Arjen Robben returned from injury to put Chelsea within touching distance of the Barclays Premiership trophy.

It was entirely fitting that the Blues should move within at most two points of the second title in their history on the day they celebrated the 50th anniversary of their first.

On April 23, 1955, Chelsea clinched their only previous top-flight league triumph by defeating Sheffield Wednesday.

Indeed, the captain of that side, Roy Bentley, was honoured at half-time. The only problem was that Collins John had equalised Joe Cole's opener just a few minutes beforehand.

However, Robben came on at the interval in his first club appearance since February 2 and turned the game - setting up Frank Lampard for his 16th of the season.

Eidur Gudjohnsen then rounded off victory late on with his 100th goal in English football and the club's second title was within touching distance.

It may not exactly have been an inspiring display by Chelsea, especially with a Champions League semi-final first leg tie against Liverpool looming next week.

However, as a result, Chelsea will now be champions if Arsenal fail to defeat Tottenham at Highbury on Monday night or, failing that, if the Blues beat Bolton away next weekend.

It is that close. However, having been held to a goalless draw by Arsenal in midweek, Chelsea had made a similarly unconvincing start against Fulham.

Cole nevertheless gave them the ideal platform when he swivelled onto Didier Drogba's pass and sent a scorching shot past Edwin van der Sar with 17 minutes gone.

Drogba squandered two other half-chances, while Cole missed his kick inside the penalty area, and Fulham gradually hauled themslves back into the game.

Just before half-time, Ricardo Carvalho was guilty of an uncharacteristic error in allowing John to escape past him and latch onto Luis Boa Morte's through-ball before finishing with aplomb.

That equaliser came just seconds after van der Sar had raced out to deny Duff after the Irishman had been sent hurtling through by Drogba.

However, it was enough to send Fulham in level at the interval, when Mourinho replaced Cole - who was carrying an injury - with Robben and Jiri Jarosik came on for Robert Huth.

That left Duff at left-back - something not even Claudio Ranieri managed to come up with - but it was Robben who seized control of the game ahead of him.

One cross was converted by Gudjohnsen but ruled out for offside and another shot flashed wide before he sped past Moritz Volz and expertly picked out Lampard to score.

Chelsea were still not at their confident best and Cech was called upon to tip a fierce drive by Tomasz Radzinski over the bar and to foil John's deflected free-kick.

However, Gudjohnsen made certain of victory with just four minutes left as he was put clear by substitute Tiago and calmly beat van der Sar.

The title has not yet been won, but it is now only a matter of time.

Teams

Chelsea Cech, Johnson, Ricardo Carvalho, Terry, Huth (Jarosik 45), Makelele, Lampard, Cole (Robben 45), Duff, Drogba (Tiago 74), Gudjohnsen.

Subs Not Used: Kezman, Cudicini.

Booked: Terry.

Goals: Cole 17, Lampard 64, Gudjohnsen 87.

Fulham Van der Sar, Volz, Knight, Goma, Rosenior, Boa Morte, Pembridge (Malbranque 84), Clark, Radzinski, McBride, John.

Subs Not Used: Bocanegra, Crossley, Jensen, Rehman.

Booked: John.

Goals: John 41.

Att: 42,081

Ref: A Wiley (Staffordshire).