West Ham 0 Chelsea 1
This was always going to be the most difficult match of the run-in, particularly without Antonio, Rice, Cresswell, Masuaku and Dawson. West Ham do pretty well containing Chelsea in the first half with a five-man defence and Fredericks does well at left back. Werner and Mount always look dangerous for Chelsea, with Pulisic spurning an inviting chance.
The Hammers waste an early corner but towards the end of the half start to gain more possession and see Soucek's hook turned past the post by Azpilicueta with his hand, though unintentionally and the no penalty decision is correct. What's disappointing is that Chelsea score just before the break. Chilwell is allowed to get a cross in and Balbuena and Soucek just fail to get to the ball, allowing Werner to stroke home.
West Ham are more of an attacking threat in the second half with Fornals at least hitting the target when he might have scored and Lingard lobbing just wide. At the other end Werner misses a sitter after Fabianski parries Mount's shot. Any hope of a late West Ham equaliser goes with a ridiculous VAR red card for Balbuena. The General's foot can't follow-through anywhere else as he clears and catches Mount.
There's still time to see the best and worst of sub Said Benrahma. He wastes one chance with a long-range shot when he should cross, but then creates a good chance with a mazy dribble into the box on the left.
It's sad to lose to Chelsea but when you look at their bench, it contains Ziyech, Havertz, Abraham, James, Hudson-Odoi and Zouma, whereas WHU have the likes of youngsters Alves, Odubeko and Coventry.
It's important to remember the next five games are all winnable. It's a miracle West Ham have got so close to the Champions League. If we can just get a few players fit for the run-in we can still make Europe.
PLAYER RATINGS: Fabianski 7; Coufal 7, Diop 6, Ogbonna 8, Balbuena 6, Fredericks 6 (Johnson n/a); Fornals 5 (Benrahma 6), Noble 6 (Lanzini 5), Soucek 6, Lingard 6, Bowen 5.
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