African duo up front for Chelsea

Chelsea strikers Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou were paired in attack for today’s Barclays Premier League clash with Fulham.

It was the duo’s last appearance in club colours before departing for the African Nations Cup with Chelsea making six changes to the side that drew with Birmingham.

Only John Terry remained from the back four that started at St Andrew’s with Ricardo Carvalho, Yuri Zhirkov and Paulo Ferreira joining him.

Michael Ballack and Joe Cole also returned while Fulham defender Brede Hangeland lost his battle against a knee injury so Chris Smalling made his full debut.

Chelsea: Cech, Paulo Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Zhirkov, Mikel, Ballack, Lampard, Joe Cole, Drogba, Kalou.

Subs: Hilario, Ivanovic, Ashley Cole, Sturridge, Alex, Belletti, Kakuta.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Smalling, Konchesky, Duff, Murphy, Baird, Dempsey, Gera, Zamora.

Subs: Zuberbuhler, Andrew Johnson, Nevland, Riise, Etuhu, Greening, Kallio.

Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands)