Half-time: West Ham 0 Chelsea 2

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A Frank Lampard penalty and a crisp Oscar strike gave Chelsea a commanding lead at half-time at Upton Park.

After a muted first 20 minutes, Lampard was gifted the opportunity to put the Blues in front when Hammers goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen sent Oscar sprawling.

The England midfielder struck the spot-kick firmly down the middle for his first Premier League goal since August and his sixth for Chelsea against his former club.

The goal arrived after a fairly nondescript first 20 minutes, with neither side stretching the other bar an Oscar effort which flew high and wide.

Following his goal, Lampard had two other chances to double the lead, scuffing a shot straight at Jaaskelainen and then heading wide.

Chelsea’s dominance in midfield paid dividends when Oscar exchanged passes with Eden Hazard and was afforded the space to run at the West Ham defence before drilling a shot into the bottom corner.

A frustrated Sam Allardyce made two substitutions five minutes before the break, withdrawing Jack Collison and ex-Blues favourite Joe Cole to a chorus of boos, and bringing on Modibo Maiga and Mohamed Diame.

Chelsea remained on top, however, and Jaaskelainen produced a fine save to keep out Samuel Eto’o’s effort.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1):  Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Mikel, Ramires; Oscar, Lampard, Hazard; Eto’o.
Subs: Cole, Essien, Mata, Schurrle, Ba, Willian, Schwarzer.

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