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Drogba saw red for two yellow cards, the first of which was awarded for dissent and the second for a high foot on Fulham's Chris Baird, as Avram Grant's reign on the King's Road began in miserable fashion.

Fulham came to the Bridge with a game-plan and it worked for the opening 45 minutes. There were a few tough challenges in the first stages of the match as the midfields battled for supremacy.

England captain John Terry went down hurt after an aerial challenge with Fulham striker Clint Dempsey but brushed himself off to continue.

He was later diagnosed with a depressed fracture of the cheekbone and will undergo surgery on Saturday evening.

On 13 minutes Fulham had a good chance to open the scoring when Steven Davis centred for Dempsey. The American headed down at goal but the effort was just wide.

Andriy Shevchenko and Drogba did not look dangerous in the Chelsea attack. Indeed, Shevchenko's efforts were tame, especially when he grabbed the ball for a free-kick more than 30 yards from goal and hit it low into the wall with little power.

Dempsey thought he was through after a run from the halfway line, but a late flag prevented him from the chance - although he chipped Petr Cech anyway and was perhaps lucky not to go into the referee's book.

Joe Cole had a run and shot before Salomon Kalou, operating on the left in place of Florent Malouda, cut towards the by-line and his low cross to the near post was sidefooted wide by Shevchenko, Chelsea's best chance of the half.

Midfielder Cole then sent a devilish low ball across the box where Drogba stretched in vain to get a foot on it and convert. The Ivorian let himself down by then running after ref Martin Atkinson to protest for a penalty as Baird was behind him and made slight contact.

He was booked for his trouble and Terry also had a moan for an apparent push before the break, when Drogba again complained.

Terry was withdrawn with an injury at half time, with Alex brought in alongside Tal Ben Haim.

Just into the second period Joe Cole found some space on the right and put the ball to Kalou in the middle. He met it a few yards out and veteran American goalie Kasey Keller, preferred to Antti Niemi, blocked. The ball span away and struck a post before going out for a corner.

Shevchenko was booed by the home fans whenever he touched the ball and duly put out of his misery by Grant, Peruvian Claudio Pizarro the man who came in.

Drogba flew forward and struck a shot from distance that Keller tipped around the far post then Ashley Cole found Kalou with a lovely ball that the Ivorian headed wide with the goal gaping.

Joe Cole should have scored when he bore down on the penalty spot and slid wide. Moments later Drogba went up for a challenge with Baird and caught the Fulham right-back in the head with his boot, resulting in his marching orders.

Fulham midfielder Davis was booked for catching Juliano Belletti late and it was the Cottagers who went closest to snatching a win with two glorious opportunities.

Left-back Paul Konchesky went marauding down the left and should have scored from a position inside the box, only to see Cech save with his legs.

With seconds left substitute Diomansy Kamara could have put in Dempsey but opted to go himself with defenders in two. His final ball across was inches from the boot of a diving Dempsey, but he in an offside position nonetheless.

Chelsea are now seven points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal. The Gunners also have a game in hand.

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport