Match Report: Chelsea 4 - 1 West Ham United

Chelsea went back to the top of the Barclays Premier League with a comfortable win over West Ham at Stamford Bridge.

Brazilian defender Alex headed Chelsea in front in the 15th minute but Scott Parker levelled with a stunning volley on the half-hour mark.

Didier Drogba rose unmarked to restore Chelsea's lead in the 55th minute before Florent Malouda's 20-yard effort in the 76th minute and Drogba's second put Carlo Ancelotti's side one point clear of Manchester United at the summit.

Chelsea goalkeeper Ross Turnbull made his league debut for the club and looked confident enough ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League last-16 return leg against Inter Milan.

The keeper, third choice all season, will be asked to play against Inter, who lead 2-1 from the first leg, due to injuries to Petr Cech and Hilario.

Chelsea were given a sterner test than they would have wanted by a West Ham side that went in 1-1 at the interval.

Ancelotti's side had the better of the early exchanges but West Ham should have been ahead in the 13th minute.

Mido's low cross from the byline found Araujo Ilan unmarked just eight yards out but the West Ham striker blazed his effort over the crossbar.

The miss proved costly for West Ham as Chelsea went ahead two minutes later through Brazilian defender Alex.

The Hammers failed to clear a corner from Malouda and when the ball was returned to the France winger, his cross was headed home by the unmarked Alex.

It was the defender's first goal of the season but it could have been worse for the Hammers seconds later.

Another cross from Malouda caused panic in the West Ham defence and a deflection off Matthew Upson looked to be heading for his own net until goalkeeper Robert Green just managed to palm it away to safety.

In the 27th minute, Chelsea carved West Ham open again and Frank Lampard's curling cross found Drogba at the far post only for the Ivorian to miss the target.

But West Ham were level in the 29th minute when former Chelsea midfielder Parker sent a 25-yard volley over Turnbull and into the top corner.

Turnbull could do nothing about Parker's effort but once again Chelsea were guilty of failing to defend a throw-in.

The goal stunned Chelsea and their response was predictable and rapid. In the 35th minute, Green had to dive at full-stretch to keep out a 20-yard low drive from Lampard.

Two minutes later, Nicolas Anelka tried his luck from 20 yards but the ball was comfortably collected by Green.

Malouda was a constant threat to West Ham and five minutes before the break he sent over another dangerous cross but Paulo Ferreira could only direct his header into the arms of Green.

Chelsea almost restored their advantage when a 53rd minute cross from Malouda just eluded Michael Ballack at the far post.

But the home side were ahead again in the 55th minute and the driving force was captain John Terry.

The Chelsea defender surged forward to the edge of West Ham penalty area and allowed Drogba to lay the ball off to Malouda on the left wing.

The France winger delivered another pinpoint cross into the six-yard box and this time Drogba headed home from point-blank range for his 26th goal of the season - his 20th in the league.

The Chelsea fans began chanting "There's only one England captain" as England coach Fabio Capello watched on from the West stand.

Moments later Chelsea were denied a third by a great save from Green who dived to his right to tip away a header from Alex.

In the 65th minute, Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole was given a chance to shine before Capello when he replaced Anelka.

It was followed moments later by a double substitution for the Hammers - Junior Stanislas replaced Kieron Dyer and Mido made way for Carlton Cole.

Malouda made it 3-1 to Chelsea in the 76th minute with a 20-yard shot into the bottom corner.

It was a fitting reward for the France winger who had set up both of Chelsea's earlier goals.

Chelsea were then denied a fourth in the 85th minute when Lampard's glancing shot hit the far post.

Drogba completed the scoring in the 89th minute with his 27th goal of the season - finishing off from close range after Green had palmed a Lampard shot into his path.

I’d Do An ‘Henry’ For England

Frank Lampard last night admitted he would do a Thierry Henry if it meant getting England through to the World Cup final.

Henry was crucified and labelled a 'cheat' for not owning up to a blatant handball in France's play-off victory over the Republic of Ireland four months ago.

Yet when asked what would he do if that happened to him in a World Cup semi-final, Lampard reckoned he would follow the Barcelona star's lead.

He would cough for the offence only after the match to save himself from a lynch mob.

The Chelsea midfielder admitted: "You know, I probably wouldn't say anything!

"I felt a bit sorry for Henry, because it was an instinctive action.

"I think it's probably easier to own up after the game. At least you're through then! That is probably the wrong thing to say, isn't it? But if I did own up and it cost us the game, I would probably be lynched when I got back to England."

Lampard does not want to tempt fate. But he told ShortList magazine he is looking forward to England reaching their first World Cup final since 1966.

And if it all goes down to penalties, he will be first in the queue to take one - despite messing up in the quarter-final against Portugal in 2006.

He added: "I'm a regular penalty-taker and I think, if that's the case, you're obliged to volunteer."

So would he be going for power or placement? Lamps revealed: "Well, I've tried to place it before and I mucked it up against Portugal. I think if you're really confident, then place it. But if you're a bit nervous, put your foot through it."

Joe Cole's Chelsea Gamble

Desperate Joe Cole is prepared to put contract talks with Chelsea on hold as he embarks on a last-ditch, 10-game campaign to save both his season and his England World Cup place.

Talks between Cole, 28, and Chelsea have stalled again, with the club unwilling to award him the pay rise he wants to put him in the same league as the top earners at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti insisted yesterday he was “100 per cent” certain Cole would be a Blues player next season, but refused to confirm whether he will be in the team against his old club West Ham today.

Cole though, is remarkably set to gamble on being a free agent in the summer and has put off any further talks in a bid to win back a permanent place in Ancelotti’s team.

A source close to Cole said: “It is now a football matter for Joe. It is not about money or length of contract. It is simply about playing football and winning his place back in the team. That is all he cares about.”

Cole will be out of contract at the end of this season and both Manchester United and Manchester City, as well as Tottenham, are showing interest.

Ahmed Al-Muhammadi Not A Chelsea Target - Agent

The agent of ENPPI wing-back Ahmed Al-Muhammadi, Nader Shawki has dismissed reports that English Premier League side Chelsea have shown interest in signing the player.

Speaking to FilGoal.com, Nader Shawki dismissed those speculations.

"The reports which say that Chelsea want to sign Al-Muhammadi are totally untrue. There are no talks with them over any deal," Shawki said.

"However, Al-Muhammadi has some offers from other English sides.

"I will sit down with ENPPI football director Alaa Abdul-Sadek within the coming few days to discuss the possibility of letting Al-Muhammadi leave the club at the end of the season."

Shawki declined to reveal the names of the interested clubs.

Al-Muhammadi, a 22-year-old right-sided midfielder, was on the verge of joining English side Sunderland in the January transfer window but ENPPI eventually turned down their bid.

He made no secret of his desire to experience European football after attracting a host of suitors over the past few years.

Al-Muhammadi, whose jinking runs down the right flank always cause troubles for opponents, played a key role in helping Egypt win an unprecedented third successive Nations Cup title in January.

He will be granted his wish of playing in the English league when the season ends, Abdul-Sadek said.

"We promised Al-Muhammadi that we will allow him to leave in the summer," he revealed.

"We are considering three offers for him to settle on the best possible choice for him and the club."

Losing To José Mourinho Would Be Unthinkable, Admits Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard has already staved off two potential indignities of late. Unlike Gary Lineker, he has avoided having to dress up as a sandwich, his face peering out between plastic tranches of ham and foam tomatoes, when filming the latest Walkers Crisps advertisement in Kent. Then, in a kickabout at Sandwich Technology school, his five-a-side team have edged out a comically dismayed Lineker's in a penalty shoot-out. Yet, if that provides some light relief, swerving the biggest ignominy of all could be distinctly trickier.

Chelsea confront Internazionale on Tuesday with a first-leg deficit to retrieve and Lampard's mentor, José Mourinho, blocking passage to the Champions League quarter-finals. This afternoon's visit of his former club, West Ham, must feel like a distraction with the main event to come. The England midfielder will have had almost three weeks to stew over that 2-1 defeat in San Siro: time to curse the non-award of a penalty for a trip on Salomon Kalou, or the profligacy that has marginally tilted this tie towards the Italian champions. Time, too, to wonder what the Special One may concoct for the return. "It plays on your mind but we have to tell ourselves the tie's in the balance," Lampard says. "The frustration is we should never have lost that first game, but now we have to be careful. Inter have good players and a very clever manager who'll come with a plan. But to go out to José? Yeah, I guess you could call that unthinkable."

That admission is natural, yet prompts immediate reflection. "You know what? I try and take all that emotion out of it. I've got more respect for José Mourinho than for any other manager I've worked with because of what he did for me. I want to win the game, but it's not like I want to get one over on him. I just want to go through to the last eight. If you'd asked me at the start of the season who I'd want to win the European Cup if it wasn't going to be us, I'd have been happy to see José win it. He was great for me and I'm still close to him."

Mourinho was staggering for Chelsea. The Portuguese will be granted a tumultuous reception on Tuesday for what will be his second return to the ground where his name was once bellowed as he plundered two Premier League titles, two Carling Cups and an FA Cup in little more than three seasons. He will be welcomed as a returning hero with affection extended by those his team directly oppose. Chelsea have signed nine senior players since his departure in September 2007, of whom only Nicolas Anelka and Branislav Ivanovic are established first-team regulars. It may be awkward for the managers who have come and gone since to acknowledge, but the core of this squad remains Mourinho's.

One of its key performers is in his debt. The impact Mourinho had on Lampard is measured in more than mere winners' medals. It says everything that the 31-year-old, by his own admission, considered joining him in Milan at the beginning of last season before opting at the last to extend his contract at Stamford Bridge. "He gave me self-belief," the midfielder says. "He carried that aura around with him. It's very obvious that he believes in himself as a manager, and as a man, but he had this way of transmitting that confidence to his players. He just tried to make me believe in the player I could be, and helped me get to where I wanted to be. It was sad losing someone like that who you respect, but what he gave me stays with me. I'm a better player and a better person for having worked with him.

"The reason he's been a successful manager everywhere he's been is because of the atmosphere he creates in the dressing room by getting close to his players, working with them, respecting them. All of us who worked with him had that. He creates a real spirit, a family atmosphere, and he gets that extra 10% out of his teams by doing that. That's why you'll find the players who worked with him will talk about the times he was with us with such fondness.

"We didn't get any of his 'mind games' before or after the first leg. I met him in the tunnel before kick-off, then he said a quick hello to most of the lads as he walked past our coach after the game – he was in pretty good spirits, as you'd expect. He'll talk ahead of the second game with one eye on the match, and say what he wants to say, but he won't make it personal. There's too much respect there for that."

The Portuguese and Inter represent a daunting obstacle blocking Chelsea's pursuit of a treble. The league leadership can be regained from Manchester United this afternoon, while Aston Villa await in the FA Cup semi-finals. Securing the European Cup, the trophy that eluded Mourinho's Chelsea, has long been Roman Abramovich's objective. "What happened to us last season against Barcelona in the semis – knowing we should have beaten the best team in Europe only, for one reason or another, to go out – still hurts," says Lampard, suppressing a shudder at the memory of Tom Henning Ovrebo's judgment and Andrés Iniesta's stoppage-time equaliser. "Another year passes and you haven't won it, and it hurts more and more. We know this squad isn't going to go on forever. The closer you get to tasting that success, the more bitter it is when you miss out.

"But that's why the club brought Carlo Ancelotti in last summer, because of the fantastic experience he brings with him, particularly in this competition. He's proven in Europe after what he achieved with Milan. The year they beat Manchester United in the semi-final and Liverpool in the final [2007] they had a fantastic team. He brings that know-how to us. He knows what is needed, particularly in the knock-out phase. That's why the game against Inter will be as much of a battle between two great managers as it is two teams. In Ancelotti, we've got a manager who can help us take that extra step.

"Everything that's happened this season must have been an eye opener for him: when you've played and coached all your career in Italy, coming to England must highlight the cultural differences in the game. That goes for the football and the style of play, the atmosphere, to the press – in Italy there's probably more attention paid to the football itself, whereas here there's also the off-the-field stuff which he wouldn't have encountered before. But he's done well. The frustrating thing is, as a group, we haven't been able to pull away at the top of the Premier League. That's down to the players. There have been times when we thought we'd push on, but then gone out and lost points."

Chelsea have not been alone in stuttering when they had expected to stride on. January was littered with wins, but there were only two victories last month together with that first-leg defeat in Italy. Key players have been lost to injury and Gianfranco Zola's West Ham may sense vulnerability across the capital. Concede today and Chelsea will have already shipped more goals this season than in any campaign since 2003-04. "But now's the time to put that consistent run of wins together," Lampard says. "There are three teams in it, but big teams put together a run in this situation. From now on in, we have to have that strong mentality to handle other sides playing before us and knocking us off the top of the league. We have to get our heads round that and go on a run of wins. But we've got the players to cope with that.

"For the last three seasons we've lost the league for different reasons. Last season we had a terrible patch at the end of [Luiz Felipe] Scolari's reign but, when Guus Hiddink came in, we were probably the best team in the country and lost once in four months. We did the same under Avram Grant, starting virtually in mid-table but almost nicking the league. That's the consistency we'll need. You learn from those close failures. We know what went wrong back then, and we have to copy what went right. The treble is still there for us.

"These could be a special five months. At Chelsea we have great potential and we're fighting on all fronts. We want to win big things – the Champions League in particular – and then, come June, there's the World Cup, the biggest tournament a player can participate in. World Cups define careers. We'll go to South Africa full of confidence. All this is exciting, mouth-watering, but one thing at a time. First West Ham, then Inter." A reunion with Mourinho awaits.

Palermo's Pastore Staying Put

Serie A outfit Palermo insist they have no intention of selling star man Javier Pastore.

The Argentine playmaker is reported to be attracting interest from afar, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Juventus all said to be keen.

However, Palmero director Walter Sabatini is adamant the 20-year is going nowhere.

"Pastore will not be sold," he claimed.

"It won't happen in June, neither next season. He represents the future of this club and this is why we won't accept any bid for him."

Palermo have invested heavily in the stars of tomorrow over recent years, having offloaded a number of the more experienced members of their squad to bigger clubs.

Abel Hernandez, a teenage forward from Uruguay, is also believed to have caught the eye of potential suitors, but once again Sabatini insists there is no chance of a deal being struck.

"Abel Hernandez is another of our youngsters who will not be going anywhere," he continued.

"It is not true that Arsenal have made an offer for him."

The Sicilians are currently flying high in Serie A and have their sights set on a top four finish and UEFA Champions League qualification.

My Heart Is With Both Chelsea And Inter - Jose Mourinho

Inter coach Jose Mourinho is preparing to take on Chelsea in the second-leg of their Champions League tie next week, holding a 2-1 advantage after a win at the Giuseppe Meazza.

The 47-year-old tactician spent three years in charge of the Blues, but insists that despite knowing it will be an emotional evening, only the Nerazzurri are his priority now.

"The good thing is I don't have to walk far, from the dressing room to the bench is only five metres. I won't have to cross the field and feel the emotions and reactions of the crowd," he explained in an interview with uefa.com.

"On the field are the players, not me. They are much more important than I, because the game is won on the pitch, not on the bench. But my heart will fully be on either side. That's what a professional should do, but I cannot hide that Chelsea was a very important part of my life."

Inter were eliminated from the competition at this stage last season after falling to Manchester United and the squad underwent several changes during the summer.

"If a coach does his duty and the club supports him, as is the case for me, you can always improve," he continued.

"We bought some players last year that we did not have, such as a pure attacking midfield creative player like Wesley Sneijder.

"Up front we have more solutions like [Diego] Milito, [Samuel] Eto'o, and [Goran] Pandev. Sure we lost Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but with these three players we have more solutions and more options. In addition, Lucio was the type of defender that we lacked.

"I think now the team is more suited to the modern game."

My Week At Work: Daniel Sturridge

Striker Daniel Sturridge scored twice for the reserve team this week, and enjoyed his short stint with the second string, but still can't bring himself to give them too much praise.

The best goal I have seen this week:
The most shocking goal of the week was my first one for the reserves against Stoke, in off my back! The second wasn't lucky, that was well judged, so be careful. Samir Nasri's for Arsenal against Porto was very good, I'll say that.

The best save I have seen this week:
I'm a striker, I don't look out for keepers' saves do I? How about Alex's tackle against Stoke on Tuncay?

The best training:
Being with the reserves, the overall banter and feel of the session the day before the game was hilarious, everybody was up for it and enjoying themselves.

The worst training:
I can't be airing out the coaches for getting involved, there have been a couple of one-off incidents, but I don't know, nothing I want to tell you about!

Funniest moment of the week:
That reserve training session, we were playing some six-a-side which was funny, one team was bantering the whole time and ended up winning it, they had Nikki Ahamed, Danny Mills Pappoe, Jacob Mellis, Gokhan Tore, they did very well.

My favourite sound this week:
There's a song by Mr. Slick called 'Chillin', and I'm always listening to that because I'm always chilling myself.

Best food this week:
Anything my mum cooks, and this week I'll say her chicken, which is always amazing.

Best entertainment:
I've not watched a lot this week on TV or anything, I've stopped with the computer games at the moment, so I'm spending time in London with my friends, but I did watch 'The Taking of Pelham 123' again this week, and that's good.

The news story that stands out:
That Facebook murder, it just shows you have to be careful with it because it can obviously be dangerous.

And a special mention goes to:
Maybe the reserve boys. No why am I giving them a special mention? This should be family shouldn't it? So my family for keeping me happy through hard times.