Bottom club Fulham are holding top-of-the-table Chelsea at the break in their Premier League West London derby.
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Struggling Fulham started well and had an opening inside the first five minutes. Pajtim Kasami showed good strength to fend off Branislav Ivanovic before curling over a cross for Clint Dempsey, but the American couldn't get a good touch on the header.
Ten minutes later Chelsea were almost gifted the first goal when Maarten Stekelenburg's clearance was charged down by Fernando Torres. The Spaniard collected the loose ball but couldn't beat Stekelenburg, who got back to save.
Soon after, Fulham lost towering centre-back Brede Hangeland to a head injury, with Dan Burn taking his place in defence.
Chances were few and far between in the remainder of the opening 45 minutes, with Torres again denied by Stekelenburg just before the interval.
Pascal Lemesre
