League leaders trail Fulham at the break

Fulham drew first blood at local rivals Chelsea to leave the Barclays Premier League leaders trailing 1-0 at the break.

The Cottagers made a dream start by surging ahead through Zoltan Gera with just three minutes on the clock.

Bobby Zamora picked out the Hungarian international, who turned and planted his shot beyond Petr Cech at point-blank range.

The first-half between Everton and Burnley, who are both searching for their first victory in almost two months, ended goalless although Ayegbeni Yakubu had a good penalty claim turned down when he saw a fierce shot cannon away off Michael Duff’s arm.

There were also no goals at Blackburn against Sunderland and Stoke versus Birmingham.

Earlier in the day, Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric scored on his return to the starting XI to help defeat West Ham 2-0 at White Hart Lane.

Modric, with only two substitute appearances under his belt since fracturing a fibula in August, struck in the 11th minute as he turned home Aaron Lennon’s cross.

To make matters worse, former Hammers striker Jermain Defoe added a second before the end to see Spurs move into fourth place in the standings.