Scott Parker's first game in charge of Fulham ended in defeat as Chelsea won 2-1 at Craven Cottage to maintain their top-four challenge
Gonzalo Higuain opened the scoring after 16 minutes for Chelsea, who recalled goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga after he was dropped in midweek following his refusal to be substituted in the Carabao Cup final
Calum Chambers took advantage of some poor marking to equalise for the relegation-threatened hosts in the 27th minute, but Chelsea quickly restored their lead with a fine finish from Jorginho
Chelsea spurned further chances to add to their advantage but held on to secure their first Premier League away win of 2019 and close the gap on fourth-placed Manchester United to two points
Chelsea also have a game in hand on United, so hold their destiny in their own hands, while Fulham's fate almost looks sealed despite an encouraging second-half display under Parker, who was appointed in midweek to replace Claudio Ranieri
Fulham are 10 points from safety with nine games left to play, two of which are against Liverpool and Manchester City later this month
They fell behind in the 20th minute against Chelsea when Higuain, who had spurned two earlier chances, finished from Cesar Azpilicueta's right-wing cross
Kepa, who was fortunate to get away with dropping a cross before the opening goal, made a sharp save to tip over a volley from Aleksandar Mitrovic
But Fulham levelled from the subsequent corner as Chambers was left wide open at the back post and volleyed home
Chelsea soon responded as Jorginho produced a fine finish from the edge of the box, and the visitors had chances to extend their lead before the break
Higuain blazed over from a good position before Sergio Rico saved from Eden Hazard and then made a superb stop to deny Higuain in injury-time
Chelsea continued to threaten at the start of the second half as Rico saved from Hazard and Willian
But Fulham raised their level on the hour mark, with Mitrovic firing wide from outside the box and Kepa pushing away a shot from Tom Cairney
Kepa was called into action again in the 89th minute to save Mitrovic's header, and Fulham then had a goal ruled out for offside when Ryan Sessegnon finished from close range in injury-time
Kepa was solid on his return to the team - aside from a careless dropped cross in the first half - but Jorginho was excellent
 His finish for the second goal was composed and he could have had a couple of assists as he twice played balls over the top to expose Fulham's defence
 Having been booed by some Chelsea fans a few weeks ago, the midfielder was substituted off to the sound of supporters chanting his name
Fulham travel to Leicester next Saturday before home games against Liverpool (March 17) and Manchester City (March 30), both of which are live on
Chelsea play Dynamo Kiev at home in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 clash on Thursday
 They then face Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday, live on 
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