CHAOS AT COTTAGE FOR JOSE
Fulham 1
Boa Morte 17 Premier League, March 19, 2006 Att at Craven Cottage: 22,486 BY THIS west London derby had everything...
There was a disallowed goal, a sending-off, a pitch invasion and, when all the dust had settled, an unlikely winner.
Only Fulham fans of a certain age could remember the last time the Cottagers had beaten Chelsea.
John Beck and Gordon Davies had been the scorers in a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge in October, 1979 – but, for the next 27 years, Monday mornings in west London had been rather different.
The sides met 18 times, with Chelsea winning 12 matches and the other six drawn.
The Blues looked sure to extend their unbeaten run against their neighbours from just two miles down the road at Craven Cottage in March 2006.
They were champions and on course for a successful title defence under Jose Mourinho, having lost only twice that season, while Fulham were looking over their shoulders after four straight defeats to put boss Chris Coleman under pressure.
Fulham had appeals for a penalty waved away after Moritz Volz went down under John Terry’s challenge, but, with 17 minutes gone, they were ahead.
Steed Malbranque’s shot was deflected into the path of Luis Boa Morte and, when Paulo Ferreira raced across to block him, he smashed his clearance into the Fulham striker’s shin, sending the ball flying into the net before Chelsea keeper Petr Cech could move.
Boa Morte celebrated with a cartwheel in front of the disbelieving Blues fans.
Chelsea thought they were level after Didier Drogba got between keeper Mark Crossley and Zat Knight to roll the ball into the net.
Fulham insisted Drogba had handled the ball and the linesman agreed, to Chelsea’s obvious fury.
Four minutes of injury time meant four more minutes of drama.
Crossley clawed Terry’s header over the bar and Terry took on the role of peacemaker after players from both sides piled in after a skirmish on the touchline.
William Gallas was sent off and the final whistle led to a pitch invasion by delirious home fans.