A late goal by Clint Dempsey earned Fulham a deserved point from a 1-1 west London derby against Chelsea.

The United States international rose highest to nod home Damien Duff's corner in the 82nd minute when defeat seemed to be on the cards.

Fulham dominated first-half proceedings at Craven Cottage but went in at the break behind after Frank Lampard's controversial 45th-minute penalty. The midfielder's 150th Premier League goal looked to have given interim manager Roberto Di Matteo his ninth win at the helm before Dempsey 22nd goal of the season in all competitions changed the game's complexion.

It was no surprise to see the first real chance fall to the home side, and top scorer Dempsey, after 25 minutes.

The American released Mousa Dembele down the left but could only poke the forward's return pass straight at Petr Cech from eight yards. But Chelsea took the lead on the stroke of half-time thanks to what initially looked a clear-cut decision from Mark Clattenburg.

The only surprise at the time was that Danny Murphy was not shown a card of some description before Lampard's spot-kick flashed past the dive of Mark Schwarzer.

Chelsea were in total control and Meireles should have done better than blaze over after another slick move, but the home side deservedly equalised eight minutes from time.

Cech had just produced one of the saves of the season to repel Dempsey's point-blank header from Duff's corner but he was helpless from the resulting delivery, Dempsey's header - which may have been going wide - glancing off Gary Cahill and past the unsighted keeper.

Fulham were all over Chelsea and substitute Orlando Sa nodded another corner too close to Cech.

Chelsea won a flurry of corners of their own in the dying moments but could not snatch another late winner.