Fulham and Chelsea created a handful of chances between them but two excellent defensive units dominated as the west London derby finished goalless at Loftus Road.

Neither team surrendered their footballing principles, attacking with pace and invention as they sought to wrestle the initiative in a competitive derby.

But the committed nature of both sets of players combined with a packed midfield did not make for an open match and clear-cut chances were rare.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink again failed to score for Chelsea and has yet to get off the mark in the Premiership this season, although his team remain unbeaten and are now third in the table.

Fulham's strikers also found life difficult but played with real purpose, while boss Jean Tigana will be pleased with his team's solid defensive display.

Gianfranco Zola linked well with Hasselbaink to create the first scoring chance after 11 minutes, but blazed over the bar from the edge of the area.

Steve Marlet should have scored four minutes later, but having brilliantly drifted off Robert Huth's shoulder the Fulham striker headed Steed Malbranque's inviting cross wide.

Huth, making his first Premiership start in the absence of Marcel Desailly, could have broken the deadlock but completely scuffed his header from Zola's deep free-kick after finding space at the far post.

Boudewijn Zenden then shot across the face of goal and Hasselbaink headed over but first-half chances were at a premium for Chelsea.