Sluggish Blues scoreless at break

HT: Chelsea 0 Fulham 0

Chelsea toiled against a stubborn Fulham in the first half of today’s west London derby at Stamford Bridge.

Fernando Torres had only one chance to mark his first Barclays Premier League start for almost two months with his first goal in 10 matches, and was unlucky to volley it straight at David Stockdale.

Otherwise, the striker struggled to justify his recall, as did Fulham’s Orlando Sa, who wasted the visitors’ best chance when he headed Stephen Kelly’s cross over the bar.

Torres, whose current goal drought stretched back nine matches, was hoping for a St Stephen's Day gift from a defence that shipped five against Manchester United on Wednesday.

There was plenty of goodwill for Chelsea captain Terry within the sanctuary of Stamford Bridge following the barracking he received at Tottenham on Thursday over his charge for alleged racist abuse.

Terry played like a man on a mission at White Hart Lane and he and his team-mates needed another good performance today to maintain their dwindling title hopes.

Fulham looked determined to spoil all that, Clint Dempsey going a little far with a cynical tug on Raul Meireles that saw the American booked.

Otherwise, they were the better side for 15 minutes, with Dempsey’s bouncing 25-yarder forcing an uncomfortable save from Petr Cech and Sa seeing an effort blocked by Luiz before wasting a great chance when he headed Kelly’s cross over the bar.

Torres, who had already had half a sniff, was unlucky not to give Chelsea the lead when he expertly controlled Juan Mata’s cross on his chest but smashed his volley straight at David Stockdale.

Torres then robbed Brede Hangeland on the edge of the box and laid off to Daniel Sturridge to slice off target but Fulham settled down again and Mousa Dembele dragged wide after bypassing Romeu.

Although Jose Bosingwa sent in some dangerous crosses, Chelsea were struggling to produce a telling ball against what was at times a nine-man defence, with Meireles and Romeu resorting to wayward pot-shots.

The stalemate continued until two minutes before the break when Dembele sent a tame header too close to Cech.