Conte: Dire Hammers draw sums up Chelsea season
by Steve Clare, Stamford Bridge London
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte was in a downbeat mood after his side drew 1-1 at home to West Ham United in a London derby. His side had led after Cesar Azpilicueta had scrambled home an untidy goal courtesy of Alvaro Morata. It was a turnabout favour as Morata has scored six goals from Azpilicueta assists this season. On this occasion the Spanish forward knocked down a high ball in the West Ham box for his team-mate to convert.
However eternal Chelsea nemesis Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez came off the bench yet one more time to net against the Blues. He has scored on his last four league appearances at Stamford Bridge.
The Mexican had not scored for nearly two months but his nine against Chelsea are the most he has scored against any opponent and moreover six of those have come like Saturday’s goal of the bench.
West Ham boss Davie Moyes praised Chicharito fulsomely after the game.
His selection for Monday’s game with Stoke City will be more than interesting especially for fans of El Tri who want to see their hero getting regular minutes at the top level before the World Cup.
Moyes’ opposite number, Antonio Conte, was less impressed with his charges. The first half had been humdrum and largely overshadowed, at least for the home fans, by the tributes to Chelsea legend Ray Wilkins. However by its end, a clearly disgruntled Conte had reached the conclusion that the game summed up the season, that will be his last at Stamford Bridge.
“How many times did I say to you in this game, we didn’t take the chances we created? A lot of times, and then one chance for West Ham and we conceded a goal. This game …it is our season.”
In Chelsea’s defence, it could be pointed out that Hammers goalkeeper Joe Hart did make some splendid saves sending a timely reminder to England manager Gareth Southgate as he mulls his selection for the World Cup.
As the match approached its end, Steve Clare reached the same conclusion that Conte did shortly afterwards
But it also needs to be said that the claret and blue visitors lacked any serious ambition for most of the first hour and a better side would have put the game safely away long before the Mexican hero came off the bench to deprive them of two points.
He was one of the few outfielders on show who did his World Cup chances any favours.
