A packed Stamford Bridge was in full spirit today, Christmas turkey and fine wines yesterday, now a spectacle of fine football – they hoped. That pre-match presumption was indeed replicated, all be it a scoreline a little empty in terms of goals – don’t be fooled, Chelsea were certainly the more devastating force in this contest.
Source: chelseafc.com
It was fair to say that West Ham lacked any precision or coveted showing against the dominant outfit of Chelsea, Sakho and Song (two of their biggest performers) settling for seats in the bench, not up to full match fitness after recent knocks, however, you sensed this duo would be ultimately missed against the high-flyers of Chelsea.
Indeed pressing high, Oscar getting the pulses racing in the opening minutes of the game as his shot was missed from 10 yards with only Adrian to beat, Willian’s cross being meekly put pass a hapless Jenkinson to give the Brazilian light of the West Ham goal. Following up in the 10th minute, John Terry, a goal-scorer at the start of the week, knocked a ball over in the penalty area for Cahill to rise acrobatically over Jenkinson to head over the bar. It was certainly like a boxing ring at the start of this game, Chelsea strangling out this West Ham side, they couldn’t cope.
Possession is the key to gaining chances with Gary Cahill yet again swapping ends and having his ferocious shot saved by the alert Adrian, while the likes of Willian had his 25 yard effort stopped defiantly by the West Ham number one. Hazard was certainly in the mood on this Boxing Day afternoon, with some easy on the eye one-touch football nearly evading the nervous back four of the opposition and opening Chelsea’s scoring.
The only thing this game missed presently was a Chelsea goal it seemed, with the goal craved by the Chelsea faithful arriving just after the half-an-hour mark, through a corner finding the head of Costa for Terry to drive in with sumptuous ease. Matic should perhaps of had his name on the score-sheet as his goal bound shot was saved in style by the fingertips of Adrian.
Source: chelseafc.com
Not a shot at goal in the first half by West Ham, the tables weren’t about to change in the second as Hazard’s darting run led to him cutting inside for West Ham’s star performer in Adrian to parry away, enthusing a sense of determination for West Ham to go up the other end and attack the concrete spine of Chelsea. With attack in mind, Sakho and Song both entered the pitch to help their frustrated team-mates, but minutes after they tried to be the Batman and Robin West Ham so required, Costa struck. Starting an attack, this was quickly shattered like glass as Hazard passed the ball to Costa who smartly twisted on the edge of the box and put a dynamic shot across goal and into the net.
Costa could of got his brace after he volleyed over from a lovely delivery to the back-post from Ivanovic, while some Brazilian sun nearly erupted after Oscar’s free-kick was tipped over the bar by the goalkeeper. Amalfitano’s run and then chipped shot at goal nearly payed dividends as Courtois’s dive was met with the ball pelting the post and nearly earning West Ham a consolation goal.
It wasn’t the best day for West Ham who were given a Christmas humbling, perhaps the joy of Christmas bringing out the nicer side to Chelsea who could of bagged five or six goals to really embarress West Ham, nonetheless, Chelsea looked professional, ruthless and frightening in attack, with this win keeping them on the summit of the table. Hazard was the man who made Chelsea play today, with the midfield of Chelsea a marvel to behold which doesn’t stop working all day. Nine wins at home in the Premier League, with 5 wins on the trot easy on the eye for all entwined with Chelsea Football Club. West Ham have now slipped into 5th after Southampton beat Crystal Palace, however will now hope for a better showing at home against another London rival, Arsenal. They will need much more bite in attack to beat Arsenal, all be it, their defence has been shaky all season, so there could be a more positive display on the way for them.
Edward
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