Florent Malouda was the star as he ensured Chelsea took all three points in the London derby with West Ham at Stamford Bridge.
The French international’s goal put Chelsea into a 3-1 lead with 14 minutes left on the clock and Didier Drogba sealed the result with his second in injury time to make it 4-1.
The first half saw the Hammers press a makeshift Chelsea defence on a number of occasions, but debutant ‘keeper Ross Turnbull had no chance with Scott Parker’s equaliser for West Ham.
Returning Kieran Dyer lofted a pass across the pitch and from 30 yards Parker unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
It made the score at the break 1-1 and Gianfranco Zola’s men deserved to be level.
Alex had opened the scoring for Chelsea with a powerful header from a Malouda cross after 10 minutes but they created few other opportunities.
With Parker marshalling Frank Lampard, Chelsea were reduced to speculative efforts from distance and even Didier Drogba was having difficulty fashioning chances.
But the second half was more like the usual Chelsea performance at home, and it was Malouda who laid on an easy chance for Drogba to restore the home side’s lead.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men were in complete control now, and Malouda’s goal, a classy turn and finish, capped a fine display.
Lampard hit a post with five minutes to go before Drogba got his 21st league goal of the season at the death.