FA Premeirship
Chelsea 4-1 West Ham United 

Sunday, 9th April 2006
by Gordon Thrower

So a defeat at the club with the Premiership’s most ignorant supporters but it could and should have been so different. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. 12 o’clock on a Sunday is no time to be watching football – especially not after a night celebrating one’s birthday (hence the dark glasses).



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Player Ratings

Shaka Hislop
Not given much chance with the goals. One good save but might have helped his defence by coming for the ball occasionally.


Lionel Scaloni
If he hadn?EUR(TM)t been involved in the sending off we wouldn?EUR(TM)t have known the home support was there. Battled gamely.


Paul Konchesky
Harshly booked for blowing Robben over this was one of his better run outs in recent weeks.


Danny Gabbidon
Looked good for most of the match but showed an uncharacteristic hesitancy at set pieces which ultimately proved costly.


James Collins
Strong performance capped by a good header for the goal.


Hayden Mullins
Another who was a bit panicky ?EUR" got stuck in well but treated the ball as if it were radioactive.


Nigel Reo-Coker
Not at the races today ?EUR" gave the ball away far too much.


Yossi Benayoun
Failed to make much of an impression apart from the corner that led to the goal.


Matthew Etherington
Was at the heart of some of our better moments and kept trying, though the final delivery into the box was often lacking.


Marlon Harewood
Played wide right early on but failed to cause too many problems ?EUR" perhaps should have been pushed up earlier.


Dean Ashton
Spent much of the match ploughing a lone furrow up front. When that happens the ball into the striker needs to be accurate to allow him to control it. Too often it was pinged at Deano rather than played to him.



Substitutes

Teddy Sheringham
(Replaced Benayoun, 72) Unlucky not to score. Might have been a better bet to start if we were set on playing one up.


Bobby Zamora
(Replaced Ashton, 84) A couple of lively runs but the game had already gone.


Jimmy Walker
Did not play.


Clive Clarke
Did not play.


Shaun Newton
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Shaka Hislop, Lionel Scaloni, Paul Konchesky, Danny Gabbidon, James Collins, Hayden Mullins, Nigel Reo-Coker, Yossi Benayoun, Matthew Etherington, Marlon Harewood, Dean Ashton.

Goals: James Collins 10                  .

Booked: Marlon Harewood 52 Paul Konchesky 68        .

Sent Off: None sent off.     .

Chelsea: Cech, Geremi, Del Horno, Gallas, Terry, Makelele, Maniche, Lampard, Essien, Crespo, Drogba.

Subs not used: Cudicini, Wright-Phillips.

Goals: Drogba (28), Crespo (31), Terry (54), Gallas (69).

Booked: None booked.

Sent off: None.

Referee: C.Foy.

Attendance: 41,919.

Man of the Match: James Collins.