an equaliser when Andreas Pereira found room in the penalty area, delivered a pass to the back post, and found Raul Jimenez.

The striker's shot was low and headed for the bottom corner. However, Petrovic moved quickly across his goal and got a strong hand to the ball to push it clear of danger.

With 13 minutes to go, those inside Stamford Bridge rose to their feet to welcome Chilwell back to action. The England international replaced Sterling. It was our second change of the contest after Madueke had been introduced for Broja.

As the minutes ticked down, Chelsea continued to carry the greater threat. Gallagher was inches away from getting his name on the scoresheet with a brilliant outside-of-the-boot shot from 15 yards, but the ball cannoned back off the post.

There was a late scare as Fulham were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Chelsea penalty area. Former Blue Willian stepped up to take the set piece but whipped his shot over Petrovic's goal.

Five minutes were added. It was in those Pochettino introduced Alfie Gilchrist for Gusto and Chukwuemeka, playing for the first time since August, for Palmer. The Blues had to see the contest out.

Pressure was put on the Chelsea backline. Corners were delivered; passes were launched into the penalty area. All were repelled and the Blues were able to walk off the Stamford Bridge pitch with all three points.

What it means...

Our fourth successive win at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League moved us up to eighth in the top-flight table, level on points with seventh-place Brighton and Hove Albion, who occupy the final European place.

What comes next...

The Blues' season takes a brief pause as part of the Premier League winter break. We will next be in action at home to Middlesbrough in our Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.

The teams

Chelsea: Petrovic; Gusto (Gilchrist, 90+2), Disasi, Thiago Silva, Colwill; Caicedo, Fernandez, Gallagher; Sterling (Chilwell, 77), Broja (Madueke, 66), Palmer (Chukwuemeka, 90+2)

Chelsea substitutes: Bettinelli, Bergstrom, Badiashile, Mudkryk, Deivid Washington

Booked: Gusto 38, Fernandez 58, Caicedo 75, Gallagher 79

Fulham: Leno; Tete (Castagne, 64), Adarabiayo, Diop, Robinson; Palhinha (Lukic, 82), Cairney; Wilson (De Cordova-Reid, 64), Pereira (Muinz, 82), Willian; Jimenez

Fulham substitutes: Radak, Reed, Ream, Vinicius, Francis

Booked: Wilson, 49

Attendance: 39,643