Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

West Ham vs Chelsea as it happened: Eden Hazard and Diego Costa make sure of victory

Follow live update from the Premier League clash at the London Stadium

Luke Brown
Monday 06 March 2017 15:47 EST
Hazard brings the ball down on the touchline
Hazard brings the ball down on the touchline (Getty)

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.

West Ham United's run-in to their maiden season at the London Stadium is in danger of becoming an anti-climax, but if anything can stir some passion it is a visit from Chelsea.

Please allow a moment for the blog to load...

What time is kick-off?

The game kicks off at 8.00pm on Monday 6 March.

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on Sky Sports 1.

Form guide

West Ham: DDLLWW​

​Bournemouth: LLLLDL

Team news

West Ham are confident that Andy Carroll can pass a late fitness test to feature against Chelsea. Michail Antonio is meanwhile suspended after being sent off in the 1-1 draw with Watford last weekend while Angelo Ogbonna, Diafra Sakho and Gokhan Tore all remain sidelined.

Chelsea — somewhat intimidatingly for their opponents — boast a completely clean bill of health.

Expected line-ups

West Ham (4-2-3-1): Randolph; Kouyate, Fonte, Reid, Cresswell; Noble, Obiang; Feghouli, Snodgrass, Lanzini; Carroll.

Chelsea (3-4-2-1): Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill; Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso; Pedro, Hazard; Costa.

It's a big game for...

Carroll scored a goal of the season contender against Crystal Palace
Carroll scored a goal of the season contender against Crystal Palace (Getty)

Andy Carroll: Who else? Carroll has scored five goals in his last three home London derbies in the Premier League and is one goal away from his 50th strike in the top flight. He has also scored in two of his last three games against Chelsea.

"We have done well without him in the last few games but I'm sure we would have done better with him because he is one of our key players," Bilic said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Monday evening.

"It will be great to have him on the pitch on Monday and a big blow if he doesn't make it."

Player to watch...

Hazard has been fantastic in recent weeks
Hazard has been fantastic in recent weeks (Getty)

Eden Hazard: The Belgian is expected to be fit for Chelsea's Premier League clash at West Ham on Monday despite picking up a worrying knock in training.

Hazard was on the receiving end of a kick in training, but head coach Antonio Conte expects the Belgium playmaker to be available at the London Stadium.

Hazard has been in superb form in recent weeks and was particularly influential in the club's recent 3-1 home win against Swansea, completing more dribbles (8) than any other player on the pitch.

Best stat

Antonio Conte has lost two of his three away London derbies in the Premier League, losing out to Arsenal in September and Tottenham in January, while beating Crystal Palace in the other game.

Odds

Courtesy of 888.com

West Ham: 5/1

Chelsea: 5/9

Draw: 3/1

Michail Antonio is being interviewed pitch-side and says the Olympic Stadium is "really beginning to feel like home". 

West Ham have won once here in 2017 and it's hard to see them making it two wins tonight. 

Vithushan Ehantharajah6 March 2017 19:48

Vithushan Ehantharajah6 March 2017 19:50

Chelsea have gone about their business in an effective rather than show-stopping manner this season, but Antonio Conte has certainly been ambitious in his team selection tonight.

The Italian repeatedly acknowledged in his pre-match press conference and yet has refrained from naming Nemanja Matic in his side, instead selecting the same XI that saw off Swansea 3-1 at the Bridge.

That means Chelsea go into this fixture with a midfield of an average height of just a shade over 5' 6". West Ham need Cheikhou Kouyate to deliver a big performance. 

Vithushan Ehantharajah6 March 2017 19:55

The teams are out on the pitch and kick-off is just moments away.

Vithushan Ehantharajah6 March 2017 19:57

1 min: Chelsea kick-off and immediately knock a dangerous long-ball into the path of Pedro which only just escapes the Spaniard. Almost a nightmare start for the home team!

Vithushan Ehantharajah6 March 2017 20:01

3 mins: It's Chelsea, predictably, with the early pressure and Victor Moses has a run down the right wing, narrowly avoiding being chopped down by Cresswell in the process. 

West Ham clear, but Hazard then wins a free-kick down the opposite flank when he's brought down by Kouyate. Fabregas swings the set-piece in, but it's too deep and Randolph claims it. 

Vithushan Ehantharajah6 March 2017 20:03

5 mins: Another free-kick to Chelsea - this time Pedro Obiang is the man in trouble, for hauling down Fabregas - but again Chelsea fail to mount an attack from the free-kick. 

Vithushan Ehantharajah6 March 2017 20:04

7 mins: A first sniff for West Ham, Feghouli scampering past Alonso and floating a superb ball across the face of goal for Carroll to attack. He's up against Victor Moses, but the wing-back does well to get in front of him and head clear. West Ham corner. 

Carroll clattered into the back of Moses as he attacked the ball and comes off the worse; the game is paused as his bloodied nose is mopped up. 

Vithushan Ehantharajah6 March 2017 20:06

8 mins: You sold your soul, for this sh*thole, the Chelsea fans sing as Carroll receives treatment. The corner is swung in with the striker still off the pitch receiving treatment and Chelsea clear. 

Vithushan Ehantharajah6 March 2017 20:07

11 mins: A fine run from Robert Snodgrass down the wing, but he's eventually crowded out and loses control. 

A bright start for West Ham, though. 

Vithushan Ehantharajah6 March 2017 20:13

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in