Premier League: Chelsea 1 Fulham 1

Recalled keeper David Stockdale impressed as Andre Villas-Boas’ winless run in London derbies continued on Monday.

Stockdale, brought back from a loan spell at Ipswich after Australian first-choice keeper Mark Schwarzer suffered a neck injury, denied Chelsea with several top-class saves.

Following a tepid first half, the home side took the lead through Juan Mata’s curling effort in the 47th minute.

But the visitors struck back through Clint Dempsey who tapped home after 56 minutes from a well-crafted Fulham move as Martin Jol’s side dented Chelsea’s title hopes.

Fulham arrived at Stamford Bridge for the 75th West London derby with the worst goalscoring record of any away team in the top flight, and with only two league victories on their visits to their rivals.

Nonetheless, the first effort of significance came from the visitors, as Petr Cech needed to tip Dempsey’s dipping effort wide.

Jol’s side tested their hosts again, as Orlando Sa managed to make space for a shot despite being outnumbered by John Terry and David Luiz.

The Portuguese striker then spurned a glorious chance to put his side ahead, before some sublime combination play between Chelsea’s Spanish contingent.

Mata collected the ball on the right, 30 yards from goal, and cut inside before lifting a weighted pass to Torres.

The former Liverpool controlled the ball on his chest before volleying at goal only to be denied by Stockdale.

Fulham’s first half display was far from outstanding but Mata’s strike changed the whole complexity of the match, and the visitors hit back quickly.

Bryan Ruiz sold Ashley Cole a dummy on the right side of the box, jinking past the full-back before hitting a low delivery across the face for Dempsey to tap home, as once again Cech looked uncomfortable with players around him. Frank Lampard – having scored on five previous Boxing Days and with seven league goals against Fulham – was replaced on the hour mark, with Florent Malouda looking to inject some pace.

The change seemed to invigorate the Blues. Strurridge brought a sharp save from Stockdale to tip a curling effort over the bar, before the Fulham keeper saved with his leg to deny Malouda.

With 20 minutes left, Sturridge was replaced by Didier Drogba, one short of equalling Chelsea’s all-time goals record, held by Peter Osgood.

As the hosts clocked up their eighth corner of the game, Stockdale continued to stand strong, first denying Meireles before thwarting Drogba.

Chelsea were awarded a free-kick in stoppage time, and again Fulham’s keeper rescued his side.

Drogba unleashed a dipping thunderbolt which Stockdale did well to tip over the bar, as Jol’s side held on to claim an important point.