Cole in for Essien

Chelsea open their busy Christmas schedule without Michael Essien who sits out today’s west London derby against Fulham with bronchitis.

Joe Cole drops back into midfield to cover for Essien with Shaun Wright-Phillips taking his fellow England international’s place on the wing.

Defender Ricardo Carvalho is omitted with Robert Huth taking over at centre back while Hernan Crespo leads the attack ahead of Didier Drogba, who is named on the bench.

Fulham’s star midfielder Papa Bouba Diop failed his fitness test on an ankle injury – Frenchman Sylvain Legwinski deputises – but skipper Luis Boa Morte overcame his knee problem in time for the Stamford Bridge encounter.