Fulham – Chelsea

1. Hi. Welcome to ESPN Soccernet's coverage of Chelsea's trip down the road to Fulham. I'm Alex, and I'm your Jonny-on-the-spot.

2. Chelsea kick off on a cold, dry afternoon in West London.

3. 1'

   The Craven Cottage crowd are in good voice for this derby match. The two clubs are separated by just a couple of miles of London suburb.

4. 2'

   The home side win an early free-kick, out on the left wing, but Malbranque's delivery is poor and Chelsea clear.

5. 3'

   Quick feet from Malbranque then earns his side another free-kick as Lampard dives in, but this time Boa Morte's cross in to the penalty area.

6. 4'

   A poor clearance from Crossley ends in the stands to hand Chelsea a throw, deep in the Fulham half.

7. 5'

   Gallas gets down the left and delivers a low ball in to the middle, but Volz cuts out the danger at the near post.

8. 6'

   Volz goes down in the penalty are after being brought down by Terry, but the referee rules that there was no contact and gives a goal-kick.

9. 7'

   The Fulham fans and players were furious with the referee for not awarding a spot-kick there; Volz seemed to be caught by Terry as the Chelsea defender tried to slide the ball out of play.

10. 8'

    It is certainly an early talking point, and Chelsea can consider themselves very lucky there. If that had been at the other end of the ground, Mourinho would be furious.

11. 9'

    Lampard fires a long ball out to the right wing for SWP to control, but Rosenior is quick to come across and put the ball out of play.

12. 9'

    Rosenior gives away a corner as he challenges SW out on the right wing. Lampard's corner is half-cleared to Cole, but the England midfielder fires a first-time volley high over the crossbar.

13. 10'

    Terry's thumping header forward is chased down by Crespo, but Knight keeps his cool to nod the ball back to his goalkeeper.

14. 11'

    Cole sends over a low cross from the right but Knight reads the near-post danger, takes a confident touch and clears up-field.

15. 12'

    It has been a combative start from both sides, but neither have really settled in to the match as yet; the passing has been a little off in these early minutes.

16. 13'

    Lampard hasn't been able to get himself too far forward as yet; Fulham are doing a good job of giving him a job to do closer to his own goal.

17. 14'

    Chelsea win another corner, but again Fulham are able to deal with the centre before it reaches one of the Champions' defensive giants, who have made the short trek up-field.

18. 15'

    OVER! Boa Morte fires over a cross from deep on the left wing; it is met by John on the penalty spot, but his instinctive header flies over Cech's crossbar.

19. 16'

    Ferreira combines well with SWP down the right, but his cross from close to the corner flag is easily claimed by the 36-year-old Mark Crossley.

20. 17'

    GOAL! Fulham take the lead as Boa Morte sprints on to a loose ball in the area, and Ferreira's attempted clearance bounces off his leg and in to the corner.

21. 18'

    Chelsea haven't made a good start to the game, and probably deserve to be a goal-down; they were very lucky not to have conceded a penalty, and have looked edgy at the back in the early stages.

22. 19'

    Although the pitch looks in good condition from here, a few of the players seem to be having trouble controlling the ball; there have been a few odd bounces and bobbles, and it's making it tough to play flowing, passing football.

23. 20'

    Essien fires over a wonderful pass to the right wing for SWP, but his cross is too deep for the only man in the penalty area, Crespo, and Fulham clear.

24. 21'

    SWP goes to ground after trying to beat Rosenior, and is disappointed not to win a free-kick.

25. 22'

    The Fulham fans are really getting behind their side after this impressive start.

26. 23'

    Mourinho is preparing a very early change, and there doesn't seem to be a player out there carrying an injury; Mourinho clearly isn't happy with the way his side are playing.

27. 24'

    Duff and Drogba have stripped down and are waiting for a break in play to come on. Mourinho has clearly spotted something that needs changing.

28. 25'

    CHELSEA SUBS: Cole and SWP are replaced by Drogba and Duff. An extraordinary double-change from Mourinho; neither player had picked up an injury; the changes are purely tactical.

29. 26'

    The visitors seem to have changed to a 4-4-2 formation, with Drogba playing up-front alongside Crespo, and Essien moving out to the right wing.

30. 27'

    Huth and Boa Morte go for a ball in midfield; the big German clatters the Fulham skipper and leaves him in a heap on the turf. Huth is booked. No arguments.

31. 29'

    It is an enormous statement of intent from Mourinho, making two changes so early. But neither Cole or SWP had been particularly poor, and they will be feeling harshly done-by.

32. 30'

    McBride tries to flick a ball through to the run of Collins John, but Huth reads the pass and makes an important interception.

33. 31'

    GREAT SAVE! Duff drives a low shot goalwards from just inside the penalty area, but the veteran keeper makes a great save, low to his left.

34. 32'

    To be fair, Chelsea have started to look a little better since the substitutions; going with two up-front has given them more options.

35. 33'

    Duff is clattered by a strong challenge by Brown on the touchline. Free-kick to the visitors.

36. 34'

    SAVE! Collins John is put through on goal by an excellent pass from midfield, but Cech makes a superb save on the edge of his area.

37. 35'

    Fulham are having to play almost exclusively on the counter-attack at the moment, as Chelsea are dominating possession.

38. 37'

    Mourinho still has a face of thunder down in the Chelsea technical area; he is prowling around with a fantastic scowl, chunnering away to himself.

39. 38'

    Drogba and Crespo haven't often played together as a front-two; it will be interesting to see how they get on, whether they will be able to form an effective partnership.

40. 39'

    Chelsea win another corner when Essien's attempted cross from the right is blocked and goes behind. Terry, Gallas and Huth trot forward again...

41. 40'

    ...but again the home side deal with the threat from the corner with relative ease.

42. 41'

    Chelsea owner Roman Abramovic is spotted in the crowd, strange, patchy beard and-all. He looks in an almost permanent state of bemusement.

43. 42'

    Drogba tries to cut in from the right wing, but Rosenior shows good determination to track his run in to the area and put an important tackle in. Corner.

44. 43'

    Chelsea are getting a lot of players forward at the moment; Terry and Huth are making runs from deep and staying up-field to support the attacks. It's an adventurous ploy, but it's not working at the moment.

45. 44'

    BLOCK! Huth makes an important block on the edge of his penalty area as he throws himself at a John shot.

46. 45'

    HALF-TIME: Fulham lead at the break thanks to Boa Morte's goal. The Champions started very slowly - prompting an early double-change from a furious Mourinho - but came back strongly as half-time approached. It should be a frantic second half.

47. 45'

    CHELSEA SUB: Carvalho replaces Huth. Mourinho makes his third and final change with 45 minutes still to play. This time it's a defensive change.

48. 46'

    It seems Chelsea have changed formation for a second time; this time, they are playing 3-5-2, with Terry, Gallas and Carvalho at the back.

49. 47'

    It appears that Mourinho was concerned with the lack of width on the right, and so has moved Ferreira up in to the right of midfield and gone with three central defenders.

50. 48'

    John stays down after a challenge with Gallas, and requires treatment from the Fulham physio during a break in play. Seems to be some sort of foot injury.

51. 49'

    Fulham launch a swift break, but Makalele comes across to make an important challenge on Malbranque inside the penalty area.

52. 50'

    McBride is brought down by Essien, 25 yards out. A posse of Fulham players stand over the ball...

53. 50'

    POST! The free-kick is worked to Pembridge, who curls a low shot goalwards; Cech doesn't move, and is grateful to see the ball clip the outside of his post and run out for a goal-kick.

54. 51'

    Ferreira takes the chance to get forward down the right wing, but his near-post cross is put behind by Knight.

55. 52'

    The visitors win a fortunate free-kick decision when Gallas is brought down by Malbranque. Lampard trots over as Terry and Gallas take their positions in the box...

56. 53'

    ...but Lampard's delivery is poor, and Fulham launch a counter-attack through Boa Morte and Malbranque.

57. 54'

    Brown is booked for a strong challenge inside the Chelsea half. He seems to have hurt himself in the tackle, to add injury to insult.

58. 55'

    Chelsea will be trying to increase the pressure on the Fulham defence until it finally cracks, but at the moment, the home side are coping quite comfortably.

59. 56'

    Chelsea are almost camped in the Fulham half, but they don't seem to have a great deal of invention as they try to break them down.

60. 56'

    Mourinho is still stalking his technical area, looking very discontented.

61. 57'

    Fulham need to keep the ball better when they do win it back, because they are going to come under an awful lot of pressure during this second half.

62. 58'

    Carvalho is booked just 13 minutes after coming on as a substitute for a foul on Brown in midfield.

63. 59'

    The Craven Cottage crowd are really in to this local derby. They are cheering every decision that goes their way, and are really getting behind their side as they chase a crucial, moral-boosting win.

64. 59'

    GOAL! Crossley comes out of his area as he tries to deal with a pass over the top of his defence, but Drogba gets their first, rounds him and rolls the ball in to an empty net. But, hang on...

65. 59'

    ...NO GOAL! The referee speaks to his linesman, who informs him that Drogba handled as he controlled the ball. No goal!

66. 60'

    Chelsea are furious with the decision; Mourinho is going mental at the fourth official, and his players are surrounding the referee. Wow.

67. 61'

    Play is back under way and there is a real tension and excitement in the ground as we enter the final half-hour.

68. 62'

    Drogba is pulled back by Pearce as they tussled for the ball, 30 yards out. The referee awards the free-kick, and Drogba calls for a booking. The official disagrees.

69. 63'

    OVER! Drogba pushes Lampard out of the way to take the free-kick, but fires his effort well over the crossbar.

70. 64'

    Replays are showing that Drogba DID handle the ball as he rounded Crossley in the build-up to the disallowed goal. The linesman got the decision spot on.

71. 65'

    There is a fantastic atmosphere here now as Chelsea press and press and Fulham defend desperately. It is going to be a long last 25 minutes for the home fans.

72. 66'

    CROSSBAR! Drogba meets Chelsea's 11th corner with his head, and Crossley manages to flap the goal-bound effort on to his crossbar and out for another corner.

73. 67'

    Duff cuts in from the left wing and fires in a low cross, which Knight deflects in to his goalkeeper's hands.

74. 68'

    Fulham need to get their passing right and try to take some of the pressure off their defence, which is under seige at the moment.

75. 69'

    OVER! Duff cuts the ball back to Lampard, but the England midfielder skies his shot high over the crossbar from just eight yards out. Poor effort from Lampard.

76. 70'

    FULHAM SUB: John is replaced by Helgusson. John hasn't been able to get in to the game since the interval, and Helgusson gives the home side more of a threat in the air.

77. 71'

    Rosenior gets forward down the left and wins his side a throw. Fulham have started to settle a little more in the last couple of minutes as Chelsea take a breather before the final push.

78. 72'

    Essien snaps in to a challenge with Boa Morte, giving awat a free-kick. I can see someone getting sent off here; it is getting very tense and tetchy.

79. 73'

    Some nice skill on the right from Ferreira invites a foul from Rosenior. Free-kick, and another chance to test the Fulham defence...

80. 74'

    ...Duff curls the ball in, left-footed, but the home defence has got itself organised and Drogba is caught a yard off-side.

81. 75'

    Knight needs some treatment on an unspecified injury, and the Fulham players take the chance to take some water on board.

82. 76'

    Chelsea are almost playing with five forwards at the moment, but Pearce, Knight, Rosenior and Volz have stood strong all afternoon.

83. 77'

    Essien shows his frustration as he hurls the ball in to the turf after a throw-in decision goes against him. Chelsea need to keep their cool if they are going to find a way back in to the match.

84. 78'

    For all their possession and pressure, Crossley hasn't had too many saves to make; his defence have been outstanding.

85. 79'

    Chelsea win their 12th corner of the afternoon; Fulham, to my memory, haven't had one...

86. 80'

    TAME! Lampard collects a loose ball, 25 yards out; instead of the usual piledriver, he opts for a delicate chip, but the ball floats gently in to Crossley's hands.

87. 81'

    In to the final ten minutes, and Fulham are looking good value for their win; they are soaking up the pressure, and are beginning to find their team-mates with their passes to help ease the pressure.

88. 82'

    BRAVE BLOCK! Pearce throws himself at Crespo's shot inside the area and the ball ricochets out for another corner. Great defending from the veteran.

89. 83'

    Drogba is penalised again for off-side; he hasn't stopped complaining since he came on in the first half.

90. 84'

    Duff is seeing a lot of the ball out on the left wing, but Volz has done a good job of keeping out the crosses.

91. 85'

    Terry has been told by Mourinho to go up front now; Chelsea have just two men back to mark Helgusson and McBride.

92. 86'

    SHOT! Pembridge collects a loose clearance and fires a shot in from 30 yards. Cech collects comfortably at his near post.

93. 87'

    Considering that Fulham had lost four successive matches in the lead-up to this game, it has been a remarkable performance from the home side.

94. 88'

    Chelsea are seeing a lot of the ball in advanced positions, but they haven't managed to test Crossley too seriously in these final minutes.

95. 89'

    FULHAM SUB: Malbranque is replaced by Cristanval. The French defender comes on to add a bit more solidity to the Fulham side in the final couple of minutes.

96. 90'

    Fulham are doing a great job of closing out the match; they are relying on their passing and close control, rather than hoofing the ball in to the corner and hoping for the best.

97. 91'

    Duff goes down under the challenge of Volz as they tried to chase down Lampard's through ball, but the referee rules play-on.

98. 92'

    WHAT A SAVE! Crossley makes a flying save to tip over Terry's header from Drogba's cross. Sensational stop from the chubby veteran.

99. 93'

    A late challenge on the touchline from Gallas sparks a ten-man brawl. It's difficult to see what's going on, though the linesman and the referee seem to have a good view...

100. 94'

     OFF! Gallas is sent off, presumably for the original challenge that sparked the dust-up. He takes an age to leave the pitch, and the Chelsea players surround the linesman to voice their disapproval.

101. 95'

     Makalele is also booked for getting involved in the incident.

102. 95'

     FULL-TIME: Fulham deservedly triumph in this pulsating West London derby. Chelsea had a goal ruled out for handball, prompting a furious reaction. Gallas saw red for a terrible challenge late on.

103. 96'

     The Fulham fans celebrate as though they had won the title. They are on the pitch, dancing around with their heroes in a state of intoxicated delirium.

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