Chelsea beat Fulham to move second

Chelsea climbed to second place in the Barclays Premier League as they preserved their 100% start to the season with an easy 2-0 win over Fulham in the south-west London derby at Craven Cottage.

Goals in each half from Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka settled the contest in Chelsea's favour.

Drogba put Chelsea in front when he latched onto an Anelka pass to score in the 38th minute. The Ivory Coast striker then turned provider in the 76th minute as he put Anelka through.

John Obi Mikel had Mark Schwarzer flinging himself to his right in the 21st minute when the Nigerian midfielder despatched a 20-yard volley towards the top corner. However, Mikel's effort flashed wide of the upright.

Chelsea finally broke the deadlock in the 38th minute with a fine three-man move. Frank Lampard slipped the ball through to Anelka, who in turn put Drogba in the clear with a clever pass.

Drogba made no mistake as he slipped the ball beyond the advancing Schwarzer for his third goal of the season.

Fulham almost fluked an equaliser when Danny Murphy's deep cross into the penalty area was headed over his own goal by Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho, but Chelsea's domination was soon restored and Drogba almost grabbed a second when he latched on to a clever lob by Anelka.

This time, however, the striker was denied at the second attempt by Australian goalkeeper Schwarzer.

The Cottagers were dealt another blow when captain Murphy went off injured to be replaced by Chris Baird.

Chelsea went two goals in front in the 76th minute when Drogba turned supplier for Anelka. The France international rounded Schwarzer and coolly slotted the ball home.