By Becky Ashton BBC Sport

Clint Dempsey rescued a point for Fulham with his 16th league goal of the season to deal Chelsea a blow in their bid for a top-four finish.

Frank Lampard gave the visitors the lead in contentious fashion, converting a penalty after Danny Murphy was adjudged to have fouled Salomon Kalou.

The Blues failed to make their possession pay and were punished when Dempsey scored with eight minutes left.

The American headed home a corner to give Fulham a deserved point.

We're in a difficult situation - Di Matteo

But Chelsea will be left to rue missed opportunities as they chase a place in the top four and guaranteed qualification for the Champions League.

On a night of driving rain at Craven Cottage the conditions made things difficult for both teams but Fulham had an early edge as they used their wide players well.

John Arne Riise, Damien Duff and Kerim Frei all looked lively and kept the Blues defence busy.

However, Chelsea survived the early pressure and then dominated possession, but they failed to create any really telling chances from open play.

Frank Lampard's Premier League goals

  • His goal against Fulham was his 150th League goal
  • He has scored 126 for Chelsea and 24 for West Ham
  • Of these 37 have come from the penalty spot

With 50 games already played and FA Cup and Champions League semi-finals fast approaching, Blues boss Roberto di Matteo made six changes from the side that beat Wigan on Saturday.

John Terry, Fernando Torres and Frank Lampard all returned but they know they will need to do more against Tottenham on Sunday and Barcelona next Wednesday if the Blues are to secure any silverware this season.

With just seconds of the first half remaining the visitors, who enjoyed some good fortune as they beat Wigan on Saturday, could consider themselves lucky once again, referee Mark Clattenburg awarding a penalty for a foul by Murphy on Kalou.

The former Liverpool and England midfielder appeared to get a touch on the ball as he bought down the Chelsea striker but the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Lampard stepped up and made no mistake, despite Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer diving the right way, to score his 150th top-flight goal.

Did you know?

  • Since joining the Cottagers from New England Revolution in January 2007, Clint Dempsey has scored 60 goals in 225 appearances for Fulham.

It gave the visitors a real purpose and they flew out of the blocks in the second half, but the pace of Frei down the left always looked a threat for Fulham and he set up Riise, who fired just wide of Petr Cech's left hand post.

Chelsea should have doubled their lead when Lampard played in a teasing cross from the left wing but Kalou missed the header and Brede Hangeland cleared the danger.

Chances were few and far between for both sides but Cech saved brilliantly from an Aaron Hughes header from close range, but the equaliser came from the resulting corner.

Dempsey escaped the clutches of his marker and headed home Damien Duff's pin-point delivery.

Fulham manager Martin Jol: "I reallly think we could have nicked a win today.

"Three points would have been fantastic but when you concede a minute before half-time like we did, then the mood in the dressing room is not great.

"I think it was a soft penalty because Danny Murphy got a touch on the ball and the referee said it was Stephen Kelly who had fouled Salomon Kalou. I think that was accidental - it was not a foul.

"But we played well, especially down the flanks, and we caused them problems. Our fitness was good, we played well and we showed some character as well."

Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (5)

Fulham

  • 01 Schwarzer
  • 02 Kelly
  • 03 JA Riise
  • 05 Hangeland
  • 18 Hughes
  • 13 Murphy Booked (Etuhu - 74' )
  • 16 Duff
  • 19 Diarra (Sa - 81' )
  • 21 Frei (Kacaniklic - 88' )
  • 23 Dempsey
  • 30 Dembele

Substitutes

  • 12 Stockdale
  • 14 Senderos
  • 28 Briggs
  • 10 Kasami
  • 20 Etuhu
  • 31 Kacaniklic
  • 09 Sa

Chelsea

  • 01 Cech
  • 02 Ivanovic
  • 24 Cahill Booked
  • 26 Terry
  • 34 Bertrand
  • 07 Ramires (Drogba - 83' )
  • 08 Lampard
  • 12 Mikel Booked
  • 16 Meireles Booked (Mata - 70' )
  • 09 Torres
  • 21 Kalou

Substitutes

  • 22 Turnbull
  • 17 Bosingwa
  • 06 Romeu
  • 15 Malouda
  • 10 Mata
  • 11 Drogba
  • 23 Sturridge
Ref: Clattenburg
Att: 25,697

Match Stats

Shots

11 12

On target

9 4

Corners

7 11

Fouls

5 16

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:29 Full time

Full Time The referee blows for the end of the match.

90:00 +2:57

Salomon Kalou sends in a cross, blocked by Stephen Kelly.

90:00 +2:20

Carlos Orlando Sa gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Gary Cahill. Branislav Ivanovic restarts play with the free kick.

90:00 +1:34

The ball is sent over by Mikel, save by Mark Schwarzer.

90:00 +1:05

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Juan Mata from the right by-line, Aaron Hughes makes a clearance.

90:00 +0:43

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Frank Lampard, Stephen Kelly makes a clearance.

88:28

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Juan Mata, John Arne Riise makes a clearance.

88:02

Inswinging corner taken by Frank Lampard from the left by-line, clearance by John Arne Riise.

87:15 Substitution

Substitution Kerim Frei goes off and Alex Kacaniklic comes on.

86:14

The referee blows for offside. Indirect free kick taken by Petr Cech.

85:01

Corner taken by Damien Duff, Carlos Orlando Sa takes a shot. Petr Cech makes a save.

84:40

John Arne Riise takes a shot. Blocked by Gary Cahill.

82:34 Substitution

Substitution (Chelsea) makes a substitution, with Didier Drogba coming on for Ramires.

81:32

The assist for the goal came from Damien Duff.

81:32 Goal scored

Goal - Clint Dempsey - Fulham 1 - 1 Chelsea Clint Dempsey finds the back of the net with a headed goal from inside the penalty area. Fulham 1-1 Chelsea.

81:28

Corner taken left-footed by Damien Duff,

80:40

Inswinging corner taken by Damien Duff from the right by-line, Aaron Hughes takes a shot. Save by Petr Cech.

80:40 Substitution

Substitution Carlos Orlando Sa on for Mahamadou Diarra.

80:08

The ball is sent over by Ryan Bertrand, clearance by John Arne Riise.

78:53

Clint Dempsey takes a shot. Save by Petr Cech.

77:18

Centre by Damien Duff.

76:42

Juan Mata is caught offside. Mark Schwarzer restarts play with the free kick.

76:19

The referee blows for offside. Petr Cech restarts play with the free kick.

75:03

Stephen Kelly delivers the ball, clearance by Branislav Ivanovic. John Arne Riise sends in a cross, Mikel makes a clearance.

74:22

Unfair challenge on Dickson Etuhu by Mikel results in a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Mahamadou Diarra.

73:09

Free kick taken by Aaron Hughes.

73:09 Substitution

Substitution Dickson Etuhu joins the action as a substitute, replacing Danny Murphy.

73:09

Ryan Bertrand gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Damien Duff.

71:00

The referee blows for offside. Frank Lampard takes the indirect free kick.

70:17

Clint Dempsey fouled by Frank Lampard, the ref awards a free kick. John Arne Riise takes the direct free kick.

69:03 Substitution

Substitution Juan Mata joins the action as a substitute, replacing Raul Meireles.

68:33

The ball is crossed by Damien Duff, clearance made by John Terry.

68:04

John Arne Riise delivers the ball, John Terry manages to make a clearance.

67:15

Corner taken by Danny Murphy from the left by-line, save by Petr Cech.

65:42

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Raul Meireles.

65:23

A cross is delivered by Frank Lampard, John Arne Riise manages to make a clearance.

62:34

Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Frank Lampard. Mikel takes a shot. Mahamadou Diarra gets a block in.

62:27

Danny Murphy concedes a free kick for a foul on Frank Lampard.

62:34

Shot on goal comes in from Frank Lampard from the free kick. Salomon Kalou takes a shot. Blocked by Mahamadou Diarra.

62:34 Booking

Booking Danny Murphy is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.

62:27

Danny Murphy challenges Frank Lampard unfairly and gives away a free kick.

62:04

Damien Duff produces a cross, John Terry makes a clearance.

61:21

The assistant referee flags for offside against John Arne Riise. Petr Cech takes the free kick.

60:54

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Damien Duff by Ryan Bertrand. Free kick taken by Mahamadou Diarra.

60:16

Fernando Torres gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Brede Hangeland. Brede Hangeland takes the free kick.

57:58

Kerim Frei fouled by Branislav Ivanovic, the ref awards a free kick. Danny Murphy restarts play with the free kick.

57:29

Danny Murphy restarts play with the free kick.

57:29 Booking

Booking Booking for Mikel for unsporting behaviour.

57:21

Free kick awarded for a foul by Mikel on Kerim Frei.

53:52

Free kick awarded for a foul by Frank Lampard on Danny Murphy. Danny Murphy restarts play with the free kick.

53:39

Clint Dempsey takes a shot. John Terry gets a block in.

53:02

Shot from just outside the box by Raul Meireles goes over the bar.

51:28

Ramires takes a shot. Save by Mark Schwarzer.

49:50

Branislav Ivanovic delivers the ball, Headed effort from inside the area by Frank Lampard misses to the left of the target.

49:42

The ball is sent over by Ryan Bertrand.

48:57

Clint Dempsey handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Petr Cech.

48:13

Shot from just outside the box by Frank Lampard misses to the left of the target.

46:00

John Arne Riise crosses the ball, clearance by John Terry.

45:01

The second half has started.

11:13

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Frank Lampard from the left by-line, John Arne Riise manages to make a clearance.

45:00 +1:17 Half time

Half Time The whistle is blown to end the first half.

44:52

Assist by Salomon Kalou.

44:52 Goal scored

Goal - Frank Lampard - Fulham 0 - 1 Chelsea Penalty taken right-footed by Frank Lampard and scored. Fulham 0-1 Chelsea.

43:43

Penalty awarded for a foul by Danny Murphy on Salomon Kalou.

41:38

John Arne Riise takes a shot. Frank Lampard gets a block in.

40:49

Danny Murphy takes the direct free kick.

40:49 Booking

Booking Gary Cahill booked for unsporting behaviour.

40:42

Foul by Gary Cahill on Mahamadou Diarra, free kick awarded.

39:13

Kerim Frei takes a shot. Blocked by Gary Cahill.

38:33

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Moussa Dembele by Frank Lampard. Danny Murphy restarts play with the free kick.

36:30

The referee blows for offside. Mark Schwarzer restarts play with the free kick.

34:02

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Raul Meireles.

33:21

A cross is delivered by Damien Duff, clearance made by John Terry.

32:58

Corner taken right-footed by Frank Lampard, clearance by Aaron Hughes.

32:27

Ryan Bertrand takes a shot. Blocked by Stephen Kelly.

32:16

Branislav Ivanovic crosses the ball, clearance by Danny Murphy.

31:44

The ball is delivered by John Arne Riise, John Terry manages to make a clearance.

30:40

Effort by Frank Lampard from a long way out goes over the target.

28:04

Damien Duff challenges Salomon Kalou unfairly and gives away a free kick. Ryan Bertrand restarts play with the free kick.

27:51

John Arne Riise delivers the ball.

27:42

Stephen Kelly produces a cross, Gary Cahill makes a clearance.

25:31

Kerim Frei takes a shot. Save by Petr Cech. Danny Murphy takes a corner.

25:06

Raul Meireles produces a cross, Aaron Hughes manages to make a clearance.

24:47

Clint Dempsey takes a shot. Petr Cech makes a comfortable save.

23:36

Danny Murphy delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing, Petr Cech makes a save.

23:36 Booking

Booking Caution for Raul Meireles.

23:28

Raul Meireles concedes a free kick for a foul on John Arne Riise.

22:41

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Moussa Dembele by Raul Meireles. Danny Murphy takes the indirect free kick.

22:00

Effort from just outside the area by Raul Meireles goes over the bar.

21:22

Salomon Kalou takes a shot. Save by Mark Schwarzer.

20:15

The ball is delivered by John Arne Riise.

19:22

Fernando Torres gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Danny Murphy. Indirect free kick taken by Aaron Hughes.

19:01

Raul Meireles concedes a free kick for a foul on Mahamadou Diarra. Danny Murphy takes the indirect free kick.

17:18

Damien Duff delivers the ball, John Terry manages to make a clearance.

16:38

Shot from just outside the box by Mikel goes over the target.

15:01

Short corner worked by Danny Murphy.

14:53

Moussa Dembele produces a cross, Raul Meireles makes a clearance.

14:17

Free kick awarded for a foul by Mikel on Clint Dempsey. Direct free kick taken by Danny Murphy.

13:24

Inswinging corner taken by Frank Lampard from the left by-line, clearance made by Aaron Hughes.

13:00

Frank Lampard takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, Brede Hangeland makes a clearance.

12:52

Ryan Bertrand produces a cross, Damien Duff gets a block in.

11:38

Free kick awarded for a foul by Raul Meireles on Kerim Frei. Free kick taken by Danny Murphy.

11:13

Corner taken right-footed by Salomon Kalou from the left by-line, John Arne Riise manages to make a clearance.

11:01

Centre by Ryan Bertrand, Brede Hangeland gets a block in.

10:42

The ball is sent over by Branislav Ivanovic, clearance made by Mahamadou Diarra.

10:22

Corner from the right by-line taken by Raul Meireles, Mahamadou Diarra manages to make a clearance.

10:10

Fernando Torres takes a shot. Blocked by Brede Hangeland.

7:05

John Arne Riise takes a shot. Blocked by Ryan Bertrand.

7:17

Corner taken right-footed by Danny Murphy, save made by Petr Cech.

7:05

John Arne Riise takes a shot. Ryan Bertrand gets a block in.

6:50

John Arne Riise delivers the ball, Gary Cahill makes a clearance.

5:13

Mahamadou Diarra concedes a free kick for a foul on Frank Lampard. John Terry restarts play with the free kick.

2:08

The ball is sent over by Ryan Bertrand, Brede Hangeland makes a clearance.

0:00

The match gets underway.

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