Chelsea stunned by nightmare neighbours Fulham

Fulham's Carlos Bocanegra (R) is joined by Tomasz Radzinski (2nd R), Moritz Volz (2nd L) and Liam Rosenior (L) after scoring a late equaliser during the Premiership football match at Stamford Bridge in London. The game ended 2-2 putting Manchester United in firm control at the top of the English Premiership.

Carlos Bocanegra blew a giant dint in Chelsea's hopes of retaining their English Premiership crown when he struck a late equaliser for Fulham in a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.

The United States defender tapped in from close range in the 84th minute to rescue a deserved point for the Cottagers in the west London derby -- and leave their neighbours six points behind leaders Manchester United in the title race.

German left-back Moritz Volz gave the visitors a shock lead in the 16th minute, scoring the 15,000th Premiership goal since the inaugural 1992-1993 season.

Chelsea equalised in the 35th minute through a Liam Rosenior own goal, the unlucky defender heading the ball to Frank Lampard and then deflecting in the England midfielder's shot.

Didier Drogba thought he had won the derby for the hosts when he headed in his 20th goal of the season in the 62nd minute, but Bocanegra ensured the points were shared in what could prove to be a deadly blow for Chelsea's title hopes.

The Blues have now conceded eight goals in four Premiership matches and look decidedly shaky in defence without talismanic club captain John Terry, recovering from back surgery.

Chelsea made two changes from the side that drew 2-2 here with Reading on Tuesday and left them four points behind leaders Manchester United in the title race. Blues boss Jose Mourinho replaced Wayne Bridge and Andriy Shevchenko with Ashley Cole and Claude Makelele.

Fulham's Moritz Volz (L) challenges for the ball against Chelsea's Michael Ballack during the Premiership football match at Stamford Bridge in London. The game ended 2-2 putting Manchester United in firm control at the top of the English Premiership.

Collins John replaced the suspended Heidar Helguson in the Fulham attack.

Blues midfielder Michael Essien went close to scoring with two early chances. The first skewed just wide off the outside of his right foot and goalkeeper Antti Niemi beat out the second, a half-volley from the top of the penalty box.

But Fulham soon took their shock lead through their first shot on target. Franck Queudrue's left-wing throw into the penalty area reached Volz, who controlled it before drilling his shot. It took a slight deflection off Paulo Ferreira but goalkeeper Henrique Hilario may have struggled to save it.

Volz was deployed in midfield due to Fulham's player shortages.

The Cottagers should have doubled their lead four minutes later when Wayne Routledge had a free shot in the box, but he sidefooted his strike over the crossbar.

Rosenior was unlucky twice for Chelsea's equaliser. The right-back's defensive header fell straight to Lampard on the edge of the box and the stand-in Blues skipper's shot was heading wide before it deflected off Rosenior's leg and into the goal.

Lampard then went close with a 40th-minute run and shot which flew over the bar.

Fulham started the second half on the attack and Hilario was forced into a reflex save on the line from a Brian McBride header in the 48th minute.

Mourinho had seen enough and threw on Ukraine striker Shevchenko for midfielder Geremi with just over half an hour remaining.

But it was Chelsea's top scorer Drogba who got their second goal.

Lampard turned and crossed in the box and the Ivory Coast striker held off his marker to direct a powerful header in with Niemi stranded.

Cottagers boss Chris Coleman replaced Collins John with Luis Boa Morte with 22 minutes left, sensing the chance to rescue a point.

Hilario got himself in all sorts trouble in the 77th minute when he punched his clearance straight against Ricardo Carvalho, but Routledge blasted the loose ball just wide.

Then Bocanegra scored following a mix-up in the Blues defence.

Essien failed to clear a cross and so did midfielder Michael Ballack at the far post. Hilario beat out McBride's shot but Bocanegra was on hand to tuck in the equaliser that could well be long rued at this end of the Fulham Road.

English Premiership table after Saturday's 1500 GMT matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):