09/04/2006  Chelsea 4 West Ham 1
 
Jose Mourinho's side won thanks to an astonishing first-half fightback which bore all the hallmarks of a side destined to lift back-to-back titles.

Chelsea trailed to an 10th-minute goal from West Ham's James Collins and were reduced to 10 men six minutes later when Maniche was red-carded for a lunge on Lionel Scaloni.

But Mourinho's side stormed back in style to score two goals in three minutes through Didier Drogba (28) and Hernan Crespo (30) before centre-back partners John Terry and William Gallas wrapped up three vital points with strikes in the 53rd and 69th minutes respectively.

The victory put more pressure on second-placed United ahead of their crucial clash against Arsenal at Old Trafford, and it also showcased Chelsea back to their best.

Mourinho's men, playing in an unfamiliar 4-4-2 formation, began brightly.

In the third minute, a cross from Michael Essien was flicked over his head by Didier Drogba but the ball fell comfortably for the West Ham goalkeeper to collect underneath his crossbar.

However it was the visitors who would register first.

Marlon Harewood forced Chelsea left-back Asier del Horno to give away a corner and West Ham made the champions pay when defender James Collins rose unmarked to head Yossi Benayoun's corner into the net at the near post.

A minute later Chelsea could have levelled but Danny Gabbidon hooked the ball away from Hernan Crespo as the Chelsea striker waited to pounce. Seconds later Michael Essien headed Frank Lampard's cross over the bar from six yards.

In the 13th minute, Chelsea compounded their earlier misses when Maniche, making his first Premiership start for the club, smashed Didier Drogba's left-wing cross against the bar and Essien headed the rebound wide.

Worse was to follow for Chelsea when they were reduced to 10 men in the 16th minute. Referee Chris Foy handed Maniche a straight red card for a careless lunge on full-back Lionel Scaloni.

But two goals in three minutes put the champions in control for the first time in the match.

Drogba levelled the scores in the 28th minute and then strike partner Crespo stunned West Ham by putting Mourinho's side ahead on the half-hour.

Lampard's marvellous through-ball found Drogba racing clear of the West Ham defence, and although his first attempt was blocked by Collins, the Chelsea striker kept his composure to slot home the rebound.

Two minutes later Drogba's cross-shot was slotted home at the far post by Crespo to the delight of the home fans.

In the 42nd minute Chelsea should have added a third, but Drogba failed to control Geremi's cross sufficiently well to give him the chance to beat Hislop.

Mourinho resisted the temptation to add some fresh legs during the interval.

And his judgement appeared to be correct as Chelsea exerted even more pressure on their opponents from the start of the second period.

Captain Terry added the third goal in the 53rd minute.

Michael Essien did all the hard work by fooling two West Ham defenders on the edge of the penalty area before slipping the ball to Gallas.

Gallas smashed his shot against the crossbar but the rebound fell kindly for Terry to smash a volley into the ground and the far corner of the net to put the champions on course for three vital points.

Chelsea's penchant to go forward at every opportunity was making a mockery of their one-man disadvantage as West Ham struggled to cope with their incessant attacks.

In the 65th minute, Chelsea made their first change of the afternoon when Mourinho opted to replace Crespo with Dutch winger Arjen Robben.

The change paid instant dividends with Chelsea adding a fourth through Gallas four minutes later. Robben was brought down by Paul Konchesky on the edge of the penalty area and took the free-kick himself.

West Ham failed to clear the danger and the loose ball was turned home by Gallas from six yards to complete a fantastic afternoon for the champions.