Chelsea Overcome Fulham As December Ends

Chelsea have overcome one of the toughest months they have ever faced.

It is almost a new year and the Blues will end December on a high note after coming from behind to beat Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Monday afternoon.

Entering the London derby, Chelsea had won just one of their seven matches in the month of December.

The month started with a 3-3 draw against Blackburn in the Carling Cup and then saw Chelsea drop points in the FA Premier League against Manchester City, Everton, West Ham, and Birmingham.

Chelsea failed to beat Apoel Nicosia in the Champions League, although they did manage to briefly get back on track after taking all three points against Portsmouth.

With Manchester United beating Hull City on Sunday, it was vital that Chelsea returned to winning ways against Fulham.

Following Zoltan Gera's shock fourth-minute opener for the Cottagers, Didier Drogba equalized in the 73rd minute, and Chelsea went up two minutes later as Kalou put in a low cross that eventually led to Chris Smalling's own goal.

Chelsea made six changes to the side that drew with Birmingham City, with only John Terry remaining in the back four alongside Yuri Zhirkov, Ricardo Carvalho, and Paulo Ferreira.

Michael Ballack and Joe Cole also returned for the Blues.

Fulham defender Brede Hangeland missed the game with a knee injury and Roy Hodgson handed youngster Chris Smalling a full debut.

Jose Mourinho was also at the match paying a special visit to his former club, likely scouting ahead of Inter Milan's Champions League clash against Chelsea in February.

Fulham made a dream start by surging ahead through Gera with just three minutes on the clock. 

Paul Konchesky found acres of space on the left before launching a cross that deceived Terry and the England skipper watched in horror as Bobby Zamora, stationed six yards out, found Gera.

The Hungarian was stood at point blank range but still had work to do as he controlled the ball, turned and planted his shot beyond Petr Cech.

Gera celebrated with a back flip but Fulham's jubilation could have been over a heartbeat later when Mark Schwarzer made a good save from Drogba.

Whatever the scoreline said, it was all Chelsea with Fulham struggling to string more than a couple of passes together.

Only resolute defending was keeping the home side at bay with Konchesky executing a well-timed tackle on Lampard as the England midfielder weaved his way into the area.

For all their possession, however, Chelsea were making little impression and were becoming less of a threat as the match progressed.

Terry required lengthy treatment after taking a kick in the face from teammate Zhirkov that left him with a painful-looking bruise beneath the right eye.

Cech had to palm a shot by Clint Dempsey over the crossbar after the American had been expertly set up by Zamora, whose physical presence was causing Chelsea problems.

Referee Andre Marriner told captains Danny Murphy and Terry to speak with John Pantsil and Drogba in response to the African rivals' running battle. 

It was then Schwarzer's turn to talk to Drogba following his challenge on Pantsil and moments later the Ivorian was floored by a kick from his nemesis after his thunderbolt had been blocked.

Chelsea enjoyed a lucky escape seconds after the interval when a poorly-judged
backpass by Carvalho was intercepted by Zamora, whose shot cannoned off the leg
of the advancing Cech.

Lampard skied a shot into the stands and the Blues began to move through the gears to stretch Fulham's defence, though Schwarzer remained inactive.

The Australian was pressed into action on the hour, however, when he made a fine stop of Drogba's curling effort from the edge of the area.

Fulham's defence was finally starting to creak but two poor shots by Kalou and Lampard let them off the hook. 

Chelsea replaced Mikel with Daniel Sturridge and Fulham brought on Andy Johnson for Gera as the match entered the final 20 minutes. 

The equaliser finally arrived in the 73rd minute, with substitute Branislav Ivanovic picking out Drogba who rose above Chris Baird at the far post to nod home. 

And two minutes later Chelsea stormed ahead when Smalling, attempting to clear Schwarzer's save of Sturridge's shot, turned the ball into his own net for the winner.

The result ensured Chelsea re-established their five-point lead from Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

Prior to Monday's game, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, and John Obi Mikel were given permission to join their respective teams at the African Cup of Nations.