FT:Fulham 1-2 Chelsea: Chelsea produced a solid second half display to cruise past Fulham in the end as the home side's poor form continued even with a new boss.
90
Substitution
Another late change from the Blues as Paulo Ferreira replaces Joe Cole.
90
Four minutes of added time will be played.
89
A mix-up in the Fulham defence gives the Peruvian striker the chance to immediately get himself on the scoresheet but he slightly scuffs his left footed volley wide.
88
Substitution
Chelsea are making a late change with Claudio Pizarro replacing Shaun Wright-Phillips who has given Konchesky a number of problems.
86
Chelsea do look a little unsure at set-pieces as Hilario is again forced to clutch the ball at the second attempt, although there weren't many Fulham players ready to pounce.
84
Healy with his first real touch shows good technique to turn and hit on the volley but although Hilario is briefly concerned it never looked like finding the net.
81
The same player curls the ball into the far post and Hilario is out but he rather flaps at the ball at the expense of another corner - that Fulham waste once more.
80
Seol breaks and skips past a few challenges but again the final ball is not good enough from Fulham, but they do win a corner.
77
Substitution
Diomansy Kamara has struggled against Alex and Ben-Haim, particularly in the 2nd half, and he now makes way for David Healy.
76
Seol whips in a dangerous ball that two Fulham players come within inches of touching past Hilario, who clutches the ball gratefully to his chest.
75
Chelsea look comfortable and content with their lead, perhaps Grant does not want his side to repeat the mistakes of the Aston VIlla game by giving away the game.
71
Good work from Wright-Phillips who has been lively since the break as he robs Seol before delivering an almost inch perfect pass from Kalou.
70
Substitution
Another change from Roy Hodgson as Alexei Smertin - a former Chelsea player - replaces Steven Davis in the middle of the park.
68
Substitution
Fulham are making a change now with Seol Ki-Hyeon coming on for Moritz Volz to add some direct running to their play.
68
Ballack looks back to somewhere near his best form at the moment and his free-kick curls narrowly wide with Niemi scrambling.
67
Yellow Card
The first booking of the game is handed out to Dejan Stefanovic as he commits a blatant trip on Ballack.
64
Fulham have recovered well in the immediate aftermath of falling behind but they are lacking the cutting edge in the final third and their attacks are somewhat petering out.
62
Goal
GOAL:Fulham 1-2 Chelsea: (62mins) The turnaround is complete as Michael Ballack converts the penalty he won with consumate ease.
61
Penalty to Chelsea! Ballack takes a tumble after being hauled down by Clint Dempsey who had got the wrong side of the Chelsea man.
60
Fulham find themselves back at square one now and they need to up the tempo otherwise they could get overrun by the visitors.
57
Belletti is down possibly seriously injured - but on a brighter note for Avram Grant his side have looked a different animal since half time and Fulham have been guilty of inviting them on.
54
Goal
GOAL:Fulham 1-1 Chelsea: (54mins) There is the equalier for Chelsea! Kalou goes in bravely to head home from close range after a bright beginning to the second half from the Blues.
53
Essien has made himself unpopular with the home fans by failing to give the Cottagers the ball back after they put it out for Murphy to receive treatment.
51
The visitors are up in protest again as Stefanovic clearly blocks Wright-Phillips cross with a hand inside the box but the referee and his assistants must not have seen it as they award a corner.
50
Chelsea have been dominating the opening few moments since the break but Fulham have arguably wasted the two best attacking opportunities as Davies plays an awful through ball.
48
Dempsey makes a good run but a heavy first touch from Volz costs him a chance to run at Ben-Haim and the attack is over for the hosts.
Second half
The second period is underway and it promises to be an interesting one as Chelsea chase three points that they really must take.
45
Substitution
Chelsea are making the change at half time as John Obi Mikel is in for the largely anonymous Steve Sidwell.
45
Avram Grant has a task on his hands to turn this around at the break because he has a lack of proven options on the bench, possibly Mikel could come on but that's about it.
Half time
HT:Fulham 1-0 Chelsea: A controversial penalty well put away by Danny Murphy is the difference at the interval and Chelsea look a little toothless in attack.
45
Joe Cole gives Niemi a bit of trouble as he cuts inside onto his favoured right foot and unleashes a shot at goal that the keeper fumbles before gathering at the second attempt.
45
There will be one minute of added time.
44
Tal Ben-Haim tries to take on the Fulham defence on his own with a marauding run from the back but he is eventually crowded out by three Fulham players.
42
Fulham actually look pretty comfortable at the back so far but they will know that it only takes a lapse in concentration for their hard work to be cancelled out.
38
Ballack wins a free-kick 30 yards from goal and this is in Alex territory - but the Brazilian cuts right across the ball and it ends up closer to the corner flag than the goal.
36
Good initial play from Davies as he robs Belletti of possession but he tries to be a bit to clever and the chance is wasted for Fulham.
34
Clever play from Joe Cole in the left corner to evade the attentions of Omozusi and he puts a good ball into the near post but Bocanegra is across before Kalou to head behind - and the corner is wasted.
33
Murphy is renowned for his free-kick taking abilities and he has a go here from 25 yards but although it is only narrowly over it never really looked like troubling Hilario.
31
However they now have the chance to play their way through but Wright-Phillips chooses the wrong option as he plays it right to Kaou when Cole was better placed to his left.
30
With the enigmatic Didier Drogba missing Chelsea look a little toothless in attack with Kalou struggling to keep himself in onside positions and he does not look happy when the ball is launched towards him from the back.
26
An escape for Fulham! Salomon Kalou is hauled down by Niemi in the box and it would have been a definite penalty if the offside flag had not already gone up.
25
The first real lull in proceedings at the moment with both sides struggling to break down the opposition's defence - there are a number of stoppages as well which are not helping the flow.
21
Wayne Bridge slices the ball out of play when under no pressure - and that rather sums up Chelsea's indifferent start to this game.
19
Simon Davies picks up Tal Ben-Haim's clearing header on the edge of the box but blazes over when well positioned.
17
Kalou has the ball in the net - although well after the whistle has gone as the Ivorian controls the ball with his hand before running towards the net.
15
The tempo has been good in the opening quarter of an hour with both sides playing some good football but the goal does not appear to have affected Chelsea too much and they are settling down now.
12
Superb football on the left hand side from Chelsea and Cole is in behind the defence but Niemi is out smartly to smother the ball at the second attempt.
10
Goal
GOAL:Fulham 1-0 Chelsea: (10mins) Murphy sends Hilario the wrong way from the spot but Chelsea will not be happy because there appeared to be very little - if any - contact.
10
Penalty to Fulham! Moritz Volz drives into the box and Joe Cole is back with him and the German falls to the floor and the referee gives the spot kick.
8
Wright-Phillips uses his pace to latch onto a Belletti through ball and bears down on goal but drags his shot wide of the far post when he may have expected to test Niemi.
6
The Blues get control of the ball and Joe Cole plays a resplendant ball round the back of Bocanegra and Kalou almost gets the opening goal but his toepoked effort is saved by Niemi.
3
Chelsea look a little unsettled early on and Hilario almost gifts possession to Danny Murphy but fortunately for the stand-in keeper Michael Essien is alert.
2
Fulham make a good start and Diomansy Kamara tries a snap shot with his left foot and Hilario is forced to turn it round the post.
Kickoff
Mark Halsey is today's match official and he gets the West London derby underway here on the King's Road with both sides looking to get 2008 off to a good start.
Awaiting Kickoff
Before the match kicks off there will be a minute's applause in memory of Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell who tragically lost his life during an SPL match on Saturday.
Avram Grant has been taking some flack in recent weeks despite his side gaining good results and the Israeli switches it round in midfield as John Obi Mikel is replaced by Steve Sidwell as Michael Ballack retains the captaincy.
Awaiting Kickoff
Hodgson's first decision is made for him as Hameur Bouazza is suspended so Moritz Volz comes in his place - it is almost a decade since Hodgson managed in England but his record ihas been enviable, particularly with FInland.
Awaiting Kickoff
Welcome to Craven Cottage where Fulham welcome West London rivals Chelsea in new boss Roy Hodgson's first game in charge.
Fulham
Chelsea
Full time
FT:Fulham 1-2 Chelsea: Chelsea produced a solid second half display to cruise past Fulham in the end as the home side's poor form continued even with a new boss.
Substitution
Another late change from the Blues as Paulo Ferreira replaces Joe Cole.
Four minutes of added time will be played.
A mix-up in the Fulham defence gives the Peruvian striker the chance to immediately get himself on the scoresheet but he slightly scuffs his left footed volley wide.
Substitution
Chelsea are making a late change with Claudio Pizarro replacing Shaun Wright-Phillips who has given Konchesky a number of problems.
Chelsea do look a little unsure at set-pieces as Hilario is again forced to clutch the ball at the second attempt, although there weren't many Fulham players ready to pounce.
Healy with his first real touch shows good technique to turn and hit on the volley but although Hilario is briefly concerned it never looked like finding the net.
The same player curls the ball into the far post and Hilario is out but he rather flaps at the ball at the expense of another corner - that Fulham waste once more.
Seol breaks and skips past a few challenges but again the final ball is not good enough from Fulham, but they do win a corner.
Substitution
Diomansy Kamara has struggled against Alex and Ben-Haim, particularly in the 2nd half, and he now makes way for David Healy.
Seol whips in a dangerous ball that two Fulham players come within inches of touching past Hilario, who clutches the ball gratefully to his chest.
Chelsea look comfortable and content with their lead, perhaps Grant does not want his side to repeat the mistakes of the Aston VIlla game by giving away the game.
Good work from Wright-Phillips who has been lively since the break as he robs Seol before delivering an almost inch perfect pass from Kalou.
Substitution
Another change from Roy Hodgson as Alexei Smertin - a former Chelsea player - replaces Steven Davis in the middle of the park.
Substitution
Fulham are making a change now with Seol Ki-Hyeon coming on for Moritz Volz to add some direct running to their play.
Ballack looks back to somewhere near his best form at the moment and his free-kick curls narrowly wide with Niemi scrambling.
Yellow Card
The first booking of the game is handed out to Dejan Stefanovic as he commits a blatant trip on Ballack.
Fulham have recovered well in the immediate aftermath of falling behind but they are lacking the cutting edge in the final third and their attacks are somewhat petering out.
Goal
GOAL:Fulham 1-2 Chelsea: (62mins) The turnaround is complete as Michael Ballack converts the penalty he won with consumate ease.
Penalty to Chelsea! Ballack takes a tumble after being hauled down by Clint Dempsey who had got the wrong side of the Chelsea man.
Fulham find themselves back at square one now and they need to up the tempo otherwise they could get overrun by the visitors.
Belletti is down possibly seriously injured - but on a brighter note for Avram Grant his side have looked a different animal since half time and Fulham have been guilty of inviting them on.
Goal
GOAL:Fulham 1-1 Chelsea: (54mins) There is the equalier for Chelsea! Kalou goes in bravely to head home from close range after a bright beginning to the second half from the Blues.
Essien has made himself unpopular with the home fans by failing to give the Cottagers the ball back after they put it out for Murphy to receive treatment.
The visitors are up in protest again as Stefanovic clearly blocks Wright-Phillips cross with a hand inside the box but the referee and his assistants must not have seen it as they award a corner.
Chelsea have been dominating the opening few moments since the break but Fulham have arguably wasted the two best attacking opportunities as Davies plays an awful through ball.
Dempsey makes a good run but a heavy first touch from Volz costs him a chance to run at Ben-Haim and the attack is over for the hosts.
Second half
The second period is underway and it promises to be an interesting one as Chelsea chase three points that they really must take.
Substitution
Chelsea are making the change at half time as John Obi Mikel is in for the largely anonymous Steve Sidwell.
Avram Grant has a task on his hands to turn this around at the break because he has a lack of proven options on the bench, possibly Mikel could come on but that's about it.
Half time
HT:Fulham 1-0 Chelsea: A controversial penalty well put away by Danny Murphy is the difference at the interval and Chelsea look a little toothless in attack.
Joe Cole gives Niemi a bit of trouble as he cuts inside onto his favoured right foot and unleashes a shot at goal that the keeper fumbles before gathering at the second attempt.
There will be one minute of added time.
Tal Ben-Haim tries to take on the Fulham defence on his own with a marauding run from the back but he is eventually crowded out by three Fulham players.
Fulham actually look pretty comfortable at the back so far but they will know that it only takes a lapse in concentration for their hard work to be cancelled out.
Ballack wins a free-kick 30 yards from goal and this is in Alex territory - but the Brazilian cuts right across the ball and it ends up closer to the corner flag than the goal.
Good initial play from Davies as he robs Belletti of possession but he tries to be a bit to clever and the chance is wasted for Fulham.
Clever play from Joe Cole in the left corner to evade the attentions of Omozusi and he puts a good ball into the near post but Bocanegra is across before Kalou to head behind - and the corner is wasted.
Murphy is renowned for his free-kick taking abilities and he has a go here from 25 yards but although it is only narrowly over it never really looked like troubling Hilario.
However they now have the chance to play their way through but Wright-Phillips chooses the wrong option as he plays it right to Kaou when Cole was better placed to his left.
With the enigmatic Didier Drogba missing Chelsea look a little toothless in attack with Kalou struggling to keep himself in onside positions and he does not look happy when the ball is launched towards him from the back.
An escape for Fulham! Salomon Kalou is hauled down by Niemi in the box and it would have been a definite penalty if the offside flag had not already gone up.
The first real lull in proceedings at the moment with both sides struggling to break down the opposition's defence - there are a number of stoppages as well which are not helping the flow.
Wayne Bridge slices the ball out of play when under no pressure - and that rather sums up Chelsea's indifferent start to this game.
Simon Davies picks up Tal Ben-Haim's clearing header on the edge of the box but blazes over when well positioned.
Kalou has the ball in the net - although well after the whistle has gone as the Ivorian controls the ball with his hand before running towards the net.
The tempo has been good in the opening quarter of an hour with both sides playing some good football but the goal does not appear to have affected Chelsea too much and they are settling down now.
Superb football on the left hand side from Chelsea and Cole is in behind the defence but Niemi is out smartly to smother the ball at the second attempt.
Goal
GOAL:Fulham 1-0 Chelsea: (10mins) Murphy sends Hilario the wrong way from the spot but Chelsea will not be happy because there appeared to be very little - if any - contact.
Penalty to Fulham! Moritz Volz drives into the box and Joe Cole is back with him and the German falls to the floor and the referee gives the spot kick.
Wright-Phillips uses his pace to latch onto a Belletti through ball and bears down on goal but drags his shot wide of the far post when he may have expected to test Niemi.
The Blues get control of the ball and Joe Cole plays a resplendant ball round the back of Bocanegra and Kalou almost gets the opening goal but his toepoked effort is saved by Niemi.
Chelsea look a little unsettled early on and Hilario almost gifts possession to Danny Murphy but fortunately for the stand-in keeper Michael Essien is alert.
Fulham make a good start and Diomansy Kamara tries a snap shot with his left foot and Hilario is forced to turn it round the post.
Kickoff
Mark Halsey is today's match official and he gets the West London derby underway here on the King's Road with both sides looking to get 2008 off to a good start.
Awaiting Kickoff
Before the match kicks off there will be a minute's applause in memory of Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell who tragically lost his life during an SPL match on Saturday.
Awaiting Kickoff
Chelsea: Hilario, Belletti, Alex, Ben-Haim, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Sidwell, Essien, Ballack, Joe Cole, Kalou
Awaiting Kickoff
Fulham: Niemi, Volz, Bocanegra, Stefanovic, Konchesky, Davis, Davies, Murphy, Omozusi, Dempsey, Kamara
Awaiting Kickoff
Avram Grant has been taking some flack in recent weeks despite his side gaining good results and the Israeli switches it round in midfield as John Obi Mikel is replaced by Steve Sidwell as Michael Ballack retains the captaincy.
Awaiting Kickoff
Hodgson's first decision is made for him as Hameur Bouazza is suspended so Moritz Volz comes in his place - it is almost a decade since Hodgson managed in England but his record ihas been enviable, particularly with FInland.
Awaiting Kickoff
Welcome to Craven Cottage where Fulham welcome West London rivals Chelsea in new boss Roy Hodgson's first game in charge.