Premier League
West Ham United 1-0 Chelsea 

Saturday, 9th December 2017
by Staff Writer

West Ham eased their relegation worries with an unexpected - but fully deserved - win against Chelsea in this afternoon's big London derby.

Marko Arnautovic's first goal in claret and blue was enough to seperate the two sides at the Olympic Stadium and earn West Ham a precious three points in their battle to avoid the drop, as the Hammers defied the odds to upset their London neighbours.

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The only goal of the game arrived with just six minutes on the clock and was a wonderful team effort comprising of six short passes, before the Austrian threaded a well-placed shot beyond Thibaut Courtois.

And although the Hammers only managed to threaten the Chelsea goal infrequently thereafter, few onlookers will begrudge the Hammers a vital three points as they attempt to ease those rising fears of relegation following a dreadful start to the campaign.

Although both sides managed just two shots in total during the game, this was nonetheless an enthralling, well-fought affair - even if the two defences had the better of it.

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So strong were West Ham's rearguard, superbly marshalled by the excellent WInston Reid, that Chelsea enjoyed 71 per cent of possession in the second half - but failed to register a single shot on target despite chasing the game.

Meanwhile Adrian, restored at number one ahead of the out-of-form Joe Hart was commanding and assured throughout, despite only being called into action on the rare occasion.

The win lifts West Ham up to 18th in the Premier League - still in the relegation zone, but now just three points behind Stoke, currently playing away at Tottenham, in 13th place.

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West Ham Utd: Adrian, Zabaleta, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Noble (c), Obiang, Arnautovic (Sakho 69), Lanzini, Masuaku, Antonio (Ayew 78).

Subs not used: Hart, Rice, Fernandes, Carroll, Chicharito.

Goals: Arnautovic (6).

Booked: Arnautovic, Adrian, Reid, Cresswell, Obiang, Masuaku.

Chelsea: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Christiansen, Cahill (c), Zappacosta (Willian 64), Kante, Bakayoko (Pedro 46), Alonso (Moses 55), Fabregas, Hazard, Morata.

Subs not used: Caballero, Rudiger, Ampadu, Batshuayi.

Booked: Alonso.

Referee: Anthony Taylor.

Tickets sold: 56,953

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Player Ratings

Adrian San Miguel Del Castillo
Comments to follow.


Pablo Zabaleta
Comments to follow.


Arthur Masuaku
Was full of energy in the first half attacking with purpose and beating players with ease. Was relatively weak in defence in the closing stages of the match allowing crosses to be put into the box from his side.


Angelo Ogbonna
Comments to follow.


Mark Noble
Comments to follow.


Aaron Cresswell
Comments to follow.


Pedro Obiang
Comments to follow.


Winston Reid
Comments to follow.


Manuel Lanzini
Comments to follow.


Marko Arnautovic
Comments to follow.


Michail Antonio
Comments to follow.



Substitutes

Diafra Sakho
(Replaced Arnautovic) Comments to follow.


Andre Ayew
(Replaced Antonio) Comments to follow.


Joe Hart
Did Not Play.


Declan Rice
Did not play.


Edimilson Fernandes
Did not play.


Andy Carroll
Did not play.


Javier Hernandez
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Adrian San Miguel Del Castillo, Pablo Zabaleta, Arthur Masuaku, Angelo Ogbonna, Mark Noble, Aaron Cresswell, Pedro Obiang, Winston Reid, Manuel Lanzini, Marko Arnautovic, Michail Antonio.

Goals: Marko Arnautovic  6                  .

Booked: Marko Arnautovic 7 Adrian San Miguel Del Castillo 58 Winston Reid 67 Aaron Cresswell 68 Pedro Obiang 70 Arthur Masuaku 87.

Sent off: None.

Chelsea: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Christiansen, Cahill (c), Zappacosta (Willian 64), Kante, Bakayoko (Pedro 46), Alonso (Moses 55), Fabregas, Hazard, Morata.

Subs not used: Caballero, Rudiger, Ampadu, Batshuayi.

Goals: .

Booked: Alonso (18).

Sent off: None.

Referee: Anthony Taylor.

Attendance: 56,953.

Man of the Match: Adrian San Miguel Del Castillo.