Chelsea returned to the top of the Premier League table on Saturday thanks to a 2-0 win over Fulham at Stamford Bridge.
Following a goalless first half, the hosts went ahead soon after the restart as Oscar converted from close range.
The points were then sealed late on when Jon Obi Mikel got on the scoresheet with a rare goal for the Blues.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how the action panned out between the local rivals.
Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of tonight's Premier League meeting between Chelsea and local rivals Fulham in the Premier League.
Plenty riding on this match for both sides and we should have some team news for you shortly...
FULHAM XI: Stockdale; Riether, Hangeland, Amorebieta, Richardson; Duff, Sidwell, Parker, Kacaniklic; Kasami; Bent
The visitors make three changes as Fernando Amorebieta, Damien Duff and Darren Bent all come in. Philippe Senderos, Bryan Ruiz and Dimitar Berbatov are the players who make way.
CHELSEA XI: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Mikel; Schurrle, Oscar, Hazard; Eto'o
Jose Mourinho makes four changes for Chelsea as John Terry returns alongside Ramires, Jon Obi Mikel and Andre Schurrle.
CHELSEA SUBS: Schwarzer, Azpilicueta, Essien, Lampard, De Bruyne, Willian, Torres
One glaring omission from that Chelsea bench is Juan Mata. Jose Mourinho indicated earlier this week that the Spaniard was not at the forefront of his plans this season, but not even a place on the bench is sure to raise a few eyebrows for Chelsea fans.
FULHAM SUBS: Etheridge, Senderos, Karagounis, Taarabt, Rodallega, Zverotic, Na Bangna
It could be said that Chelsea's team selection today is an interesting one. No Juan Mata, Frank Lampard on the bench, Samuel Eto'o selected ahead of Fernando Torres... all of it adds up to a fascinating evening of football ahead.
Today's other Premier League matches are gradually coming to a close, and we will bring you the full-time results as soon as they're all in.
PREMIER LEAGUE FULL-TIME RESULTS:
Liverpool 0-1 Southampton
Norwich City 0-1 Aston Villa
Newcastle United 2-3 Hull City
West Bromwich Albion 3-0 Sunderland
West Ham United 2-3 Everton
As you can see, there have been some very interesting results in the top flight today. Are we in for another one at Stamford Bridge?
Quite simply, this is a must-win game for Chelsea. Jose Mourinho's return to the club has not been as perfect as many were expecting, with seven points from their first four matches. The Blues start the day on the back of consecutive defeats against Everton and Basel respectively. A third here to Fulham could signal disaster.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho on Sky Sports News: "I think I shouldn't make lots of changes, but we need fresh blood in the team, especially in midfield. I start with Oscar (ahead of Mata) because he is more consistent in attacking areas. Mata's performance against Basel was not convincing and I've left David (Luiz) out tactically."
A word on Fulham: Martin Jol's side have had an indifferent start to the season with four points from their first four games. They nearly picked up their second win of the campaign last weekend, but a late goal from Gareth McAuley saw them only come away from West Bromwich Albion with a point.
HEAD TO HEAD: Chelsea have been dominant in this fixture down the years, winning 41 out of 71 matches. Fulham have claimed the victory seven times, while there have been 23 draws.
Fulham earned a credible point in a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge last season, but they were soundly beaten 3-0 at Craven Cottage. Fulham's last victory at the Bridge came back in 1979.
Out come the players to a good reception from the Stamford Bridge faithful. Not long to go until this one gets underway.
The pre-match rituals have been done and it will be Chelsea to get this match underway. Here we go!
It's been mostly Chelsea in these brief opening stages, but no chances as of yet.
CHANCE! The first proper opening of the match comes Fulham's way as Sidwell heads Duff's cross over the bar. He probably should have at least worked Cech there.
The match has got a bit of pace about it now. Both teams are looking to bomb forward when they get the ball. Fulham are holding there own for the moment.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for the visitors as Bent chases a long ball over the top from Parker, but Cech rushes off his line to head the ball away. It looks like Bent might be afforded plenty of space in the final third this evening, and that could be dangerous for Chelsea if he is given the right service.
SAVE! Bent gets in behind the Chelsea defence again thanks to a great pass from Kasami, only for Cech to keep his effort out with a low save. That could easily have been the opening goal.
Something of a half-chance for Chelsea there as Terry loops his header over the crossbar from a corner. Meanwhile, Ramires needed treatment after an awkward fall in the area but he seems okay now.
Fulham are not looking too hurried right now. They're passing the ball at a fairly leisurely pace while Chelsea sit back. All in all, it's been an even opening 20 minutes.
One player who is earning their corn for Fulham at the moment is Hangeland. The imposing defender has headed away a handful of crosses so far and is looking pretty solid at the back.
Not a great deal to report on in these last few minutes, except that the match has gone into a bit of a lull. Chelsea are enjoying most of the possession, but Fulham are making it very difficult to break them down. The home side are not showing too much invention.
Despite just remarking that Chelsea are enjoying most of the possession, their passing has been below par today. They've given the ball away cheaply a few times now, something that will worry Jose Mourinho. If Jose Mourinho gets truly worried.
Chelsea get a free kick around 25 yards from goal that Oscar stands over, but the Brazilian's effort takes a deflection before falling into the grateful hands of Stockdale.
Hazard tries a spectacular shot on goal as he volleys the ball wide from 30 yards after Fulham fail to clear a corner.
All of a sudden, Fulham are doing the pressing in attack. They're trying to cut Chelsea open with some incisive passing but it's not quite working.
SHOT! At the other end, Hazard drags his effort wide from about 25 yards. Either side could score the first goal here, it's getting a bit end-to-end.
CHANCE! The ball bounces around in the Fulham box causing some confusion before Ivanovic finally has a crack at goal, but Stockdale gets down to push the ball away for a corner, which comes to nothing.
One minute added time.
HALF TIME: CHELSEA 0-0 FULHAM
The half-time whistle goes and one or two boos ring out around Stamford Bridge as Chelsea and Fulham go in goalless at the break. Not the most inspiring half, it must be said.
Chelsea looked fairly average during that first half while Fulham rarely looked troubled. Both teams could have scored, but some poor finishing means that it's even.
UPDATE: There have been some fairly eye-catching results in the Premier League today, so here they are if you missed them earlier...
PREMIER LEAGUE FULL-TIME RESULTS:
Liverpool 0-1 Southampton
Norwich City 0-1 Aston Villa
Newcastle United 2-3 Hull City
West Bromwich Albion 3-0 Sunderland
West Ham United 2-3 Everton
For the record, a win for Chelsea tonight would send them to the top of the table. Maybe it's not all doom and gloom around Stamford Bridge after all...
Both teams are out for the second half and neither has made any changes at the break. Fulham get us underway.
Chelsea have started the second half brightly, winning a couple of corners, but Fulham stand firm to keep the scores level. The crowd seem a bit more positive since the players came back out.
GOAL! CHELSEA 1-0 FULHAM (OSCAR)
Chelsea lead through Oscar, but that all came about following some shocking goalkeeping from Stockdale. He makes a real hash of Schurrle's weak shot, allowing Oscar to slot in from close range.
CHANCE! Fulham come close to snatching an equaliser almost instantly, but Sidwell is again off target with his header following Kasami's free kick. The visitors really should have a goal to their name today.
Ramires is the latest player to have a crack at goal as the Chelsea midfielder lashes the ball over from the edge of the box.
A groan of exasperation comes from the Chelsea fans as Schurrle drags a poor effort wide from long range. The German has not been particularly convincing today. Meanwhile, Fernando Torres warms up on the touchline. Could we see the Spaniard imminently?
Credit to Fulham, they haven't let their heads drop since conceding. They still feel like they are in this match and are showing plenty of attacking intent in the final third.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Changes for each side as Fernando Torres replaces Samuel Eto'o, while Adel Taarabt comes on for Damien Duff.
No sooner has Torres been on the pitch that he is crunched by a tasty tackle from Amorebieta. The striker looks to be okay though.
Twenty minutes of normal time left and Chelsea still lead 1-0. They will be eager to put the game to bed with a second goal, but that could leaver Fulham with plenty of space to break. Either way, it should be an interesting final period in this match.
SUBSTITUTION: Fulham make another change as Buomesca Tue Na Banga comes on for his debut in place of Alexander Kacaniklic.
CHANCE! Great play from Torres, weaving his way through the Fulham defence, but his final pass to Ramires is a stray one and the visitors hack the ball clear.
SUBSTITUTION: Chelsea now make a second swap as Frank Lampard replaces Andre Schurrle.
CHANCE! Great defending from Amorebieta as he blocked Ramires's shot before the resulting corner from Oscar comes to nothing. The Brazilian's crossing from out wide has been poor this evening.
SAVE! That's a better delivery from Oscar as Cahill's header is saved brilliantly by Stockdale.
GOAL! CHELSEA 2-0 FULHAM (MIKEL)
Yes, you've read that right. Jon Obi Mikel scores his first goal for Chelsea in what is his 259th game for the club. The midfielder got on the end of Terry's flick from a corner before burying an acrobatic volley into the net. A collector's item if ever there was one.
That goal should seal the points for Chelsea, but it's been a far from convincing display from the home side.
CHANCE! Richardson tries to cross the ball into the Chelsea area but instead the ball nearly creeps in at Cech's near post. However, the goalkeeper is there to push away the danger before the resulting corner is cleared.
Three minutes added time.
FULL TIME: CHELSEA 2-0 FULHAM
The full-time whistle goes and it's Chelsea who have the points thanks to a 2-0 win over Fulham. Oscar and Jon Obi Mikel got the goals for the hosts, who go back to the top of the Premier League table.
Anyway, that's all from me for now. However, you can keep up to date with reports and reaction from all of today's match in the Premier League and Football League, as well as from Europe, right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company and enjoy the rest of your evening. Goodnight!
Written by
Jack Prescott
Jack Prescott
