Source: Team_Talk
Blues beat Hammers to stay perfect
Chelsea's 100% start to the new Premier League season continued with a 3-1 win over rock-bottom West Ham at Upton Park on Saturday.[LNB] A brace from Michael Essien and another from Salomon Kalou kept the Blues top of the table, two points clear of second-placed Arsenal.[LNB]Hammers midfielder Scott Parker became the first player to score against the champions this season, but his late effort was scant consolation for the home side.[LNB]Chelsea's victory over their London rivals piled more pressure on under-fire manager Avram Grant, whose side remained rooted to the foot of the table without a single point from their opening four games and having conceded 12 goals.[LNB]In contrast, Carlo Ancelotti's team have now scored 17 and conceded just once, and their domination of this game began as early as the second minute when debutant Ramires won a corner on the left flank.[LNB]Essien rose above two defenders to head home Didier Drogba's cross to silence the home fans.[LNB]West Ham almost equalised moments later when new signing Victor Obinna sent a close-range effort straight at Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.[LNB]The visitors went 2-0 up in the 17th minute, though, when West Ham's England goalkeeper Robert Green spilled a 30-yard Drogba free-kick.[LNB]Defender Matthew Upson tried to clear the loose ball but it cannoned back off Chelsea's Ivory Coast striker Kalou and over the head of the stricken Green.[LNB]Kalou went close to grabbing his second in the 21st minute but his shot was deflected around the post, much to the relief of the grounded Green.[LNB]Another corner from Drogba caused panic in the home defence but this time John Terry's effort was collected easily by Green.[LNB]West Ham should have pulled one back in the 27th minute but the unmarked Obinna put his volley wide from eight yards.[LNB]The Hammers striker then sent a curling shot just wide of the target after cutting in from the left wing.[LNB]Chelsea almost extended their lead when another Drogba corner fell to Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel.[LNB]His rising drive from 20-yards slammed against the angle of Green's left upright and the crossbar.[LNB]Chelsea received a scare in the 35th minute when Terry went down under a challenge from Carlton Cole, but the England defender continued after lengthy treatment - much to the disappointment of the home fans.[LNB]Ashley Cole became the first name in Chris Foy's notebook in the 40th minute when he was shown the yellow card for a foul on Herita Ilunga.[LNB]In the 43rd minute, Cech had to punch away a cross-shot from Ilunga as West Ham looked in vain for a way back into the game.[LNB]They almost succeeded in stoppage time but Carlton Cole's effort was ruled offside.[LNB]Ramires should have troubled Green in the 50th minute but fired over from the edge of the penalty area as Chelsea continued to dominate proceedings.[LNB]West Ham tried hard to lift the tempo of the game and substitute Kieron Dyer, on at half-time for Luis Boa Morte, almost broke through with a clever run into the six-yard box.[LNB]Chelsea almost made it three on the hour when Kalou collected a fine pass from Drogba only to send his curling shot inches wide of Green's right-hand post.[LNB]The visitors had clearly settled for the three points as their was little urgency in their play.[LNB]When they did show some ambition, Drogba forced Green into a fine save with a 20-yard shot.[LNB]Branislav Ivanovic was booked in the 64th minute for bringing down Carlton Cole.[LNB]A cross from Obinna three minutes later then found only the hands of Cech, much to the growing frustration of the home fans.[LNB]Mark Noble then sent a long-range effort just wide of Cech's right-hand post but the home side still lacked the killer touch.[LNB]Chelsea made it 3-0 in the 83rd minute when Essien headed home Paulo Ferreira's cross but moments later they conceded their first goal of the season when Parker calmly lobbed Cech from 20 yards.[LNB]West Ham substitute Frederic Piquionne wasted a great chance to reduce the arrears still further when he headed against the bar from just two yards.
