Chelsea vs. West Ham: Score, Reaction from 2016 Premier League Match

A controversial penalty decision cost West Ham two crucial points in their pursuit of UEFA Champions League football next season and gave Chelsea a 2-2 draw in the Premier League on Saturday. 

Michail Antonio was called for a foul in the box on Chelsea's Ruben Loftus-Cheek just before full-time, setting up a Cesc Fabregas penalty. The Spaniard converted his attempt from the spot to steal a point for the Blues, claiming himself a brace after scoring from a first-half free-kick.

Replays appeared to show that Loftus-Cheek was not only tripped up just outside of the box, but also that he stumbled over his own feet. 

Manuel Lanzini and Andy Carroll each scored for West Ham.

Chelsea appeared the brighter side early in the match, but Lanzini's wonderful strike in the 17th minute gave the Blues the lead, after his curling effort from outside of the box beat an outstretched Thibaut Courtois.

Lanzini has certainly picked his spots this season, as Squawka Football noted:

Four of those goals have also come away from home, according to OptaJoe. And it was West Ham's first goal at Stamford Bridge in their last 437 minutes of play at Chelsea's home digs, according to WhoScored.com.

Chelsea would equalise just before the close of the half in similarly beautiful fashion, however. After Winston Reid fouled Oscar outside of the box, Fabregas stepped up to take the free-kick and expertly placed his effort in the top left corner, leaving Adrian no hope of making the save.

West Ham wouldn't waste much time retaking the lead in the second half, however. Talisman Dimitri Payet played second-half substitute Andy Carroll free on goal with a perfectly timed and weighted through ball. The big striker didn't miss, converting a first-time shot past the onrushing Courtois.

It was a strong finish from Carroll, but it was the pass from Payet—and his play in general—that had Miguel Delaney of ESPN FC singing his praises:

It appeared West Ham were set to hold on from there, but the controversial call against Antonio gave Chelsea one last chance to even the score, and Fabregas didn't disappoint, sending Adrian the wrong way and ripping his shot into the corner.

It was Fabregas' fourth goal in his last nine Premier League games, per Squawka Football, and concluded an all-around performance from the midfielder: 

For West Ham, the draw left them in fifth place and one point shy of Manchester City (though the Citizens have a game in hand). In a season highlighted by Leicester City's ascension to the top the table, it hardly seems unrealistic to imagine West Ham playing their way into the Champions League next season. 

Up next for the Hammers is a date with Crystal Palace on April 2. 

Chelsea, meanwhile, remain undefeated in their last 13 Premier League matches and now reside in 10th place in the table. It's too little, too late for the Blues, of course, but they'll be looking to finish strongly to build momentum for next year's EPL campaign.

Chelsea next face Aston Villa on April 2.

Post-Match Reaction

GLYN KIRK/Getty Images

After the match, both managers weighed in on the controversial finish to the game.

"To concede that late is gutting but to concede it from a penalty that is not a penalty is unacceptable," West Ham manager Bilic said, per the club.

Bilic added, "It was not close to the line. It was way out. It was not a penalty. We are gutted and we are not getting these decisions."

He concluded, "Antonio didn't want to touch him but I'm not talking about whether he touched him but where the contact was made."

Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink, not surprisingly, saw things differently:

Hiddink did concede the club have had too many draws despite their unbeaten streak, however.

Meanwhile, Bilic was pleased with his club's performance despite the controversy late in the contest.

"How do I feel? Like after the [Manchester United] game but even more proud of the boys," he said. "We played fantastic for the majority of the game."

He added, "I don't look too much at the table but what gives me confidence is the way we are playing, no matter who or where. We are capable and we are having chances against any team. That approach should take us far."

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