Goals from John Terry and Diego Costa saw Chelsea ease past West Ham on Boxing Day.
Right from the off, Chelsea were all over a – for the day poor – West Ham side, and when Terry scored his second goal in two matches it was just a matter of how many.
Despite wave after wave of attack and pressure from the Blues, only Costa could find the net in the second half to put the game to bed.
First half
It was all Chelsea throughout the match and it started with a great chance for Oscar. The midfielder found himself in space inside the area and when the cross came in from the right, he hit a half volley towards goal, but failed to find the net.
Gary Cahill was the next one to test the abilities of West Ham keeper Adrian. The centre half attempted a half volley from ten yards, but again Adrian parried well to prevent the opener.
Hammers had been warned but could do little to prevent Chelsea’s stunning one touch football on the half hour mark.
The beautiful combinations eventually led to a corner, which Cesc Fabregas crossed into the box. Costa won the header and looked to go for goal but on the line Terry popped out of nowhere to guide the ball in. 1-0.
The Chelsea pressure continued after the goal and Nemanja Matic’s long-range shot was well saved by Adrian before Costa should have done better with his half volley just before the break.
Second half
In the second half, Chelsea were quick out of the blocks again to try get that all-important second goal. Willian drove forward and released Eden Hazard just minutes into the second half.
The Belgian cut inside the defenders and had a shot. The fierce attempt was straight at Adrian but showed intent from Chelsea also in the second half.
Chelsea were always looking to get another goal and it came when Matic won the ball at the halfway line.
Hazard picked up possession and found Costa at the edge of the box. The striker did a couple of dummies against three Hammers defenders before slotting home with a low left foot effort. 2-0.
Soon after it could have been three when Oscar’s free-kick was saved and Matic’s attempt from two yards on the following corner was saved by Adrian.
West Ham could have got one back right at the end when Morgan Amalfitano all of a sudden was inside the Chelsea area. The Frenchman tried beating Thibaut Courtois at his near post, but only hit the woodwork with a cheeky dink.
It finished 2-0 but it could have been a lot more! Next up is Southampton away on Sunday.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; Matic Fabregas; Willian (Ramires 86), Oscar (Mikel 82), Hazard; Diego Costa (Drogba 82).
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