Half-time: Chelsea 0 West Ham 0

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Oscar almost gave Chelsea an early lead in the London derby at Stamford Bridge.

The Brazilian’s fine effort from the left-hand edge of the penalty area struck the bar after West Ham keeper Adrian managed to get a slight touch.

At the other end, striker Andy Carroll wanted a penalty following a far-post tangle with Cesar Azpilicueta but referee Neil Swarbrick was having none of it.

And Blues keeper Petr Cech produced a good save when he dived to his right to push away James Tomkins’ header from Stewart Downing’s left-wing free-kick.

The Hammers, struggling at the wrong end of the table and hampered by injuries this season, lost Mo Diame after half an hour.

Midfielder Diame was hurt after stumbling over the advertising hoardings and had to be replaced by Matt Jarvis.

Chelsea have found clear-cut chances to hard to come by but almost scored two minutes before the break, when Adrian saved with his legs to keep out John Terry’s header from Willian’s corner.

Adrian also denied Samuel Eto’o with a near-post stop in first-half injury time.

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Mikel; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Eto’o.
Subs: Schwarzer, Cole, Luiz, Matic, Lampard, Schurrle, Ba.

West Ham: Adrian, Demel, Tomkins, Collins, O’Brien, Noble, Taylor, Nolan, Downing, Diame, Carroll.
Subs: Jaaskelainen, McCartney, Jarvis, Nocerino, Morrison, Cole, Borriello.

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