• Date: Sat 01 December 2007
  • Venue: Stamford Bridge
  • Ref: Webb, H
  • Attendance: 41,830

Chelsea vs West Ham United

Team Lineups

Chelsea

Carlo Cudicini
John Terry
Juliano Belletti
Rodrigo da Costa Alex
Wayne Bridge
Frank Lampard
John Obi Mikel
Joe Cole (Claude Makelele, 89)
Steve Sidwell (Shaun Wright-Phillips, 66)
Salomon Kalou
Didier Drogba

West Ham United

Robert Green
Lucas Neill
George McCartney
Danny Gabbidon
Matthew Upson
Matthew Etherington (Dean Ashton, 79)
Scott Parker (Jonathan Spector, 79)
Hayden Mullins
Nolberto Solano (Freddie Ljungberg, 74)
Luis Boa Morte
Carlton Cole


Live Text Commentary
Full time
 

FULL TIME - CHELSEA 1 - 0 WEST HAM: It is a hard earned victory for Avram Grant's side as their incredible unbeaten run at Stamford Bridge stretches to 70 league games, though West Ham are displeased at the manner of which the goal went in.

90

Chelsea are simply trying to run the clock down now, as Drogba holds the ball in the corner

90

Drogba's strike from 20-yards deflects off Gabbidon and the ball almost loops over the head of Green and into the net, but lands on the roof of the net.

90

The fourth official indicates three minutes of added time

88
Substitution
 

Goalscorer Joe Cole leaves the field, and Claude Makelele takes his place for the last few minutes of the game

86

Lampard wastes a decent Chelsea move by striking a long range shot into the stand behind the goal

85

Ashton takes the free-kick but fails to work the goalkeeper, sending the ball wide

84
Yellow Card
 

Terry is cautioned for arguing with the referee

84

Ashton shows good footwork before he is brought down by Mikel, earning his side a free-kick in a dangerous position

83

Drogba bursts into the penalty area but Gabbidon puts in another fine challenge to knock the ball to safety

81

Kalou almost latches onto a long ball but Green is quick off his line to smother the ball.

80

Wright-Phillips lets fly from range but his shot sails over the bar

79

Lampard fizzes a corner into the danger area but somehow his team-mates fail to get on the end of it

78
Substitution
 

Alan Curbishley makes it a double substitution as Matthew Etherington is replaced by Dean Ashton

78
Substitution
 

Scott Parker makes way for USA international Jonathan Spector

77

The home side go in search of another and Wright-Phillips tries to pick out Drogba but Gabbidon gets in a vital header

75
Goal
 

CHELSEA 1 - 0 WEST HAM: JOE COLE latches onto a flick-on from Drogba and though he looks offside, he is given the benefit of the doubt and keeps his cool to slot the ball past Robert Green

74
Substitution
 

Freddie Ljungberg, who was a substitute for Arsenal the last time Chelsea were beaten at Stamford Bridge, replaces Solano.

72

Lampard's long range shot is deflected into the path of Terry who tries to direct the ball into the bottom corner, but sends it wide.

70
Yellow Card
 

Lampard is shown a yellow card after a lunge on Boa Morte.

69

The travelling supporters are jubilant as Dean Ashton is seen warming up on the touchline.

68

Kalou looks frustrated up-front as he pushes over Neill when challenging for a header

66

Etherington gets into the box and has space for a shot but runs into trouble, with Belletti on hand to clear danger.

65
Substitution
 

Avram Grant is the first to change things around, replacing Steve Sidwell with Shaun Wright-Phillips who scored two against the Hammers back in April

64

Parker twists and turns on the edge of the box and gets a shot away but it curls straight down the throat of Cudicini

62

A beautifully flighted ball from Joe Cole forces Green to claw the ball away from goal, and then makes it a double save by diving to parry the ball away from Drogba

61

Boa Morte runs at goal and tries his luck from 25-yards but his shot deflects off Terry and into the arms if Cudicini

60

West Ham certainly look like they want to win this game in the second-half, which has made the match a better spectacle

59

Parker wins the ball back for his side in a dangerous position but runs into trouble rather than picking out a pass

57

Drogba almost latches onto a fine through ball in the box but Neill puts in a perfectly timed last ditch intervention

56
Yellow Card
 

The game is very stretched at the moment and both sides look capable of breaking the deadlock, meanwhile Juliano Belletti is the enxt man to go into the book.

55

Upson's cushioned header falls perfectly for Solano, but the Peruvian fails to make contact with the ball and should have done better from inside the 6-yard box.

54

Kalou drifts in from the left flank and gets a shot away but it is blocked by a West Ham defender. The visitors' back-line is remaining stubborn and are having to withstand some heavy pressure at the moment.

53

A long throw from West Ham finds Carlton Cole whose header does not trouble Cudicini

53

Joe Cole picks out Sidwell with a low cross and the midfielder's volley is struck wide of the mark

52

West Ham are getting into some good positions but are trying to do too much around the Chelsea box

51

Lampard tries a trademark strike from distance but it deflects off a team-mate and behind for a goal-kick

50

West Ham put together a good move but Carlton Cole's final shot is sent into the side netting.

48

Drogba slides a pass through to Joe Cole who gets a cross into the box and Gabbidon is forced to concede a corner.

47

Lampard's corner almost finds Terry but Gabbidon eases him out of the way. The Chelsea skipper's appeals for a penalty are waved away by Howard Webb

46

Kalou breaks into the box and picks out Sidwell on the edge of the box but is shot is superbly blocked by Upson

46

Chelsea go straight up the other end and Drogba tries to pick out Joe Cole with a back-heel, but Gabbiddon reads the pass and wins back possession

45

West Ham get forward and Chelsea's clearance is only as far as Parker, but he fails to get a shot away thanks to good pressure by Lampard

Second half
 

Both sides remain unchanged as they return to the field for the second-half

Half time
 

HALF TIME - CHELSEA 0 - 0 WEST HAM: Howard Webb brings the first half to a close. West Ham have made life difficult for Drogba et al, but it will be interesting to see if we finish the game with 22 men on the pitch.

45
Yellow Card
 

Howard Webb is keen to reach into his pocket today, and this time cautions Boa Morte for a nothing tackle on Mikel.

43

Drogba's dummy from Belletti's cross leaves space for Kalou to get a shot away, but Lucas Neill clears the ball out for a throw.

43

Lampard takes a corner and picks out Drogba in the mixer but his header is straight at Green.

42

Chelsea seem to be getting a little frustrated at the moment.

40
Yellow Card
 

Kalou is the latest player to pick up a yellow card after diving in on Boa Morte.

38

West Ham enjoy a decent spell of possession but eventually gift the ball back to the home side.

37
Yellow Card
 

Mikel is booked for a late and rash challenge from behind on Parker, who then leaves the field to receive treatment.

35

Chelsea top scorer Drogba is being marked very tightly by Gabbidon and the defender is doing well to stop him playing

34

Solano tries his luck with a long range shot but is nowhere near finding the target

33
Yellow Card
 

Solano is shown the yellow card by Howard Webb after a late challenge on Kalou.

31

George McCartney picks out Solano with a delicate chipped pass and the winger's attempt to lob Cudicini is tipped over the bar by the keeper.

29

Wayne Bridge breaks down the left flank and puts a cross into Drogba but Gabbidon clears danger with a strong challenge.

27

Steve Sidwell gets behind the defence and is one-on-one with the keeper before he is pulled back for offside.

26

Lampard takes a Chelsea corner but puts it too close to Green who plucks the ball out of the air.

25

Kalou runs with the ball into the box but is forced away from goal after good defending from West Ham.

24

Drogba goes on a burst into the penalty area but a last ditch challenge from Danny Gabbidon knocks the ball out of his path.

23

West Ham have had slightly more of the ball in the last five minutes and put together a decent move which breaks down on the edge of the Chelsea box.

22
Yellow Card
 

Juliano Belletti goes down after a slight tug of his shirt from Matthew Etherington but the winger picks up the first booking of the game.

21

Carlton Cole almost latches onto a decent Solano pass but Cudicini is quick off his line

20

As expected it has been a cautious start from West Ham and the home side are enjoying a lot of possession

18

Boa Morte and Carlton Cole link up well but the move is ended when Cole is flagged for offside.

17

Nolberto Solano takes a free-kick for the visitors but sends it straight into the hands of Carlo Cudicini

15

Carlton Cole is winning a lot of flick-ons at the moment but up-front on his own, his team-mates are unable to get on the end of them.

13

Joe Cole puts in a low cross looking for Salomon Kalou but Upson beats him to the ball.

12

It is Alex who strikes the ball however, but hits it straight into the wall

12

Chelsea win another free-kick in a good position and Lampard fancies his chances.

11

John Obi Mikel hits an ambitious effort from long range and the ball sails high into the stand behind the goal

10

Matthew Upson goes straight through Joe Cole with a strong challenge and is very lucky not to pick up the first booking of the game

9

Carlton Cole and Boa Morte try to work the ball on the edge of the Chelsea box but the home side win the ball back.

8

Drogba's curling shot from the corner of the penalty area grazes the post. The big striker is on top form at the moment and is looking high on confidence.

8

Lampard hits a long ball searching for Drogba but finds Robert Green instead.

6

The visitors are giving Chelsea no time to settle on the ball at the moment but are giving away a lot of needless free-kicks.

4

Lampard is jeered from the away end of the stadium every time he receives the ball and the overall atmosphere is electric

2

Didier Drogba wins his side a free-kick in a decent position but Lampard's shot is hit straight into the wall.

1

The tackles are flying in during the opening stages as Luis Boa Morte and Frank Lampard dive into a 50/50

Wets Ham have began the game with five in midfield and a cautious start is expected.

Kickoff
 

Referee Howard Webb gets this London derby underway inside Stamford Bridge.

Awaiting Kickoff
 

WEST HAM STARTING XI: Green, Neill, Gabbidon, Upson, McCartney, Solano, Parker, Mullins, Etherington, Boa Morte, Cole. SUBS: Wright, Ljungberg, Ashton, Spector, Collins

Awaiting Kickoff
 

CHELSEA STARTING XI: Cudicini, Belletti, Alex, Terry, Bridge, Sidwell, Obi, Lampard, Kalou, Drogba, Joe Cole, SUBS: Hilario, Makelele, Shevchenko, Ben-Haim, Wright-Phillips

Awaiting Kickoff
 

Scott Parker starts his first senior start for West Ham and partners Hayden Mullins in midfield. Dean Ashton makes the bench along with Freddie Ljungberg.

Awaiting Kickoff
 

Michael Essien misses today's game through suspension along with Petr Cech, Michael Ballack, Florent Malouda, Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira who are all injured.