Chelsea vs. West Ham United: Winners and Losers from London Derby
Chelsea easily beat West Ham United 2-0 in the early kick-off on Boxing Day in the Premier League. As a result, the Blues have extended their lead at the top of the table.
John Terry poked home the opening goal after half an hour, which the home side dominated, before Diego Costa's skilful run and finish doubled the lead after an hour. West Ham rallied late on and Morgan Amalfitano hit the post, but it was a largely toothless and disappointing performance from the Hammers, who didn't manage a single shot on target.
Here are all our winners and losers from the encounter.
Winner: Adrian
1 of 5
The West Ham United goalkeeper might have finished on the losing side, but he was an impressive performer nonetheless and ensured that the game went on as a contest an awful lot longer than it otherwise might have done.
He was constantly alert to make saves from the likes of Willian and Nemanja Matic with shots from outside the box, while his reflexes also denied Diego Costa, Matic again and others at much closer range.
Late on he needed to be able to deal with a few counter-attacking threats, mopping up around the edge of his penalty box.
Loser: Carl Jenkinson
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Adrian's team-mate, Carl Jenkinson, was far from assured or impressive, on the other hand.
The right-back, on loan from Arsenal, was completely overrun and out of his depth against an in-form Eden Hazard. Jenkinson lost his man behind him far too often, considering he wasn't even looking to play offensively himself, while he also had no clue on how to deal with attackers positioned between himself and the near-sided centre back.
Jenkinson should be benefitting from a long run in a top-flight team, but in games like this, he shows he is still well away from being a defender for a top club.
Winner: Eden Hazard
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Jenkinson's tormentor-in-chief, Eden Hazard, enjoyed the run of Stamford Bridge all game long.
His first run and dribble at the defence created danger, and he kept that up throughout the entire 90 minutes, really causing problems for the Hammers' back line.
Hazard was unlucky not to score at least one goal himself, being denied by last-ditch defending, Adrian's heroics and some selfless play inside the penalty box, but he was still the catalyst for the win and played the killer pass for Chelsea's second goal of the game.
Loser: James Collins
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Carl Jenkinson wasn't the only Hammers defender who couldn't cope: James Collins was run ragged in the centre of defence by Diego Costa, constantly losing the striker and not being able to sweep up behind Jenkinson either.
The veteran centre-back dropped off too far from Costa and gave him room to turn, then couldn't close down quick enough, leading to clear shooting opportunities.
When he marked more tightly, Costa simply evaded him with clever movement—just like for his goal, and several chances in the first half. A day to forget for Collins.
Winner: Nemanja Matic
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In the centre of the park, Nemanja Matic pretty much dominated everything. West Ham switched to a flat 4-1-4-1 shape, trying to pack the midfield out. All they did was give Matic space to pick up the ball and pass through, and not get enough bodies around him to pick off the second ball when he went in to make challenges.
The aggression and intensity in West Ham's game was totally missing and the Chelsea man strode through untouched a number of times.
On another day, he might have scored one or two himself, but even so it was a near-faultless performance from Matic once more.
