West Ham 0-3 Chelsea: From one to eleven Chelsea were outstanding.
After two disappointing performances, Chelsea travelled to West Ham knowing that Arsenal had beaten Southampton and stretched their lead ...
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After two disappointing performances, Chelsea travelled to West Ham knowing that Arsenal had beaten Southampton and stretched their lead over us to seven points. Only a win would do and Chelsea delivered!
All of us have had to sit and wait for the next game to come around to try and forget what we had all witnessed previously. We knew we had it in us, we had the quality to win any game against any opposition but it's all well and good talking about it, we had to get out there and deliver.
We shouldn't have worried being honest. West Ham were woeful and the fact that they are struggling with no recognised strikers doesn't help their cause but they were really, really bad!
As Jose said after the game, Chelsea were in control of this one from the first minute. Yes, West Ham had one or two moments in the game but only managed an effort on target in the 93rd minute, the last action of the game.
If anything if we want to be critical, Chelsea should have wrapped this game up much earlier than they did. But, in saying that, to win 3-0 away from home when we needed a result first and foremost and in addition to produce a performance like that, we can hardly complain.
The team selection wasn't a real surprise with the back four being Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry(c) and Azpilicueta. All of them had good games with the stand out performer being Azpilicueta. Don't get me wrong, all of them had really good games but the Spaniard has really come into his own lately and is doing really, really well.
Mikel came into the middle next to Frank Lampard and immediately gave the team some defensive stability. Having him sitting there just allows the players around him to push forward knowing that he will be there sitting in front of the back four for protection.
Lampard scored two goals and played well. In this one, we all saw Lamps pushed forward and appearing in those positions we have been used to seeing him over the years in a Chelsea shirt which was good to see.
The attacking three started as Hazard, Oscar and Ramires and once again, each of them made an impact in the game. Oscar is taking the majority of the headlines and rightly so. His work rate off the ball was immense and forced the West Ham defence into numerous problems and errors, winning the ball back and starting another Chelsea attack.
His link up play with the others was outstanding. Just look at his goal and the link he has with Eden Hazard. He picks up Hazard's flick, drives towards goal and fires a low shot into the bottom corner giving the keeper no chance.
Eden Hazard had a much better game. He was busy with the ball, taking players on and probing but in the right moment, picking out a pass to someone else in a better position.
Ramires was his usual industrious self and had another great game. Known for his endless energy, Ramires was everywhere again. Winning tackles, hassling opponents and using the ball well, Ramires has become our most consistent performer.
Up top Samuel Eto'o had another good game. He forced a great save from the keeper in the first half but the majority of his performance was for the team. The way he holds the ball up and lays it off, his link up play with the likes of Hazard, Oscar and Lampard was impressive and he really looks to have settled down.
Overall it was an impressive, dominant performance. Southampton at home next week will provide Chelsea with a sterner test and we will need to play of a similar standard if not better.
However, after taking a single point from six in our two previous games, this was a massive three points and from one to eleven, Chelsea were outstanding!
Carefree & KTBFFH!