More Points Dropped at Home for Chelsea

CHELSEA 1-1 WEST HAM

So, another home game, another draw. Little consolation Liverpool, United, and Arsenal all drawing if we fail to capitalise against West Ham.

I actually thought we started ok. Fair play to West Ham for not bringing the bus with them but Bellamy’s first half goal on the break was against the run of play. Were there a couple of handballs in there? Well, I wouldn’t like to see either of them given against us so I’d have to say no.

So what else stood out in the first half? Well, as ever we dominated in possession but did very little with it thanks largely to Scott Parker breaking up just about everything we tried to put together. John Terry was limping about way too early in the game for comfort after a knock on the ankle although it was the poke in the eye from Carlton Cole that seemed to trouble him more.

Mike Riley, it has to be said, seems to turn into a tourette’s victim the minute he’s given a yellow card to play with because he was waving it about furiously at anyone who moved—which I guess could’ve explained Michael Ballack’s lack of movement.

The second half saw Didier Drogba on for Michael Ballack and his impact definitely troubled West Ham, with Anelka scoring his 100th Premier League goal within minutes of the Ivorian’s arrival. Mikel, for me our best player, worked his arse off again both helping out a ragged defence and giving the midfield a starting point to push on from. And yet, West Ham’s defensive play continued to stop that push from coming.

The second half also saw Kalou coming on for Joe Cole, although Scolari might as well bring my mother off the bench as Kalou considering Cole wasn’t doing a lot wrong anyway. Belletti came on for Mikel, who also didn’t warrant subbing although clearly Scolari was going all out to attack by this time.

Again, it didn’t work against a resolute West Ham. As for Lampard’s penalty shout, well clearly there was contact and Neill admitted as much after the game but he went down a little too hard and maybe a little too late to convince Riley.

So that’s 14 points dropped at home already this season and certainly not title winning form.

TEAMS

CHELSEA: Cech, Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, A Cole, Mikel (Belletti 80), Deco, Ballack (Drogba 46), Lampard, J Cole (Kalou 74), Anelka

Subs Not Used: Hilario, Ivanovic, Bridge, Ferreira

WEST HAM: Green, Neill, Upson, Davenport, Ilunga, Collison (Boa Morte 87), Parker, Noble (Mullins 72), Behrami, Bellamy (Di Michele 90), Cole

Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Faubert, Tristan, Sears

 

Chelsea scorer: Anelka 51

West Ham scorer: Bellamy 33