Dempsey denies Blues victory

Chelsea had been on course for an important win after two second-half strikes from Frank Lampard, but Dempsey, who had given Fulham the lead after 10 minutes, popped up with seconds remaining to extend the Cottagers unbeaten run to nine games.

Chelsea now head into the new year three points behind Barclays Premier League pace-setters Liverpool, who had signed off 2008 earlier in the day with a 5-1 win at Newcastle.

Fulham took a 10th-minute lead when John Mikel Obi failed to deal with Simon Davies' curling free-kick as it bounced at the far post and Dempsey controlled the ball on his chest before flicking it past goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Fulham were under pressure right from the restart with Brede Hangeland and then Dickson Etuhu forced into vital rearguard action as Drogba linked with Joe Cole down the left flank.

Four minutes into the second half the pressure finally told as Lampard pounced on a mix-up between Aaron Hughes and Mark Schwarzer to put Chelsea level.

Chelsea fans booed the substitution of Cole but they were soon cheered as Lampard rifled a 25-yard free-kick through a gap in the Fulham wall and under Schwarzer's dive to go 2-1 up.

But Fulham refused to roll over and with the clock ticking down earned one final chance - and once again Chelsea were found wanting at a set-piece.

Dempsey rose highest to meet the corner and directed his header inside the unguarded far post.

There was more drama to come as Chelsea piled forward in search of an injury-time winner but Schwarzer pulled off a brilliant double save to deny Cole and then Lampard to seal the draw.