If Enzo Maresca was the most relieved man in west London at witnessing Chelsea’s late fightback against Fulham on Sunday, then Reece James may have been a close second.

It was the full-back’s error midway through the first half that had given Fulham their deserved lead, James closed from behind by Ryan Sessegnon before Alex Iwobi drilled home a fine low finishThat James cried foul to referee Anthony Taylor in the aftermath was not a good look, adding to the growing perception of this young Chelsea as a team of stroppy, excuse-makers – one that, to their credit, they did a little to dispel with a stunning turnaround courtesy of Tyrique George and Pedro Neto.

James was replaced at half-time, though part of that decision may well have been down to workload management, given he had played 90 minutes against Legia Warsaw in the Conference League on Thursday and usually does not start two matches in such close proximity..