Chelsea ring the changes today and you can't be sure if its a response to Sunday's defeat or just AG being careful before Wednesdays Champions league game. However, its Anelka up front with Cole and Kalou, Ballack and Maka come in for Jedi and Ess (who drops to the bench with Drogba) and Ferreia and Cole replace Belletti and Bridge.
The Blues get off to a bright start - there's certainly more bite than in last weeks cup final !! - and the balls' in the net from Anelka on 2mins following a free kick from Lamps and flick on by JT but its ruled offside. With 15mins on the clock, Kalou is brought down by Ferdinand in the box and Lamps buries a scruffy penalty. Its 1-0 to the Blues. Within 5mins its 2-0 after a flowing move that sees Joe Cole volley home a pass from Anelka. Two mins later and its 3 - 0 as Ballack nails a half volley into the bottom corner after great work from Lamps - queue hundreds of (un)happy Hammers leaving their seats. This is some response from the Blues !!
But now there's trouble - Lamps is ridiculously sent off after a foul on him by Boa-Morte. The Linesman shapes to referee Walton for a push in retaliation from Lamps and its a straight red - a straight red for that !! unbelievable !! and Ballack gets booked for arguing. However Clesea don't change their formation and it could have been 4 nil as first Anelka and the Kalou go close but the half ends without further incident.
No changes for the Blues as the second half gets underway but West Ham bring on Ashton for Boe Morte. Its all West Ham as 10 man Chelsea sit back as soak up the pressure but its a good 15mins before they fashion a meaningful chance but Terry clears off the line. They're just lumping long hopeful balls into Ashton and Carlton Cole (too many Coles on the park today), however with 64mins gone, Chelsea break away and Green pushes a Joe Cole drive into the path of Ashley Cole who slots home from a very tight angle. 4 - 0 and even more West Ham fans head for the exit whilst the travelling Blues fans chant "10 men, we've only got 10 men". Last throw of the dice now as West Ham change Carlton Cole for Zamora and Faubert for Solano. Chelsea respond in kind; first bringing on Essien for Joe Cole and then Malouda for Kalou, followed by Alex for Maka in the last 5mins.
So it ends 4 - 0 with 10 men and its a perfect response to last weeks disappointment. However the outstanding Blue performances came from Joe Cole, Ballack and Maka - none of whom made Sunday's starting 11 - go figure.
Now lets bury Olympiakos on Wednesday - Come on u Blues !!
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