CHELSEA
2nd in Premiership
with 46 points
Position achievable
after MatchDay 21:
Highest 2nd - Lowest 2nd
- CHELSEA go into this west London derby knowing that they will not be leading the Premiership table at the start of a year for the first time in three seasons. Instead it's a matter of how many points they will trail Manchester United - as many as seven or as few as one.
- The 2-2 draw with Reading on Boxing Day was a real set back, and the third match in a row they'd conceded two goals in a League game since injury sidelined John Terry. They can still however extend their unbeaten home League record to 55 games. They're not lost a Premiership outing in front of their home supporters under Mourinho (won 39, drawn nine), nor been defeated in the top division at the Bridge since a 1-2 reverse to Arsenal on 21 February 2004 (won 43, drawn 11). If they can maintain that run until the end of this season they will equal Liverpool's record of 63 home League matches without defeat.
- The Blues have won seven of the 11 Premiership meetings with Fulham, including this season's reverse fixture 0-2. Victory here will complete a third Premier League 'double' over the Cottagers.
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FULHAM
12th in Premiership
with 25 points
Position achievable
after MatchDay 21:
Highest 9th - Lowest 15th
- FULHAM were heading for defeat to struggling Charlton when wrongly awarded a free kick in stoppage time, from which they equalised on Tuesday night. Chris Coleman's side go the Bridge unbeaten in three League games, but without a maximum in eight on the road.
- The Cottagers' festive fixtures have comprised entirely of London derbies. They've so far drawn 0-0, home to West Ham, and 2-2 at Charlton. They've won two, drawn three and lost one of six capital clashes this season, while Chelsea have won three, drawn one and lost one of five against clubs inside the M25.
- The Cottagers have lost their last three visits to the Bridge, and have not claimed maximum points off their near neighbours on enemy territory in 27 years since a 0-2 second tier triumph on 27 October 1979. Fulham's last top flight victory at the Bridge was 1-2 on 7 March 1964.
- Gained one win in their last five Premiership outings (2-1, home to Middlesbrough on 18 December).
- Won two of the last nine League engagements.
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- Unbeaten in nine League games. Won six and drawn three since losing 2-1 at Spurs on 5 November.
- Gained 14 Premiership victories to Manchester United's 16, and dropped 14 points to the Red Devils' 10.
- Won twice as many top tier games as Fulham have lost (14 wins for the Blues, seven defeats for the Cottagers).
- The only club to have scored in every top flight game this season.
- Scored the first goal in more Premiership matches than any other side (17 of 20).
- Unbeaten even when the opposition have netted first (won one - at Everton - and drawn two of the three - away to Manchester United and home to Arsenal).
- Won all 10 Premiership games in which clean sheets have been kept - a record they share with Liverpool.
- The fourth strongest side at home in the highest League. Liverpol have gained 26 points on their own patch, Manchester United and Tottenham 25 each, Chelsea 24 (seven wins, three draws).
- The first fixture is 2007 is away to Aston Villa on Tuesday, 2 January.
- Didier DROGBA is the highest scoring Premiership player this season with 19 goals, 12 of which are League goals putting him two clear of Manchester United's Cristiano RONALDO at the top of the table for the Barclays Golden Boot award.
- Only Michael ESSIEN has figured in every minute of every one of Chelsea's League and Cup matches this season.
- If he lines up for the opening whistle, GEREMI will be making his 100th start for an English club (Middlesbrough and Chelsea).
- Wayne BRIDGE made 12 Premiership appearances for Fulham, when on loan last season.
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LAST CORRESPONDING FIXTURE
Stamford Bridge on 26 Dec 2005
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Gallas 3,
Lampard 24,
Crespo 74
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McBride 29,
Helguson 56 pen |
Andersen, Young, Perry, Hreidarsson, Powell, Rommedahl, Kishishev (El Karkouri, 76 ), Murphy, Smertin (Hughes, 82 ), Thomas (Bothroyd, 59 ), Darren Bent
Subs not used: Spector, Myhre, |
Crossley, Volz, Goma, Bocanegra, Niclas Jensen, Malbranque, Claus Jensen, Christanval (Radzinski, 35 ), Diop, Boa Morte, John (McBride, 78)
Subs not used Warner, Helguson, Rosenior, |
| Bookings: Kishishev |
Bookings: Christanval, Malbranque, Volz |
| Attendance: 26310 |
Referee: G Poll |
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- Kept one clean sheet in nine top flight encounters.
- On the Premiership's longest current run of 32 games since a win by more than a single goal (6-1, home to West Brom on 11 February).
- Yet to lose when scoring first in a Premiership fixture this season (won five and drawn two of seven).
- Holding a 100% record when leading at half time in top tier matches (won all three v Sheffield United, Arsenal and Middlesbrough - all at home).
- The 1-2 victory at Newcastle on 9 September is the club's only maximum on the road so far in this League campaign.
- One of only two clubs to have shipped 30 or more Premiership goals. Charlton have conceded 35, Fulham 30.
- Eight of those 30 have been conceded in the first quarter (22 minutes) - the worst in the Premiership. Chelsea hold the best record in that segment - they're yet to leak a single goal in the first 22 minutes.
- Brian McBRIDE is Fulham's leading scorer, with six goals - all in the Premiership.
- Only Liam ROSENIOR has been on the field for every minute of every one of Fulham's Premiership matches this season.
- If on the field from the outset, Moritz VOLZ will be making his 100th League start for Fulham.
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Mark PEMBRIDGE needs one more appearance to total 400 in his English League career (Luton, Derby, Sheffield Wednesday, Everton and Fulham).
- If he figures, NICLAS JENSEN will be making his 50th Premiership appearance (Manchester City and Fulham).
- If on the field from the outset, Ian PEARCE will be making his 50th Premiership start in Fulham colours.
- PEARCE would also be facing his former club, having started his professional career at Chelsea, where he made five substitute appearances.
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| HEAD TO HEAD at CHELSEA |
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CHELSEA |
Draw |
FULHAM |
| League |
16 |
9 |
2 |
| Premier |
5 |
1 |
0 |
| HEAD TO HEAD RESULTS |
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CHELSEA |
Draw |
FULHAM |
| League |
33 |
15 |
7 |
| Premier |
7 |
3 |
1 |
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