FRANK Lampard scored two second-half goals to give Chelsea a hard-earned win against a well-organised but ultimately lacking Fulham side. It was tough on Chris Coleman's side however, who looked set to earn a point after a display full of endeavour and commitment.

Indeed, Chris Coleman's side may have taken a firsthalf lead had Wayne Routledge's early effort been slightly wider of Petr Cech.

As the half wore on, the champions looked more dangerous and were desperately unlucky not to score on 25 minutes. Robben's left-foot screamer had Antti Niemi beaten and he was only foiled by the underside of the bar.

But that effort aside, Chelsea penetrated rarely with Michael Essien seeing a shot saved, while Drogba was denied by a Liam Rosenior tackle.

Fulham were reinvigorated by the interval and Michael Brown felt he should have been awarded a penalty on 55 minutes after being impeded by Cech. Referee Mark Halsey ruled that Brown had committed the first offence by lunging for a loose ball and colliding with the keeper.

Still Fulham pressed and Bouba Diop should have done much better on 63 minutes when his free header from Franck Queudrue's free-kick was diverted wide But on 73 minutes, Chelsea finally punished their inability to take control. As Kalou broke into the box, Rosenoir lost his balance and sent the ball behind the goal-line with his arm. Lampard had been reinstalled as penalty taker with Michael Ballack suspended, and he showed no sign of the nerves which had blighted his recent attempts, slamming the ball into the roof of the net.

Fulham decided to attack and, inevitably, Chelsea made them pay as Lampard grabbed his second seven minutes later. The England midfielder collected Drogba's lay-off and hammered an impeccable low shot into the corner.