West Ham 3 Chelsea 1
West Ham scored twice in the final four minutes to snatch a dramatic victory at Upton Park.
Juan Mata put Chelsea ahead and on course for their first win under interim manager Rafael Benitez.
But after Carlton Cole’s second-half leveller, the Blues faded and Mohamed Diame smashed in before Modibo Maiga netted an injury-time third.
Chelsea took the lead on 13 minutes, when Fernando Torres pulled the ball back from the right for Mata to tuck away his eighth goal of the season.
Kevin Nolan found the net 10 minutes before the break but was denied an equaliser because referee Martin Atkinson had already blown for a push by West Ham defender James Collins on Branislav Ivanovic.
And Nolan was denied again on the stroke of half-time – this time by a great save from Petr Cech, who did brilliantly to keep out his close-range header.
But West Ham kept pressing and were given the benefit of the doubt when Cole’s effort was allowed to stand despite the former Chelsea striker appearing to foul Ivanovic before heading in Matt Jarvis’ cross.
The home side also rode their luck when Mata then hit the post with a free-kick.
But their strong finish was too much for Chelsea, who found themselves behind when Cole teed up Diame, who fired past Cech.
Worse followed for the visitors when Ashley Cole gave the ball away to Maiga, who fed Matt Taylor.
Cech kept out Taylor’s shot but the loose ball fell for Maiga to seal West Ham’s first win over Chelsea for nine years.
Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Cole, Mikel, Ramires, Moses (Marin 78), Hazard (Oscar 72), Mata, Torres.
Subs not used: Turnbull, Ferreira, Bertrand, Romeu, Piazon.
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This post was last modified on 01/12/2012