Independent:
Chelsea 2 West Ham United 2
Cesc Fabregas penalty rescues point after spirited Hammers display
Miguel Delaney Stamford Bridge
There might have been some doubt – and, from Slaven Bilic, some anger – about whether Michail Antonio actually tripped Ruben Loftus-Cheek inside the box in the 89th minute at Chelsea, but there is no doubt about the consequence: West Ham United were tripped up in their otherwise impressive chase for a Champions League place.
Bilic’s side were just minutes way from jumping into fourth above both Manchester clubs before the derby at the Etihad today, only for Cesc Fabregas to hit the contentious penalty that made it 2-2 and peg them back. Bilic described the decision as “unacceptable”.
The West Ham manager said: “To concede the type of goal, it’s simply not a penalty. We are gutted.” He rightly felt West Ham deserved the win, but once it gets to this stage of the season, teams have to make sure. West Ham failed to make sure they went 2-0 up and then 3-1 up when they could have, so remain in fifth.
Yet this great game deserved a dramatic finale; its quality was illustrated by the standard of the first three goals.
On 17 minutes, Manuel Lanzini curled a gorgeous strike over Thibaut Courtois to make it 1-0, before Fabregas (pictured) hit his first with a supreme curling free-kick in first-half stoppage time.
Andy Carroll made it 2-1 on 61 minutes just a moment after coming on as a substitute, having been picked out by a sublime no-look Dimitri Payet reverse pass.
Throughout there were a number of borderline refereeing calls, none more so than at the decisive moment. Just two minutes after Bertrand Traoré had cleared a Carroll header off the line, Willian ran through the West Ham defence before releasing Loftus-Cheek.
Antonio appeared to catch the Chelsea youngster’s ankle, although possibly just outside the box. But Loftus-Cheek fell inside the box, and Fabregas tucked the penalty just inside the post.
West Ham had been dominant, and should have been out of sight by this stage. At 1-0, Aaron Cresswell shot wide after a divine Lanzini flick to set up the chance, and the full-back then smashed the crossbar from an angle in the second half.
Bilic lamented: “We tried to play too sexy… but were not penetrating enough.” Chelsea, for whom physio Jon Fearn returned to the bench for the first time since the opening day of the season after being criticised by the then manager, Jose Mourinho, will have been relieved to escape with a draw.
Chelsea: (4-2-3-1) Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Mikel, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar (Loftus-Cheek, 84), Kenedy (Pedro, 45); Rémy (Traoré, 62).
West Ham: (4-2-3-1) Adrian; Antonio, Ogbonna, Reid, Cresswell; Noble, Kouyaté; Valencia (Emenike, 75), Payet, Lanzini (Obiang, 81); Sakho (Carroll, 60).
Referee: Robert Madley.
Man of the match: Lanzini (West Ham)
Match rating: 7/10
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Observer:
Cesc Fàbregas’s disputed late penalty denies West Ham victory at Chelsea
Chelsea 2 - 2 West HamPremier League Stamford Bridge
Jacob Steinberg at Stamford Bridge
As a measure of West Ham United’s startling transformation into contenders for Champions League qualification, perhaps nothing illustrates it better than a draw here feeling more like a defeat than a decent result after a moment of high controversy in the dying minutes denied Slaven Bilic’s side their first win in this part of the capital since 2002.
Before Robert Madley awarded Chelsea a penalty with one minute of normal time left, despite Michail Antonio’s foul on Ruben Loftus-Cheek appearing to take place just outside the area, it had seemed more likely that West Ham were going to score a decisive third goal to add to the strike from Andy Carroll that made it 2-1 in the 61st minute.
Carroll had seen a header cleared off the line, Thibaut Courtois was required to make a fine save and West Ham were looking comfortable, knocking the ball around with tremendous assurance, until Antonio was penalised for bringing Loftus-Cheek down after Willian had led a sudden Chelsea break, allowing Fàbregas to equalise from the spot.
For West Ham, the wait for their first double over Chelsea since the 2002-03 season goes on, while they squandered the chance to take Manchester City’s place in the top four for at least 24 hours. They led twice, opening the scoring with a classy effort from the outstanding Manuel Lanzini, but their inability to kill Chelsea off was punished.
While Guus Hiddink argued that Madley was right to give Loftus-Cheek, an 84th-minute substitute, the benefit of the doubt, Bilic was furious with the referee. “I don’t like to moan or find excuses because the way the boys played, we have to be really proud,” he said. “But now we have to play a replay against Manchester United because a big decision went against us and then to concede this kind of goal, it was not close to the line. It was simply not a penalty. He wasn’t sliding, so it shouldn’t be difficult for the referee.”
However, once their sense of injustice evaporates, West Ham will reflect on a performance that further emphasised that they possess the talent to maintain their challenge for a place in the top four. A sign of their enhanced confidence could be glimpsed when Adrián controlled an awkward, looping backpass from Dimitri Payet on his chest early on, juggled the ball on his thigh and volleyed it clear under pressure, and Bilic’s selection was bold, with Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia able to start together in attack for the first time in almost a year.
West Ham were bright and positive, breaking with energy, passing inventively and threatening in the wide expanses in front of Chelsea’s back four even before they went ahead thanks to Lanzini’s peach of a goal in the 17th minute.
Bilic has tapped into the club’s sense of playing with style and adventure with his positivity and the shot that Lanzini curled past Courtois was a wonderful piece of skill. When Payet was tackled by Mikel John Obi, Lanzini collected possession 25 yards out, assessed his options and floated a shot towards the top-left corner that was in from the moment it left his right foot. The Argentinian hit it with curl and dip, the ball bending away from Courtois, and the away end was transformed into a pit of writhing, jubilant celebration.
Chelsea were stunned, almost into submission and when Lanzini, whose impudent touches and ease on the ball made him a delight to watch, carved them open with a delightful backheel, Aaron Cresswell would have made it 2-0 if Branislav Ivanovic had not deflected his effort past the left post.
There were other near-misses and the home side had absorbed a lot of pressure by the time Fàbregas equalised with a lovely free-kick on the stroke of half-time. Although Loïc Rémy toiled in place of the suspended Diego Costa up front, Chelsea demonstrated their resolve after going behind, despite the disappointment of their exits from the Champions League and the FA Cup last week, and they slowly began to offer their supporters glimpses of the champion spirit of old.
They raged at not being awarded a penalty when Valencia appeared to control the ball with his right arm, but when Winston Reid was booked for fouling Oscar on the edge of the area, Fàbregas’s execution was perfect, Adrián’s dive futile.
Chelsea remained vulnerable to West Ham’s counterattacks, however, and Cresswell had already rammed a shot against the bar shortly before Carroll scored with his first touch a minute after coming on for Sakho. Payet released him, deceiving the defence with a sublime pass, and the striker threaded his shot past Courtois.
West Ham failed to take their chances and although Chelsea seemed to have run out of ideas, with Alex Pato a glum presence on the bench, the sight of Payet collapsing to the floor near the halfway line when Madley pointed to the spot summed up the frustration for West Ham’s players.
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Telegraph:
Chelsea 2 West Ham 2: Cesc Fabregas dents neighbours’ top four hopes
Ben Findon, at stamford bridge
West Ham’s drive into the top four, and the prospect of the unimagined riches of Champions League football festooning their new home at the Olympic Stadium, may have been frustrated by Cesc Fabregas’s controversial late penalty in a feisty London derby but this was a display to keep alive the unlikely European vision.
Slaven Bilic’s side, all silk and steel, led twice and for long stretches looked like they would end a 14-year wait for victory at Stamford Bridge.
A spectacular first-half drive from Manuel Lanzini and a composed finish just past the hour-mark by Andy Carroll, within seconds of coming on, had taken West Ham to the brink of a win that would have moved them ahead of Manchester City and into the top four.
Yet Fabregas, who had earlier struck home from a free-kick moments before the end of the first-half, kept his composure on an increasingly frantic afternoon to give Chelsea a debatable 89th-minute reprieve.
“I’m proud of the boys, they played fantastically well for the majority of the game. I know we deserve more than a draw, we were the better team,” Bilic said. “But to concede a goal that late on was gutting. And it was simply not a penalty but we are not getting those decisions.”
Guus Hiddink, who has yet to taste defeat in his 14 league matches in charge since returning to Chelsea last December, backed the penalty award.”I think it was on the line when he was tripped, and he was about to score,” he said. “A draw was a fair result but although we have been unbeaten we are drawing too many matches now.”
The sparks were always flying as both clubs served a reminder that their showdown remains a proper derby, a cultural collision between two ends of the Capital. High-rolling west London, where achievement is part of the local birthright, pitted against the aspirational east-enders, who always have a point to prove.
“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” the Chelsea supporters chorused scornfully but the more noise came from the visitors’s end, the noisy neighbours relishing their side’s rapid ascent.
West Ham, however, have little to fear at places like Stamford Bridge nowadays and a brisk, confident opening was rewarded by a sublime goal in the 17th minute.
A loose ball pinballed across the face of the Chelsea penalty area to reach Lanzini, who took a touch before unleashing a magnificent right-footed drive that flew beyond Thibaut Courtois, the helpless home goalkeeper.
Chelsea were without the artistry of the injured Eden Hazard and the predatory senses of the suspended Diego Costa and although Kenedy and Willian attempted to fire up the home side, West Ham rarely looked in trouble.
That was until the dying seconds of the first half, when Chelsea suddenly hauled themselves level. There was a fair amount of self-inflicted injury by the West Ham rearguard, the luckless Winston Reid miscuing a routine headed clearance then impeding Oscar as he attempted to right the damage.
Willian had gone close with a free-kick a few minutes earlier but this time it was Fabregas’s turn and from 20 yards out the whip and curl carried it away from goalkeeper Adrian and Chelsea were level.
And, for a while, Chelsea seemed reinvigorated, attacking from the restart with new urgency. Oscar was inches from turning in Branislav Ivanovic’s long cross.
West Ham, however, kept shape and purpose. Aaron Cresswell barrelled forward once again, sending an angled shot skimming against the underside of the crossbar. It was a warning Chelsea failed to heed.
Just past the hour mark, Bilic introduced Andy Carroll. Seconds later, Chelsea failed to track the big new arrival, who was put clear by Dimitri Payet and finished with a low shot in front of the West Ham followers.
Just as West Ham could taste victory, it was ripped from their grasp.
Willian raced forward, feeding substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek who tumbled with Michail Antonio in close attendance. To the visitors’ dismay, referee Robert Madley pointed to the spot and Fabregas applied some further dead-ball expertise and burst a few West Ham bubbles.
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Mail:
Chelsea 2-2 West Ham:
Midfielder Cesc Fabregas converts late penalty to bag his side a share of the spoils at Stamford Bridge
By SAM CUNNINGHAM FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY
A controversial late penalty for Chelsea earned them a draw and prevented West Ham from moving in to the top four.
With three minutes remaining and West Ham leading, substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek went to ground under pressure from Michail Antonio and referee Robert Madley awarded a spot-kick, which Cesc Fabregas converted to save his side a point.
It was questionable as to whether the Chelsea midfielder was inside the box when he tumbled, or if Antonio even made contact rather than the player tripping over his own feet.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic was understandably furious. He said: ‘To concede from a penalty that wasn’t a penalty is unacceptable. Basically to concede a goal that late is gutting, no matter how you concede it. It was not close to the line. It was way out and simply not a penalty.’
West Ham were into the top four in the ‘as-it-stands’ table for all of 58 glorious minutes as they twice went ahead. There is a growing feeling that — with their well-organised manager and talented, skilful squad — they can do the unthinkable and secure Champions League football to the Olympic Stadium by the time they move in this summer.
They have not mounted a serious challenge for a place in the top four since they finished third in 1986 — 30 years ago this May and three decades of yo-yoing in and out of the top-flight.
‘We could have two points more. We could go over Manchester City, put the pressure on them, we could make a gap with the teams that are below us queuing and we deserved it,’ said Bilic. When Manuel Lanzini put them ahead in the first half, they temporarily overtook City, until Fabregas equalised with a free-kick moments before the break.
Andy Carroll then came off the bench to put them ahead once again but Fabregas scored two minutes from time and the point left West Ham fifth, back where they had started the afternoon.
‘If there was any doubt [about the penalty], it was the benefit of the doubt which made the referee make the decision,’ said Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink. ‘I thought he was on the line when he was tripped. Loftus-Cheek was about to score. It was a very close call. On the line and the line is part of the box, I think.’
Lanzini’s opener was the sort of goal which would fit comfortably in the Olympic Stadium on a crisp, chill Champions League night.
West Ham moved the ball quickly through Chelsea’s half in the 17th minute and Dimitri Payet was almost through on goal until John Obi Mikel slid back to tackle. The ball, however, rolled on to Lanzini to the left of the area and he cut back inside with his first touch before curling a shot over Thibaut Courtois and into the far right corner.
The Chelsea fans had taunted their West Ham rivals with chants of ‘Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that’ shortly before but never has their been a less appropriate time and for West Ham to have the greatest chance to try and prove that, one day, it could be wrong. Just after the half-hour they produced a stunning move which should have produced a second. Diafra Sakho passed to Lanzini who let the ball run through his legs, flicking it with the back of his heel into the path of Aaron Cresswell, who was overlapping from left-back and his low shot was deflected just wide by Branislav Ivanovic.
But for all West Ham’s good work, Chelsea were level in first-half stoppage time less than a minute from the break. Fabregas curled a beautifully struck free-kick into the left of goal. ‘The last 10 minutes of the first half we tried to play a little bit sloppy, a little bit too sexy, not penetrating enough,’ said Bilic.
Early in the second half they traded chances with the defending Premier League champions as if they were their contemporaries.
In the 50th minute, Willian passed out wide to Ivanovic on the right, whose low cross went right through to Oscar running in at the back post, but he shot first time with the outside of his right, instead of a side-footed left and missed.
Cresswell, in yet another foray forward, hit the bar in the 57th minute. It looked like an intended cross but the ball arrowed up and towards goal, confounding Courtois but coming back off the underside of his upright.
Carroll was brought on for Sakho on the hour and within a minute of entering the field put West Ham back ahead. Rarely is the assist better than the strike for a goal but Payet’s reverse pass to play in the striker was sublime and his finish scuffed but enough.
The half of the Shed End holding the West Ham fans was rattling so violently it was a wonder it did not fall down.
Chelsea tried their hardest to quieten them. Fabregas headed just over, Terry headed just over, Oscar’s volley was blocked and, when the ball bounced up, Fabregas sent an overhead kick, yet again, just over. When they scored the penalty, Chelsea’s relish in denying their rivals was palpable.
‘Our target now for the rest of the season is to see if we can get a European spot,’ said Hiddink. And what he meant by that comment was qualification for the Europa League. West Ham, by stark contrast, maintain the loftier ambition of securing Champions League football. It is not over yet.
MATCH FACTS, PLAYER RATINGS, MATCH ZONE AND LEAGUE TABLE FROM STAMFORD BRIDGE
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois 6; Ivanovic 6, Cahill 6, Terry 6, Azpilicueta 6; Mikel 6, Fabregas 8; Willian 6.5, Oscar 6.5 (Loftus-Cheek 84), Kenedy 7 (Pedro 46 6); Remy 6 (Traore 62 6.5).
Substitutes not used: Begovic, Baba, Matic, Pato.
Manager: Guus Hiddink 5.5
Booked: Ivanovic, Willian, Fabregas.
West Ham (4-2-3-1): Adrian 6; Antonio 6, Reid 6, Ogbonna 6, Cresswell 6.5; Kouyate 6, Noble 6; Lanzini 7.5 (Obiang 82), Payet 7.5, Valencia 6.5 (Emenike 75 6); Sakho 6.5 (Carroll 60 7.5).
Subs not used: Randolph, Oxford, O'Brien, Song.
Manager: Slaven Bilic 6
Booked: Reid, Ogbonna, Kouyate, Adrian, Antonio.
Referee: Robert Madley 4.5
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Man of the Match: Fabregas
Attendance: 41,623
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Mirror:
Chelsea 2-2 West Ham: Cesc Fabregas brace rescues a point for Guus Hiddink's men - 5 things we learned
BY ADRIAN KAJUMBA
Fabregas twice pulled the Blues level after Maunel Lanzini and Andy Carroll scored for the visitors at Stamford Bridge
Cesc Fabregas scored a late penalty to deny West Ham a place in the top four.
Fabregas scored his second goal of the game from the spot in the 89th minute to earn Chelsea a 2-2 draw.
West Ham were heading for fourth after Andy Carroll came off the bench to put them ahead a minute after he came on.
Manuel Lanzini had put West Ham in front in the 17th minute, a lead cancelled out by Fabregas's free-kick on the stroke of half-time.
And the Spanish midfielder had the final word from 12 yards after Michail Antonio tripped Ruben Loftus-Cheek just inside the box as he bore down on goal.
1. No more 19th century football
West Ham should have won, having led 2-1 with just minutes to go, but there was still further evidence of how far West Ham have come under Slaven Bilic.
Two years ago Jose Mourinho accused the Hammers of playing '19th century football” under Sam Allardyce to get a point at Stamford Bridge. But this was no backs to the wall display.
They went toe-to-toe with Chelsea, more than matched them and should have claimed all three points and a place in the top four.
With the squad he has built, West Ham no longer have any need for defensive displays under Bilic or to fear anyone.
2. Lanzini has steel and style
Lanzini lined up in central midfield for and the little Argentinian produced a big performance in the West Ham engine room. Despite his slender frame he showed he can mix it alright.
He stood out for his simple hard work and non-stop running as much as his brilliant opening goal.
3. Bilic has found the best role for Andy Carroll
Despite all his injury problems Andy Carroll still has plenty to offer if he is willing to accept being a super sub.
When he comes off the bench he is almost a guaranteed game changer as his strengths are so different to most players in the Premier League.
He instantly gave Chelsea something different to think about when he came on at Stamford Bridge and scored after just a minute on the pitch. This was his third goal out of four this season as a sub.
4. Chelsea aren't on their holidays
They may have dropped more points but Chelsea haven't taken their foot off the gas yet. They didn't play badly or like a side who were already on their summer holidays.
If they were they wouldn't have fought back twice to earn a point. They had a strong spell at the start of the second half but conceded when they were on top and responded well to going behind a second time and were rewarded with another equaliser.
They have little to play for between now and the end of the season but the prospect of trying to ensure they retain their places when Antonio Conte arrives in the summer should keep Chelsea's players on their toes.
5. Kenedy has bright future
In a bleak season for Chelsea, Kenedy's emergence has been another positive. He has been playing left-back recently but despite the return of Chelsea's first-choice defence Guus Hiddink still found a way to get him in the side, playing him further forward down the left
flank in Eden Hazard's absence, ahead of the likes of a much more experienced player like Pedro. That is a sign of the impression he has made on the Dutchman.
Player ratings
Chelsea
Courtois 6 - No chance for either goal but did produce two sharp saves from Valencia and Carroll.
Ivanovic BOOKED 6 - Booked trying to make up for his mistake and caught out for winner.
Cahill 6 - Won't be happy with his role in either goal.
Terry 7 - Produced one vital goalline clearance on his first start for over a month.
Azpilicueta 7 - Returned to left back and looked good in both halves.
Mikel 6 - Conceded loads of fouls. Fortunate not to be booked.
Fabregas BOOKED 8 - Pushed and probed all game and stepped up with two goals.
Willian BOOKED 6 - Couldn't fault work rate but unable to produce moment of inspiration.
Oscar 5 - Really quiet for most of game and blew great second half chance.
Kenedy 7 - Lively and produced some eye-catching skill. Always tried to make things happen.
Remy 5 - Only on edges of the game and threatened once or twice.
Subs
Pedro (Kenedy 46) 6
Traore (Remy 62) 5
Loftus-Cheek (Oscar 84) 5
West Ham:
Adrian BOOKED 7 - Good saves from Willian and Remy. Couldn't do anything about either goal.
Antonio BOOKED 6 - Undid his good work after solid shift as emergency right-back by conceding late penalty.
Reid BOOKED 8 - Marshalled defence well but push on Oscar to concede free-kick was costly.
Ogbonna BOOKED 7 - Growing in strength by the game. Numerous vital blocks and interceptions.
Cresswell 7 - Got forward well and almost scored twice, hitting the bar the second time.
Kouyate BOOKED 7 - All-action display. Always there to get a foot or stick his head in.
Valencia 5 - Worked hard but posed little attacking threat after bright start.
Noble 7 - Continued his good form. Always available and kept things ticking over.
Lanzini MOTM 8 - Dictated play in central midfield and scored brilliant goal.
Payet 7 - Not his best game – has set high standards - but still set up Carroll.
Sakho 7 - Led line well. Good target-man for West Ham to play off.
Subs
Carroll (Sakho 60) 7
Emenike (Valencia 75) 5
Obiang (Lanzini 82) 5
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Express:
Chelsea 2 - West Ham 2: Fabregas saves Blues as Hammers slip up in Champions League race
CESC FABREGAS scored a late equaliser to stop West Ham inflicting Guus Hiddink’s first home league defeat as interim Chelsea manager.
By TONY STENSON
But whatever the Dutchman’s legacy will be at Stamford Bridge, Slaven Bilic is surely breathing down the neck of Claudio Ranieri to be named manager of the season after transforming West Ham into a team of believers.
But Bilic didn’t believe the penalty that denied his side three points should have been awarded: He said: “I am not saying it was a foul or not but where it was, and it was a long away from our 18-yard line. It was an unbelievable decision.”
But Hiddink disagreed: “I thought it was on the line and that is a penalty. He was tripped and when that happens the referee usually gives the benefit of the doubt.”
Despite the late blow, the Hammers boss, it seems, can do nothing wrong and his ability to influence games with tactical changes has been magnificent.
In the 59th minute yesterday he sent on Andy Carroll who, with his first touch, put the Hammers ahead. Bilic has also unearthed a very special talent in Dimitri Payet. Goal here Manuel Lanzini is not far behind while Michail Antonio, once a non-league journeyman, is now pushing for an England place.
Give people hope and they dream. Bilic is doing just that, with West Ham, heading towards their new home, on the verge of an FA Cup final and hunting down a place in the Champions League. Champions Chelsea, in contrast, have continually fluffed their lines this season.
They might still be unbeaten at home in the Premier League with Hiddink in charge, but they have not won much either.
West Ham’s fighting spirit, their energy and athleticism never faltered as they ruthlessly exposed Chelsea and it was no surprise when Lanzini scored a goal of true beauty.
The Argentinian’s curling shot from 20 yards made Thibaut Courtois look like a statue. It was mainly Chelsea attacking and West Ham defending with ease until one minute into first-half added time, when Oscar was fouled by Winston Reid and Fabregas curled in the free kick.
Oscar wasted a 50th-minute chance, turning his shot into the side-netting and Aaron Cresswell hit the Chelsea bar seven minutes later.
Enter Carroll, who beat the offside trap to turn in Payet’s pass. He also had an effort cleared off the line before Antonio tripped sub Ruben Loftus-Cheek to give away the spot-kick that Fabregas tucked away.
MAN OF THE MATCH: WINSTON REID – Stood firm in West Ham’s defence when Chelsea decided to throw everything forward. Masterly defending.
CHELSEA: Courtois; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Mikel; Kenedy (Pedro 45); Willian, Oscar (Loftus-Cheek 83); Remy (Traore 81).
WEST HAM: Adrian; Antonio, Ogbonna, Reid, Creswell; Kouyate, Noble; Sakho (Carroll 59), Payet, Lanzini (Obiang 81); Valencia (Emenike 74).
Referee: R Madley
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Star:
Chelsea 2 West Ham 2: Late Fabregas penalty snatches point as Hammers miss out on top four
SLAVEN BILIC fumed over the 89th-minute penalty that stopped West Ham recording a first win at Stamford Bridge in 11 attempts.
By Tony Stenson
They were leading 2-1 when Michail Antonio clumsily collided with Chelsea sub Ruben Loftus-Cheek and referee Robert Madley pointed to the spot.
Up stepped Cesc Fabregas to score his second set-piece goal of the game to preserve Chelsea’s unbeaten league run under Guus Hiddink.
But Bilic was angry, claiming at worst that the incident was outside their penalty area.
He said: “It was an unbelievable decision. It was not close to the line.
“It was way out and simply not a penalty. Basically, to concede a goal that late is gutting, no matter how you concede it.
“A penalty that wasn’t a penalty. It is unbelievable. I don’t like to moan or find excuses, because the way the boys played we have to be really proud.”
Even though the late penalty saved Chelsea’s blushes, it could not disguise West Ham’s rebirth.
Bilic is surely competing with Leicester’s Claudio Ranieri for the Manager of the Year gong for the way he has transformed West Ham.
The Croatian’s ability to affect the course of a game with tactical changes has been magnificent and in Dimitri Payet he has found a special talent.
Goal hero Manuel Lanzini is not far behind while Antonio – once a no-hope, non-league journeyman – is now pushing for an place with England.
Give people hope and they dream. Bilic is doing just that. He has ensured West Ham are creating a tremendous buzz as they head towards their new Olympic Stadium home and has sparked hopes of this being the beginning of an exciting spell in the club’s history.
They are on the verge of an FA Cup Semi-Final and hunting down a place in the Champions League.
Bilic added: “We played fantastic the majority of the game.
“They are champions, they have a good team. But I think, I know, we deserved more than a draw.
“We were the better team apart from one period of the second half before we scored the second one.
“We could have two points more. We could go over Man City, put the pressure on them, make a gap with the teams below us queuing and we deserved it. We are gutted.”
Chelsea may not have lost in the Premier League under Hiddink – but they have not won many either.
It was easy to see why yesterday. They create countless chances but rely on set-pieces to score when Diego Costa is not around.
Willian did force a save from Adrian within the first nine minutes of spell-binding stuff from both sides.
But the Hammers proved their form is no fluke and offered much in return.
So it was no surprise when Lanzini scored a goal of true beauty. The Hammers muscled their way into Chelsea’s half and, when ball broke for to the Argentinian, he curled his sixth goal of the season into the net from 20 yards.
It was mainly Chelsea attacking, West Ham defending until one minute into added time of the first half when Oscar was fouled by Winston Reid and Fabregas curled in a 20-yard free-kick.
Oscar wasted a 50th-minute chance, when he could only find the side-netting from Branislav Ivanovic’s ball.
West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell hit their crossbar seven minutes later. Chelsea kept pummelling away but West Ham made the breakthrough.
On came Andy Carroll and he cleverly beat an offside trap to turn in Payet’s pass with his first touch.
He also had another effort cleared off the line a minute before Antonio tripped sub Loftus-Cheek to give away the 89th-minute penalty for the equaliser.
Hiddink said: “The penalty was a decision which was seen different from the many angles. It is why we need television replays.
“I thought it was on the line and that is a penalty. He was tripped and when that happens the referee usually gives the benefit of the doubt.”
Hiddink says he will use his final eight games to give his up-and-coming talents a run out, saying: “I am not afraid to say, ‘Okay we’re not in Europe so let’s think differently and give youngsters a chance’.”
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