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Chelsea 2-0 West Ham United: Blues win on Boxing Day, extend lead at summit

NBC Sports

Chelsea beat West Ham United 2-0 on Boxing Day, as the Blues cruised to a ninth-straight home won of the season.

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Jose Mourinho’s side took the lead through John Terry’s first-half goal, then Diego Costa‘s sublime finish sealed all three points for the west Londoners to keep them top of the Premier League table on 42 points.

West Ham barely threatened as an attacking force and in the 100th meeting between the two sides, Chelsea were worthy winners.

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In the fourth minute a Cesc Fabregas cross drifted through to Oscar at the back post but with the goal at his mercy the Brazilian fired over. Huge let off early on for the Hammers. As the half wore on Chelsea were by far the better team as center back Gary Cahill first sent a header over the bar and then drilled an effort on goal which Adrian saved.

After 30 minutes Adrian denied the Blues once again as Willian surged through but West Ham’s ‘keeper palmed away the Brazilians effort. But soon after Chelsea were headed as Fabregas’ corner was flicked on by Diego Costa and Terry slotted home at the back post to score for the second-successive PL game for the first time in eight years. 1-0 to Chelsea. Following that opener Costa and Nemanja Matic almost doubled Chelsea’s lead, but the home side had to settle for a one-goal advantage at the break.

 

After failing to threaten as an attacking force in the first half, the Hammers looked a little more dangerous on the break and from set pieces but Chelsea almost made it 2-0 early in the second half. Hazard wriggled free from his marker on the left and belted in an effort on goal which forced Adrian into a save.

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Chelsea did make it 2-0 in the 62nd minute as Matic dispossessed Kouyate and Hazard fed the ball to Costa who turned three West Ham defenders with one movement before slotting home his 13th PL goal of the season. 2-0.

Late in the game Costa could have added more gloss to the scoreline as Chelsea ripped West Ham apart as the Hammers pushed forward to try and grab a goal back. Morgan Amalfitano hit the post late in the game after turning Chelsea’s defense inside out, but the Blues extended their lead at the top of the PL after a resounding win.

LINEUPS

Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Matic; Willian (Ramires, 86′), Oscar (Mikel, 83′), Hazard; Diego Costa (Drogba, 83′)

Goals: Terry (32′), Costa (62′)

West Ham United: Adrian, Jenkinson, Cresswell, Collins, Reid, Noble (Song, 59′), Kouyate, Nolan, Downing (Amalfitano, 74′), Carroll (Sakho, 59′), Valencia