Chelsea came from a goal behind to claim a point against West Ham at Upton Park. A controversial penalty by Frank Lampard for the league leaders extended their lead over Manchester United to four points.

Chelsea began the game in control and had all the early chances. Frank Lampard had the first shot of the game but his 20 yard drive was easily saved by Robert Green. From the resulting corner Green failed to claim the cross but luckily for him there was no Chelsea player around to put the ball in the net and the ball rolled out of play.

From Chelsea’s next corner Branislav Ivanovic met Lampard’s cross but his looping header landed on top of the net.

Chelsea went even closer from another set play, in the 21st minute Scott Parker fouled Didier Drogba whose resulting free kick was deflected for a corner. Frank Lampard delivered the ball and Ivanovic again headed goalwards but this time his header was cleared off the line by Parker with Green nowhere.

West Ham had their first chance of the game just after half an hour, Herita Ilunga was released down the left by Parker and his cross was met by Jack Collison. The young midfielders shot was saved by Petr Cech and Guillermo Franco failed to get onto the rebound in the resulting melee.

On 40 minutes Lampard went close with his second effort of the match, Ashley Cole crossed from the left but the England midfielder fired wide.
Chelsea almost took the lead following a quick free kick by Lampard, Didier Drogba was awake to Lampard’s quick thinking but he fired his shot into the side netting.

With just minutes to go in the half West Ham took the lead. Referee Mike Dean awarded the home side a penalty following a tackle from behind by Ashley Cole on Collison. Alessandro Diamanti sent Cech the wrong way to score his fourth goal of the season and send the home fans into the break happy.

Chelsea got themselves back into the game in the 61st minute when they were awarded a penalty of their own. Matthew Upson was deemed to have fouled substitute Daniel Sturridge inside the area and the referee’s assistant flagged for a penalty. Replays showed that the defender took the ball but the officials did not change their mind and Frank Lampard was given the opportunity to level the match. The England midfielder fired his penalty past Green who couldn’t get down to it quick enough but referee Dean made the spot kick be retaken due to players encroaching in the area. Lampard scored the second attempt but again there were players encroaching and he was asked to retake it. From the third attempt he scored again and this time the penalty stood and Chelsea were back in the game.

Chelsea began to control the game again but the West Ham defenders remained resilient to limit their chances.  Chelsea did create a chance in the 68th minute, Lampard fed Joe Cole but the former West Ham man dragged his shot wide from 18 yards.

Diamanti had West Ham’s first effort of the second half in the 72nd minute, the Italian turned inside Ivanovic but his shot was well saved by Cech. From the rebound Mark Noble could only scoop the ball over the bar from 12 yards.

Joe Cole had another chance for the visitors in the 73rd minute, Ilunga failed to clear a cross and Cole fired well over from just inside the penalty area.

West Ham began to play on the counter attack, with 10 minutes to play the home side broke quickly from their own area but Diamanti’s through ball couldn’t find Jack Collison inside the area.

In the 85th minute Robert Green made a great low save from Yuri Zhirkov from the left side of the area, the goalkeeper failed to hold onto the ball but he was saved by James Tomkins who cleared before Frank Lampard could pounce.

Franco had a great header saved by Cech in the final minute, although the Mexican was flagged offside.  The hosts finished the game the stronger but were unable to test Cech.