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Rob Beasley at The Sun |
Fulham (0) 0 Chelsea (2) 3
FORGET Sideshow Bob - David Luiz took centre stage at Craven Cottage.
The Chelsea defender was the undisputed star of the show after scoring one of the goals of the season.
A perfect way to celebrate his 100th outing for the Blues.
And in-out skipper John Terry got in on the act, too.
He grabbed a brace of headers as the European champions put on a display to remember against their local rivals.
And interim boss Rafa Benitez says Terry is finally ready to play two games in a row.
The Spaniard was not convinced Terry had fully recovered from a long-term knee problem - but after last night that has all changed.
Benitez said: "Terry's fitness is coming back and I've told him if he can train every week it'll be easier for me to pick him for every game.
"Now we've competition for places at the back and it's good for us.
"It gives me a problem with selection for our next game but I prefer to have these problems.
"He must be happy scoring twice and everyone is pleased for him.
It's good for John and the team.
"
No one and no team could have prevented the stunning opener from Luiz.
It was an absolute stonker.
A classic 30-yard thunderbolt that screamed past Mark Schwarzer.
As the Brazilian centre-half picked the ball up in midfield, there looked little danger.
He had a quick look up, a look around and then decided to let fly.
The ball launched from his right boot like a rocket - first looping up, then swerving to the left before nestling into the top corner.
Gasps of amazement all around, even from the Fulham fans.
And then a roar of delight from the Chelsea contingent.
No wonder, for this was not only a great goal, it was a vital one.
A precious Champions League spot in the balance - yet Chelsea had been slumbering through another first half until that moment.
A hangover from Sunday's FA Cup semi-final heartache at Wembley against Manchester City partly to blame maybe.
But they have been notoriously slow starters this season and this was yet another example.
They certainly did not start like a team desperate for a win to ensure a return to the top three.
No, it was Fulham who made the early running.
Bryan Ruiz almost grabbed an early lead when he lunged in to meet a Sascha Reither cross only to steer his effort over.
Frank Lampard, on his 600th outing for Chelsea, replied with a half-hit, half-volley that found Schwarzer rather than the back of the net.
But Fulham made their neighbours defend for long spells.
Branislav Ivanovic was booked for a reckless two-footer on Fulham's Mladen Petric.
Next it was Giorgos Karagounis cutting in from the left to lash a dipping shot over the bar.
Moments later, Ruiz set up John Arne Riise but he opted to side-foot it rather than put his laces through it and so Petr Cech was able to stoop down for a comfortable save.
But all that pressure and pressing was totally upstaged when Luiz struck on the half hour.
A goal that would have knocked the stuffing out of most sides.
Fulham did not mope around though.
Urby Emanuelson tried to feed Dimitar Berbatov but the Bulgarian just could not stretch enough to provide the all-important touch.
So next time Emanuelson went it alone, drifting in from the left to test Cech with a right-foot shot.
Luiz then produced the pass of the match, a superb crossfield delivery that saw Fernando Torres cutting in from the right but the £50million man could not match his team-mate's prowess in front of goal.
The man in the mask guilty of slicing a wild shot wide.
Berbatov then shot wide before Lampard almost caught out Schwarzer with a trademark free-kick.
The Aussie keeper was totally bamboozled by the ball's pace and flight but managed to chest it away at the last moment.
But Chelsea's second was not long in coming.
Three minutes before the break Chelsea's chief creator Juan Mata curled in a left-foot cross.
Philippe Senderos missed it - Terry did not, burying a header for 2-0.
Then, to complete the home side's misery, Ruiz was booked at the other end for trying to con a penalty when challenged by JT in the box.
Chelsea almost made it three immediately after the break.
Lampard released Torres, who tried to pick out Mata's run at the far post but just over-hit his cross.
But by now the Blues were in control and the Cottagers reduced to huffing and puffing in possession without any penetration or threat.
With 20 minutes left, Fulham fans did finally enjoy some goalmouth excitement of their own.
Senderos sent in a powerful header but the cheers turned to groans as it struck Petric on the line - and to add insult to injury he was offside.
A minute later, it was 3-0.
Victor Moses demanded a fine save from Schwarzer as he drilled in a low shot aimed for the bottom, far corner.
It was the briefest of reprieves.
Mata's corner was superbly turned towards goal from the apex of the six-yard box by Torres and Terry nodded it over the line.
DREAM TEAM STAR MAN - DAVID LUIZ (Chelsea)
FULHAM: Schwarzer 7, Riether 7, Senderos 6, hangeland 6, Riise 6, Tuiz 6, Enoh 6, Karagounis 7, Emanuelson 7, Berbatov 7, Petric 6.
Subs: Rodallega (Riise 67) 2, Frimpong (Karagounis 76) 2, Frei (Petric 82) 2.
Not used: Etheridge, Richardson, Hughes, Manolev.
Booked: Senderos, Ruiz.
CHELSEA: Cech 8, Ivanovic 6, Terry 8, Luiz 9, Bertrand 7, Ramires 7, Lampard 7, Moses 6, Mata 8, Hazard 6, Torres 7.
Subs: Oscar (E Hazard 69) 3, Mikel (Ramires 75) 2, Ba (Mata 80) 2.
Not used: Turnbull, Azpilicueta, Mikel, Benayoun, Ake.
Booked: Ivanovic.
REF: M Dean 6
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