20 November 2006, by Mark Simpson

Chelsea win sets up titanic clash

Chelsea 1-0 West Ham United

A goal from a Geremi free kick midway through the first half was the only real excitement the crowd were treated to in this lacklustre London derby, but it was a goal that was enough to give Chelsea victory and keep the Champions on Manchester United’s shirt-tails before the big clash between the two teams at Old Trafford next weekend.

Geremi kept his place at right-back over Ferreira and Cudicini was in goal again for Chelsea who only made the one change with Ballack, one card away from a suspension being replaced by Robben.

A match of very few chances and very little incident opened up before a sell-out crowd at Stamford Bridge. Bowyer missed a couple of half chances for the Hammers as did Lampard and Geremi for Chelsea.

In the 22nd minute Chelsea were awarded a free kick a couple of metres outside the box. With the crowd expecting the usual Lampard effort or possibly a strike from Drogba who was standing over the ball, all were surprised and delighted to see Geremi curl the ball with pace into the top right-hand corner of the net past the outstretched fingers of goalkeeper Green to put the Champions in front.

The Hammers still had as much of the possession and could have gone in level at half time but for a magnificent block from Ashley Cole from a Reo-Coker shot.

Carvalho injury

Ricardo Carvalho limped off at half time with an ankle injury to be replaced by Boulahrouz. Carvalho is a player Chelsea definitely do not want to see sidelined with a lengthy injury.

The second half ebbed and flowed but nothing much really happened. A long shot from Essien hit the base of the post and late on Drogba had a goal disallowed for offside.

All in all a job done by Chelsea but not the excitement usually provided when these two teams meet. All eyes will now be on Old Trafford next week with Manchester United holding a three-point lead over Chelsea it is a game Chelsea cannot afford to lose.

Chelsea:
Cudicini, Geremi, Carvalho (Boulahrouz 46), Terry, Cole, Essien, Makelele, Lampard, Robben (Mikel 83), Drogba, Shevchenko (Cole)

West Ham:
Green, Spector, Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Konchesky, Mullins, Bowyer (Sherringham 81), Reo-Coker, Etherington (McCartney 81), Tevez, Zamora (Harewood 71)

Goals:
[1-0] Geremi, 22