Dempsey delivers blow to Blues

Chelsea’s hopes of Champions League qualification have not quite been totally shot down, but they received a fairly hefty wounding courtesy of Texan Clint Dempsey last night.

Fourth spot was there for the taking for Chelsea, after Tottenham’s surprise loss to Norwich earlier yesterday, but they failed to account for Fulham’s aim of claiming West London bragging rights.

Frank Lampard had set Chelsea on their way with a penalty just before half-time, his 150th goal in the Premier League, but they were undone by their failure to take their chances — and their inability to deal with their opponents’ pace.

And yet again they lost two points to a late goal, which has been a hallmark of the season so far for Chelsea.

Roberto Di Matteo, Chelsea’s interim coach, conceded the result was a missed opportunity to put one over Tottenham — and his men are tiring under the congested fixture list — but he believes the race for the top four will go down to the wire.

“We didn’t have enough threat to kill the game off. It has been a pattern this season, but we put a big effort in tonight, so the biggest disappointment is conceding late.

“If we had managed to score the second it would have given the opposition less hope. But we are closer to fourth spot than we were.

“We were always playing catch-up, the situation was always going to be difficult. But we are closer than we were than a month ago. Despite the result, we have to try and win as many points as we can.

“When you are playing catch-up the pressure is always on the team behind. We have to think positive. It think it is going go down to the last game because this weekend there were more unexpected results.”

If the result raised eyebrows, the manner in which they went about tackling Fulham — or failing to do so — threw up yet more questions than answers.

Every time US international Dempsey was left to run at the Chelsea back four, you couldn’t help but think if an attacking midfielder from a mid-table rival can enjoy this much space against them, how on earth would they be able to prevent Barcelona’s Lionel Messi from having the run of Stamford Bridge a week today?

And the way Branislav Ivanovic failed to deal with John Arne Riise and Kerim Frei will have manager Di Matteo lying awake wondering whether his right-back will be able to shackle Tottenham’s Gareth Bale at Wembley on Sunday evening.

Chelsea’s next two games — an FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham on Sunday and the first leg of the Champions League last-four tie against Barcelona the following Wednesday — will largely determine their success or otherwise this season as far as trophies are concerned.

But there is the not-so-small matter of securing their place in Europe’s elite competition next season. And on last night’s evidence, Di Matteo has more than one headache to deal with, as he comes up with a solution to the problem of making up ground on the top four.

Firstly, John Obi Mikel, as manfully as he tries, is not a holding midfielder. Nor, for that matter is Raul Meireles. Yet both were employed in those roles at varying stages of the game at Craven Cottage.

Secondly, their lack of depth was exposed badly against Fulham. Ashley Cole’s understudy Ryan Bertrand was only notable because of his insistence of wearing his shorts halfway down his backside, which looked to hinder him in his runs down the field.

Similarly, Branislav Ivanovic was given a torrid time at right-back against Kerim Frei and John Arne Riise — Chelsea need someone specifically for this position, rather than employing a utility defender.

For Martin Jol, the Fulham manager, however, the result was the least his side deserved. And he was unequivocal on which team would win the race for fourth spot between Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham.

“I think Spurs will finish in the top four,” Jol, who confirmed winger Bryan Ruiz has suffered a broken foot and will miss the remainder of the season, said.

“They have the quality and they have showed it throughout the season, except today against Norwich.”

FULHAM: Schwarzer 7, Kelly 6, Hangeland 7, Hughes 7, Riise 8, Duff 6, Dembele 7, Murphy 6 (Etuhu, 74 mins), Diarra 6 (Sa, 81 mins), Frei 9 (Kacaniklic, 88 mins) Dempsey 7.

CHELSEA: Cech 7 Ivanovic 4, Terry 6, Cahill 6, Bertrand 7 Meireles 5 (Mata 70 mins, 6), Lampard 7, Mikel 7 Ramires 6 (Drogba, 83 mins), Torres 5, Kalou 5.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg.