We Ain't Got No History - Matchday 23: Chelsea vs. West HamChampions of Europe!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52884/21_SBN_002_We_Aint_Got_No_History_Favicon_32x32..png2014-01-31T00:32:55+00:00http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/rss/stream/51177412014-01-31T00:32:55+00:002014-01-31T00:32:55+00:00Chelsea vs. West Ham: Player Ratings, Three Stars
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<img alt="19th Century Football" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_wPwEM0LkjgE77Axqqa9LEOb6a4=/0x168:4000x2835/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27756333/465777453.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>19th Century Football | Mike Hewitt</figcaption>
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<p>Bravest in all the land!</p> <p>
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<b>1. EDEN HAZARD</b> - AML</td>
<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: black;"><i>6.9</i></td>
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<span class="statwords">Minutes played</span><span><b>90</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Touches</span><span><b>80</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Shots</span><span><b>2/6</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Passes</span><span><b>56/62</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Take-ons</span><span><b>3/3</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Fouls suffered</span><span><b>2</b></span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Eddie has established quite a nice pattern for himself. Starting with the level-up away to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/">Sunderland</a>, he's won himself a man of the match vote roughly once every three matches. Only the back-to-back awards vs. Swansea and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> break the pattern. So right on cue, here's man of the match award number seven for the season, the sixth in his last twelve starts.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">Alas, this one was less impressive than the previous ones. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea's</a> complete and utter inability to finish off any chances, combined with an over-reliance on long shots and the failure to turn up for the full 90 minutes makes this the lowest winning average since Samuel Eto'o's 6.8 in the 2-2 home draw with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/west-bromwich-albion">West Bromwich Albion</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">That being said, Hazard still managed to do alright, despite being on the receiving end of at least one bootful of studs into the back of the leg and basically getting double- or even triple-marked for much of the game. Space in which to operate should be a lot easier to find on Monday. Here's hoping...</div>
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<b>2. PETR CECH </b>- GK</td>
<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: black;"><i>6.6</i></td>
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<span class="statwords">Minutes played</span><span><b>90</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Touches</span><span><b>32</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Distribution</span><span><b>21/28</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Saves</span><span><b>1</b></span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The presence of a goalkeeper in the top three is usually a very good indicator of a loss, a draw, or just poor play in general. Sure, sometimes we get a blunder - like away to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/stoke-city">Stoke City</a> not too long ago - but on this one, we can once again just tick the latter two boxes.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">I guess he did have to make one save, but otherwise, he could've taken a nap for large portions of this match and still come out with a clean sheet.</div>
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<b>3. JOHN TERRY </b>- DC</td>
<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: black;"><i>6.4</i></td>
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<span class="statwords">Minutes played</span><span><b>90</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Touches</span><span><b>60</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Passes</span><span><b>49/52</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Shots</span><span><b>1/1</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Clearances</span><span><b>4/4</b></span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The captain rounds out the top three, with his lowest-rated performance for a month and a half. But I guess that's a pretty common theme for these ratings.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">At one point towards the end, he even stopped playing defense went up front a la <span>Robert Huth</span> or Alex, although his best chance to open the scoring came on a first half header, which he inexplicably guided straight into the arms of the West Ham goalkeeper Adrián. That's also a fairly common theme for our shots, at least the ones that were technically "on-target." But I digress.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">Outside of a couple mistakes by Cahill, the backline pairing of Terry-Cahill acquitted themselves well once again. As long as they continue to do that, I have no problems with Mourinho trotting them out there, even if that comes at the expense of playing time for Sideshow Dave.</div>
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<p><i>OTHERS:</i><br>Azpilicueta (<b>5.9</b>), Cahill (<b>6.1</b>), Ivanovic (<b>5.4</b>), Ramires (<b>5.0</b>), Mikel (<b>4.9</b>), Oscar (<b>6.0</b>), Willian (<b>6.1</b>), Eto'o (<b>5.4</b>)</p>
<p><i>SUBS:</i><br>Lampard (<b>5.9</b>), Matic (<b>5.7</b>), Ba (<b>4.9</b>)</p>
<p><i>OVERALL:<br></i> <a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3934611/201314-01-30_-_ratings.png" target="_blank"><img alt="201314-01-30_-_ratings_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3934611/201314-01-30_-_ratings_medium.png"></a> <br id="1391120849527"></p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/1/31/5362578/chelsea-west-ham-player-ratings-man-of-the-matchDavid Pasztor2014-01-30T03:50:38+00:002014-01-30T03:50:38+00:00'Out-tacticked' Mourinho vs. '19th Cent.' Big Sam
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<figcaption>Mike Hewitt</figcaption>
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> fired plenty of shots during the 90 minutes on Wednesday. Probably enough to win almost any match. But not this one, not on this day.</p>
<p>Part of the reason? They saved their best shots for late, perhaps too late. So late in fact, that the best one came after the final whistle and not even on the pitch. It came from a "sad" Mourinho, who was probably rueing his decision to go with the lockdown pivot of Mikel and Ramires in light of what he described as "19th Century" tactics employed by the visitors.</p>
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<p>"I just told the boys it is very difficult to play a football match when only one team wants to play. Football matches are about two teams playing and this match was only one team playing and the other team not playing."</p>
<p>"I told 'Big Sam', and I repeat my words, they need points and because they need points to come here the way they did, is it acceptable? Maybe, yes. But at the same time I told (him) also, this is not the Premier League, this is not the best league in the world - this is football from the 19th Century."</p>
<p>"Cheating - I don't know if that's the right word; pretending injuries, the goalkeeper winning time since the first minute. Not after 70 minutes, the first minute. Medical staff coming on, (players) kicking long balls to nobody, 10 defenders in the box. The defenders, they didn't put one foot outside the box. It's very basic."</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><i>-<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/jose-mourinho">Jose Mourinho</a>; source: <a href="http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mourinho-mocks-19th-century-west-ham?">FourFourTwo</a></i></p>
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<p>And while the 19th Century bit makes for an attention-grabbing pullquote, Mourinho is self-aware enough to add the following caveat:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"I cannot be too critical because if I was in this position I don't know if I would do the same. Maybe, so I don't want to criticise that."</p>
<p>"I hope the point means something for them at the end of the season. My players did everything to try to win and to try to play."</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><i>-Jose Mourinho; source: <a href="http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mourinho-mocks-19th-century-west-ham?">FourFourTwo</a></i></p>
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<p>Unfortunately for us, that "everything" did not include the necessary implements to tear down that West Ham wall. No power, no dynamite; no cutting edge, no laser; no...drill?</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"I am happy with my players. Especially in the second half the West Ham goalkeeper saved a lot but also other players without gloves, they saved a lot. They had five defenders who looked more goalkeepers than defenders."</p>
<p>"They threw their bodies at the ball, they slid, they gave a lot, so my respect to their spirit and their effort but my team tried everything. They played, they created, the goalkeeper saved, so I cannot complain about my people. It tried to change players to bring new things to the game but the only thing I could bring more was a Black and Decker, to destroy the wall!"</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><i>-Jose Mourinho; source: <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3644712/title/final-whistle-verdict-up-against-the-wall">Chelsea FC</a></i></p>
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<p>Where's Mr. Gorbachov when you need him? Alas, we only have this buffoon:</p>
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<p>"I knew he would, he can't take it can he? He just can't take it because we've out-tacticed (sic) him, we've out-witted him. He just can't cope!"</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><i>-<span>Sam Allardyce</span>; source: <a href="http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/allardyce-revels-mourinho-moans?">FourFourTwo</a></i></p>
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<p>This man's a genius, everybody. Make room. Pay attention. Watch out for low-flying spit.</p>
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<p>"He can tell me all he wants, I don't give a s***e to be honest with you."</p>
<p>"I love to see Chelsea players moaning at the referee, trying to intimidate him; Jose jumping up and down saying we play c*** football. It's brilliant when you get a result against him... so hard luck Jose!"</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><i>-Sam Allardyce; source: <a href="http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/allardyce-revels-mourinho-moans?">FourFourTwo</a></i></p>
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<p>Well, you can stick that in your trophy cabinet then. Congratulations, Big Sam.</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/1/30/5359814/chelsea-west-ham-mourinho-allardyce-post-match-commentsDavid Pasztor2014-01-29T22:34:28+00:002014-01-29T22:34:28+00:00West Ham hold out against shot-happy Blues
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<figcaption>Ian Walton</figcaption>
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<p>39 shots to one. 0-0. And the worst part about it is that it wasn't even an unfair result.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> did not put themselves in the best possible position to beat <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/">West Ham United</a> on Wednesday. No matter how much <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/jose-mourinho">Jose Mourinho</a> whines about <span>Sam Allardyce</span> parking the bus, you can't claim to have come to play football when your starting double pivot consists of <span>John Obi Mikel</span> and Ramires, neither of whom is capable of a quick passing game.</p>
<p>38 shots; zero goals. The statisticians will say that the Blues were unlucky, and to a certain extent they're right. In the last twenty minutes or so, a period coinciding with the introduction of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110218/frank-lampard">Frank Lampard</a> and <span>Nemanja Matic</span>, Chelsea genuinely played well, and Adrian did brilliantly to stop us nicking a late goal. But before then... there was very little.</p>
<p>Oscar and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110210/john-terry">John Terry</a> had the only two significant chances of the first half, with the Brazilian buzzing the woodwork in what was the only incisive attack the Blues conducted before the break and Terry heading at Adrian's feet from a Willian corner. It was actually the Hammers who came closest to breaking the deadlock -- <span>Petr Cech</span> had to save well from a <span>James Tomkins</span> header, and the ball nearly went in anyway after the rebound grazed <span>Kevin Nolan</span> before going on for a free kick.</p>
<p>It was about as dull as it sounds. Neil Swarbrick had no control of the match, conducting himself like the King of the Whimsy Fairies -- the best bit was when he seemed to blame <span>Eden Hazard</span> for taking [insert whichever menace did it if you can be bothered fact-checking]'s studs to his ankle like some sort of troublemaker -- and West Ham were defending well. Our counterattacks were far too slow to catch them out of position, and 'position' according to Allardyce and company appeared to mean 'everyone park the penalty area'. Which is sort of fair play, considering the disparity in talent.</p>
<p>Chelsea were no better after the interval. The Hammers had by then given up any pretense of going forward (Andy Carroll's bizarre miss after <span>Gary Cahill</span> had let <span>Stewart Downing</span> to the byline was a rare exception), which only meant that they were more difficult to break down. Our rather predictable approach to this problem was to patiently probe and then shoot from 30 yards, which generally resulted in either a block or a goal kick; a classic demonstration of what happens when a team is frustrated and wants to score.</p>
<p>Sure, on a different day one of them might have been deflected past Adrian. Nobody's denying the role of luck here, and the footballing gods were clearly against us. But the ideal should be to be so much better than the opposition that luck doesn't play into it, and the starting lineup didn't come anywhere near those lofty heights.</p>
<p>Jose Mourinho changed things up 63 minutes in, pulling off <span>Cesar Azpilicueta</span> and Mikel for Lampard and Matic. Chelsea instantly looked more incisive, so West Ham decided to get about three times as heroic. When the supporters think back to this match, the final half-hour will probably be all that they remember. Chelsea pour forward relentlessly only to be beaten back by a robust, last-ditch challenge or an out-of-nowhere block or a holy-cheesenits-how-did-he-get-there Adrian save.</p>
<p>That's all well and good and it can happen to anyone, but it's important to remember that we only put serious pressure on the Hammers after making late tactical changes, and even then we weren't really set up to play 100 percent effectively. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110687/branislav-ivanovic">Branislav Ivanovic</a> ended up at left back (and if you hated his attacking play from the right, I'd love to hear about the new words you invented tonight to describe what he was doing out there after those substitutions), and Ramires ended up taking the Serbian's vacated position on the right.</p>
<p>Chelsea inched closer and closer to goal. <span>Demba Ba</span> hit the post from close range. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110144/samuel-eto-o">Samuel Eto'o</a> had a goal ruled out for something Swarbrick-y -- apparently he'd given a free kick that he'd neglected to tell anyone about? -- and Lampard forced Adrian into a phenomenal save right at the death, but we couldn't find the breakthrough and the match finished 0-0.</p>
<p>What grand conclusions can we take out of this? Absolutely none. The performance wasn't great, West Ham defended well, and the starting lineup wasn't set up to break down a wall of claret and blue shirts -- and Chelsea still probably win more often than not under the same conditions. That said, I think we probably rested players in anticipation of the big match against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a> on Monday, and that made it less likely for us to get the three points here. Sometimes you gamble and it works; sometimes it doesn't.</p>
<p>Today, it didn't. But we're in third place, three points behind the leaders. Life's not all bad -- the only problem is it could have been a good deal better.</p>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/1/29/5358790/chelsea-vs-west-ham-final-score-match-reportGraham MacAree2014-01-29T21:40:51+00:002014-01-29T21:40:51+00:00Chelsea 0 - West Ham 0: Initial Reaction
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<figcaption>Ian Walton</figcaption>
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<p>Boring, boring Chelsea against a Sam Allardyce side. What else did you expect?</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> hosted West Ham in the pouring rain, and weren't able to find the back of the net despite playing the bulk of the game in West Ham's end. Luckily, West Ham didn't offer even the slightest hint of attacking competence, and this game ended with both sides taking home a point.</p>
<p>The first half was a fairly dull affair, as is often the case in games involving <span>Sam Allardyce</span>*. His plan for this one seemed to involve sitting deep, wasting time, and giving it a go on set pieces. As he's made a career of doing just that, this really shouldn't have caught <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/jose-mourinho">Jose Mourinho</a> by surprise.</p>
<p><i>*My spell check software suggested 'Mallard' for Allardyce. Appropriate.</i></p>
<p>Despite knowing exactly what West Ham were going to do, Chelsea spent the first 45 minutes doing very little to cope. Slow ball movement, too many touches, and quite a few harmless long shots did very little to test the Hammers.</p>
<p>The second half kicked off with both <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110218/frank-lampard">Frank Lampard</a> and <span>Nemanja Matic</span> warming up, and the pair came on after 17 minutes. Mikel and <span>Cesar Azpilicueta</span> were the ones to make way, as the manager clearly realized West Ham weren't overly dangerous today.</p>
<p>Chelsea looked much better in attack after the subs, but still weren't able to find the elusive goal. <span>Demba Ba</span> came on for Oscar with just over ten minutes to play, but in the end, it just didn't matter. Here are a few thoughts after this awful, awful game:</p>
<ul>
<li><span>How is Tony Gale still employed? He's easily the worst in the business, and made the Gus Johnson experiment look like a brilliant idea.</span></li>
<li>With Nemanja Matic and Frank Lampard available, we really need to stop using a pivot of Ramires and <span>John Obi Mikel</span> against teams willing to sit back and play for a draw. Both are useful players, but quick, accurate ball movement isn't a strength of either.</li>
<li>
<span>Andy Carroll</span> once cost nearly the same amount of money as Chelsea just accepted for Juan Mata. This thought kept occurring to me over and over and over during this match.</li>
<li>How worthless are Spurs? </li>
<li>Hopefully this is the last time we'll be seeing Big Sam for a while, as even if West Ham aren't relegated, one would think he'd still be a viable candidate for the sack. </li>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/1/29/5358234/chelsea-west-ham-final-score-initial-reaction-community-rating-formStephen Schmidt2014-01-29T20:35:02+00:002014-01-29T20:35:02+00:00Chelsea vs. West Ham: Second Half Thread
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<figcaption>Ian Walton</figcaption>
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<p>Well, it's been a bit of a toil. But that happens sometimes when you play against Sam Allardyce's men. Kick, kick, hoof, kick, time waste, kick, kick, and kick some more... and I don't mean the ball always.</p>
<p>The weather isn't helping the proceedings either, the slick surface making for extra sloppy passes (I see you, Willian friend) and general play. To make matters worse, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> are looking a bit slow in possession and finding it extra frustrating to break down the West Ham walls of four. <span>Eden Hazard</span> is marked by at least three at all times. Oscar and Eto'o both had decent chances however.</p>
<p>It may be a bit frustrating, but we just have to stay patient and the breakthrough will come. The only way West Ham seem capable of scoring is through a set piece or a major error, so just keep up the effort and the concentration and we'll have three points in the bag easy.</p>
<p>(Alternatively, we could just score one of the set piece, like <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110210/john-terry">John Terry</a> almost did there at the end.)</p>
<p>Three points. Champagne. UP THE BLUES!</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/1/29/5358490/chelsea-vs-west-ham-second-half-threadDavid Pasztor2014-01-29T18:54:33+00:002014-01-29T18:54:33+00:00Chelsea vs. West Ham: Lineups & Game Thread
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<figcaption>Ian Walton</figcaption>
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<blockquote>
<p>"I think you have to drink Champagne because we are improving.</p>
<p>"We are improving a lot, the team, the players. So the perspective of Champagne in the future is good. We are going in a good direction."</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><i>-<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/jose-mourinho" class="sbn-auto-link">Jose Mourinho</a>; source: <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fteams%2Fchelsea%2F10602085%2FJose-Mourinho-says-improving-Chelsea-will-not-win-the-Premier-League-title-this-season.html&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fweaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com%2F2014%2F1%2F29%2F5358058%2Fchelsea-vs-west-ham-lineups-game-thread" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Telegraph</a></i></p>
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<p><i><b><a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea</a> starting lineup (4-2-3-1):</b></i><br><span>Petr Cech</span> | <span>Cesar Azpilicueta</span>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110210/john-terry" class="sbn-auto-link">John Terry</a>, <span>Gary Cahill</span>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110687/branislav-ivanovic" class="sbn-auto-link">Branislav Ivanovic</a> | Mikel, Ramires | <span>Eden Hazard</span>, Oscar, Willian | <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110144/samuel-eto-o" class="sbn-auto-link">Samuel Eto'o</a></p>
<p><i>Substitutes from: </i><span>Mark Schwarzer</span>, <span>Ashley Cole</span>, <span>David Luiz</span>, <span>Nemanja Matic</span>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110218/frank-lampard" class="sbn-auto-link">Frank Lampard</a>, <span>Andre Schurrle</span>, <span>Demba Ba</span></p>
<p><i><b>West Ham starting lineup (4-1-4-1):</b></i><br>Adrián | <span>Guy Demel</span>, <span>James Tomkins</span>, <span>James Collins</span>, <span>Joey O'Brien</span> | <span>Mark Noble</span> | <span>Matthew Taylor</span>, <span>Kevin Nolan</span>, <span>Mohamed Diamé</span>, <span>Stewart Downing</span> | <span>Andy Carroll</span></p>
<p><i>Substitutes from: </i><span>Jussi Jaaskelainen</span>, <span>George McCartney</span>, <span>Matthew Jarvis</span>, <span>Antonio Nocerino</span>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/sbn_pte_player/show/149680?league=football+league+championship&slug=ravel-morrison">Ravel Morrison</a>, <span>Carlton Cole</span>, <span>Marco Borriello</span></p>
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<p>THE PERSPECTIVE OF CHAMPAGNE!</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/1/29/5358058/chelsea-vs-west-ham-lineups-game-threadDavid Pasztor2014-01-28T18:43:01+00:002014-01-28T18:43:01+00:00Chelsea vs. West Ham: Preview
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<figcaption>Julian Finney</figcaption>
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<p>Chelsea will look to continue their winning run when they host West Ham on Wednesday</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> will play their 23rd Premier League fixture of the season, hosting <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/">West Ham United</a> in their first London derby of 2014. Regardless of the result, Chelsea will be no lower than third at the conclusion of Wednesday's match, though a win could see them topping the table if other results go their way.</p>
<p>The Blues have been in great form of late, having won their last seven fixtures in all competitions. The Hammers haven't been playing quite as well, managing just one win and one draw in their last nine fixtures.</p>
<p>Historically, Chelsea have had the better of West Ham. They've played 98 times to date, with Chelsea managing 45 wins, 18 draws, and 37 losses. At home, the Blues have a 27-10-12 record, and since Roman Abramovich bought the club, Chelsea have won 13 of the 16 derbys, drawing two and losing just one.</p>
<p>In our first matchup with West Ham this season, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/jose-mourinho">Jose Mourinho</a> rolled out a 4-3-3 formation at the start. It worked remarkably well, and Mourinho's side produced one of the best performances we've seen from this Chelsea squad.</p>
<p>Chelsea last played on Sunday, so the bulk of the squad will likely be available for selection without any sort of concern over rest. With our next game not taking place until Monday, February 3, It's unlikely that Mourinho will have any players resting in anticipation of that fixture.</p>
<p><b>Opponent:</b> West Ham United, currently 18th in the table on 18 points, with a -11 GD</p>
<p><b>Date/Time:</b> Wednesday, January 29, 2014, 19:45 GMT; 2:45 pm EST; 1:15 IST (next day)</p>
<p><b>Venue/Location: </b>Stamford Bridge, London, England</p>
<p><b>Forecast:</b> Cold with a good chance of rain and possibly some snow. <a href="http://www.weather.com/weather/tomorrow/London+UKXX0085:1:UK" target="_blank">Bundle up!</a></p>
<p><b>Chelsea squad news:</b> The Blues have a pair of players out with injury, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110873/fernando-torres">Fernando Torres</a> and Marco van Ginkel. Mohamed Salah will not be available for this one either, as he hasn't arrived in time to to factor into Mourinho's squad. We're also unlikely to see any of the U21 crowd involved, as they played 120 minutes on Monday evening.</p>
<p><b>West Ham squad news:</b> <span>Sam Allardyce</span> will have more to work with on Wednesday than he has in quite a while. Joe Cole will miss the match with injury, but <span>Kevin Nolan</span> will be returning from suspension to help out. <span>Antonio Nocerino</span> and <span>Marco Borriello</span> will both be available for debuts as well, though it's unclear if either will be thrust straight into the West Ham lineup. I wonder if <span>Arsene Wenger</span> would think that's fair?</p>
<p><b>Television/Streaming:</b> UK viewers appear to be stuck with Tottenham vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a>, though subscribers will be able to hear the game live on Chelsea TV. In the US, Premier League Extra Time and NBC Sports Live Extra will have the broadcast. In India, Star Sports 2 HD and Star Sports 4 will show the game live, and you can check other listings <a target="_blank" href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/821701/chelsea-vs-west-ham-united/">here</a>.</p>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/1/28/5354348/chelsea-west-ham-preview-squad-news-television-streaming-weatherStephen Schmidt2014-01-28T14:38:49+00:002014-01-28T14:38:49+00:00Chelsea vs. West Ham: You choose the squad
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<figcaption>Jamie McDonald</figcaption>
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<p>Put on your shiny new Puma puffy coat (with working zipper), it's time to play manager ahead of West Ham</p> <p>We've got one more round of fixtures before the transfer window shuts, with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> set to host <span>Sam Allardyce</span> and West Ham on Wednesday. Our first meeting of the season was one of the most dominant displays we had seen from Chelsea in 2013, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/jose-mourinho">Jose Mourinho</a> will be hoping that our first London Derby of 2014 brings the same sort of performance.</p>
<p>Chelsea will be without Marco van Ginkel and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110873/fernando-torres">Fernando Torres</a> due to injury, and Mohamed Salah won't be available for this one either. We'll also have to get by without the services of <span>Nathan Ake</span> or Lewis Baker, as both took part in Monday's U21 contest with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a> which went to extra time.</p>
<p>As alway, fill out the form below to let us know who you'd select, and then feel free to discuss your selections in the comment section below. To view the results of the poll, please check <a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QJuTKeCWJ7_b7HbZ0rZ4OR-aMr-lqi-6ZXbYnUfGo68/viewanalytics">this link</a>.</p>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/1/28/5353668/chelsea-vs-west-ham-you-choose-the-squadStephen Schmidt