Chelsea 2 West Ham 0
Frank Lampard scored his 200th goal for Chelsea as they won a feisty derby and reclaimed third place in the Premier League.
Eden Hazard’s second-half strike sealed a comprehensive victory for the Blues, who leapfrogged Tottenham courtesy of Fulham’s shock win in north London earlier in the day.
Lampard, playing against his former club, headed in the outstanding Hazard’s clever chip in the 19th minute at Stamford Bridge.
He had earlier created a chance for another ex-West Ham man, Demba Ba, who woefully side-footed wide after being put through by the England midfielder.
After Lampard’s opener – his 13th goal of the season – Andy Carroll thought he had equalised when he netted following Matt Jarvis’ cross but was adjudged to have fouled David Luiz.
Chelsea were otherwise fairly comfortable and Victor Moses, Juan Mata and Luiz all went close to doubling the lead before Ba was twice denied by keeper Jussi Jääskeläinen.
They continued to dominate after the break and went further ahead when Hazard exchanged passes with Mata, jinked his way into the box, and belted home.
An excellent victory for Chelsea was dampened only by an apparent injury to Luiz, who limped off and was replaced by John Terry 12 minutes from the end.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Luiz (Terry 78), Cole; Lampard, Ramires; Moses (Oscar 70), Mata (Mikel 85), Hazard; Ba.
Subs not used: Turnbull, Ivanovic, Torres, Bertrand.
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This post was last modified on 18/03/2013