West Ham 0-1 Chelsea

SALOMON KALOU drilled home the winner as Chelsea erased the memory of Wednesday's goalless draw with Everton.

Kalou broke the deadlock with 55 minutes on the clock after some fine work by Frank Lampard.

England midfielder Lampard wriggled free in the box before cutting back a left-foot cross.

The ball eluded West Ham keeper Robert Green and the unmarked Kalou calmly chested it down before rifling into the net.

Guus Hiddink's side looked comfortable throughout despite the Dutchman leaving regular starters Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack and Ashley Cole on the bench.

They were unlucky not to extend the lead when substitute Cole rattled the bar after Nicolas Anelka had been denied in the 65th minute by Green.

But the visitors had Petr Cech to thank for preserving the advantage when Kalou gave away a needless penalty by pulling back Herita Ilunga.

The Hammers were on a high going into the game with managerial duo Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke just days away from signing new four-year contracts.

But it was their former club who created the first real chance after 16 minutes with Lampard sliding in Florent Malouda.

The Frenchman threatened to spoil the party as he raced away before dragging his shot disappointly wide of the target.

Kieron Dyer, making his first start since August 2007, should have given the hosts the lead shortly afterwards.

But the best the injury-prone midfielder could manage was a tame shot at Cech after Diego Tristan had split the Chelsea defence.

Lampard, with jeers ringing in his ears, had a few sighters on Green’s goal. One volley flashed wide, a second went straight at the keeper and Noble bravely blocked another.

Chelsea kept the pressure on but almost fell behind just before the break. John Mikel Obi was on hand to clear off the line when Tristan prodded towards goal after Noble’s corner was nodded down by Matthew Upson with Cech out of position.

With the scare out of their system, the visitors went ahead 10 minutes after the restart.

Lampard tricked his way towards the byline down the left and floated a cross to the far post, where Kalou planted his finish into an empty net.

Lampard and Blues skipper John Terry celebrated in front of the Bobby Moore Stand and missiles were thrown towards them from the crowd.

Jose Bosingwa, who will mark Barcelona ace Lionel Messi on Tuesday, was given a breather just before the hour mark with Cole coming on at left-back.

Zola’s response to falling behind saw him replace Dyer and the misfiring David Di Michele with Freddie Sears and Radoslav Kovac.

Anelka should have doubled the lead when Juliano Belletti sent him through after Upson slipped.

But the striker was left with his head in his hands after Green blocked the effort and the ball cannoned back off him for a goalkick.

Cole then shaved the crossbar before the Hammers were awarded the penalty.

But Cech showed his confidence is now fully restored by denying Noble.

But despite the defeat to his former club, Zola could still take West Ham into the Europa League in his rookie season as a manager.

He said: “It was a good penalty but unfortunately Petr Cech has made a great save.

“Penalties look easy but from experience, I can say they are not.

Sources:Thesun.co.uk