Fulham manager Chris Coleman insisted his team deserved to be in fourth place in the Premiership table despite seeing them slip to a second consecutive defeat.
Hernan Crespo earned Chelsea the derby spoils when he took advantage of a static Andy Melville to power home Wayne Bridge’s left-wing cross.
Tipped for relegation at the start of the season, Fuham held on to fourth spot after Charlton drew with Newcastle and the games involving Liverpool and Birmingham were postponed due to the weather.
Fulham’s defeat follows last Sunday’s loss at Leeds and Southampton could go fourth if they beat Portsmouth on Sunday.
Coleman said: “We’re fourth because we’re a good team and deserve to be there.
“We’re there on merit and it’s nearly halfway through the season so we’re ticking over nicely.”
The Fulham manager added: “We lacked quality and it was disappointing to concede the goal we did.
“But it was a great cross and a great header from a great player so I’m not going to blame Mel for that.
“We made a few chances but our general play was poor. We looked like we were panicking at times and kicking it long when we could have shown better composure.”
Sean Davis came off just before half-time with a tight hamstring but Coleman is optimistic he will be fit to face Southampton on Boxing Day.
