FA Premiership
Chelsea 1-0 West Ham United 

Saturday, 1st December 2007
by Gordon Thrower

Last week I opened my report with the comment that bald referees are rubbish. This bold and innovative scientific theory was at first mocked by many – “what about all those idiots with full heads of hair” they say. I admit that research is not yet complete into this aspect of the game but given all the dodgy decisions that regularly go Arsenal’s way at home can the fact that Stroud Green Road has so many wig shops be coincidence?



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Player Ratings

Robert Green
Not really tested by the multi-zillion quid opposition. No chance with the goal. Which was offside.


Lucas Neill



George McCartney
Another good run out though he was a bit more tested when Wright-Philips arrived on the scene.


Danny Gabbidon
Outstanding. The partnership with Upson is coming along nicely and he seems to have put the nightmare of last season, when he never got into his stride following an injury lay-off, well behind him.


Matthew Upson
Also outstanding. Kept Drogba pretty quiet and I think he just shaded Gabbidon for MOTM for me but it was a damned close thing.


Hayden Mullins
Another good one. Like Gabbidon, this was the sort of thing we were seeing him do two seasons ago.


Scott Parker
Solid in the tackle, he put in an excellently gritty performance.


Nobby Solano



Matthew Etherington
Saw a fair bit of the ball but failed to capitalise on his possession.


Luis Boa Morte
A lot of hard work, closing down and chasing. Another ludicrous yellow from Webb.


Carlton Cole
Caused problems all the way through for the Chelsea defence who resorted to the bear-hug tactic to keep him quiet. The shirt is his to lose at the moment.



Substitutes

Freddie Ljungberg
(replaced Solano, 74) Disappointing. Brought little to the game in the 20 or so minutes he was on.


Jonathan Spector
(replaced Parker, 78) I vaguely remember one interception but hardly registered.


Dean Ashton
(replaced Etherington, 79) Bustled a bit but probably needed more time to make a real impression.


Richard Wright
Did not play.


James Collins
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Robert Green, Lucas Neill, George McCartney, Danny Gabbidon, Matthew Upson, Hayden Mullins, Scott Parker, Nobby Solano, Matthew Etherington, Luis Boa Morte, Carlton Cole.

Goals: None.

Booked: Matthew Etherington 25 Nobby Solano 34 Luis Boa Morte 45      .

Sent Off: None sent off.     .

Chelsea: Cudicini, Belletti, Alex, Terry, Bridge, Sidwell, Mikel, Lampard, J.Cole, Kalou, Drogba.

Subs not used: Hilario, Ben-Haim, Shevchenko.

Goals: Cole (76).

Booked: Mikel (37), Kalou (41), Belletti (54), Lampard (70), Terry (85).

Sent off: None.

Referee: H.Webb.

Attendance: 41,830.

Man of the Match: Matthew Upson.