Cesar Azpilicueta’s goal was not enough to secure victory for Chelsea as substitute Javier Hernandez struck to earn West Ham a point.
Azpilicueta’s close-range finish following a corner gave the Blues a deserved half-time lead.
But Hernandez sidefooted home from Marko Arnautovic’s cross three minutes after coming on.
A frantic finish saw both sides have chances to win it, with Chelsea coming closest through sub Olivier Giroud’s header.
Chelsea had much the better of an emotional day, the club’s first match since legendary former captain Ray Wilkins died from a heart attack.
But Antonio Conte’s side paid the price for numerous missed chances and have all but blown their chances of sneaking into the final Champions League qualification place.
Alvaro Morata had a goal disallowed in either half and Willian, Hazard and Marcos Alonso all went close.
The first chance fell to Hazard, who was a fraction off target with an early strike following a jinking run.
The Hammers responded and Arnautovic almost got on the end of a dangerous cross before having a shot deflected wide by recalled Blues skipper Gary Cahill.
But with Fabregas becoming increasingly influential in midfield and Hazard finding decent amounts of space, Chelsea started to dominate possession.
Willian had a shot deflected wide, Azpilicueta was off target with a header from a corner and Hazard set up a chance that Morata finished, only to be flagged offside.
A brilliant Blues move involving Fabregas, Hazard and Morata saw Willian denied by a fine Joe Hart save,
But Azpilicueta grabbed his third goal of the season from the resulting corner, showing great awareness and composure in the box to control Morata’s header and poke the ball home.
After the break, Willian stroked an effort just wide, Morata had a strike harshly ruled out.
Morata also missed a good headed chance before Hernandez levelled after Cahill failed to get decent distance on a defensive header.
Marcos Alonso’s brilliant strike was then tipped over by Hart, who also did well to push away Giroud’s downward header.
Before the game there was a moving tribute to Wilkins, who earlier this week died at the age of 61 after a heart attack.
The Chelsea players all wore number eight shirts in the warm-up and there was an emotional minute’s applause where both sets of fans sang his name with real gusto.
And on the eighth minute there was another minute’s applause, recognising the number of the shirt he wore with such distinction in the 1970s.
Chelsea: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Cahill (capt), Rudiger, Moses [Pedro 78], Kante, Fabregas, Alonso, Willian, Morata [Giroud 78], Hazard.
Subs not used: Caballero, Christensen, Emerson, Bakayoko, Drinkwater.
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This post was last modified on 09/04/2018
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I SAID: "A DRAW".
FROM THE CURRENT CHELSEA TEAM I WOULD KEEP ONLY KANTE (THE REAL CHELSEA TALISMAN; HAZARD IS JUST A SPOILED PRIMA DONNA, CONSTANTLY LOSING THE BALL, HANDS ON WAIST), WILLIAN (IF HE CHOSES TO STAY, THAT IS), ALONSO, CHRISTIANSEN AND RUDIGER.
AND IT IS GOING TO GET EVEN WORSE: LOSES TO BURNLY AND LIVERPOOL. ENDING 6TH OR 7TH, JUST ABOUT RIGHT.
I SAW THE SO CALLED "COMMUNISM" COLLAPSE AND IT HAS FOLLOWED EXACTLY THE SAME PATTERN: INITIAL WASTEFUL OVERSPENDING, COUPLED WITH ARROGANT INCOMPETENT MISMANAGEMENT, REPRESSING OF EXPERT OPINION, AUTHORITARIAN "SHOOTING THE FAILURES" TO COVER FOR THE TOP DOG INADEQUACY. CHELSEA ARE DONE FOR; WHAT WAS BUILT HAS BEEN DESTROYED.