VIDEO Fulham 1-1 Chelsea: Highlights As Lampard, Dempsey Score In West-London Derby

Chelsea were left frustrated as a late Fulham equalizer prevented the Blues from going level on points with Tottenham in the race for a Champions League place.

Frank Lampard scored a controversial first-half penalty before Clint Dempsey headed in the leveler to make it 1-1 eight minutes from the end.

The result did, though, continue Chelsea's undefeated streak against their West-London rivals, which now stretches to 32 matches.

As expected with semi-finals in the FA Cup and Champions League coming up in the next nine days, Chelsea made a host of changes from the team that fortunately defeated Wigan just over 48 hours earlier.

Captain John Terry returned in the center of defense to partner Gary Cahill, seemingly playing through the pain of his cracked ribs. Fellow Cheslea stalwart Frank Lampard also returned to the side, while Juan Mata was given a rest. Fernando Torres came started up front in place of Didier Drogba.

Fulham were without Bryan Ruiz, who will miss the rest of the season with a broken metatarsal. Danny Murphy and Kerim Frei came into the midfield.

After Chelsea got the benefit of a bad call from the officials on Saturday when there opening goal was correctly ruled onside, the Blues again gained an advantage from a controversial decision against Fulham.

Salomon Kalou tumbled under the challenge of Danny Murphy right at the end of the first half and referee Mark Clattenburg had little hesitation in pointing to the spot.

While Murphy's challenge was not pretty, it appeared that he made little if any contact with the ball. While Stephen Kelly was also coming in from the other, he, likewise, did not seem to make any contact. Indeed it appeared as if Kalou, if anything, tripped over the ball.

But, despite the Fulham protest, Frank Lampard stepped up and drilled the ball low into the bottom left corner past the despairing dive of Mark Schwarzer.

And it looked like that would be enough to give Chelsea the crucial three points. But in the 82nd minute Fulham's Clint Dempsey rose to head in a corner at the near post. Petr Cech had moments earlier saved Chelsea with a save from an Aaron Hughes header, but was unmoved as Dempsey headed low into the far corner for his 22nd goal of the season.

The result leaves Chelsea two points behind Tottenham and Newcastle in the battle for the Champions League qualifying place.

szólj hozzá: Fulham vs Chelsea 0:1 Lampard

szólj hozzá: Fulham vs Chelsea 0:1 Lampard