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Chelsea 0 West Ham United 4 Chelsea: S.Francis, D.Wood, D.Rougvie, J.Bumstead (M.Hazard 66), J.McLaughlin, C.Pates, P.Nevin, N.Spackman, C.Lee, D.Speedie, K.McAllister. West Ham United: P.Parkes, R.Stewart, G.Parris, T.Gale, P.Hilton, A.Devonshire (N.Orr 76), M.Ward, A.Dickens, F.McAvennie, T.Cottee, G.Pike. Match Report: This game had something of a surreal feel to it even before a ball was kicked. It had been quite a while since a team from the capital had been in serious contention for the league title at such a late stage of the season. It was even longer since that team had been Chelsea. Chelsea lay 4th going into Easter and although the Merseyside giants Everton and Liverpool remained the favourites the Stamford Bridge side would move to the top of the table if they could win their two games in hand. Back in 7th place West Ham were also still theoretically in contention although they would need to take full advantage of their four extra games. Unusually, given the advanced stage of the season this would be the first meeting of these London rivals. Despite their solid form Chelsea boss John Hollins decided to drop his main striker Kerry Dixon for this crunch game. Dixon had not scored since the victory over Spurs during the Christmas period. His place was taken by Colin Lee. It was the Hammers who settled better on an extremely heavy pitch, however. While Chelsea laboured in midfield West Ham flourished. Alan Dickens and Geoff Pike were sharper into the tackle and this allowed Alan Devonshire to orchestrate a series of quick attacking moves. The lively trio of Mark Ward, Tony Cottee and Frank McAvennie gave the schemer plenty of options with their pacy, menacing runs. Chelsea were immediately struggling to cope and no area of their team was functioning properly. Goalkeeper Steve Francis increased the pressure on his side with two woeful goal kicks which encouraged the visitors still further. The hulking defenders in front of him were also unhappy on the slippery surface with Doug Rougvie failing completely to subdue the effervescent Ward. A West Ham goal seemed inevitable and midway through the half it arrived. Joe McLaughlin conceded a free kick after another hapless challenge. The kick was pushed quickly to Devonshire who strode forward a few paces before sending a crisp drive right into the corner of the net from 30 yards out. Chelsea strove to respond but had little answer to their opponents or the conditions. Nigel Spackman was the most effective of their midfielders and David Speedie darted and niggled up front but the Hammers defence was seldom troubled. Colin Lee could make little impression on the excellent Tony Gale and although he directed a couple of headers towards goal they were tame efforts and caused Phil Parkes no alarm. Half time arrived with West Ham fully deserving their lead and looking well capable of extending it. Half Time: Chelsea 0 West Ham United 1 The second half began with a torrential downpour which only served to highlight the sharper movement and balance of the diminutive West Ham attackers. Roared on by a huge following who were in party mood despite being completely exposed to the elements on the old embankment the Hammers proceded to destroy their hosts with some scintillating football. Three goals in twelve pulsating minutes was just reward for this consumate performance. The second goal, which arrived in the 56th minute, was a killer. It was also truly exhilarating. As Chelsea pushed forward in search of an equaliser West Ham won possession and instantly countered at pace. A short passing move, which made a mockery of the conditions and the Chelsea defence, saw Pike, Parris, Devonshire, Dickens and Parris again link up as play swept down the left hand side before the marauding left back squared the ball for Tony Cottee to drive low into the net. "That one was a bit special," Hammers boss John Lyall would happily reflect later. All along the front tier of the main stand pockets of delirious Hammers fans showed their delight. It was fast becoming one of those special days, from a West Ham point of view. The kind of day that can sustain a supporter through many years of toil and the next ten minutes ensured the game its place in Hammers folklore. West Ham scored twice more in quick succession as the Chelsea defence disintegrated. McAvennie was able to send Cottee speeding through with a simple ball and he slotted home with ease. Then a punt forward by Parkes cleared both McLaughlin and Cottee to find McAvennie running through unopposed. The Scottish striker, who was enjoying a prolific start to life in England, lashed home in appropriately emphatic style. That was the end of the scoring although West Ham remained in cruise control to the end, easing up ahead of the gruelling schedule on which they were just about to embark. Suddenly the talk, after this game, was about the possibility of West Ham making a title challenge. They now stood twelve points behind Everton with four games in hand. Looking back the expectations at the time far exceeded the probability and the Hammers would have to settle for 3rd place despite maintaining excellent form for the rest of the season. Chelsea's challenge ended on this soggy afternoon. They would only win two more games although there was consolation in the fact that these victories came away from home at Manchester United and then West Ham in the return. It is interesting to note the crowd for this game. Despite being a London derby with both teams in title contention less than 30,000 spectators attended, a significant number travelling from East London. Only 13,000 would turn out for Chelsea's next home game against Ipswich and it was not just at Stamford Bridge that crowds were so dramatically low. The 1980's really was the decade when football stared into the abyss. Full Time: Chelsea 0 West Ham United 4 Do you want to have a say on this Game?
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Hammers wins at Stamford Bridge are rare
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