SOTON v ARSENAL Preview: See pull-out
on home turf against Manchester United, following a night-to-forget in Italy.
And then there was yesterday, coming again after the midweek draw with Diego Simeone’s side at the Bridge.
It was a slow start, during which Marko Arnautovic showed flashes of the talent that he undoubtedly possesses to set up the afternoon.
Thereafter, it was one of those matches that have come to symbolise the Premier League.
Given a lifeline, the onus is very much upon the side that boasts a sprinkling of Galacticos to make the running against the bottomfeeders.
Both Manchester clubs have discovered how difficult that could be at Huddersfield in the past few weeks. And it was the same here.
Credit must go to West Ham boss David Moyes for finding backbone in a collection of players who have, until now, little appetite to battle for the common cause. However, using a snapshot of one minute, in particular, it can be seen that they discovered some.
It was midway through the second half and Chelsea were building up a head of steam.
Then, Winston Reid hacked down Alvaro Morata. Within seconds, Aaron Cresswell upended Victor Moses. Both earned deserved bookings.
Reid threw himself at the ball to block Andreas Christensen’s shot before Pedro Obiang clattered into N’Golo Kante, prompting referee Anthony Taylor to reach for his yellow card once more.
The impressive Arthur Masuaku received a caution for time-wasting.
In itself, none of this behaviour is commendable.
But when you are fighting for your life and have been given a kicking by almost everyone, these are, as Norman Stanley Fletcher used to remark in Porridge, “little victories” that add up to a big one.
It was typical of West Ham, after co-owner David Sullivan went public about his misgivings in signing two players, that they should put on such a show.
It fell short of ideal preparation. Or did it? Hammers fans have come to expect the unexpected where the current owners are concerned.
But Chelsea’s haven’t.
Rightly or wrongly, they have come to expect the best. Sadly for them, it hasn’t been saved for those weekends after they have been tested in Europe.
And Conte’s title defence has now collapsed because of it. MATCH REPORT: PULL-OUT