26/04/2003  Chelsea 1 Fulham 1

Luis Boa Morte rescued a valuable point to nudge Fulham 
closer to guaranteed Premiership survival and put a dent in 
Chelsea's Champions League hopes.

Alain Goma's own goal gave Chelsea a deserved half-time 
lead in the west London derby as he helped the ball into his 
own net after 37 minutes.

But Boa Morte scored a stunning solo effort when he breezed 
past Marcel Desailly and fired home an angled drive after 66 
minutes.

Emmanuel Petit made a crunching fourth-minute tackle on 
Sean Davis and referee David Elleray showed who was boss by 
handing out the first booking.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink almost gave the home side the lead 
in the ninth minute when he timed his run perfectly to beat 
the offside trap and meet Zola's pass from the right flank. 
The Dutch striker nipped round Taylor but his shot was blocked 
on the line by a combination of Steve Finnan and Andy Melville 
who conceded the corner.

The ball was played short to Hasselbaink on the right and 
he drove the ball dangerously across the face of the goal, but 
to Fulham's relief nobody could apply the finishing touch.

Lampard looked to have won his side a 22nd-minute penalty 
as he went flying under the challenge of Davis, but Elleray 
awarded a corner instead.

Fulham suddenly came to life as they worked the ball to Lee 
Clark down the right. His low cross was almost turned in by 
Hammond as Chelsea's defence looked exposed for the first 
time.

The ball was cleared only as far as Davis and he hit a 20 
yard drive which flew narrowly over Carlo Cudicini's 
crossbar.

Gianfranco Zola carved out another chance for Hasselbaink 
after 31 minutes with a cross from the left, and the striker's 
header sailed over the bar from six yards.

But Chelsea's pressure finally paid off when they took the 
lead on 37 minutes after winning a free kick for Malbranque's 
foul on Le Saux down the left.

Zola's curling cross struck the bar and rebounded to Terry 
at the far post. He nudged the ball forward with his chest and 
it struck the arm of Goma before bouncing over the line for an 
own goal.

Fulham tried to respond and the lively Davis got past 
Desailly after 41 minutes, but he was stretching as his 
outstretched leg made the shot and Cudicini pounced on the 
ball.

There was more bad luck for Fulham as Boa Morte showed his 
frustration following a challenge by Petit and was booked for 
dissent a minute later.

Five minutes into the second half Lampard did well again as 
he fed Le Saux on the left and his cross into the box was met 
by Hasselbaink's powerful header. But Taylor dived to his 
right to keep the ball out and his side in the game.

Zola fed Hasselbaink on the left and his low cross was met 
by William Gallas who came up from defence and slid in on the 
ball. Taylor again made an important stop, but the loose ball 
fell for Lampard who could only scoop it against the bar from 
point blank range.

Gronkjaer was in hot water for a late tackle on Davis after 
58 minutes and was booked - just as he was walking off to be 
replaced by Gudjohnsen for his 150th English league 
appearance.

Gudjohnsen took up a central striking role alongside 
Hasselbaink with Zola tucked in behind the two, a sign that 
Ranieri wanted to finish off his team's dogged opponents.

But it was Fulham who found a second wind as they broke 
from defence and scored a super equaliser courtesy of Boa 
Morte's stunning effort after 66 minutes.

The ball was worked to him by Clark and Davis on the right 
edge of the box and he waltzed past Desailly before cutting 
back and drilling a shot inside the far post to silence the 
home fans.

Jody Morris should have been watching this game from the 
stands, but after 76 minutes he found himself introduced to 
the action.

The midfielder was called on to the bench after Zenden was 
injured in the warm-up, and he came on to replace De Lucas. It 
was a double switch as Melchiot replaced Gallas.

As play restarted Zola let fly from 25 yars with a shot 
which Taylor had to tip over his bar. The goalkeeper was soon 
punching clear a corner as Chelsea kept up the pressure.

Chelsea were almost undone by their former defender Jon 
Harley with eight minutes remaining. He got the better of 
Desailly and drilled in a low cross which Le Saux scrambled 
away.

Coleman introduced fresh legs a minute later as Boa Morte 
and Malbranque were replaced by Barry Hayles and John 
Collins.

Collins almost snatched all three points in injury time 
with a curling effort which shaved the bar, and then 
Gudjohnsen raced upfield and sent his effort narrowly