Tammy Abraham struck twice as patient Chelsea ground out a 3-0 win at home to West Ham to stop the rot in their final Premier League match before Christmas.
Talk of a title challenge from Frank Lampard's side had been stifled by consecutive defeats to Everton and Wolves, slipping out of the top four while champions Liverpool pulled clear.
But victory on Monday moved the Blues back up to fifth after Abraham settled nerves at Stamford Bridge with a clinching pair in the 78th and 80th minutes.
Chelsea had endured a long night after Thiago Silva nodded them into a 10th-minute lead, with West Ham - after a double against their London rivals last term - on the front foot but unable to forge a legal opening.
An offside flag denied Declan Rice a seventh-minute opener after he ran onto Aaron Cresswell's quick free-kick, rounded Edouard Mendy and slid in a superb finish from a tight angle.
Ben Chilwell went down just prior to that chance and soon hobbled off, but Silva swiftly lifted home spirits with a thumping header from Mason Mount's right-wing corner.
Both sides had further goals struck off in an even first half, with Cesar Azpilicueta unable to keep play alive before Abraham netted and Jared Bowen later fouling Silva, yet there should have been no stopping Timo Werner. He aimed a tame finish straight at Lukasz Fabianski following a rapid break.
West Ham controlled the second period but failed to break Chelsea down and were caught out in an untidy fashion befitting a game short on quality.
Werner's scuffed shot fell at the feet of Abraham, onside for a simple finish, and his second followed only 101 seconds later when the ball again dropped kindly as Fabianski leapt to block Christian Pulisic's close-range header.
The scoreline was already harsh on West Ham and might have been weighted further in Chelsea's favour had Werner's woes in front of goal not continued with a blast against the crossbar from a presentable position.
Line-ups
Chelsea XI: Thiago Silva, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Jorginho, E. Mendy, Kante, Werner, Abraham, Mount, Chilwell, Pulisic
Subs: Giroud, Kovacic, Emerson, Rudiger, Kepa, Christensen, Havertz, Hudson-Odoi, Gilmour
West Ham XI: Fabianski, Noble, Ogbonna, Cresswell, V. Coufal, Haller, Balbuena, Soucek, Bowen, Rice, Fornals
Subs: Martin, Randolph, Snodgrass, Yarmolenko, Dawson, Fredericks, S. Benrahma, Diop, Ben Johnson
Football1
1994
Hammers failed to cross the bridge 🌉
Pianski
868
This Match is Officialy Sponsor by
Sopman
669
Summary: The Hammers Got drowned in the Blue Sea.
Soð
541
Get yourself defenders who can do both 🔑
Andy_Mac
538
If I'm being honest, this was a tentative performance and a lucky win but under the current circumstances, we'll take it. The most pleasing part about this performance was the concentration whilst defending. Thiago Silva was absolutely immense and showed what a true leader he is. Azpilicueta was shaky at the start which is understandable when you're not playing games frequently but he grew into the game, very influential later on. Emerson defended with a lot of concentration and did his job well enough. It's rare for me to say that but he did alright. We have to learn to take better care of the ball and move it quicker so that we don't get caught in transition. That's the main downside to our game and I saw similar moments against Wolves which led to our defeat. Werner is playing dreadfully too. He has to improve both his finishing as well as passing. I'm confident he'll get there but hopefully sooner rather than later if we want to challenge for the title. 3 points and we move on to Arsenal. 💪🏻 Hopefully the Chilwell injury isn't too bad and he's back for the all important Arsenal game.
Austensmith
502
Obviously its was a poor performance for Chelsea and happen to be a lucky winning, That might have been their third time of loosing in a row. What a wonderful game but was poor. Well Chelsea did their confidence, A words of good for them as they try to bounce back from two defeats comes on Chelsea.. In all this what did you observe in the match? Is lampard really giving is squad a good confidential training? Lampard needs more elbow he need more teaching let him teach his people well.. Well its was a trying time for Chelsea players and fans... up Chelsea blues for life. HALA MADRIDDDDDD What can you say about lampard?
crmusm
445
Arsenal to Chelsea You lose just two matches and starting win So early
Nesaiknruy_Legend
432
Good to be back. Glad to see Tammy, our resident scapegoat save the team once again. The haters are so sad right now cos they cant start blaming him for everything like they probably planned to. Silva yet again showing why he's a world class player full stop. Big Ed Mendy holding the reigns at the back. Overall we looked lethargic going forward despite the scoreline but defensively we were a unit. I'm so glad we sorted out the defence. Now it's time this attack form some patterns cos eventually the 1 dimensional tactic of crossing it into the box will get found out. Some players, 1 in particular didnt perform. I've said I'm giving our new boys a season to adapt but today that was Werners worst performance in a Chelsea shirt. He showed his energy as per usual but so much of his game seems off. His basic elements of football need major working on. The ability to pass, control the ball and time runs to perfection are things I expect of him even if hes playing a left back. For his goals drought I forgive him due to the fact hes simply a goalscorer so wing play is a bit advance. But his current form makes it look too advance which isnt the case. Enough on Werner though he did get a scrappy assist so hopefully he gains confidence. I wont write off the player same way I believe in the majority of that squad. We are building something. This season is closing the gap, next is the real title challenge. For now we accidentally entered it if I'm honest. Our game today was NOT good. We werent even the better team for nearly half the game but quality came through in the end. I'm glad we got the 3 points and clean sheet as a bonus. Hopefully raises morale and turns around the bad patch of form. Also hope Ben is doing well and Reece too. Both starting fullbacks injured is not a good sign.
ishti
354
Arsenal and Struggle Tottenham and bottling Chelsea and Three Goals..
Coachfreezobluess
347
Breaking news‼️ Mendy has officially renewed his contract with clean sheet. While Chelsea has also renewed their contract with the sponsorship of three(3).
KehindeSeun
340
LAMPARD,TAMMY,and MOUNT keep proving them wrong.in years ago we Chelsea fan's is crying for a manager that will come and start developing our academy players because non of the x coach need them they rather go for expensive players outside now we found one coach that really love the club the DNA of blues and he knows what the fans want and he did that brought in the youths and start developing them, to my most surprise I saw some fan's saying he should drop those people again they even want the coach that carry the DNA of the club to be sack in just two loose hmm I feel very sad reading Some fan's comment here.Tammy is perfect number 9 in this team because he always stand up for fight mount Tammy,odoi and tomori this people are the DNA of this team they always want to give there best and some fan's still hate them to those ones that come because of the money they offer them . shame on those toxic fans in this fanse base
Gaffer123
284
Rare picture of Timo Werner in front of goal.
FootballChief
184
Chelsea has just renewed their contract with their official sponsor 3️⃣
blueArmy10
149
playing Timo out of positions is not the problem the problem is Timo misses two or more golden chances every match..the chances are there but he is missing them so is not about playing him as number 9...He should be more clinical in front of goals..
kenyannerd
58
London is blue......I repeat London is blue 😎