Fulham were leading 1-0 heading into the 83rd minute courtesy of Alex Iwobi's fine strike midway through the first half.

It looked as though the Blues' much-improved second-half showing would count for nothing as we entered the latter stages but substitute George drilled a low shot into the bottom corner to equalise.

And in the third minute of additional time, Neto - who had been our biggest threat on the day - smashed home from close to the penalty spot to make it 2-1 and move us back up to fifth and into the Champions League qualification places.

Seven changes

Maresca made seven changes to his starting line-up, as Robert Sanchez was back in goal, Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill returned in the heart of defence and Reece James reverted to right-back, having started in centre-midfield against Legia Warsaw.

Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez were back in midfield, with Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto on the flanks, as Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson retained their places.

Fulham had the ball in the net early into the game but the offside had been clear long before the ball ended up in the net and VAR quickly confirmed Ryan Sessegnon had strayed offside in the build-up.

Chelsea enjoyed a period of pressure, where Palmer had a shot from distance saved, Jackson almost turned neatly in the box to shoot and there were a few dangerous crosses from Pedro Neto.

Opening goal

But it was the hosts who took the lead midway through the first half when James was dispossessed in his own half by Sessegnon and he passed to Iwobi 20 yards out. The former Arsenal man controlled well and from just inside our penalty area, swiftly rifled a low left-footed shot into the far, bottom corner.

Fulham were pressing well and carried a threat going forward. The hosts had a goal-bound shot blocked not long after the opener and Sander Berge went close to getting on the end of a cross with a diving header just yards from our goal.

Neto was looking our biggest threat down the left and a counter-attack saw him fizz a dangerous delivery into the box but Jackson and Madueke were unable to get on the end of it.

There was a moment of hope for the travelling supporters when the ball landed at the feet of Jackson following a free-kick from the right but the striker's shot, which was heading for the bottom corner, was blocked by the Fulham defence.

Neither side were able to break down the opposition as the first half came to a close and Fulham entered the interval with a one-goal advantage.

Maresca made a double change at half-time, as Malo Gusto and Jadon Sancho were introduced, with James and Madueke making way, and the Blues started the second period with a higher intensity to their attacking play.

It wasn't long before Gusto had a long-range shot saved and the Blues had their best chance of the game ten minutes after the restart when some slick play on the right saw Jackson lay the ball back to Neto eight yards out and his left-footed strike was saved by Bernd Leno.

Chelsea were clearly on top at the start of the second half and Sancho cut inside to force Leno into a save before Cucurella had a goal-bound shot cleared yards from his own line by Calvin Bassey with the goalkeeper beaten.

The pressure kept coming from the Blues and Palmer was next to have a go, firing a shot over and wide from just inside the opposition penalty area.

Equaliser

Academy graduate George was introduced with 12 minutes of normal time remaining and he quickly made his mark as the 19-year-old scored the equaliser just five minutes after his introduction. The ball rolled to the versatile forward just outside the box and his first-time strike nestled into the bottom corner for 1-1.

Both sides searched for a winner and Neto was next to force Leno into a save with an effort towards the near post.

And in the third minute of injury-time, the Portugal international smashed home a winner into the roof of the net to make it 2-1 and we were able to hold on.

What it means

This win sees Chelsea move up to fifth in the table on 57 points, the same as sixth-placed Nottingham Forest, who have a game in hand against Tottenham on Monday night, and Aston Villa in seventh.

Manchester City are one point above us in fourth and Newcastle United two points higher, with five games remaining.

What's next

The Blues are back to Stamford Bridge for our next game, as we welcome David Moyes' Everton on Saturday for a 12.30pm kick-off, which will be televised on TNT Sport in the UK.

Teams

Fulham: Leno; Tete (Castagne 79), Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic (Cairney 72); Sessegnon (Wilson 79), Pereira, Iwobi (Adama 84); Jiminez (Vinicius 84)
Subs not used: Benda, Cuenca, Reed, Willian
Bookings: Bassey 24
Goals: Iwobi 20

Chelsea: Sanchez; James (c) (Gusto HT, Tosin 90+), Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke (Sancho HT), Palmer, Neto; Jackson (George 78)
Subs not used: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Badiashile, Dewsbury-Hall, Lavia
Bookings: Colwill 29, Cucurella 80, Caicedo 85
Goals: George 83

Referee: Anthony Taylor
Attendance: 27,712