After last season’s testy 0-0 draw that felt like a defeat between West Ham United and Chelsea FC, the clash on Boxing day was all set to be a fast-paced and physical affair. West Ham are in a far better position this season than last when they were fighting for survival near the end of the year. This year they came in to the match against Chelsea FC sitting a surprising fourth in the table and saw the match as a chance to prove they belonged near the top of the table.
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Jose Mourinho criticized Sam Allardyce last season for having his charges play what he called “19th century football” but there were no such accusations this time around. West Ham are a much more dynamic side with players like Enner Valencia, Stewart Downing, Kevin Nolan, and a resurgent Andy Carroll leading the charge.
The Blues were clearly the better side throughout the first half as they flicked pass after pass around the West Ham box. Oscar had an excellent chance in the first 10 minutes that he sent sailing high over the bar. Gary Cahill also had an excellent chance with a shot coming from a poorly cleared corner but the excellent Adrian was up to the challenge. The West Ham keeper was called upon again to save a bouncing and swerving Willian shot right on the half hour mark and did well to clear the danger.
The Chelsea breakthrough came shortly after Willian’s saved attempt as the Blues worked the ball around the West Ham box and Eden Hazard earned a corner after some intricate play. The corner came in from Cesc Fabregas which was flicked on by Diego Costa at the near post and poked in by John Terry at the far post. The ball initially appeared to be going in anyway but upon further review the touch from Terry was necessary to keep it from bouncing wide.
After the breakthrough, the match continued as Chelsea battered the West Ham goal with shot after shot but were kept at bay by Adrian. They sent shot after shot at the Spanish keeper and anything that was not narrowly wide was saved by one of the best keepers in the Premier League this season. Willian sent a free kick just over the crossbar and Hazard tested the keeper but still the second goal would not come.
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The match was finally put to bed courtesy of some excellent work from Eden Hazard and Diego Costa. Matic forced a turnover in midfield as he so often does and found Hazard streaking towards goal. Hazard fed his hungry striker and Diego Costa took on the retreating West Ham defense. He faked one way, shaking three defenders, and shot low to the far post with his left foot and the match was effectively over as Adrian was helpless to stop it.
These fixtures in recent weeks have been an excellent indicator of the toughness and creativity of this Chelsea FC side. They took on Stoke City’s physicality just days ago and did the same against West Ham with identical results. The Blues controlled the match from the first whistle and it would have been a much more comprehensive victory had it not been for Adrian.
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