The Whites were unable to repeat a fine first half performance as they conceded twice after the break
Starting Line Ups
First Half Action
1 min
Paul Konchesky made good progress up the left flank before cutting a low ball inside to Diomansy Kamara who took a touch and forced a smart save from Hilario low to his near post. The Whites lined with Kamara and Clint Dempsey leading the line, however the American was playing a slightly deeper role, looking to feed play into the Senegal striker.
5 mins
Chelsea saw their first chance of the match come in the 5th minute when Soloman Kalou was played in behind the Fulham defence. His attempted finish with the outside of his foot failed to trouble Niemi. Chelsea were back on the attack a few minutes later when Steven Davis lost possession in a dangerous position. The ball was eventually worked to Wright-Phillips who dragged his shot wide of the far post.
10 mins – GOAL FULHAM – Murphy
Fulham took the lead with ten minutes on the clock with a well taken Danny Murphy penalty. The Fulham midfielder started the move in his own half when he skipped away from a number of Chelsea challenges before spreading play to Moritz Volz on the right flank. The former German international cut inside before being brought to ground for a stonewall penalty.
16 mins
Soloman Kalou demonstrated his pace advantage over Fulham’s central defensive pairing of Stefanovic and Bocanegra on 16 minutes when he raced away from Fulham’s back line. Fortunately the Chelsea attacker used his hand to control the ball but the warning signs were there.
27 mins
With both sides fairly evenly matched in terms of possession, it was clear that the Whites were looking a more comfortable side playing the ball on the ground and using a more measured approach to the game. However Chelsea were starting impose their will as they began to build their moves from further into Fulham territory. But the Whites were defending a well as a unit and working hard in midfield. Both Simon Davies and Moritz Volz were getting through mountainous amounts of work down both flanks and Danny Murphy was having his best game in a Fulham shirt to date.
30 mins
The perilous nature of Fulham’s lead was again demonstrated on the half hour mark when Diomansy Kamara needlessly lost possession allowing Chelsea to construct a dangerous attack. The passage of play highlighted the importance of keeping the ball against such dangerous opposition.
Second Half Action
48 mins
Fulham were forced to soak up early pressure from Chelsea as the visitors looked to get back on level terms early on. The Whites were pushed into two banks of four players as they sat back and tried to contain the visitors.
53 mins – GOAL CHELSEA – Kalou
The visitors drew level on the 53 minute mark after the Whites were unable to deal with a corner. Chelsea central defender Alex rose highest in the centre of the area and headed the ball back into the danger zone where Kalou was waiting to nod the ball past Niemi from close range. There was very little the Whites could have done to prevent the goal once the first header was lost.
From that point on the visitors were looking the stronger side. Playing with a more direct style of play than in the first half, they were looking to get down the sides of Fulham’s defence on a more regular basis.
60 mins – GOAL CHELSEA – Ballack
Chelsea took the lead on the hour mark courtesy of a debatable penalty when German international, Michael Ballack, went down in the box following the slightest of touches from Clint Dempsey. The referee pointed to the spot immediately and Ballack slotted home, sending Niemi the wrong way.
66 mins
Fulham seemed to have regained their composure and were certainly playing a neat brand of football however they were struggling to make their way out of their own half and get forward with anything other than occasional counter-attack.
68 mins Fulham substitution – Volz OFF Ki-Hyeon ON
70 mins Fulham substitution - Davis OFF Smertin ON
Roy Hodgson looked to reinvigorate Fulham’s midfield with some fresh legs with the introduction of Seol Ki-Hyeon and Alexey Smertin in place of Moritz Volz and Steven Davis.
76 mins Fulham substitution – Kamara OFF Healy ON
Fulham’s final roll of the dice came on 76 minutes when Diomansy Kamara was replaced by David Healy as the Whites looked to get back into a match which was slipping from their grasp.
79 mins
Seol Ki-Hyeon was trying his utmost to get the Whites back on level terms as he embarked on some powerful runs down the left flank. His threat certainly gave Fulham more of a balanced feel in attack and a helped to widen the visitors’ midfield line. However the Whites were still getting caught out on repeated occasions.
fulhamfc.com Man of the Match
Danny Murphy
The Fulham midfielder scored the opening goal of the match and was an influential figure in the centre of the park. Tireless workrate.