Chelsea took the honours from a pulsating west London derby but needed a late winner from Hernan Crespo to end Fulham's brave challenge at Stamford Bridge.

Argentina striker Crespo, linking superbly with man of the match Joe Cole, pounced in the 74th minute with a magnificent finish after Fulham had fought back from a 2-0 deficit.

Chelsea had raced into the lead with goals from William Gallas and Frank Lampard as Fulham were made to pay for sloppy defending and a lapse of concentration.

But Chris Coleman's men struck back either side of the interval through USA marksman Brian McBride, who became the first player to pierce the Blues' defence since the 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford on November 6, and Heidar Helguson, who scored from the penalty spot.

The equaliser came after McBride had been felled by a rash challenge from Cole and Fulham looked capable of finally claiming their first away victory in the Barclays Premiership this season.

But Chelsea's extra touch of class - which was evident all match - saw them unlock the Cottagers' defence and deliver the decisive blow.

Jose Mourinho will have been relieved to take all three points from a thrilling encounter, not least because Fulham had a clear penalty turned down late on.

Chelsea were missing Michael Essien who was ruled out with bronchitis, forcing Cole to drop back into midfield and giving Shaun Wright-Phillips a chance on the right wing.

But it was on the left were Fulham were exposed in the early action with Arjen Robben making big inroads, skipping past Dean Leacock and Sylvain Legwinski before firing in a lethal cross which Liam Rosenior scrambled to safety.

The pressure continued to mount on Fulham's goal and there was just two minutes on the clock when their defence buckled with a Lampard corner finding Huth on the edge of the area.

Robert Huth - who replaced Ricardo Carvalho following the 2-0 victory over Arsenal - leapt high and nodded the ball down to the unmarked Gallas who was able to steer home from close range for his first goal of the season.

Five minutes later Peter Cech was tested by Helguson at the other end and Fulham continued to press with Liam Rosenior's determination setting up a promising position and a Tomasz Radzinski corner causing problems.

Robben continued to dazzle however with Chelsea using the Dutch winger to spearhead their attacks wherever possible, giving the outclassed Leacock a torrid time.

McBride left the pitch for treatment on what appeared to be a cut eye, his four-minute absence leaving Helguson to carry the attack alone.

Chelsea looked dangerous on the counter but Fulham were holding their own, so when the second goal arrived it delivered a hammer blow to the visitors.

It came out of the blue with Lampard taking the ball 22 yards from the goal, manoeuvring himself into position and unleashing a powerful drive which deflected off Legwinski and past the hapless Mark Crossley.

Chris Coleman has frequently praised Fulham's battling qualities this season and nowhere were they more evident than in the 30th minute when they slashed the deficit.

Luis Boa Morte launched a free-kick into the area where Zat Knight attempted to poke home only for the ball to slide to McBride who was able to beat Cech.

Fulham were fired-up and asking plenty of questions of Chelsea's defence, but the home side had an extra touch of class which was evident when Wright-Phillips broke and forced Crossley to make a fine save with five minutes of the half remaining.

Mourinho started Eidur Gudjohnsen in the second half with Wright-Phillips making way and the Icelandic international made an impact after just three minutes, picking up Robben's pass and unleashing a long-range thunderbolt which Crossley palmed to safety.

Lampard threatened shortly after before Chelsea were infuriated by Graham Poll's refusal to award a penalty when Zat Knight appeared to palm the ball out of play.

Fulham should have levelled in the 54th minute when Boa Morte played in McBride but the USA striker's effort lacked sufficient power and Cech pulled off a magnificent save.

The Cottagers did not have to wait long for the equaliser, however, as Rosenior released McBride who was brought down by Cole from behind as he raced in on goal.

The home fans complained that Rosenior had initially let the ball roll out of touch, but there could be no issue with the penalty which Helguson tucked past Cech after sending the Czech keeper the wrong way.

Chelsea thought they had regained the lead through Lampard but the linesman had raised the flag for offside on Crespo's initial run and then Crossley kept out Crespo with Rosenior clearing the ball off the line.

The injured Crossley was replaced by Tony Warner and Collins John was also brought on and the Dutch striker went close with a neat shot.

The injured Crossley was replaced by Tony Warner and Collins John was also brought on and the Dutch striker went close with a neat shot, but it looked only a matter of time before Chelsea notched the winner and it came in the 74th minute.

Joe Cole completed a rampaging run down the right with a looping cross which sailed over Knight and found Crespo at the far side of the area and the Argentina marksman smashed home on the volley.

Radzinski went close and then Fulham had a clear penalty turned down when John Terry pulled off what looked like a goalkeeper's save from Boa Morte's shot on the edge of the area.

But Chelsea escaped punishment from Poll and missed chances to stretch their lead through Lampard and Didier Drogba before celebrating a hard-fought triumph over their neighbours.

Teams

Chelsea Cech, Paulo Ferreira, Huth (Drogba 57), Terry, Gallas, Makelele, Robben, Lampard, Joe Cole, Wright-Phillips (Gudjohnsen 45), Crespo (Geremi 76).

Subs Not Used: Bridge, Cudicini.

Booked: Joe Cole.

Goals: Gallas 3, Lampard 24, Crespo 74.

Fulham Crossley (Warner 71), Leacock, Knight, Goma, Rosenior, Christanval, Legwinski, Radzinski, Boa Morte, McBride, Helguson (John 69).

Subs Not Used: Bocanegra, Elrich, Pearce.

Booked: Christanval, Legwinski, John.

Goals: McBride 29, Helguson 56 pen.

Att: 42,313

Ref: G Poll (Hertfordshire).