Chelsea were briefly top of the Premier League once more on Saturday as they defeated West Ham United 4-1 at Stamford Bridge. In the ideal warm up for Internazionale on Tuesday, Didier Drogba scored twice, whilst Alex and man of the match Florent Malouda also got one each.
Ross Turnbull made his league debut in goal after the injuries to Hilario and Cech, but wasn’t really tested throughout the 90 minutes. He should have been though, had Ilan not wastefully blasted over after 12 minutes. Chelsea made the Hammers pay by opening the scoring just minutes later and typically Malouda was involved, crossing for Alex to head home.
Former Blue Scott Parker equalised for West Ham on the half hour, a goal rare in number let alone it’s brilliance. Taking Kieron Dyer’s throw in thirty yards from goal, the midfielder hit a swerving volley high into the top corner past Turnbull.
Chelsea lifted the tempo in the second half and had the lead before the hour mark, through Drogba. Malouda supplied another excellent cross, leaving the Ivorian the simple task of heading in at the far post with Green nowhere.
Two became three when Malouda grabbed the goal his performance deserved. 20 yards out, the Frenchman thundered a left foot strike low past Green and into the back of the net.
Lampard nearly made it four when he touched a Malouda cross on to the post, but the icing on the cake came from Drogba in the final moments. Lampard’s shot was too powerful for Green, who spilled the shot, allowing Drogba to thunder in the rebound.
Inter next, and the return of the Special One.