Jose slams Hammers’ style

Chelsea 0 West Ham 0

Jose slams Hammers’ style

Arsenal’s failure to win at Southampton the previous evening had presented Mourinho’s side with the chance to steal ground on at least one of their main rivals. And with a trip to Manchester City – now leaders after their win at Tottenham — looming next Monday, the opportunity was there for Chelsea to assert themselves in the title race.

Instead they were denied by a combination of poor finishing and resolute defending, leaving Mourinho frustrated that his team did not have the tools to break down the visitors.

“The only thing I could use was a Black and Decker (drill) to destroy the wall,” said the Chelsea manager.

“It’s very difficult to play a football match where only one team wants to play. Very difficult. A match is about two teams playing.

“This match was only one team playing, and another team not. I told Big Sam, and I repeat my words, that they need points. Because they need points, to come here and not play and do it the way they did... is it acceptable? Maybe yes. Maybe yes. I cannot be too critical because if I was in this position, I don’t know if I would do the same.

“But at the same time, this is not Premier League. This is not the best league in the world. This is football from the nineteenth century.”

At least Allardyce saw the funny side of Mourinho’s comments after his side moved a point clear of the foot of the table.

Mourinho said: “Sam was laughing. His objective was won, to come here and take a point. His objective was not to come here and play good football, or win, or feel part of the quality of the Premier League. His objective was to come and take a point. He takes the point. After that he’s a happy man and I’m a sad guy.”

The one thing Chelsea had to guard against was complacency as they faced a West Ham side for whom losing has become a habit. Allardyce, the Hammers manager, had attempted to remain positive in the build-up to the match but even his comments had sounded forced.

And while Mourinho maintained his focus would not stray from this match – his team selection confirmed he was taking no chances – few envisaged this would be anything other than a comfortable home win.

The reality was very different, painfully so from Chelsea’s point of view. While Mourinho’s team dominated possession almost completely, their failure to create enough clear chances ultimately cost them.

Even Oscar and Eden Hazard found themselves unable to provide the creative spark that has ignited Chelsea’s flawless run since the turn of the year and Oscar’s withdrawal after 80 minutes summed up a game when the Brazilian’s imagination had for once run dry.

This was not just about Chelsea’s lack of cutting edge though. West Ham’s resilience and determination was impressive, particularly during the second half when they grew more confident in their ability to pull off a shock and boost their survival hopes.

Allardyce’s side have defended woefully in recent weeks but with James Tomkins and James Collins reunited in central defence, they looked a much more solid proposition. A series of desperate blocks and last-ditch challenges summed up the visitors’ efforts and only reinforced Chelsea’s desperation to find a way through.

Oscar struck the bar in the first half while Demba Ba struck the woodwork in added time. In between Adrian was inspired in goal for West Ham and so were his defenders. Less inspiring was the work of the Chelsea forwards who failed to score despite conjuring 37 attempts on goal to West Ham’s one.

Mourinho was infuriated that only four minutes of added time were played; that Joey O’Brien escaped a red card after a crude challenge on Willian, and by West Ham’s approach and what he felt was their time wasting.

That, though, counted for nothing.

Instead his pre-match claim that Chelsea are still a work in progress was reinforced.

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Cech 6; Ivanovic 6, Cahill 6, Terry 7, Azpilicueta 6 (Matic 64,6); Ramires 5, Mikel 6 (Lampard 64,6); Willian 7, Oscar 6 (Ba 79,6), Hazard 7; Eto’o 6.

WEST HAM (4-2-3-1): Adrian 8; Demel 7, Tomkins 8 , Collins 9, O’Brien 7; Nolan 6 (Nocerino 80,6), Noble 7, Downing 6, Taylor 8, Diame 6 (Jarvis 29); Carroll 5 (C Cole 64,6).

Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).

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