WEST HAM 1-3 CHELSEA
West Ham have had a woeful start to the season in sharp contrast to Chelsea’s, unfortunately for them though, they were both runs that were to continue.
Surprisingly, Ancelotti had opted to leave Florent Malouda on the bench, possibly giving him a rest after the internationals. Less surprising was John Terry’s return from his hamstring-induced rest and the sight of Frank Lampard in the stands.
He didn’t have long to wait for a bit of entertainment from his team-mates either because with just a couple of minutes on the clock, new-boy Ramires earnt us a corner off Scotty Parker and Didier Drogba delivered it perfectly for Michael Essien to head home. Ok, so it actually went in off Carlton Cole but let’s not split hairs, we were a goal to the good either way.
West Ham didn’t exactly lay down and play dead after the early shock but they didn’t come up with enough to worry us either and Boa Morte bringing a lively Didier Drogba down in the 18th minute wasn’t about to help the Hammers’ cause as the ensuing free-kick was to provide us with some on-field comedy. Well, not the free-kick itself but more what came after. Poor Robert Green ain’t having the best of times is he? After the World Cup you’d have thought he’d be a lot more careful who got near his gloves but yet again, it looked as if he’d left them laying around in the dressing room for someone to grease up as one of Drogba’s less potent free-kicks slipped from his hands. Even funnier though was seeing Upson’s attempted clearance hit Salomon Kalou’s heel and fly in over the grounded and open-mouthed keeper and his defender. Hilarious if you ain’t a Hammer.
Bit more action then before the break, with Mikel hitting the woodwork and John Terry hitting the deck courtesy of former Chelsea man Carlton Cole. In the main though, we looked slightly less attacking than usual and sat back a bit seemingly happy with the two goal lead. Fortunately, with Carlton Cole then having his effort correctly ruled out for offside, our relaxed attitude didn’t cost us and we went in 2-0 at the break.
The ever motivating Avram Grant must’ve given a rousing half-time talk because the Hammers looked a bit more with it after the break, with a decent spell. Both Ramires and Kalou have chances although sadly, both disappoint when it comes to finding the target. Hard to tell whether Grant looked happy or not at this point but seeing as his side couldn’t make any of their possession count and seemed to surrender it before they ever put anything resembling momentum together, you’d have to assume not.
Mind you, Carlo Ancelotti didn’t exactly look overjoyed himself, especially when Ben Haim brought down Ramires. The former Chelsea defender (oh and am I the only one who finds it highly amusing he’s ended up playing for a manager he had less than no respect for at Chelsea by the way?) then has a hack at Drogba, who’s resulting free-kick finds an unmarked Ivanovic trying to slide the ball past Green. Shame he was a bit more alert this time though.
Changes afoot as Gael Kakuta came on for Anelka for the last 15 minutes and the Chelsea captain – yes, he really is struggling with a hamstring problem – took an early bath as well, with Alex coming on to deputise and Didier Drogba given the armband in the absence of Frank Lampard.
No rest for the remaining players though because on 83 minutes it was time for a late flourish. First with a peach of a cross from Ferreira finding Essien, who finished with his second headed goal of the game. Then, more surprisingly, came a reply from West Ham, with Scott Parker capitalizing on Petr Cech’s punched clearance from a corner, with a lovely side foot volley launched over everyone, including the Chelsea keeper. No celebration from the former Chelsea man although the satisfied smile that might have induced in any of us was quickly wiped off when he pole axed Essien with a harsh challenge seconds later.
A late chance for West Ham and a few handbags just about wrapped up proceedings as we claimed our fourth win of the new season and another three points to leave us on top of the pile. Shame we conceded our first goal of the season so late on but you had to hand it to Scotty, he took it well and no real damage ever looked likely in one of our more comfortable derby days.
So, we march on.
TEAMS
WEST HAM: Green, Jacobsen, Ben-Haim, Upson, Ilunga, Parker, Behrami (Piquionne, 72), Noble, Boa Morte (Dyer, 46), Cole, Obinna.
Unused Subs: Stech, Tomkins, Barrera, Kovac, Faubert.
CHELSEA: Cech, Ferreira, Ivanovic, Terry (Alex, 82), Cole, Essien, Mikel, Ramires, Anelka (Kakuta, 75), Drogba, Kalou (Malouda, 85).
Unused Subs: Turnbull, Benayoun, Zhirkov, Sturridge.
GOALS
WEST HAM: Parker 84
CHELSEA: Essien, 3, 83, Kalou 19
