Chelsea vs West Ham match report: Cesc Fabregas penalty rescues point after spirited Hammers display
Chelsea 2 West Ham United 2
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.There might have been some doubt – and, from Slaven Bilic, some anger – about whether Michail Antonio actually tripped Ruben Loftus-Cheek inside the box in the 89th minute at Chelsea, but there is no doubt about the consequence: West Ham United were tripped up in their otherwise impressive chase for a Champions League place.
Bilic’s side were just minutes way from jumping into fourth above both Manchester clubs before the derby at the Etihad today, only for Cesc Fabregas to hit the contentious penalty that made it 2-2 and peg them back. Bilic described the decision as “unacceptable”.
The West Ham manager said: “To concede the type of goal, it’s simply not a penalty. We are gutted.” He rightly felt West Ham deserved the win, but once it gets to this stage of the season, teams have to make sure. West Ham failed to make sure they went 2-0 up and then 3-1 up when they could have, so remain in fifth.
Yet this great game deserved a dramatic finale; its quality was illustrated by the standard of the first three goals.
On 17 minutes, Manuel Lanzini curled a gorgeous strike over Thibaut Courtois to make it 1-0, before Fabregas (pictured) hit his first with a supreme curling free-kick in first-half stoppage time.
Andy Carroll made it 2-1 on 61 minutes just a moment after coming on as a substitute, having been picked out by a sublime no-look Dimitri Payet reverse pass.
Throughout there were a number of borderline refereeing calls, none more so than at the decisive moment. Just two minutes after Bertrand Traoré had cleared a Carroll header off the line, Willian ran through the West Ham defence before releasing Loftus-Cheek.
Antonio appeared to catch the Chelsea youngster’s ankle, although possibly just outside the box. But Loftus-Cheek fell inside the box, and Fabregas tucked the penalty just inside the post.
West Ham had been dominant, and should have been out of sight by this stage. At 1-0, Aaron Cresswell shot wide after a divine Lanzini flick to set up the chance, and the full-back then smashed the crossbar from an angle in the second half.
Bilic lamented: “We tried to play too sexy… but were not penetrating enough.” Chelsea, for whom physio Jon Fearn returned to the bench for the first time since the opening day of the season after being criticised by the then manager, Jose Mourinho, will have been relieved to escape with a draw.
Chelsea: (4-2-3-1) Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Mikel, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar (Loftus-Cheek, 84), Kenedy (Pedro, 45); Rémy (Traoré, 62).
West Ham: (4-2-3-1) Adrian; Antonio, Ogbonna, Reid, Cresswell; Noble, Kouyaté; Valencia (Emenike, 75), Payet, Lanzini (Obiang, 81); Sakho (Carroll, 60).
Referee: Robert Madley.
Man of the match: Lanzini (West Ham)
Match rating: 7/10
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments