07/11/1999  Chelsea 0 West Ham 0
 
Chelsea stopped the rot after three straight league defeats 
but had to settle for a point after a dire goalless draw with 
London rivals West Ham.

The dismissal of Javier Margas five minutes from time was 
the only real noteworthy incident, the Chilean defender 
dismissed for two bookable offences by referee Mike Riley.

The point left Gianluca Vialli's side 10 points adrift of 
Manchester United at the top of the table and a curiously 
lethargic display failed to adequately answer the question 
marks over the Blues' ability to combine a European and 
domestic challenge.

The omens were not good before the game with neither side 
winning a Premiership match since October 3, Chelsea thrashing 
Manchester United 5-0 and West Ham defeating Arsenal.

And after both clubs' midweek European exertions the game 
predictably lacked any real pace or passion with the home side 
only managing one shot on target in 45 minutes.

Chelsea in fact did have the ball in the net within the 
first minute as Dan Petrescu fired past Craig Forrest - 
deputising for the suspended Shaka Hislop - but the linesman's 
flag had already gone up for offside as Tore Andre Flo played 
the ball through.

Gianfranco Zola then almost found Flo on the left-hand side 
of the area but the Norwegian's first touch let him down and 
Rio Ferdinand, named in the England squad to face Scotland 
earlier this week, cleared the danger.

West Ham manager Harry Redknapp had pushed Trevor Sinclair 
forward to partner Paulo Wanchope in attack with Paolo Di 
Canio ruled out with the ankle injury he aggravated in the 
midweek UEFA Cup draw with Steaua Bucharest.

But the Hammers' front pair were having little luck getting 
the better of the Chelsea defence with Marcel Desailly back 
alongside Frank Leboeuf after suspension.

For the most part they were reduced to shots from long 
distance, Steve Lomas and then Marc Vivien Foe trying their 
luck but failing to test Ed de Goey.

Joe Cole, who celebrates his 18th birthday tomorrow, showed 
occasional touches of skill and helped set up West Ham's best 
move of the half on 17 minutes.

The teenager played a delightful one-two with Sinclair who 
then turned Ferrer on the edge of the area before curling his 
shot wide of the far post.

Margas was then booked for a tackle from behind on Flo 
before Frank Lampard and Didier Deschamps threatened to bring 
some welcome passion to proceedings with a bit of push and 
shove.

And Lomas and Poyet soon followed Margas into referee Mike 
Riley's notebook, Lomas reacting angrily to a late challenge 
from the Uruguayan and pushing Poyet to the floor, the 
official showing each a deserved yellow card.

It took the home side until the 44th minute to even 
register a shot on target, Jody Morris bringing a good save 
from Forrest with a low drive from 25 yards.

Mercifully the second half started somewhat brighter than 
the second and within minutes Chelsea had fashioned their best 
chance of the game.

Zola's corner found Flo at the far post and his header 
looked like sneaking inside the far post before Wanchope of 
all people volleyed clear from just in front of the 
goal-line.

Ferrer and Leboeuf were then booked in quick succession, 
the Frenchman for a foul on Sinclair, but it was the home side 
who were gradually assuming control.

Morris' thunderous left-foot shot was blocked by a crowd of 
West Ham defenders and Petrescu glanced his header wide from 
Celestine Babayaro's long cross.

The visitors were struggling to get out of their own half 
at times and Forrest could only punch out Petrescu's fierce 
drive just after the hour.

Igor Stimac was the next player cautioned for a foul on 
Deschamps before Chelsea made the first substitution, bringing 
on Gabriele Ambrosetti for the ineffectual Zola.

Cole then became the seventh player booked, referee Riley 
judging the teenager to have dived under a challenge from 
Deschamps.

Ten minutes from the end Deschamps flashed a speculative 
volley over from Ambrosetti's free-kick before the game's most 
exciting incident five minutes from the end.

The Chilean used his arm to hold back Deschamps as he tried 
to break from defence and the referee had no hesitation in 
brandishing a second yellow card before the final whistle 
brought some welcome relief.