West Ham Utd v Chelsea: half time report

  • by Staff Writer
  • Saturday, 23rd November 2013

West Ham face a huge uphill struggle to get anything from today's game after a dreadful first half here at the Boleyn Ground.

The Hammers go into the break two goals adrift after they were made to look distinctly average by a busy and efficient Chelsea side.

The visitors took the lead shortly after the quarter-hour mark when Guy Demel made an uncharacteristic error, underhitting a short back pass to Jussi Jaaskelainen. West Ham's old nemesis Frank Lampard slotted the resulting penalty high into the top corner to give Chelsea the lead.

James Collins, who gave away the free kick that led to Norwich's second goal a fortnight ago was culpable once again for the second, when his decision to leave his defensive area allowed Oscar the freedom of Upton Park to slot home from 18 yards.

So unenamoured was manager Sam Allardyce by his team's display that both Jack Collison and Joe Cole were hauled off with five minutes of the half remaining, to be replaced by Mo Diame and Modibo Maiga, whose most recent goal came in this fixture last December.

West Ham have provided very little in the final third, although a 30-yard run from Ravel Morrison during which he briefly threatened to re-enact his goal at Tottenham at least got the crowd on their feet.

We'll have more for you at the final whistle.

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