Them 3 Fulham 1

A disappointing result and performance against a side we'd all hoped would be preoccupied with the Champions League and between two tough games against the best attacking side in Europe. To their credit they fielded a very strong starting eleven and brushed us aside a little too easily.

A goal down after 52 seconds we responded quickly when Eric Nevland evaded the offside trap and collected Murphy's sumptuous through ball before sending an accurate (though seemingly saveable) shot past Petr Cech. Unfortunately we conceded again and then lost Nevland following an industrial challenge from John Terry. They scored again early in the second half and the contest was effectively over.

With the teams around us all winning we slip to 9th but the race for the final European spot remains tight.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Alex (Ivanovic 46), Terry, Ashley Cole, Lampard, Essien (Ballack 46), Mikel, Malouda, Anelka, Drogba (Di Santo 84).
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Kalou, Belletti, Mancienne.
Goals: Anelka 1, Malouda 10, Drogba 53.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Dempsey, Etuhu, Murphy, Gera, Zamora (Dacourt 76), Nevland (Kamara 35).
Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Gray, Stoor, Baird, Smalling.
Booked: Murphy.
Goals: Nevland 4.

Att: 41,801.

Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)