Skip to content

Chelsea 2-0 West Ham: Blues are leading scorers from set-pieces in Premier League

John Terry of Chelsea turns to celebrate after scoring the opening goal past Adrian of West Ham during the Barclays Premier League match at Stamford Bridge

Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian all shone as Chelsea beat West Ham 2-0 - but the Blues' threat from set-pieces can not be underestimated...

“At times Chelsea were sensational. The movement, the rotation; the four up front have got licence to do whatever they want, that’s why they’re so difficult to pin down. This team are so fluid and that’s why they’re so hard to stop and a joy to watch.”

Chelsea exhibited a fine display of their attacking talent in their 2-0 win over West Ham and, as Jamie Redknapp pointed out on Sky Sports, Eden Hazard, Oscar, Willian and Cesc Fabregas are producing mouth-watering football for the Premier League leaders.  

However, the contest also highlighted another key factor in Chelsea’s title challenge – their strength from set-pieces.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

John Terry says if Chelsea continue their form it will be tough for anyone to beat them to the title after their 2-0 win against West Ham.

Chelsea are the top flight’s leading scorers from set-pieces in this campaign, netting 11 times from dead-ball situations and, for the second game in a row, they broke the deadlock through John Terry on Friday, who converted their seventh goal from a corner this season.   

“It kills me,” said West Ham boss Sam Allardyce, when asked about letting in the opener on Boxing Day from a corner.

“To be fair, we are one of the best defending set-pieces this season, that’s why we are where we are, and we’re pretty good at scoring them. But that’s disappointing, against a team as good as this you can’t give them a goal off a set-piece. You’ve got so much to worry about in general play but we switched off.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sam Allardyce says West Ham did not play as well as they can during their 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.

A quick-fire interchange between Hazard, Willian and Oscar led to James Collins hacking the ball behind his own goal-line in the first-half at Stamford Bridge. However, the danger was far from over.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Jamie Redknapp looks at why Chelsea are so difficult to beat following their 2-0 win against West Ham.

Blues skipper Terry revealed after the game the team had been studying West Ham’s defensive set-up at corners and spotted room to exploit. The centre-back moved to the back post when his marker, James Collins, went to attack Cesc Fabregas’ corner, and he was unmarked when he tucked in Diego Costa’s flick-on.  

“We watched a video before the game on set plays and saw a bit of space in behind,” explained Terry. “It’s not normally a run I make but I fancied getting there, Diego flicked it on and I popped it in and was delighted to get us off to a good start again.”

Live Ford Super Sunday

Of course, every team goes into matches with plans for set-plays. It’s the execution that counts.

“John Terry, like all good centre forwards, gets in behind and his movement is as good as anybody,” said Redknapp. “It looks an easy chance but his movement gets him there.”

Chelsea – who added a second through Costa in the second half – travel to Southampton on Sunday, aiming to finish 2014 top of the Premier League.

Saints have the second-best defence in the division behind Chelsea, but will face a stiff test in open play and dead-ball situations by Jose Mourinho’s side.

Watch Southampton v Chelsea from 1.55pm on Sky Sports 1 HD on Sunday. 

Around Sky