West Ham 1 Chelsea 2
Hazard 25 Costa 50 Lanzini 92
This derby started with a good atmosphere.
After 20 minutes, I thought that West Ham needed a reward for their colossal expenditure of energy. Their appetite and determination were magnificent.
I’d decided that Slaven Bilic is 50% physicality and 50% tacticality.
Slav is a good manager of a team that’s got less ££££ than you. And less talented players than you. His teams can close the gap and give you a game -and I like that.
Chelsea play incisive keep-ball, and create very incisive counter-attacks with exciting geometry and clinical finishes. They don’t need 5 chances to score a goal.
When Chelsea were defending the box with seven players (including Courtois), Kante intercepted a pass in the left back position, broke forward at high speed and slipped the ball forward into Hazard’s run as the Belgian was outsprinting Pedro near the half-way line.
Hazard’s square pass to Pedro had a sign on it: Give it back to me in space!
Hazard got the ball back and went through the D and round the advancing keeper Darren Randolph. His shot was clean and confident ,eluding Kouyate’s attempt to cover the line.
After 40, a Moses shot was blocked by Creswell, and Pedro’s shot from the rebound was saved by Randolph.
Apart from the goal, the highlight of the first half came in 45 when Kante pushed the ball way forward and, after a preposterous sprint that took him off the pitch, still kept the ball on the pitch. An amazing moment from a player who would be outstanding every week at Real Madrid or Juventus.
Having backed Chelsea to score the first goal, I backed them again at half-time to do the same and Diego Costa obliged in 50.
When Obiang misheaded at the near post, Diego Costa knocked the ball in with his thigh at the far post.
It was a terrific high-tempo contest and Randolph made a superb one-handed save after a turn-and-hit by Costa.
Willian replaced Hazard in 74.
In 92, West Ham scored a fine consolation goal when sub Ayew’s pass found the run of Lanzini.His take was very good and his low shot across Courtois was even better.
So super-professional Chelsea beat the Hammers and won 2 more bets for me.
Bilic said, “They look very, very serious.”
Managers don’t often use that word: serious.
What Eden Hazard needed was the dynamic,demanding Antonio Conte.
When Hazard’s flying, Chelsea are sparking.
He even played a one-two with Pedro off his back.
Biggest difference between Chelsea (66pts) and Arsenal (50pts)?
Chelsea always turn up.