Fulham and Chelsea played out a scoreless encounter in West London after the Cottagers missed a dramatic late penalty to claim the three points. The point gained continued to ease Fulham away away from the relegation zone but does little for Chelsea's title ambitions.
The Blues much vaunted strike-force of Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and £50m signing for LiverpoolFernando Torres again drew a blank with the Fulham supporters taunting Torres for his first half miss and when the Spaniard was substituted in the second half.
Torres had a good opportunity to open his account for the Blues in the first half but shot weakly at Mark Schwarzer.
The Cottagers will see a moral victory in the point gained as they have beaten Chelsea just once in the last 28 league and cup meetings, spanning 31 years, and went into this Valentine's Day encounter on the back of three successive home wins.
All the drama came in injury time as new Chelsea signing David Luiz was adjudged to have fouled Clint Dempsey with the slightest of touches.
The American striker took the penalty but Petr Cech saved low down to his right, and Dempsey then failed with the rebound.
Chelsea dominated for long periods as the home side seemed content to soak up the pressure and the spot kick was their first real attempt on goal.
Michael Essien went close with a header for the visitor's who at least kept a clean sheet for only the second time in ten league away games.
Carlo Ancelotti's men are now 12 points behind leaders Manchester United and must, as their Italian manager admitted, be looking at a Champions League place as their challenge for the season.
Referee: Mike Dean
Venue: Craven Cottage Attendance: 25,685
Fulham scorers: Chelsea scorers:
FULHAM 01 Schwarzer 03 Salcido 05 Hangeland 06 Baird 18 Hughes 07 Sidwell (yellow card) 13 Murphy (Gera 83 (yellow card) 16 Duff 23 Dempsey 08 Johnson (Davies 74) 30 Dembele (Gudjohnsen 83)
Substitutes 12 Stockdale, 02 Kelly, 04 Pantsil, 11 Gera, 27 Greening, 29 Davies, 22 Gudjohnsen
CHELSEA 01 Cech 02 Ivanovic (yellow card) 03 A Cole 04 David Luiz 26 Terry 05 Essien 07 Ramires 08 Lampard 15 Malouda 09 Torres (Drogba 71) 39 Anelka (Kalou 65)
Substitutes 22 Turnbull, 19 Ferreira, 12 Mikel, 46 McEachran, 55 Sala, 11 Drogba, 21 Kalou
