adminJuan Mata put the hosts ahead after the break, cracking home a fine first-time shot from the edge of the box.
But Fulham levelled when Bryan Ruiz easily beat Ashley Cole and found Clint Dempsey who netted from close range.
Chelsea dominated possession and created a host of chances to win it late on but the visitors held on.
Raul Meireles and substitutes Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda all had two chances each to secure maximum points after Dempsey’s 56th-minute strike as the Blues laid siege to the Fulham goal.
But Chelsea’s late dominance was in stark contrast to a desperate first-half display which lacked urgency, quality and conviction.
And despite being pinned back in their own half for most of the final 30 minutes, Fulham were good value for a point which leaves the home side 10 points off leaders Manchester City having played a game more.
Misfiring £50m striker Fernando Torres, made his first Chelsea start in two months, once again failed to impress with another hit-and-miss display.
The Spaniard was unlucky to volley straight at goalkeeper David Stockdale after showing immaculate chest control from Mata’s exquisite pass before the interval, and had a decent shout for penalty ignored after the interval.
But Torres continues to look a shadow of the player so often hailed as the best forward in the world during his Liverpool days.
The Cottagers frustrated Chelsea, combining an attacking looking line-up with a disciplined defensive display.
They broke with purpose and created as many decent chances as their hosts before the break.
Dempsey forced a fine save from Petr Cech with an awkward effort that bounced in front of the Blues goalkeeper and Moussa Dembele and Orlando Sa, who played up front on his own, also had efforts on goal.
At the other end Sturridge sliced a shot but shot wide after being teed up by Torres but it was only after half-time that Chelsea sparked into life. They went ahead when Mata smashed the ball into the corner from 18 yards after Torres managed to hold the ball up.
But any hopes that would lay the platform for a much-needed convincing home win soon vanished when Ruiz did brilliantly to deceive Cole and Dempsey got in front of David Luiz to turn the ball home from just in front of Petr Cech.
At that point Andre Villas-Boas’ side finally began to play with greater urgency.
Sturridge saw a decent curling strike flicked over by Stockdale and Malouda, on for the ineffective Frank Lampard, was unlucky not to score with a cheeky close-range backheel from John Terry’s header.
Torres also had a shout for a penalty ignored as he tumbled into the box and Drogba shot straight at Stockdale from a tight angle.
Meirerles then shot narrowly wide after a wonderful turn and also had a header tipped over by the impressive Stockdale.
But Fulham were able to withstand the onslaught and earn the point they so craved following last week’s home mauling by Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has urged winger Ryan Giggs to extend his contract with the Premier League champions for another season.
Giggs, 38, is the most decorated player in United’s history and last week he revealed plans to sit down with Ferguson before deciding whether to continue playing after this campaign.
“I think Ryan can play another year,” Ferguson told reporters ahead of the visit of Wigan Athletic yesterday.
Giggs, who holds the club’s appearance record having played in 891 games while scoring 161 goals since signing for United in 1990, remains a key player for Ferguson and showed his class once again during the
5-0 win at Fulham on Wednesday.
“There’s no evidence at this moment in time that his energy, stamina or speed are decreasing. There’s absolutely no evidence at all. In fact, it’s exactly the same as it was the last two or three years. It’s amazing,” Ferguson said.
Welshman Giggs, who retired from international football in 2007, told United’s website (www.manutd.com) last week he was “enjoying things more than ever” but needed to “see how I’m feeling” before making a final decision on whether to retire.
Ferguson, though, has made it clear he wants the 12-times Premier League winner to keep playing for the Old Trafford club.—BBC/Supersport.
Online Reporter