Carlo Ancelotti is reluctant to take any joy from Burnley's shock defeat of Manchester United because he knows similar setbacks could befall Chelsea.

But the Italian coach is relishing the prospect of his first London 'derby' when Chelsea travel to Fulham on Sunday.

Ancelotti will also pit his managerial wits against an old friend in Roy Hodgson and the Chelsea coach has enough respect for his Fulham counterpart to know he faces another difficult away encounter.

Chelsea's unbeaten start to the season has contrasted sharply with defeats for Liverpool at Tottenham and United at Turf Moor.

But Ancelotti is not foolish enough to crow about their temporary woes because he warns that similar pitfalls could face his side.

Chelsea have twice had to come from behind in victories over Hull and Sunderland and Ancelotti is determined to avoid being on the end of a 'shock' result.

"It is normal at the start of the season to have a special result like Burnley because some teams are not in the best condition," said Ancelotti.

"Burnley had an unbelievable result. I saw the game and they worked very hard and were very strong.

"The fans went crazy after the match. I have learned in three matches that it is very difficult in every game in England.

"To play away from home is not easy. The season is very long and such a result can happen to us. We don't think about other problems though, we are concentrating on our work.

"I think Manchester United will be a very big opponent for us in the season. Their play has not changed, they play the same way.

"But to be at the top of the list of the championship is not bad. It is better to stay at the top than be down."

The two goals conceded by Chelsea so far have come via fluke deflections into the path of opposing players and as a result, Ancelotti is not unduly concerned.

"They were very lucky goals against Hull and Sunderland," said Ancelotti. "It was important for us to show a good reaction but it would be better to score before they do."

Fulham earned a 2-2 draw at home to Chelsea last season and even without striker Andrew Johnson, injured in last night's Europa Cup win over Amkar Perm, the Cottagers will represent a stern task for the Blues.

Johnson suffered a dislocated collarbone and will be out for up to eight weeks.

Hodgson is furious at the way Johnson was blatantly bodychecked by Dmitry Belorukov and Ancelotti was also critical of the Russian player.

"I know very well how to prepare for 'derby' games," Ancelotti. "They are particular games, they are not normal.

"I saw Fulham on Thursday night. I know Roy Hodgson very well because he trained in Italy. He likes to have a very good defensive organisation. His team played very well.

"It was not a good moment because the Russian player did a bad piece of play. I am very sorry for that because Johnson is a very good player. If he is not on the pitch against us it is not good.

"Roy has a very good reputation in Italy because he worked very well there. I know him because when he trained the national team of Switzerland and I stayed with him for a week to study his training.

"Sunday's match will be more difficult than our game at Sunderland but we want to continue and, if possible, to improve.

"I don't know what kind of match it will be. We want to play like we did at Sunderland. We want to take control of the game and to show our quality on the pitch."