Chelsea 1-1 Fulham – Match Review
Chelsea’s hopes of a title challenge in 2012 are all but over after Clint Dempsey’s goal just after half time earning a point for Fulham at Stamford Bridge.
The American put a huge knife into the Blues’ hopes of catching Manchester City at the top of the Premier League with Andre Villas-Boas’ side now stranded a point behind Tottenham who have played two games less. Despite taking the lead just after half time through Juan Mata’s first time strike and creating a host of chances the hosts just couldn’t find the crucial second goal that would have ensured victory. It never came and Fulham boss Martin Jol will have been delighted that his side managed shake off their 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester United and move five points clear of the relegation zone. David Stockdale was the hero for the Cottagers pulling off a string of fine saves to keep his team in the game and prevent Chelsea from walking away with all three points.
Villas-Boas gave the Blues supporters a late christmas surprise by replacing Didier Drogba with Fernando Torres up front as both sides squandered a host of first half chances. Orlando Sa, making only his second top flight start for the visitors, went close with a header on 14 minutes before Torres controlled Mata’s cross superbly on his chest before firing a volley straight at Stockdale. Petr Cech was then called into action saving smartly from Dempsey before Sa and Moussa Dembele both wasted opportunities to break the deadlock. Daniel Sturridge then sliced a shot wide after being set up by Torres who continued to look a shadow of the player he was two years ago.
Chelsea had to wait until after the second half to take the lead with Mata sweeping the ball home from the edge of the penalty area two minutes after the break with Torres controlling Ashley Coles cross from the left before teeing up his fellow Spaniard. However it didn’t take Fulham long to restore parity through Dempsey who was on hand to covert Bryan Ruiz’s low cross after Cole had given him too much space on the right. It then turned into the Stockdale show as he single handedly kept the home side at bay keeping both Sturrudge and substitute Florent Malouda out with a fine double save. He also thwarted Drogba and Raul Meireles before Patjam Kasami passed up a late chance to nick maximum points for the Cottagers.
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