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Full-time: Chelsea 2-2 West Ham United

  • Lanzini scores a stunner from distance.
  • Cesc bends the ball into the top corner to level the score.
  • Andy Carroll gives the Hammers the lead again.
  • Cesc levels the game after controversial penalty.
Cesc finds the net for Chelsea
Cesc finds the net for Chelsea Getty Images

Full-time: Chelsea 2-2 West Ham United

What a corking game of football at Stamford Bridge. We had great goals, drama and controversial decisions.

The Hammers were probably the better team, but Chelsea showed great character to snatch a draw late in the day.

GOAL: Chelsea 2-2 West Ham United (Cesc)

The Spaniard keeps his cool from 12 yards. He looked relaxed and tucked it away neatly.

Slaven Bilic will be furious with his side, who over-committed in attack before giving away a penalty.

Penalty to Chelsea!

Ruben Loftus-Cheek is fouled when he looks to be through on goal. Replays suggest the foul took place outside the box.

Ah, Andy Carroll is so close to sealing victory. The Hulk-like figure climbs highest at a corner but his goal-bound effort is cleared off the line.

Chelsea survive.

This would be a fourth successive Premier League win for the Hammers if they can hang on.

It would also be their first at Stamford Bridge since 2002. They're almost home and hosed now.

Obi Mikel flashes the ball wide from distance. A sign of desperation, perhaps, from the Blues.

Meanwhile, Guus Hiddink have made another change: Loftus-Cheek on for Oscar.

John Obi Mikel shows his frustration
John Obi Mikel shows his frustration Getty Images

Obiang comes on in place of Lanzini, who has been terrific today. He looks exhausted though, as he makes his way to the touchline.

Bilic is looking to close up shop now.

West Ham continue to pose a threat at the other end. Payet's pace and skill, allied to Carroll's physicality, means the Blues cannot rest on their laurels.

Another goal will seal victory for Slaven Bilic's men at this stage.

Andy Carroll finds the net
Andy Carroll finds the net Getty Images

It's a one-man effort from Cesc at the moment. After a scramble in the West Ham box, the ball flies into the air and the Spaniard launches a bicycle kick at goal.

Again, though, he can't find the net. It's starting to feel like one of those days for Guus Hiddink's men.

Chelsea still have Alexandre Pato on the bench, remember. If he is not going to be used in this situation, what is he doing at Stamford Bridge?

Chelsea have 15 minutes to find an equaliser.

Less than 20 minutes left at the Bridge, then. Chelsea are looking around, wondering who can provide their inspiration.

I'm sure they'd love to have Eden Hazard or Diego Costa on the field.

Well, just as I say that, Cesc almost gets his second of the game. The midfield master runs off the back of Andy Carroll, but can't find the net.

Remember, if West Ham win today, they will move into the top four in the Premier League. They really do look like an accomplished side under Slaven Bilic.

Andy Carroll is introduced as a sub
Andy Carroll is introduced as a sub Getty Images

GOAL: Chelsea 1-2 West Ham United (Carroll)

The Hammers are back in front at the Bridge! Andy Carroll has the all-important goal, firing the ball low and to the right of the Chelsea goalkeeper after a sweeping move.

The Englishman has scored four Premier League goals this season - two have come against Chelsea. Carroll had only been on the field a minute or so.

Can West Ham hang on this time?

Well, just as a Chelsea goal appears inevitable, West Ham going flying up the other end and almost re-take the lead.

This game is soooo spread at the moment. Surely there will be more goals before the final whistle.

It's one-way traffic at the moment. Whatever Guus Hiddink said at half-time, it seems to have worked.

The Blues must be the favourites at this stage of the game.

Chelsea players scrap for the ball
Chelsea players scrap for the ball Getty Images

Now it's John Terry's turn to have a go at goal.

On this occasion, the former England captain gets his head on a freekick, but his effort is well saved by Adrian in the West Ham net.

Chelsea are turning up the pressure now, though. They have been so much better in this second-half so far.

Oscar misses a great chance for Chelsea.

The ball is played across the West Ham box, but the twinkle-toed Brazilian directs his effort just wide of the post. Everyone expected the net to burst, there.

Diego Costa watches from the sidelines
Diego Costa watches from the sidelines Getty Images

Just going back to the Cesc goal briefly...

  • The Spaniard became the fourth Chelsea player this season to score a direct free-kick goal in all competitions.
  • He also scored his first goal directly from a free-kick in the Premier League since December 2009.
Cesc finds the net for Chelsea
Cesc finds the net for Chelsea Getty Images

The ref blows his whistle and the game recommences. Let's hope the second period is as good as the first.

Chelsea have made a change, by the way...

Other Premier League scores:

  • Crystal Palace 0-1 Leicester
  • Watford 0-1 Stoke
  • West Brom 0-0 Norwich
Riyad Mahrez scored for the Foxes
Riyad Mahrez scored for the Foxes Getty Images

Half-time: Chelsea 1-1 West Ham United

The Hammers have been the better team for the most part, but Cesc's effort late in the first half has put a completely different complexion on the game.

What a second-half we have in prospect...

Sakho and Lanzini celebrate
Sakho and Lanzini celebrate the Hammers' goal Getty Images

GOAL: Chelsea 1-1 West Ham United (Cesc)

The hosts are level on the stroke of half time!

Cesc bends the freekick into the top corner and beyond Adrian in the West Ham net. Another beautiful goal, that.

There will be three minutes of stoppage time. Chelsea need to get in the dressing room and have a rethink of what they're doing at the moment.

Chelsea have a freekick in a dangerous position.

What can the Brazilian Willian do from here? His right-footed effort drifts wide of the post - that was still among Chelsea's best efforts so far today.

It hasn't been great stuff from the home team, who look like a side that don't have anything to play for.

West Ham players celebrating their goal
West Ham players celebrating their goal Getty Images

The Chelsea backline are clearly panicked by the pace of Sakho and Payet.

The likes of Cahill, Terry and Ivanovic are all very fine defenders, of course, but they lack some mobility at this stage of their careers.

West Ham are looking to exploit that during every attack they launch.

Ivanovic struggles to keep pace
Ivanovic struggles to keep pace with Payet Getty Images

Almost a second for the Hammers, who break forward in numbers. The ball comes across the box to Creswell, but his effort is deflected wide. Just.

Chelsea have a real problem tracking West Ham's midfield runners.

Kenedy, who is starting in an advanced position today, has been one of few bright sparks for the hosts so far.

The Brazilian has, at least, shown a desire to take the game to the opposition.

The Hammers are playing some slick, one-touch football.

In Terry and Cahill, Chelsea don't have the most mobile of centre-back partnerships, which may be what's needed today.

At the other end, too, they seem to lack a cutting-edge without Costa and Hazard in their ranks.

Willian tries to win the ball back
Willian tries to win the ball back Getty Images

West Ham are playing with real belief, pressuring Chelsea high up the field.

Cahill and Terry struggle to cope with the aerial battle at the moment, meaning the Hammers are picking up all the scraps.

Slaven Bilic directs traffic
Slaven Bilic directs traffic Getty

GOAL: Chelsea 0-1 West Ham United (Lanzini)

A stunner from distance! Lanzini turned inside and curled it beautifully into the top corner of the net, beyond the Chelsea keeper.

The Argentine has given his side the lead in style.

First yellow of the game goes to Ivanovic, who brings down Payet in the centre of the field.

The burly defender clearly didn't fancy a foot race against the West Ham star. He'll need to watch his step now, though.

Diafra Sakho and John Terry are having a good scrap already. That promises to be an interesting battle as this game unfolds.

Terry will certainly not want to given an inch, as he's potentially playing his last game against the Hammers.

John Terry before kick-off
John Terry before kick-off Getty Images

The first mini-opening falls to Loic Remy. The Frenchman receives the ball from Cesc but, shooting from a narrow angle, he can only find the West Ham keeper.

The Blues have now settled into their work, though. The Hammers are giving the ball away too easily.

It's end-to-end stuff to begin with, as both teams appear determined to play on the front foot.

Payet almost manages to get goalside of John Terry early on, but the Blues skipper manages to hook the ball behind. The corner comes to nothing and Chelsea survive.

Fans watch on at Stamford Bridge
Fans watch on at Stamford Bridge Getty Images

We're underway at the Bridge!

Both teams in their traditional colours. And the fans are in good voice for this one, too.

We're minutes away from kick-off now.

Chelsea don't have any hope of achieving anything tangible with their season, but as we look forward to next year, these remaining games give the players a chance to prove they still have it.

If they do, of course.

As we await the start of the game...

Former England manager Fabio Capello has congratulated Antonio Conte on reportedly becoming the next Chelsea boss - but has warned he is under immediate pressure to succeed.

The 69-year-old Italian said Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will not tolerate second-best if he decides to invest in the playing squad over the summer.

Conte, 46, is set to leave his job as Italy manager at the end of Euro 2016 and will reportedly sign a three-year deal with the Blues.

"Congratulations to Conte," Capello said, according to Corriere dello Sport. "Chelsea is a club that does not protect you like Juventus. If Abramovich buys five or six players, you cannot finish in fifth place."

Antonio Conte
Conte looks set to be confirmed as the new Chelsea boss in the summer. Getty Images

Right, there are around 20 minutes to go until kick-off now.

Here's a reminder of the team news:

Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; Mikel, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Kenedy; Remy

Subs: Begovic, Baba, Matic, Loftus-Cheek, Pedro, Traore, Pato

West Ham: Adrian, Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Kouyate, Noble (c), Lanzini, Payet, Valencia, Sakho

Subs: Randolph, Oxford, O'Brien, Obiang, Song, Emenike, Carroll

Around half an hour until kick-off at the Bridge. Both teams are out on the field, going through their last-minute preparations.

Can Chelsea rouse themselves for this game after their recent setbacks? We'll find out shortly...

In the absence of Diego Costa, it will be interesting to see Loic Remy in action.

The Frenchman has become a bit of a part-time figure at Stamford Bridge this season, but now has his chance to shine.

It's interesting, too, that Alexandre Pato has been chosen on the bench. Was his loan a worthwhile exercise?

Loic Remy
Loic Remy in action for Chelsea earlier this season Getty Images

Gary Cahill has been talking about the significance of this game...

"It's a derby, both sets of fans want to win, the players sense that and there's always an edge," he said.

"Our personal pride has been hit and we have a responsibility to finish as high in the table as we can."

Gary Cahill
Gary Cahill Getty Images

Breaking team news:

Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Mikel, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Kenedy; Remy

Subs: Begovic, Baba, Matic, Loftus-Cheek, Pedro, Traore, Pato

West Ham United: Adrian, Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Kouyate, Noble, Lanzini, Payet, Valencia, Sakho

Subs: Randolph, Oxford, O'Brien, Obiang, Song, Emenike, Carroll

We'll have the much-anticipated team news for you shortly. In the meantime...

In the build up to today's game, Guus Hiddink has been talking about the suspended Diego Costa.

"He needs to play how we like, but not going over [the edge]," Hiddink explained. "He has to play as he's doing, with a lot of 'blood'. We know that, we know that, we have to accept that. We don't have to accept that he [loses] control and he knows."

Diego Costa
Diego Costa was sent off in Chelsea's FA Cup defeat at Everton Getty

What the managers say

Slaven Bilic: "Chelsea have struggled to find the consistency although, under Guus Hiddink, they have climbed to mid-table and sit nine points behind us. I'm sure Chelsea will be back to where they expect to be next season.

"They have the finances and will be working hard on it. They need some reorganisation but certainly don't need to start from zero.

"It's been an unsettling time for the Chelsea players — Jose Mourinho leaving, Guus Hiddink coming in for a few months and speculation about Antonio Conte joining the club next season."

Antonio Conte
Chelsea's next manager? Getty

What the managers say

Guus Hiddink: "[West Ham] are in the mood being in fifth position. They are dreaming of making a dream come true to make fourth position. Can they? Yes. This is a team that have not just shown a lot of character, but they've also shown they can play.

"They have players who can score and be decisive at any minute. I expect a tough match because they are doing very well. If you see them play at home and away, they are a courageous team, who can be very fast on the counter attack.

"They have very skilful players who can make decisions in a second. It's a nice and adventurous team to watch."

Preview

West Ham have gone from strength to strength and under the guidance of manager Slaven Bilic are closing in on a top-four spot this season.

Summer signing Dimitri Payet has been a revelation for the Hammers and optimism is high at the club with a move to the Olympic Stadium yielding rich benefits in terms of finances.

Slaven Bilic
Slaven Bilic Getty Images

Preview

Chelsea are out of all cup competitions and Guus Hiddink's side will be desperate to end the season on a high, having started the campaign on a wrong note.

Some 11 points adrift of a top-four spot, it would need a miracle for the Blues to take anything from the season which was over before the players had even got themselves around to what was going on in the league.

Eden Hazard
Edene Hazard has struggled to find his best form this season Getty Images

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of this London derby from Stamford Bridge.

These two teams have endured contrasting seasons thus far, but there is still plenty of excitement surrounding this eye-catching fixture.

We'll bring you all the team news shortly.

Guus Hiddink is to leave Chelsea
Guus Hiddink Getty Images