Mauricio Pochettino has questions to answer as toothless Chelsea edge Fulham
Mauricio Pochettino screeched so loud it shook the Stamford Bridge press box.
Harry Wilson had pipped two Chelsea defenders to a second ball and slowly but surely, Fulham had begun to assert first-half control. Two furious punts of his technical area turf soon followed from the restless Argentine, who desperately consulted assistant Jesus Perez for answers as his side were suffocated by Marco Silva's press.
Yet just a few minutes later, Chelsea were ahead via Cole Palmer's penalty and that abrupt swing of the pendulum just about typified the unpredictable nature of Pochettino's chaotic project that looks either destined to explode or nose-dive at any given second.
Chelsea have become a team that rely on moments and individuals and even then, there is a distinct lack of quality outside of £42.5million bargain Palmer. Despite victory, this was yet another frustrating performance that offered no real clarification that the Blues are a side on the comeback trail.
And ultimately, that is something that reflects poorly on Pochettino because at times, you begin to wonder whether there is any amount of money that can prompt a serious upturn in fortunes. There is no clear identity or style of play and it's hard to recognise precisely what Chelsea are trying to do in possession when they try and move the ball forward.
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Raheem Sterling looks shot of all confidence while Armando Broja does not look ready to be their main asset in attack. There is also a stark lack of creativity but even when the Blues do muster an opening, there is nobody clinical enough to put the chance away and matches to bed.
It's a mentality problem that is plaguing this squad and while there is undoubtedly an argument that this side is still short of three or four world-class players that could make the difference - Pochettino has failed to improve virtually any of the stars he has at his disposal.
Levi Colwill for starters, is definitely not a left-back despite a credible display. He would surely elevate his game to the next level at centre-back alongside Thiago Silva.
Cole Palmer struck the winner for Chelsea (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez cost a combined £222million but both were outworked and outperformed by Fulham's excellent defensive midfield lynchpin Joao Palhinha in patches despite signs of encouragement.
The Portuguese powerhouse covered every blade of grass and imposed his physical presence upon the South America duo, who still sometimes look as though they can't play together effectively.
Pochettino has even said that himself - yet is not willing to change his midfield pairing while crazily, mainstay Conor Gallagher is still facing an uncertain future in west London despite his commitment in the middle of the park.
Liverpool have certainly not lost any sleep since missing out on Caicedo or Romeo Lavia, who has played just 32 minutes of Premier League action since arriving from Southampton. Jurgen Klopp's Japanese hero Wataru Endo - a £16m recruit from Stuttgart - has put Chelsea's midfield to shame this season.
Caicedo is only 22 but for a British-record signing you expect so much more, particularly on the basis of the fine performances he turned in at Brighton. As Fulham went for the jugular in stoppage-time, he was merely a passenger and failed to win two aerial duels to relieve pressure.
Moises Caicedo has more to give in a Chelsea shirt (Getty Images)A win was all that mattered for Pochettino with Chelsea now unbeaten in eight home matches but supporters will soon demand more from his star-studded £1billion side that continuously flatters to deceive. Football is a results business, granted, but Fulham were aggrieved to have left empty handed after causing Chelsea major problems in both halves.
The Blues will require more potency in attack if they're to overturn the 1-0 Carabao Cup semi-final deficit against Middlesbrough, who have more than a puncher's chance of reaching Wembley. That now looks like a game that will define Chelsea's season and furthermore, Pochettino's tenure.
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