Chelsea inches closer to EPL title with win over West Ham

Chelsea then launched a series of devastating raids which were unlucky not to find the goal, before eventually forcing in a second from a scrappy corner which ended up going in off Diego Costa’s knee.

Manuel Lanzini would pull one back for West Ham in the 92nd minute after a tiring Chelsea had been caught out but it was too little too late and Chelsea hung on for their 21st league win of the season. Manchester City can close the gap to eight points should they beat Stoke City on Wednesday.

The Hammers will be hoping for some luck from their new stadium against the title contenders.

“Most of all how physically in good shape they are”. The only way teams have troubled Chelsea this season is by attacking rapidly on the counter, especially from the flanks.

“Tonight we played a good game, maybe not the best of the season but we scored two goals and won”.

25′ – GOAL! West Ham 0-1 Chelsea: How quickly Chelsea break and Pedro feeds Hazard, who nips around Randolph and passes into the net.

Unlike at Liverpool and Burnley, Chelsea would end up adding to their lead.

CHELSEA: Courtois 6; Azpilicueta 6, David Luiz 6, Cahill 7; Moses 7, Fabregas 6, Kante 7, Alonso 7; Pedro 7, Diego Costa 7, Hazard 8. Antonio Conte’s plan of sitting deep and breaking with blistering pace was working a treat.

The hosts’ willingness to hurl balls into the Chelsea box nearly paid off in the 61st minute as Thibaut Courtois saved with his legs from Sofiane Feghouli and Robert Snodgrass headed over.

Hazard’s quality was there for all to see once more as he toyed with Fonte and Obiang before finding Costa, who was denied his brace by an excellent save to his right low down from Randolph. The striker did everything right, turning sharply and striking a true, left-footed shot towards goal, but it was well saved by Randolph. Conte has revived the team to take a commanding lead at the summit. But the final whistle came seconds later.

Chelsea showed their title credentials as they cruised to a 2-1 derby victory over West Ham at the London Stadium on Monday.

The goal gave the Spain worldwide his 17th in the league, tying him for third-best this season behind only Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku.

For Hazard, it was his 11th goal of the season and was later declared Man of the Match.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Conte was delighted with the performance of his players.

“There are many good teams in the Premier League with attacking football, flair and individual class”.

West Ham have enjoyed some success with a 4-2-3-1 formation in recent weeks, with Antonio playing through the middle.

Chelsea have won 17 of 19 Premier League games against teams outside top-six this season but have lost their last two away games against West Ham squad.

“This game against West Ham, for us, is very important”, he added.

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