MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 02:03:42| >> :120:5577:5577:
[monks data]
Chelsea logo
Premier League
Dec 26, 2014 at 12.45pm UK
 
West Ham logo

2-0

Terry (31'), Costa (62')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Chelsea too strong for West Ham United

John Terry and Diego Costa score to give Chelsea a 2-0 win over West Ham United in the Premier League.

Chelsea have extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table with a 2-0 win over West Ham United at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.

Chelsea's English defender John Terry celebrates scoring the opening goal with teammates during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge in London on December 26, 2014© Getty Images

The home side looked the stronger of the two sides from the start, and had an early chance when a failed clearance from Carl Jenkinson left Oscar with a sight at goal, but he could only fire over.

Adrian continued to come under pressure at the back as Gary Cahill tried to head it in, before forcing a save a few minutes later with a powerful finish from the edge of the box.

Chelsea's dominance paid off with just over half an hour played though, as Jose Mourinho's side forced a corner leaving Diego Costa to flick the ball forward for the captain to tap in.

John Terry of Chelsea turns to celebrate after scoring the opening goal past Adrian of West Ham during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on December 26, 2014© Getty Images

Nemanja Matic and Costa both came close to doubling the home side's lead before the break, but Adrian continued to look sharp between the posts for the Hammers.

West Ham made a bright start to the second half, forcing a corner just moments after the action got back underway, but Chelsea quickly made the clearance.

The visitors were immediately put under pressure down the other end, with Willian slotting the ball in for Eden Hazard with a quick counter-attack, but Adrian was ready to deny the Belgian.

The hosts eventually added a second just after the hour mark as Costa got the better of James Collins with a quick run before slicing the ball in from a tight angle.

Diego Costa of Chelsea celebrates scoring their second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on December 26, 2014© Getty Images

The Spaniard could have added another just a few minutes later when Branislav Ivanovic picked Costa out with a cross, but the striker's volley went wide.

Adrian continued to keep West Ham in contention, palming an Oscar effort away from just a few feet out before blocking a Matic strike.

West Ham almost gave themselves a chance to push for a draw late on when Morgan Amalfitano came off the bench and struck the post when the chipped the ball beyond Thibaut Courtois.

Didier Drogba could have put the result beyond doubt when his tried the blast the ball in with a shot from outside the box, but the veteran forward failed to trouble Adrian.

The result moves Chelsea six points clear at the top of the table, although they have played a match more than second-placed Manchester City, while West Ham remain fourth.

ID:195566: cacheID:195566:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6748:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Chelsea's English defender John Terry passes the ball during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on October 5, 2014
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Terry gives Chelsea lead
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
10am
Blanch
Nadal
10am
Cachin
Ofner
10am
Elahi Galan
Bautista-Agut
10am
Gasquet
Sonego
10am
Hanfmann
Mensik
10am
Koepfer
Carballes Baena
10am
Kovacevic
Medjedovic
10am
Lajovic
Monteiro
10am
Machac
Ruusuvuori
10am
Michelsen
Fonseca
10am
Nishioka
Auger-Aliassime
10am
O'Connell
Arnaldi
10am
Purcell
Giron
10am
Ramos-Vinolas
Kotov
10am
Tabilo
Cobolli
10am
Zhizhen
Kecmanovic
10am
Azarenka
Maria
10am
Eala
Cirstea
10am
Annie Fernandez
Potapova
10am
Gauff
Rus
10am
Keys
Camelia-Begu
10am
Podoroska
Navarro
10am
Karolina Schmiedlova
Jabeur
10am
Swiatek
Wang
10am
Baez
Van Assche
10am
Coric
Zverev
10am
Martin Etcheverry
Shapovalov
10am
Humbert
Van De Zandschulp
10am
Hurkacz
Draper
10am
Marozsan
Cerundolo
10am
Paul
Klein
10am
Rublev
Bagnis
10am
Altmaier
Fils
10am
Darderi
Fritz
10am
Griekspoor
Daniel
10am
Munar
Struff
10am
Musetti
Seyboth Wild
10am
Navone
Rune
10am
Shevchenko
Alcaraz
10am
Alexandrova
Krueger
10am
Andreeva
Noskova
10am
Bejlek
Kalinskaya
10am
Boulter
Montgomery
10am
Bronzetti
Rybakina
10am
Collins
Danilovic
3pm
Cristian
Krejcikova
10am
Dolehide
Kalinina
10am
Garcia
Wang
10am
Linette
Sabalenka
10am
Pavlyuchenkova
Saville
10am
Sorribes Tormo
Svitolina
10am
Vekic
Sakkari
11.30am
Arango
Yastremska
11.30am
Osaka
Samsonova
11.30am
Ostapenko
Bouzas Maneiro
1pm
Haddad Maia
Errani
2.30pm
Lourdes Carle
Kudermetova
2.30pm
Mertens
Stephens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool34228475344174
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!