West Ham 1 - 4 Chelsea

[BlueLion. 21,491]

West Ham United 1 - 4 ChelseaBarclay's Premiership - 18 April 2007 - Upton Park - 19:45 kick-offShaun Wright-Phillips scored his first Chelsea brace and his first two league goals for Chelsea, after putting in a man-of-the-match performance against struggling West Ham United at Upton ParkThe result was never in any doubt after Salomon Kalou scored from close range early in the second half to put Chelsea 3-1 up in a game which had been a tight affair from the kick-off. West Ham became deflated, and an excellent performance from Chelsea became a professional one when Didier Drogba clinically added Chelsea's fourth and his 31st of the season.If Chelsea were expecting a hostile reception upon arriving at Upton Park, they certainly received one. One fan even through bricks at the Chelsea team coach, denting the side of the vehicle and smashing a vehicle. Fortunately, the seats next to the shattered window were empty and no-one was harmed.With the team still on a roll, a ninth straight Premiership win seemed on the card as Chelsea looked to close the gap on Manchester United to how it had been 24 hours previously; 3 points. United had run out winners against Sheffield United 2-0 at Old Trafford - their 10th straight win at home.Putting his rotational system into good use, José Mourinho rested Ashley Cole, Claude Makelele and Michael Ballack. John Obi Mikel played as midfield anchor, with Lampard and Essien in front of him. Supporting the front two of Kalou and Drogba was Shaun Wright-Phillips who had set up the winning goal in the FA Cup semi-final against Blackburn Rovers. Diarra returned to right-back, and Andrei Shevchenko missed out altogether with a thigh strain. Joe Cole was on the bench. Drogba passed a late fitness test, as the Champions reverted to their narrow diamond-midfield.For West Ham, Chelsea old boy Carlton Cole was on the bench, and there were no fresh injury worries for Alan Curbishly prior to the game, as Lucas Neill passed a late fitness test.Chelsea's Salomon Kalou tussles for the ball with Hammers captain Nigel Reo-CokerThe game began at a lively tempo with both teams quickly out of the traps. Both teams had half-chances, although in the first twenty minutes the home team had the better of the opportunities on goal. Carlos Tevez' cross-come-shot was well tipped-over by Petr Cech, who had not conceded a goal since January in the Premier League, earning him Player of the Month.Bobby Zamora failed to react quickly-enough and missed from eight yards as Wayne Bridge could only direct the ball into the Englishman's path, but he screwed his effort well-wide.It took a moment of pure genius to break the deadlock. Wright-Phillips got the ball down the centre of the park from Lampard and the wing wizard had the strength of mind and body to deceive both Yossi Benayoun and Jonathon Spector, as he drove an angled left-footed shot past Robert Green from the edge of the area. Mikel and Wright-Phillips celebrate the English youngster's excellent first goalJust five minutes later, Chelsea conceded their first League goal in over 857 minutes of Premiership football. Carlos Tevez' drive from 20 yards seemed to be at a comfortable height for Petr Cech, but the Czech 'keeper could only fist the ball into the net. Just proves we're all only human after all.However, any premature celebrations from Manchester United were limited to 31 seconds, as Shaun Wright-Phillip's exquisite finish from 15 yards beat the goalkeeper at the near post following Wayne Bridge's excellent cross from the left-flank. 2-1.Disappointed not to have closed Tevez down, Wayne Bridge takes a moment to catch his breathWith the turn of the second half, Bobby Zamora could only head the ball into the welcoming grasp of Petr Cech who had an indifferent first half between the sticks. From there, it seems the destiny of the points had been decided by fate.On 52 minutes, Kalou tucked home the ball from four yards following a goal-line scramble. Drogba's shot was immaculately saved by Rob Green in the West Ham goal, but his defence could not match his heroics, as Kalou prodded the ball home.Drogba had an excellent chance to make it 1-4 with a brilliant turn and shot not too different to his effort earlier in the season against Norwich, but from a wider angle. He found his shooting boots minutes later, as he beat the offside trap and Lucas Neill to nutmeg Green to seal the 3 points for Chelsea - their ninth consecutive league win.Squads and RatingsWest Ham (4-1-2-1-2) Green; Spector, Collins, Neill, McCartney; Noble; Reo-Coker � (Mullins 75), Boa Morte; Benayoun; Tevez (Blanco 83), Zamora (C Cole 71).Scorer Tevez (34).Booked Reo-Coker (11), Neill (14), Mullins (76), McCartney (81), Boa Morte (88). Chelsea (4-1-2-1-2) Cech; Diarra (Ferreira h-t), Carvalho, Terry �, Bridge; Essien; Wright-Phillips, Mikel; Lampard (Ballack 77); Drogba (J Cole 66), Kalou.Scorers Wright-Phillips (30, 35), Kalou (51), Drogba (61).Booked Diarra (19), Drogba (51).Chelsea Formation and RatingsPetr Cech6/10Diarra .... Terry ..... Carvalho ..... Bridge6/10 .........7/10 ........ 8/10.......... 7/10W.Phillips .... Essien ..... Mikel....... Lampard9/10 .........7/10 ........ 7/10.......... 8/10Drogba .......... Kalou7/10 ............ 7/10Substitutes:Paulo Ferreira - 8/10Michael Ballack - 6/10Joe Cole - 7/10Referee - Mike Dean - 6/10West Ham - Statistics - Chelsea4 - Shots on Target - 9 5 - Shots off Target - 7 4 - Blocked Shots - 2 9 - Corners - 5 21 - Fouls - 9 0 - Offsides - 4 5 - Yellow Cards - 2 0 - Red Cards - 0 31 - Tackles - 21 41 - Possession- 59Star ManShaun Wright-PhillipsViews of the Blues

West Ham gave everything, they were just outclassed by a team on top of their game who are going places. Currently we are definitely the best team in Europe. the dodgy spell from December 26th - January 20th is what may cost us overall in the league. Anything can happen in the Champions League and the FA Cup final. They are one off games. The confidence in our camp MUST be sky high going into these last games.

SWP is more confident playing more in midfield then wide as winger. We should give him a chance to play more games in midfield and if he continues to play good we should keep him. Cech had very bad game, but it didn’t cost us points so it’s ok. Actually we were struggling in defence in first half.Anyway good result and a chance to rest some players. Well done lads

Who said we couldn't entertain?? Goes without saying that was Shaun's best performance for Chelsea, I thought Lamps had a good game aswell..

Credit goes to Shed Upper for the video.