Chelsea go top after easy win22: 43 13/03/2010, Amy Lawrence, Chelsea, football, match reports, the Premier League, sport, the observer, the West Ham

Chelsea go top after easy win22: 43 13/03/2010, Amy Lawrence, Chelsea, football, match reports, the Premier League, sport, the observer, the West Ham United Guardian Unlimited

Three days before the man turns to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea put on a performance that was classic Mourinho. There was little need to exert themselves and pedestrians against a West Ham team that started the three points needed to regain the position at the top of the Premier League table.

They were even able to modify their goal difference no sweat too. No need to tell you, Carlo Ancelotti, but you know I would have been proud. Not that José Mourinho can afford to be so excited about their current roles as Inter lost 3-1 at Catania last night, are showing increasing numbers of players through injury and suspension, and have already won a few matches League West Ham in recent weeks. Ancelotti has the air of a man's sense of calm before the storm.

With the exception of Florent Malouda, whose contribution shone in terms of strength and finesse, the Chelsea with a couple of gears below the levels required against Inter in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Not that there will be no complaint about a comfortable win after a month that raised the national defeats by Everton and Manchester City. "It's important to have a reaction and we are back on track," said Ancelotti. "We maintain our determination and focus here, because each party can decide our future."

It was a quiet afternoon for Ross Turnbull, the third-choice goalkeeper who is almost certain to play against Inter in what will be his fourth appearance at Chelsea. If Ancelotti waiting for booking to get the eye and warm their gloves before that attention intensifies, the truth is that it was not until injury time that took a real saving, stopping well Radoslav Kovac.

That yes, much of their underemployment fell to West Ham, who scored a spectacular goal Turnbull could not come, but, otherwise, fluffed his lines. Araujo Ilan should have given the advantage in the 12th minute but the Brazilian was a rough shot over the crossbar.

Three minutes later Chelsea were ahead. Malouda, Alex chose a cross effervescence and center half hanging in the air strike on a header from close range. Chelsea had barely stopped celebrating when they were whipping goal Robert Green again. Contact Matthew Upson was panicking and had their keeper to thank for preventing a goal in itself.

West Ham's response was as exciting as you might expect from a team whose focal point attack, Mido, he struggled to get into a rhythm of way. So it was like lightning thrill when they met Scott Parker in midfield and the ball ferociously belted beautiful and dive into the top corner from 25 yards. The draw crowned a strong display by the ex-Chelsea man, who last scored in the Premier League over a year ago.

Ten minutes after the break, Chelsea were awarded a incisive break caused by a rally for John Terry and helped by a touch of their best player, Malouda. French Cross again put in a dish to a teammate, Didier Drogba was the grateful recipient, nodding his head at close range.

Gianfranco Zola was disappointed with the strategic mistakes made when players are removed from his position due to the execution of Terry. "That goal was a big blow," he said. "We have lost our way. But Chelsea really punish you when they make mistakes."

Malouda scored the goal his performance deserved in the 75th minute with a fine strike, leaving aside his marker before drilling past Green. Ancelotti excited he was as good a game as we have seen the end result. Drogba was not bad, either, and snaffle Chelsea's fourth in the last minute of the game, using a touch loose in the West Ham goalkeeper.

Zola believes Chelsea has the advantage of his fight with Inter. "It will be difficult because they are playing against a good team and a coach who knows best and Chelsea will be preparing counter measures. It will be very close, but it gives me a very small advantage for Chelsea."

THE FANS 'Player RATINGS AND VERDICT
Trizia fiorellino, Chelsea Supporters Group was a good result, but a poor performance - so well West Ham were so bad because we were not at the top of our game. There were some good individual results: Malouda was excellent, Alex Turnbull played very well and put in a competent display. But Drogba did not do much, and has two objectives - telling the story. It is difficult to be very happy because I have the impression that they want the league long enough - they are so set on the Champions League does not pay enough for league games. You can get the form at West Ham, but we get the head just before going to Manchester United.

RATINGS Turnbull 8; Ivanovic 8 (Zhirkov 79 7), Alex 8, Terry 8, Ferreira 7, Mikel 6, Ballack 6, Lampard 6, Malouda 9 (Kalou 86 7), Anelka 8 (J Cole 65 7), Drogba 7

Tim Conlan, Observer reader It was a good game, but we started playing our place virtually a reserve team. Stitches Mido and Ilan the front was a tactic quite negative, but ironically, we did compete well and Ilan should have scored before they did. But Malouda ran irregular Spector - gives opponents too much space. 4.1 I slightly flattered, but their goalkeeper did not really have a chance to save. Parker's goal was worth the admission money alone. Everyone shouted "fire!" because usually show foci of that distance. Dyer had a beginning today and played 60 minutes, and seemed completely new.

RATINGS Green 7, Spector 4, Gabbidon 6, Upson 6, Daprelà 7; Kovac 5, Parker 9, Behrami 6, Dyer 6 (Stanislas 67 N / A), Ilan 4 (Diamanti 83 n / a), Mido 5 (C Cole 67 N / A)

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