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Chelsea fail to break down stubborn West Ham United

Chelsea drop points in the title race following a 0-0 draw with West Ham United at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have lost ground on Manchester City following a goalless draw with West Ham United at Stamford Bridge.

In a tight first half, Chelsea created more opportunities but West Ham made life difficult for the title contenders by offering their creative players very little freedom.

Oscar came closest early on for the hosts when he targeted the top corner from the edge of the box but Adrian reacted well to tip the ball to safety.

West Ham's goalkeeper was called into action just before the break to deny John Terry, who had lost his marker but failed to find the net with a header.

The Hammers missed a good opportunity to take the lead early in the second half when Stewart Downing curled a cross into the path of Andy Carroll but the striker missed the ball completely in the box to the relief of the Chelsea defence.

Hazard was inches away from finding the opening goal in the 67th minute but his drilled effort drifted just wide of Adrian's post.

The visitors dropped deeper to defend late on but they continued to make crucial blocks to frustrate the home supporters and Jose Mourinho.

West Ham were forced to desperately hang on for a draw in the closing stages as both Hazard and Frank Lampard came close to scoring a dramatic winner for the hosts in stoppage time before the referee blew the final whistle.

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West Ham's Kevin Nolan and Chelsea's Eden Hazard in action during their Premier League match on January 29, 2014
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


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