The pressure on Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas continued to mount this afternoon following his side's 1-0 defeat away at West Bromwich Albion.
Visiting Chelsea created the better of the chances in the opening 45 minutes, but they were unable to breach Ben Foster's net.
First Juan Mata was denied by the England international, then Didier Drogba also saw his effort blocked by the goalkeeper.
Daniel Sturridge had Chelsea's best chance before the break, but he sent his left-footed effort wide of goal from 12 yards out in the 42nd minute.
The hosting Baggies posed more of a threat after the restart, with Marc Antoine Fortune drawing a punched save from Petr Cech.
Just as the game looked to be heading for a stalemate, the home side claimed the winning goal with five minutes remaining. Cech failed to clear a corner and when the ball was hooked back into the area, centre-back Gareth McAuley was on hand to turn the ball into the net from six yards out.
Frank Lampard had Chelsea's best chance to claim a share of the spoils in stoppage time, but he was unable to convert Ashley Cole's cross from close range.
Liam Apicella
