West Ham United have moved six points clear of the Premier League relegation zone with a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in Sunday's clash at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea dominated the opening 45 minutes but the Blues only had one goal to show for it, with Cesar Azpilicueta converting from close range.
However, the home side failed to take more chances in the second half and Javier Hernandez ensured that the Hammers returned to the East part of England's capital with a share of the spoils.
Find out how all of the action unfolded in West London courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Chelsea and West Ham United. Simply put, Chelsea need a win to realistically maintain any hopes of a top-four place this season, while West Ham boss David Moyes will acknowledge that any point will be regarded as a bonus at Stamford Bridge. Let's see who features in the respective starting lineups...
CHELSEA XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Rudiger; Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Willian, Morata, Hazard
CHELSEA SUBSTITUTES: Caballero, Christensen, Emerson, Bakayoko, Drinkwater, Pedro, Giroud
WEST HAM UNITED XI: Hart; Rice, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Zabaleta, Kouyate, Noble, Fernandes, Masuaku; Joao Mario; Arnautovic
WEST HAM UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Adrian, Evra, Pask, Cullen, Diangana, Hugill, Hernandez
Let's start by taking a look at the Chelsea side as Antonio Conte opts to make just the two changes to the team which began the 3-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. The most notable one comes in goal, with Thibaut Courtois having recovered from a hamstring injury to replace Willy Caballero.
The second alteration comes in defence with Gary Cahill being reintroduced back into the side in place of Andreas Christensen, who has struggled with his fitness in recent weeks. Cahill will play in the centre of a back three which includes Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger.
Conte has decided to keep his midfield four the same, with Cesc Fabregas keeping his place alongside N'Golo Kante in the middle. Tiemoue Bakayoko and Danny Drinkwater have to make do with a spot among the replacements.
In attack, Alvaro Morata starts ahead of Olivier Giroud after netting in his second successive match last weekend. Pedro has recovered from injury to feature in the squad, but the playmaker is only named on the bench. Willian and Eden Hazard will support Morata.
As for West Ham, Moyes has made just the one change to his starting lineup, with Edimilson Fernandes replacing Michail Antonio after the attacker suffered a hamstring injury last weekend. That should see West Ham playing with a 3-5-1-1 formation.
As expected, Marko Arnautovic starts as the lone forward with Javier Hernandez and Jordan Hugill named on the bench. It at least leaves Moyes with options on the bench should they be required.
LATEST! There is currently a match taking place at the Emirates Stadium between Arsenal and Southampton, and the Saints have just found an equaliser through Charlie Austin. The score is locked at 2-2 with just 15 minutes remaining. Chelsea would be delighted if that stays the same.
We'll wait for the conclusion to that match before bringing you a league table so let's see what the respective managers have been saying ahead of this game. West Ham have not been in the greatest of form but their 3-0 win over Southampton last weekend certainly got the attention of Conte. Click here to read the Italian's thoughts.
Moyes has also been complimentary in the build-up to this game, claiming that Chelsea will need to have an "off day" in order for West Ham to collect any points. Click here to see what the Scot has had to say.
If West Ham stay up this season, Arnautovic will have played his part and Moyes has spoken highly of the Austrian winger in the build-up to this fixture with the summer signing having contributed nine goals and three assists in the Premier League.
LATEST! There's been another goal at the Emirates Stadium and Arsenal now lead thanks to Danny Welbeck's second of the afternoon. The Gunners hold a 3-2 advantage with around seven minutes plus added-on time remaining.
Chelsea head into this match having avoided defeat against West Ham in their last 11 league meetings at Stamford Bridge, with eight wins and three draws being recorded. The last victory that West Ham registered victory at the home of the West Londoners came back in 2002, with Paolo Di Canio and Jermain Defoe getting on the scoresheet in a dramatic 3-2 win.
Regardless of how Chelsea have fared against West Ham at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea head into this game having registered just six points from a possible 21. The Blues have faced some difficult sides but it has been a disastrous run which appears likely to cost the club Champions League football next season.
Chelsea are also looking to avoid back-to-back league defeats at Stamford Bridge for the first time since November 2011. Arsenal and Liverpool were the teams who prevailed back then.
Much is made of Hazard being Chelsea's key man but somewhat remarkably, the Belgian playmaker has failed to score in 12 of his last 13 outings at Stamford Bridge. His only two efforts came in the game against West Bromwich Albion in February.
LATEST! It will probably matter little but Elneny and Stephens have both been sent off at the Emirates. It all stemmed from a cynical tug of the shirt from Wilshere, who was booked.
West Ham will never be expected to have one of the best away records in the Premier League but they have lost the last three top-flight matches on their travels, with Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool and Swansea City scoring 11 goals between them.
Moyes has also not fared very well at Stamford Bridge, with the Scot failing to win a single match in 14 visits to Chelsea. His record is much worse when it comes to facing teams currently sitting in the top six away from home. In the last 29 matches, just nine draws have been recorded.
RESULT! The full-time whistle goes in North London and Arsenal have held on to register a 3-2 victory over Southampton. The Saints held their own for large parts of the game but Welbeck's late goal has proven to be the difference. Click here to read our on-the-whistle report.
As far as the table is concerned, Arsenal are now just two points adrift of Chelsea. Whoever finishes in fifth place will earn automatic entry into the Europa League. Sixth spot may yet have to come through a playoff tie. Southampton remain in the bottom three and three points adrift of safety. Click here to take a look at the top-flight standings.
PREDICTION! Both sides have been inconsistent when it comes to scoring goals so we anticipate a close match today. However, we cannot back against the home side, who we feel will run out 1-0 winners.
HEAD TO HEAD! Today's encounter represents the 110th competitive match between the two clubs, with Chelsea claiming 49 wins in comparison to 40 victories for West Ham.
The head-to-head is closer than we thought, and the same goes for the most recent matches too. West Ham have three wins and a draw from the last half-a-dozen contests, although those three successes did come on home territory.
The reverse fixture between the sides took place in December and it saw Moyes announce himself to the Hammers faithful with a 1-0 victory over their fierce rivals. Click here to read back on that match.
Once the players have made their way onto the pitch, we will have a minutes applause for Chelsea legend Ray Wilkins, who sadly passed away earlier this week. Wilkins spent time during both his playing and coaching career at Stamford Bridge and the Blues faithful will sing his name loudly this afternoon.
Here come the two sets of players for what should be a fiercely-contested London derby. West Ham will fancy this. Despite their battle to stay in the division, they are probably under less pressure than their hosts.
A reminder of the two teams...
CHELSEA XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Rudiger; Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Willian, Morata, Hazard
WEST HAM UNITED XI: Hart; Rice, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Zabaleta, Kouyate, Noble, Fernandes, Masuaku; Joao Mario; Arnautovic
KICKOFF! Chelsea get us underway.
Chelsea have started the brighter of the two teams and have already put together a couple of attacks, but West Ham have rebuffed their attempts to move into the penalty area.
Arnautovic has just taken a knock to the back of his leg and is clutching his hamstring, but I think he is going to be fine to continue. It appears more of an impact injury.
WOODWORK! Excellent play from Hazard sees the Belgian move towards the edge of the penalty area before getting a shot away. It beats Hart but the ball clips the outside of the post and goes wide.
West Ham respond by winning a corner out on the left-hand side but Rice fouls Courtois in the six-yard box.
This match is warming up nicely. West Ham are already showing that they have not turned up to focus on defending. Arnautovic is keeping the Chelsea back three on high alert.
If anything, West Ham are looking the more assured on the ball. Chelsea are having more of it, but they are rushing passes in the Hammers half.
Zabaleta has just won a free kick, but the Argentine clearly dived over the leg of Fabregas. He admitted the dive, too, and Fabregas laughed it off. No action from the referee.
Almost a chance for Arnautovic. Masuaku's ball over the top of the Chelsea defence is sensational but the attacker needed to shoot first time. Instead, he attempted to control the ball and the opportunity was lost.
Back up the other end, Willian is given the space to advance into the penalty area and although the West Ham defence push the Brazilian out wide, his cross needs to be dealt with by Ogbonna with Morata lurking behind.
Chelsea have started to take measures to keep hold of the ball. West Ham had been given encouragement in the final third but the Blues are now looking to take the wind out of their sails.
If Chelsea are going to break the deadlock, it could come through Willian who is really starting to work his magic in the final third. The playmaker twists and turns on the edge of the area before seeing a shot deflected wide of the far post.
This match does not really feel like a London derby. Both teams are content to let the other have possession in the middle of the pitch. No bookings either.
Morata has the ball in the net after flicking a shot through the legs of Hart from 12 yards out but the Spaniard was half a yard offside.
Arnautovic has been in the wars today. He has recovered from his previous knock but the forward is now holding his back after a 50-50 with Rudiger. There was only one winner there!
CHANCE! Very nearly an opener from Chelsea. Hazard does brilliantly down the left before delivering a cross to the near post. Morata flicks the ball towards the far post but it goes just wide.
SHOT! Over the last few minutes, West Ham have started to lose their way. Chelsea win a corner and are able to tee up Willian on the edge of the area, but the Brazilian's curler when marginally wide of the post.
West Ham's formation has been put together with the onus placed on counter-attacks but Arnautovic is becoming increasingly isolated. The Hammers could probably do with half time coming sooner rather than later.
SAVE! Gareth Southgate - are you watching? Morata and Hazard combine to play Willian through on goal but Hart comes out to make a stunning block from Willian.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 West Ham United (Cesar Azpilicueta)
However, the resulting corner is defended poorly by West Ham and Chelsea capitalise. The ball eventually falls to Azpilicueta who is able to prod into the net from close range.
Already, West Ham are starting to get deeper and deeper. A second goal could be there for Chelsea. The Blues have been relentless since the half-hour mark.
Azpilicueta loves a cross to Morata and the combination almost pays off again with the ball just going above the head of the forward.
One thing for sure is that West Ham simply have to make a change of some sort at the break. They are being over-run in all areas of the pitch now. Will Hernandez get another chance to impress? He's scored at this ground before with Manchester United.
This looked a sore one for Moses. The wing-back gets to the ball just before Masuaku and catches the studs of the West Ham player. He should be ok to continue, however.
There will be one minute of added-on time.
HALF TIME: Chelsea 1-0 West Ham United
The half-time whistle goes at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea deservedly lead thanks to Azpilicueta's goal. West Ham promised much in the early stages of the game but the Blues took over after the opening quarter. Moyes needs to change something at the break.
That said, Hart will feel hard done by having conceded after previously pulling off a stunning block with his boot to deny Willian. The goal came as a result of the Hammers twice failing to win high balls and Azpilicueta was perfectly placed to capitalise from close range.
West Ham are yet to force Courtois into any work at the other end but Arnautovic remains a threat, regardless of the Austrian not seeing much of the ball. Moyes is going to have to take a gamble at some stage to give the attacker more assistance.
We are almost ready to get back underway at Stamford Bridge. We are yet to see signs of any alterations.
KICKOFF! West Ham get us back underway.
BOOKING! Within 40 seconds of the restart, Noble goes into the referee's notebook for a cynical tug of Hazard's shirt.
CHANCE! Hazard looks more lively at the start of this second half and after the Belgian tees up Willian, his teammate is able to get a shot away. However, his effort goes marginally wide of the far post from 10 yards out.
CHANCE! Back come West Ham with Arnautovic being able to get an effort away from the penalty spot, but the ball goes too close to Courtois.
Both teams have come out firing at the start of this second half. Alonso is released down the left and his cross into the middle is a good one. However, the ball evades both Willian at the near post and Morata at the back.
Morata is starting to look a different player to the one we witnessed during the first part of 2018. The Spaniard just went on a direct run at the defence and almost found a gap between Rice and Ogbonna, who combined to win the ball back for their team.
CHANCE! It should be 2-0. Willian's outswinging corner finds the head of Morata, but the forward's effort from eight yards goes over the crossbar.
Cresswell has just picked up an injury after jumping with Willian for a high ball. Evra looks ready to replace him but Moyes is going to hold fire for now.
For the second time in this match, Morata has the ball in the net before seeing that he had been flagged offside. It's a finer margin but again, the assistant has got this spot on.
Cresswell has given it a go but he can't continue. A change is imminent with Hazard having just failed to make the most of an opening inside the penalty area.
SUBSTITUTION! After a lengthy delay, Evra is finally on to replace Cresswell.
That change has definitely disrupted play. Chelsea have taken their foot off the gas and West Ham are taking the opportunity to have the ball for a prolonged period.
West Ham have reverted back to keeping 10 men behind the ball while Chelsea do what they please with it. For the large part, there has been a lack of urgency from West Ham today.
SHOT! Nearly a second for Chelsea. Moses cut back onto his left foot before seeing a fizzing shot evade the far top corner by a matter of inches.
SUBSTITUTION! Finally, some ambition from Moyes. Hernandez is being introduced to take the place of Fernandes.
We are pretty sure that this wasn't a shot but Masuaku comes close to beating Courtois at his near post with a cross which didn't possess the curl which was intended.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 West Ham United (Javier Hernandez)
It's amazing what can happen with a bit of ambition, isn't it? Cahill fails to deal with a ball inside the penalty area and Arnautovic retrieves it before crossing for Hernandez, who sweeps a shot into the bottom corner from 14 yards out. Great finish.
The onus is now on Chelsea to regain the lead. West Ham will settle for this and the Hammers will know that the ball is going to be sent into their penalty area.
SUBSTITUTIONS! Here come the Chelsea changes, with Pedro and Giroud being introduced for Moses and Morata.
SHOT! West Ham have been the better side since the goal but Chelsea almost regain the lead through Alonso, who turns on the edge of the area before seeing Hart tip his left-footed strike over the crossbar.
Neither team is settling for a point, which is refreshing to see - especially in the case of West Ham. Moyes senses that Chelsea aren't at it in defence and the combination of Arnautovic and Hernandez is causing problems.
SUBSTITUTION! West Ham's final change sees Cullen take the place of Joao Mario, who takes forever to leave the pitch.
Arnautovic breaks into the Chelsea penalty area before being dispossessed by Kante, The Austrian is calling for a foul but Kante just - JUST - gets the ball before playing the man.
CHANCE! What a jump this is from Giroud. The Frenchman directs a header towards the far bottom corner but Hart gets across to tip the ball onto the post. The West Ham goalkeeper has been excellent this afternoon.
There will be five minutes of added-on time.
Chelsea continue to send the ball into the penalty area but time is running out. Cahill's header has just gone straight into the hands of Hart.
West Ham win a corner but after it comes to nothing, Chelsea go down the other end and win one of their own. However, when the ball falls to Pedro, he slashes a volley high over the bar.
FULL TIME: Chelsea 1-1 West Ham United
The full-time whistle goes at Stamford Bridge and West Ham have held on to seal a point at the home of one of their fierce rivals. Chelsea probably deserved to win this game, but they failed to take their chances and Hernandez made them pay. West Ham now sit six points clear of the relegation zone while Chelsea end the weekend 10 points adrift of the top four.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us today and we hope to see you again soon.
If you would like to read our on-the-whistle report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
