The much anticipated reaction from the Chelsea superstars did arrive. The ex-hammers ensured that West Ham was finished off before the second half started. The Chelsea team absolutely owed this to the fans after what had been dished out for some weeks. Meanwhile, Man Utd roll on with no Ronaldo and Rooney in the starting eleven while Arsenal held Villa at home in a match they should have lost comprehensively.

A good convincing league win after several weeks. The last one that comes to mind was against the Spurs at the Bridge. Happens to be the biggest league win of this season behind the Man City win. After a turbulent week, the wounded Chelsea players had to show a strong reaction. Luckily for us, we didn’t have to play a top team.

Avram started with a good first eleven. He learnt from his mistake of not playing both Drogba and Anelka in a 4-3-3. If I had to involve Kalou, I’d have dropped Anelka instead of Drogba but that’s fine as we have a crucial match against Olympiakos next week. We played 4-3-3 again but I’m still not convinced if that’s our ideal formation for now. Both Joe Cole and Kalou are not really pace dribblers as such. A good quality defence might pose us problems. Paulo Ferrier started which meant that Belletti could be resting ahead of the champions league match. Avram started with both Lampard and Ballack, which is what I had also preferred. They have played well and can play well together. Makelele’s presence did allow Ballack and Lampard to move forward.

The first quarter of an hour did not give any promises of a high scoring match. Anelka had a fair goal ruled offside within 5 minutes. Luckily, it did not make too much of an impact as we were going to hammer them. The first goal came at a moment of madness from Ferdinand. When the ball was heading for a goal kick, Ferdinand fouled Kalou inside the box for a penalty. Lampard score his #103 with a cool penalty. The second goal was completely Joe Cole’s. Firstly, for seeing a shooting opportunity from that angle when he had about half a dozen people to the goal and for the angle. Secondly for the quality of the finish. The third goal was made of a cross and finish oozing quality. If Lampard’s cross to an unmarked Ballack was fantastic, Ballack’s finish was absolutely world class. I wish we had played Joe Cole and Ballack in the league cup final!

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Then came the red card incident. For many seasons now, Chelsea has been the recipient of undeserved red cards. Thankfully in this match, it was hardly consequential. Once in a while, the club makes a representation to the FA but this continues and nothing makes me believe that it would change. Boa Morte should have got a red card and Lampard at worst, should have got a yellow. Ballack got himself a deserved yellow amidst these confusions. The positive side for Grant is, Lampard would not be available for matches against Barnsley, Derby County and Sunderland. We have all the personnel and more. Lampard can come back for the league match against Tottenham. So, that’s one decision less for Grant to make. That’s why I’m not sure if Grant would push for an appeal to the FA against this red card.

After Lampard was sent off, West Ham saw more of the ball, at one point in the second half, had 65% possession in the match. We were simply chasing the ball and the hammers but the party was not over. Ashley Cole had to score his first goal for Chelsea. I’ve been waiting for his first goal for many many months. I badly wanted him to score at the Emigrants. He had a tough week with all his personal issues. It’s a great moment for him to get himself a goal. I’m very happy for him that I put up his picture above than Joe, Ballack or Lampard. And boy, he brought a smile to Grant’s face. The celebration with Drogba was all very cinematic and PR-driven. I was reminded of Henry, who was being ‘rested’ against his wishes last season and was running onto the pitch to celebrate goals with Adebayor and co. In few months, he left Arsenal. It tells me something.

After the fourth goal, the attacks we made in the second half were piss-poor – missin few yard passes, crossing straight to a Hammer who has no Chelsea player in a 3 yard radius and the like. But by that time, we had scored enough that I didn’t have to be bothered by these things.

Ballack, Joe Cole and Ashley Cole were all dropped for the league cup final by Grant. All three scored today and sent a strong message to Grant. Lampard and Terry were reportedly upset ahead of the cup final about their possible benching. Both of them had a great game today. That goal line clearance in the second half was a JT special. That’s their personal score. The players as a group had to absolutely win this match. One is to keep the title challenge alive and another is to face Olympiakos with good morale and confidence. This is a very important win in various aspects but has it answered all the questions? I don’t think so.

Here is Avram Grant, after the match:

I think we played very good, we used our chances in the first half, and made some more. Again, many goals from combinations, so I like it. In the second half, we played with one man short but were very clever and controlled the game. They created not even one chance. We needed to play a little bit differently on the tactical side and I think we did it very well. I cannot judge the players only from one game, good or bad, but I can see in the last five or six months the players gave more than 90 percent good performances. Also, [there have been] a lot of wins, so this makes me happy.

He’s back, with his references to ‘goals from combinations’ and how different tactics helped. Never misses a chance! I won’t care about these micros. Get us memorable victories and trophies. That’s all we need and he knows it.

When asked about Drogba, he says:

I will not speak about the players that are not playing. Didier is a great striker, but it can’t be a question of those who are not playing. I give my respect to all the squad, and he has been very good for us in the past, and he will be in the future. My reason for the team that played was that it could win the game. I am thinking of more than one game.

He says he won’t speak and ends up speaking. He still needs to be careful with the press. He knows that but he has to work on it.

Elsewhere, Man Utd progressed with a regulation 3-0 win over Fulham while Arsenal made a meal of their lead. Throughout the season, I’ve had this feeling that Arsenal will not win the league. It’s only between Man Utd and Chelsea. In pure footballing terms, Man Utd would be more deserving champions than Chelsea and Arsenal, just like the last season.

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The next two premier league fixtures are against Derby County and Sunderland. Six points should be in the bag. Then the real deal starts in the middle of March, with crucial fixtures in the Premier League, FA Cup and the Champions League. Job on hand is despatching Olympiakos. Let’s do it without too much fuss.