West Ham United travelled to Chelsea on Saturday afternoon knowing that a win would see them jump above Manchester City into fourth position in the Premier League table.
The Hammers took a 16th-minute lead through Manuel Lanzini, but a Cesc Fabregas free kick in first-half stoppage time saw the two teams enter the break on level terms.
West Ham regained their lead in the 61st minute through Andy Carroll, but Fabregas again struck in the 89th minute, this time from the penalty spot, as the points were shared in London.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from Stamford Bridge and it is an all-London affair as Chelsea welcome West Ham United. The home side, in truth, do not have much to play for in the final months of the campaign, but the same cannot be said for West Ham, who have their eyes firmly on the top four. It should be a cracking game of football from the capital!
West Ham (fifth) will enter this match in the better form and indeed above Chelsea (10th) in the table, but the Hammers have lost on seven of their last nine trips to Stamford Bridge in the league and have actually won just one of their last six overall with the Blues. That sole success, however, came in this season's reverse match at Upton Park, when the home side recorded a 2-1 win.
Last season, West Ham lost 2-0 in this stadium, but they are in much better shape this time around. Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the capital. Who have Guus Hiddink and Slaven Bilic placed their faith in here? Let's find out...
TEAMS:
CHELSEA: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Mikel, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Kenedy; Remy
WEST HAM: Adrian; Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Kouyate, Noble; Lanzini, Payet, Valencia; Sakho
John Terry returns to the Chelsea XI this afternoon after a cameo off the bench against Everton in the FA Cup last weekend, but there is no Diego Costa, who misses out through suspension. Loic Remy is given a chance through the middle, while Kenedy and Willian will operate either side of the Frenchman. Alexandre Pato is also on the bench despite much speculation surrounding his future.
As for West Ham, Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho both return to the attack in place of Andy Carroll and Emmanuel Emenike, who have dropped to the bench. Adrian is also back between the sticks, but James Tomkins and James Collins remain on the sidelines. Michail Antonio will continue in the right-back position, while Player-of-the-Year contender Dimitri Payet is also in the team.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just over 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild afternoon in the capital. I shall talk about top-four chasing West Ham a little bit later, but let's start with Chelsea, who are without a win in their last three games overall, which has included defeats in both the Champions League and the FA Cup and indeed elimination those two competitions.
A 2-1 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on March 9 saw the Blues exit the Champions League in the round of 16, before they lost 2-0 at Everton in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup last weekend. Those two fixtures followed a 1-1 draw at home to Stoke City in the league, which left the English champions in 10th position in the table – an incredible 23 points off league leaders Leicester City.
It has gone under the radar somewhat, but Chelsea are actually unbeaten in the league since Hiddink replaced Jose Mourinho towards the end of December. That is a run of 13 without defeat, but seven of those fixtures have ended in draws. Incredibly, Chelsea have actually drawn five of their last six league games at Stamford Bridge and there have been plenty of goals in those matches!
Chelsea's record from 29 league games this season reads won 10, drawn 10 and lost nine. There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a disastrous title defence, but they are actually only four points off the top seven and just seven behind sixth-place Manchester United. The top four is almost certainly too far away at this stage of the campaign, but they can still secure a European spot.
Goals have not really been a major problem – hitting 43 in their 29 matches, but they have conceded 39 times, which is the most in the top 12. It is also the same number that Crystal Palace shipped and just one fewer than Swansea City. They had the best defence and indeed the best team last season, but they got off to a poor start this time around and have never really recovered.
West Ham, on the other hand, are currently chasing down the top four. The Hammers will enter this match five places and nine points above Chelsea in the table and victory for Bilic's side at Stamford Bridge would take them above Man City into fourth position. Securing a Champions League spot is still a big ask, but their two main rivals for that position – Man City and Man United – will meet tomorrow.
The Hammers have won 13 of their 29 league games this season and only lost six times, which is fewer than Man City, Man United and also Arsenal (seven). They have also won their last three in the league – including an incredible 3-2 success at Everton last time out. Bilic's side also beat title challengers Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month to give their supporters the bragging rights.
Chelsea were beaten in the FA Cup last weekend, but West Ham are still in the argument after a 1-1 draw at Man United. The replay has been scheduled for early April and it will be interesting to see where both teams are in the table when that quarter-final rolls around. Indeed, West Ham are due to face Arsenal at home on April 9, which could be days after the replay. Exciting times for sure!
Two of West Ham's next four in the league are against Arsenal and Leicester, but they also have Crystal Palace and Watford at home and will fancy their chances of securing a strong points return over the next month or so. The Hammers have won away at Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City and Everton in the league this season and will be looking to add Chelsea to the collection this afternoon.
Right, here are the pre-match thoughts of West Ham boss Bilic to BBC Sport: "Chelsea are thinking there's nine games to go and if they click they can finish very, very high also. In that sense it's not a great time [to play them] because now they have only Premier League. Make no mistake - I'm expecting them to be really hungry and totally focused on the Premier League."
PREDICTION! Score draw for me this afternoon. Chelsea, at home, should be the favourites, but they have struggled for victories in this stadium all season and West Ham are a very tough nut to crack. I think that it will be an open and entertaining 1-1 draw in this London derby at Stamford Bridge.
Just a reminder of the two teams for this afternoon...
CHELSEA: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Mikel, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Kenedy; Remy
WEST HAM: Adrian; Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Kouyate, Noble; Lanzini, Payet, Valencia; Sakho
KICKOFF! Here we go then - the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Time for the football! You can just sense the confidence in this West Ham team as they take to the field and Chelsea are in for a real test! Right, the home side kick things off here...
... West Ham have a wonderful chance to break through as Lanzini leads a three-on-two counter for the visitors, but Valencia had just moved too soon and the flag was raised. Down the other end, Chelsea switch the ball from left to right, but Antonio is across to crowd out the youngster Kenedy.
As expected, Chelsea are looking after the ball in the opening minutes here, with both sets of supporters in fine voice. The West Ham fans are expecting their team to get a result today, which is not often the case when they travel to Stamford Bridge. A lively start to proceedings in the capital.
Half-chance for the away side as Cresswell finds space inside the Chelsea box before delivering into Payet, but Cahill manages to turn behind for a corner, which is headed clear by Remy.
West Ham look like the home team at the moment as they dominate possession of the ball. A sloppy pass from Reid almost allows Willian in for Chelsea, but the Brazilian looks first time for Remy and it goes out of play for a goal kick. Very lively opening seven minutes in the capital here.
Not sure about the ball-juggling from Adrian as the West Ham stopper is forced to control a back-pass from Payet before smashing clear. Chelsea are starting to move the ball quicker in the final third and Adrian is forced to make a low save from Remy, who had found space inside the box.
Valencia has been very lively in the opening 11 minutes at Stamford Bridge and only a fine diving challenge from Cahill prevents the striker from running clear and facing Courtois one-on-one.
You just get the feeling that the first goal this afternoon - if there indeed is one - will be vital in terms of the final result. Just the one shot on target thus far and that was from Remy in the ninth minute. West Ham have been full of pace and ideas, but not yet managed to test Courtois here.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with both teams guilty of losing possession too easily in the final third. It must be said that Chelsea are sitting very deep though.
BOOKING! Ivanovic (Chelsea) is booked for a late challenge on Payet.
GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 West Ham (Lanzini)
What a goal that is! West Ham take the lead in the 17th minute as Lanzini bends a super strike into the top corner from outside the box. He had all sorts of space and it was a wonderful hit there!
West Ham really, really fancy it this afternoon and they are causing Chelsea all sorts of problems in the final third. Antonio down the right is bursting forward and Payet continues to find him.
Bit of encouragement for Chelsea as Kenedy combines with Azpilicueta down the left, but Reid is across to make the block. The resulting corner finally arrives after a battle inside the box, but Adrian does well to make first contact and West Ham press up-field. Good defensive work there.
Payet strikes a volley wide of the post as West Ham press forward once again.
Payet slides a super pass towards Sakho as West Ham threaten once again, but Cahill just does enough to clear for another corner. Payet is absolutely running the show at the moment here.
Decent work from Kenedy as the Chelsea attacker comes in on the left before curling one towards the top corner, but his effort was always missing the target. We have not seen too much from the likes of Oscar and Willian in the opening 26 minutes, while Fabregas has also struggled thus far here.
Chelsea continue to deliver from a wide position, but Costa's absence means that they have not really got that physical threat inside the box. Willian manages to win a corner after decent work in a wide position, but West Ham again defend their own box before Valencia hammers it clear.
CHANCE! Fabregas delivers a super ball into Remy, who attempts to head past Adrian from inside the box, but the West Ham stopper is on hand to make the save. Better from Chelsea.
West Ham break forward this time and Cresswell finds all sorts of space inside the Chelsea box, but the deflection off Ivanovic takes the cross behind for a corner. End-to-end football at the moment.
Chelsea have not been beaten in the league under Hiddink, but West Ham really fancy their chances this afternoon. Based on the opening 33 minutes, the Hammers are right to believe.
Adrian is swift to get West Ham moving once again and Sakho breaks clear down the left, but Kenedy just does enough to clear the danger. Not too much from the Chelsea fans at the moment it must be said, which is an indication of how it has been for their team in this match thus far.
Just a reminder that three points for West Ham this afternoon would take them into the top four, which is remarkable at this stage of the campaign. Chelsea are threatening as they continue to commit players forward, but their delivery from set pieces has been disappointing it must be said.
Chelsea have a free kick in a dangerous area as Kouyate brings Kenedy to the deck...
... Kenedy is still on the deck receiving some treatment here!
It was the left arm of Kouyate, accidental of course, that caught the Brazilian in the nose. Chelsea have Matic warming up, but first, they have a free kick in very dangerous territory here...
... CLOSE! Willian's free kick swings just wide of the post.
In fairness to Chelsea, they are biting back here as Ivanovic drives forward once again, but Kouyate is across to make the challenge. Another corner comes into the West Ham box, but more good defending keeps the away side's lead in tact. This opening 43 minutes has just flown past here.
Chelsea have Pato on their bench this afternoon and you wonder whether Hiddink might fancy giving the Brazilian a chance in the second period. Remy has had a couple of decent chances, but the Frenchman has looked far from convincing in the final third. Still 1-0 West Ham in the capital.
Three additional minutes to be played at the end of the first period.
Not an awful lot to report in the last couple of minutes as West Ham drop deep and attempt to keep their first-half lead in tact. In truth, the Hammers deserve to be ahead at this stage of events.
BOOKING! Reid (West Ham) is booked for a foul on Oscar.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 West Ham (Fabregas)
Wow! What a free kick! Fabregas takes on the duties outside the box and curls a super effort into the corner. What a time to level the scores as the referee prepares to blow his whistle here.
HALF-TIME: Chelsea 1-1 West Ham
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. A super strike from Lanzini saw West Ham take the lead in the 17th minute, but Fabregas's free kick levelled the scores in first-half stoppage time. It has been a very entertaining half of football here!
STATS! Chelsea have shaded the possession with 57%, while they have had seven attempts - three of which have been on target. West Ham, meanwhile, have hit the target with two of their six attempts. Three yellows to report at Stamford Bridge - Ivanovic, Reid and Ogbonna.
BENCH WATCH! Chelsea have Pato, Pedro and Traore on their bench this afternoon and it would not be a surprise to see Hiddink change Remy sooner rather than later. West Ham, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Carroll, Emenike and Obiang on a strong bench in the capital.
MATCH PIC!
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have a winner at Stamford Bridge? Let's find out. The away side resume the action in London...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second periods gathers pace in the capital.
Half-chance for the visitors as Payet finds all sorts of space inside the Chelsea box, but his effort is across goal and Cahill is on hand to clear. Another West Ham breakaway at Stamford Bridge!
CHELSEA SUB! Excuse me - Chelsea introduced Pedro for Kenedy at the break.
CHANCE! Super chance for Chelsea as Ivanovic delivers a wonderful cross into Oscar, but the Brazilian can only turn wide at the far post. Should have done better there!
SAVE! Terry heads towards goal as Chelsea threaten once again, but Adrian is in the right place to punch clear. West Ham just cannot seem to get out of their own half at the moment.
It is all Chelsea at the moment as they continue to commit players in the final third and suddenly West Ham look a bit tired after putting so much work into the opening 45 minutes of action. Still more than 30 minutes remaining and I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals here.
CROSSBAR! West Ham come close to a second as Cresswell attempts to beat Courtois from a wide angle, but his effort hits the underside of the crossbar and bounces away!
West Ham have found a second wind in the last couple of minutes and they are now the team on the front foot after surviving some pressure from Chelsea. A point apiece would not be the worst result for either team in this match, but the onus is on Chelsea to seek a second goal here.
WEST HAM SUB! Carroll replaces Sakho for West Ham here.
SAVE! Decent save from Adrian as the stopper keeps out a strike from Remy.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-2 West Ham (Carroll)
Oh my word! What an introduction! West Ham regain the lead in the 61st minute as Payet slides a fine pass into Carroll and the England international finishes past Courtois at his near post.
CHELSEA SUB! Traore replaces Remy for the home team.
BOOKING! Kouyate (West Ham) is booked for a late challenge on Pedro.
I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals this afternoon as both teams continue to commit players in the final third. Just a reminder that, as it stands, West Ham are moving into fourth position in the table above Manchester City, who welcome Manchester United tomorrow afternoon.
West Ham manage to catch Mikel offside from a deep free kick and ease the pressure on their back four from a Willian free kick. Still more than 20 minutes of football to play at Stamford Bridge here.
Chelsea still have one change left this afternoon, while West Ham have two. We are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be considering their options. The decisions seem to be going for West Ham at the moment, which is bringing more frustration from the stands.
Oscar has a fairly wild strike deflected wide of the West Ham post.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Chelsea as Fabregas meets a corner from Willian, but his header is over the crossbar. Really should have done better from there!
SAVE! Chelsea continue to threaten the West Ham goal and another half-chance arrives when Pedro delivers towards Oscar, but Adrian makes the first save, before Fabregas fires over!
WEST HAM SUB! Emenike replaces Valencia for the visitors.
CHANCE! Another chance for Chelsea, but Terry heads over from a corner!
Half-chance for West Ham this time as Payet attempts to pick out the top corner after finding space inside the Chelsea box, but his effort is deflected over the crossbar. Pressure back on Chelsea here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Carroll this time as the England striker meets a corner from Payet, but Courtois is on hand to make the save. Anything in the air is dangerous!
Desperate defending from West Ham as a combined effort from Lanzini and Cresswell manage to clear the danger once again. The visitors are preparing to make their final change here...
... WEST HAM SUB! Lanzini is replaced by Obiang.
You just get he feeling that there is another goal in this match as Chelsea continue to take risks in the final third. The Blues are unbeaten under Hiddink, but that record is in real danger here!
CHELSEA SUB! Loftus-Cheek replaces Oscar for the home team.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but Chelsea are still pressing players forward in search of that second goal. West Ham are so close to a famous win here.
Super work from Emenike as the on-loan West Ham striker drives down the right before delivering a super cross into Carroll, but Ivanovic just about does enough to clear at the far post.
OFF-THE-LINE! Traore clears Carroll's header off-the-line!
PENALTY CHELSEA!
BOOKING! Antonio (West Ham) is booked for bringing Loftus-Cheek to the ground inside the box. Fabregas will have the chance to level the scores in this London derby...
GOAL! Chelsea 2-2 West Ham (Fabregas, pen)
Cool penalty from Fabregas as the Spaniard sends Adrian the wrong way!
BOOKINGS! Willian, Fabregas (Chelsea) both booked.
Payet eventually takes the free kick for West Ham after both sets of players had put their handbags away, but the Frenchman's effort is straight at Courtois, who makes a comfortable save.
CHANCE! Opportunity for Chelsea to win it as Traore feeds Loftus-Cheek inside the West Ham box, but the midfielder's low effort is just wide of the post. Still all happening here!
Into the sixth additional minute and we still play on.
FULL-TIME: Chelsea 2-2 West Ham
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the two teams sharing the points in a 2-2 draw. West Ham have finished the chance to jump into the top four as Chelsea's unbeaten league run under Hiddink continues. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
