West Ham produced a superb defensive display to earn a crucial 0-0 draw as Chelsea’s title challenge stalled in a Stamford Bridge stalemate.
Sam Allardyce’s men regularly put their bodies on the line during the 90 minutes to deny the Blues a much-needed three points. Given Arsenal’s draw at Southampton and Manchester City’s relentless win against Spurs a draw against the Iron was unthinkable for Mourinho’s men and it was a monumental defensive performance from the Hammers.
Spanish keeper Adrian was unbeatable as he produced a series of fine saves – while in front of him James Collins, Matt Taylor and James Tomkins produced some heroic blocks to keep the Blues at bay.
The Hammers could even have pinched all three points but the returning Andy Carroll – who had a good first-half shout for a penalty turned down – squandered a great opening when he swung and missed Stewart Downing’s centre.
Mourinho was visibly disappointed after the game and he said:
“I am sad at this moment, so congratulations to Sam.My respect to West Ham’s spirit and effort but my team tried everything so I cannot complain about my players. I’m happy with my players. In 2nd half the West Ham keeper saved a lot but also other players without gloves saved a lot”
It was a superb rearguard display from Allardyce’s men, who showed the never say die attitude needed to get themselves out of the relegation battle they find themselves in.
The performance has drawn widespread criticism from some quarters with many arguing that it wasnt a great advert for English football, however for what many perceived as a lack of quality on the pitch West Ham made up for it with determination, organisation and never say die attitude.
Jose Mourinho sent on Frank Lampard, Nemanja Matic and Demba Ba in an attempt to find the crucial breakthrough but the Hammers stood firm to see Chelsea – who had 39 shots during the contest – drop behind table-topping Manchester City, who they face on Monday Night Football.
Lampard thought he’d earned the win with the last kick off the match only for Adrian to deny him with an amazing goal-line stop just moments after Samuel Eto’o had the ball in the net, with referee Neil Swarbrick ruling he had blown for an earlier foul on the keeper.
Mourinho on Tuesday played down his side’s title chances this term and the Blues saw a seven-game winning run ended. City scored nine in the two-legged Capital One Cup semi-final with the Hammers, but the Blues faced a defensive wall they could not breach while the visitors also posed an early threat.
Speaking to West Ham TV manager Sam Allardyce said:
“I think that our solidarity and our defensive resilience meant that it wasn’t luck, it was sheer brilliance why we got a point,” said the manager. “Our last-ditch defending was brilliant and you can’t tell me Adrian has had to make too many saves apart from that one he made at the end from Frank Lampard”
On the night West Ham were absolutely delighted with the point they have taken from Stamford Bridge, it ends a run of a seven straight wins for the Blues. It again highlights Chelsea’s need for a top class striker, since the departure of Didier Drogba there hasn’t been anyone able to fill the gap.
The alarming statistic of 39 shots and 0 goals will worry Mourinho but to be honest Chelsea didn’t have that many great chances, they were particularly wasteful in front of goal and never really tested West Ham’s spanish shot stopper.
This result will be a huge wake up call for Chelsea, their next fixture is away to free scoring Manchester City and they will need to be far more clinical in front of goal, if they have any aspirations of winning the Premier League beating Man City in their own backyard will lay down a huge marker and banish the Blues from this match.
Rate the players performance below.
Frustrating game …