Chelsea were held at Stamford Bridge 0-0 by west London rivals Fulham as Blues striker Didier Drogba was sent off.
Drogba saw red for two yellow cards, the first of which was awarded for dissent and the second for kicking Fulham's Chris Baird in the head.
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.
On 13 minutes Fulham had a good chance to open the scoring when Davis centred for Dempsey. The American headed down at goal but the effort was just wide.
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 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.
Cole (J) 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 Chris Baird was behind him and made slight contact.
He was booked and Terry also had a moan for an apparent push before the break, when Drogba again complained.
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