Chelsea dominate Boxing Day test against West Ham

Christ­mas blues for The Hammer­s as Terry, Costa score.

Costa, whose goal tally had slowed in recent weeks, showed his pedigree when he received a pass from Hazard and lashed a left-foot shot past goalkeeper Adrian in the 62nd minute to make it 2-0. PHOTO: AFP

LONDON: Premier League leaders Chelsea showed West Ham United no Christmas cheer yesterday with a one-sided 2-0 Boxing Day victory that enhanced their status as title favourites.

Goals in each half from John Terry and Diego Costa – his 13th of the campaign – earned Jose Mourinho's side a win that enabled them to open up a provisional six-point lead over second-place Manchester City.

Fourth-place West Ham were expected to provide a stern test after a run of five games without defeat, but despite hitting the woodwork late on, Sam Allardyce's team were well beaten in what was the London rivals' 100th encounter.

"We played a very good game against a very difficult opponent. When we scored, we had the game always under control," Mourinho told Sky Sports. "I am really happy. We are doing very well."

Eden Hazard overcame a knock to start for Chelsea and he proved a bewitching presence as the hosts swarmed all over their opponents from the start at Stamford Bridge.

Oscar had gone close and visiting goalkeeper Adrian had parried from Gary Cahill and Willian by the time Terry broke the deadlock in the 31st minute, tapping in after Costa headed on Cesc Fabregas's corner.

West Ham spent long periods of the first half penned inside their own area, with Adrian producing a one-handed save to thwart Nemanja Matic and Costa shooting over from a Branislav Ivanovic cross.

After Adrian had thwarted Hazard, Costa made it 2-0 in the 62nd minute, gathering a pass from Hazard and sending Carl Jenkinson and James Collins the wrong way before drilling a left-foot shot into the bottom-right corner.

Adrian athletically tipped an Oscar free-kick over the bar and Fabregas curled wide, but although Chelsea had dominated, West Ham came close to snatching a goal when substitute Morgan Amalfitano dinked a shot against the post.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 27^th,  2014.

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December 27, 2014 at 12:32AM
Source/Credit: The Express Tribune