Michael Essien's first-half header was enough to give 10-man Chelsea a 1-0 win over London rival Fulham and maintain its lead atop the Premier League standings.
The Ghana midfielder met Florent Malouda's pinpoint cross into the six-yard box and sent the ball into the bottom corner in the 30th minute.
Essien was shown a red card in the final moments of injury time for a two-footed lunge on Clint Dempsey.
Salomon Kalou wasted three good chances to increase Chelsea's lead, and goalkeeper Petr Cech had to tip Dempsey's late 25-yard shot over the bar to ensure the win.
AP