Chelsea 4 West Ham 1

Zola rang the changes for this one, bringing in Ilan, Dyer, Daprela and Gabbidon and dropping Cole to the bench.

Chelsea started the game strongly and Malouda and Drogba both had early chances that they put wide. West Ham struggled to contain Chelsea and Malouda in particular had a lot of joy down the left wing. However, despite Chelsea's dominance of possession and territory, West Ham should have taken the lead in the 13th minute when Ilan missed a near open goal from 8 yards.

Eight minutes late and it was Chelsea who gained the lead. Malouda again had loads of room on the left wing to cross into the box for Alex to rise unchallenged and head home from 7 yards. A minute later and Green did well to save Upson's blushes, saving from Upson's missed hit clearance.

In the 30th minute, against the run of play, Parker scored a blinding half volley from 25 yards to get West Ham back into the game. After that it was back to the wall time as West Ham had to defend endless Chelsea attacks.

In the the 35th minute Green saved well, diving to his right, from a Lampard 20 yard drive. In the 29th minute Ferreira headed straight at Green. So thanks to an awesome Parker effort and a little luck West Ham headed into the break on even terms.


West Ham didn't learn the lesson of the first half and 11 minutes after the restart, Malouda had acres of room on the left wing again, crossed into the box and Drogba headed Chelsea's second from 3 yards. Two minutes later and Green stopped Chelsea extending their lead by diving to his left and saving Alex's header from 7 yards.

In the 67th minute Zola brought on Cole and Stanislas for Mido and Dyer. In the 76th minute Cole spun and shot from 20 yards but never troubled the goal. A minute later and Malouda created space for himself on the edge of the West Ham area and beat Green with his shot.

In the 84th minute Diamanti was brought on for the ineffective Ilan. In the 85th minute Lampard hit the post from 4 yards. In the 90th minute Lampard shot from 25 yards, Green saved but spilled the shot, and Drogba was first to the ball to get Chelsea's fourth.


With the inexperienced Turnball in goal it seemed a strange choice to play Ilan in front of Cole and Diamanti. West Ham's one shot on target in the whole game was the result.

Still ten points to go.