toptop
Javier
Hernandez's second-half strike cancelled out Cesar Azpilicueta's opener as West
Ham secure a valuable point with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea, who paid heartfelt tribute to their late captain Ray Wilkins before and
during the game, dominated the opening 45 minutes and were deservedly ahead when
Azpilicueta tapped home from close range in the 36th minute.
Antonio Conte's side's dominance continued after the break but the second goal
never came as West Ham stayed in the game, and they were rewarded when
substitute Hernandez (73) snatched a point for the visitors.
The draw sees David Moyes' side move six points clear of the relegation zone,
while Chelsea are 10 points behind Tottenham in the race for fourth with six
games remaining.
On what was an emotional afternoon at Stamford Bridge, Wilkins was remembered
ahead of kick-off with a minute of applause as a seat in the dugout was draped
in his No 8 shirt. Wilkins' name rang around the ground once again in the eighth
minute with both sets of fans singing the Chelsea legend's name.
After a quiet opening, Chelsea had the ball in the back of the net in the 25th
minute but Alvaro Morata was correctly flagged for offside after being played in
by Eden Hazard.
Player ratings
Chelsea: Courtois (7), Rudiger (7), Alonso (6), Moses (6),
Cahill (5), Azpilicueta (7), Fabregas (6), Kante (7), Hazard (6), Willian (7),
Morata (6).
Subs: Pedro (5), Giroud (6), Emerson (6).
West Ham: Hart (9), Cresswell (6), Rice (7), Ogbonna (7),
Zabaleta (7), Kouyate (6), Noble (7), Masuaku (6), Fernandes (6), Joao Mario
(6), Arnautovic (8).
Subs: Hernandez (8), Evra (6).
Man of the match: Joe Hart
Morata's flick then drifted wide of the far post after yet more good work from
Hazard before Willian fired inches wide from the edge of the penalty area, and
the Brazil international was in again in the 35th minute after yet more
sensational passing from Chelsea but Joe Hart raced off his line to make a
brilliant block.
Chelsea' dominance eventually told from the resultant corner and West Ham
switched off as Morata headed Victor Moses' cross back into the danger area
where Azpilicueta was there tap home from inside the six-yard box.
Chelsea went in search for a second after the break and Willian had an immediate
chance to double the hosts' advantage but his shot fizzed past the far post.
Conte's side thought they had their second when Morata swept home Willian's
cross, but again the offside flag was up to deny the Spain striker before Moses
curled wide of the upright.
They were punished midway through the second-half as Gary Cahill's poor
defensive header fell to Marko Arnautovic and his cut back picked out Hernandez,
who produced a sweet strike from just inside the area to beat Thibaut Courtois.
In a frantic final 10 minutes, Hart had to be at his best to produce two saves
to deny Marcos Alonso and Olivier Giroud, while West Ham thought they should
have had a penalty as N'Golo Kante's last-ditch tackle sent Arnautovic to the
floor, but referee Kevin Friend remained unmoved.
Opta stats
Chelsea failed to win a Premier League game at Stamford Bridge under Conte in
which they led at half-time for the first time, having won all 18 of their
previous games under the Italian when ahead at the interval.
West Ham avoided defeat in an away Premier League game against the reigning
champions for only the third time, beating Man Utd in 2001-02 and drawing 2-2
with Chelsea in 2015-16.
Azpilicueta scored his fifth Premier League goal for Chelsea in his 191st
appearance - all five of his goals have been against sides beginning with W (two
against Watford, two against West Brom and one against West Ham).
Morata assisted Azpilicueta's goal, the seventh time the two have combined in
the Premier League this season - no two players have combined for more goals
this campaign.
Hernandez has scored four of his 16 Premier League goals as a substitute against
Chelsea - only one player in Premier League history has scored more sub goals
against an opponent, with Julian Joachim scoring five against Derby County. This
was the fourth time Hernandez has appeared as a substitute at Stamford Bridge in
the Premier League and the Mexican has found the net in all four of those games
(four goals).
What's next?
Chelsea are back in Premier League action next Saturday when they travel to St
Mary's to face Southampton, live on Sky Sports Premier League from 11.30am.
West Ham are also live on Sky Sports Premier League next weekend when they host
Stoke City at the London Stadium on Monday Night Football (April 16 - from 7pm).
Click Here For Official Team Sheet
Teams
Chelsea Courtois, Azpilicueta, Cahill (c), Rudiger, Moses
(Pedro 78), Kante, Fabregas, Alonso, Willian, Hazard, Morata (Giroud 78)
Subs Not Used Caballero, Christensen, Emerson, Bakayoko,
Drinkwater
Booked
Goals Azpilicueta 36
West Ham United Hart, Zabaleta, Rice, Ogbonna, Cresswell (Evra
64), Masuaku, Kouyate, Noble (c), Fernandes (Hernandez 73), Mario (Cullen 85),
Arnautovic
Subs Not Used Adrian, Hugill, Pask, Diangana
Booked Noble
Goals Hernandez 73
Attendance 41,324
Referee Kevin Friend