Mikel and Emenike shine as Chelsea holds West Ham

Nigerian duo, John Obi Mikel and his compatriot, Emmanuel Emenike did a yeoman’s job as Chelsea fought back to draw 2-2 with West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

While Mikel made the Blues starting line, Emenike was introduced in the second half of the tie.
Cesc Fabregas netted an 89th-minute penalty as Chelsea twice came from behind against the Hammers.
It appeared that Andy Carroll’s 61st-minute strike was sending the Hammers into fourth position in the table following a pulsating London derby, but Fabregas completed his brace from the penalty spot one minute from time to deny the visitors a famous win and continue their unbeaten league run under Guus Hiddink.
It was the visitors that made the breakthrough in the 17th minute, however, when on-loan attacker Manuel Lanzini picked out the top corner after Valencia and Sakho had both won their aerial battles with the Chelsea defence.
Willian lined up a trademark free kick five minutes before the break as Chelsea continued to press for an equaliser, but the Brazilian’s effort was always moving wide of the post.
Willian stood aside from the next free kick in the third minute of first-half stoppage time, however, allowing Fabregas to bend a beautiful effort into the far corner and see the two teams enter the interval on level terms in the capital.
A rare second-half counter for West Ham almost saw the visitors regain the lead just before the hour, but Cresswell’s effort from a wide angle hit the underside of the crossbar before Chelsea managed to clear their lines.
Carroll, less than two minutes after his introduction, had a second for West Ham, however, as the England international collected a through pass from Payet and fired past Courtois in the 61st minute.
Eleven minutes later, Chelsea had a golden chance to equalise when Fabregas met a corner from Willian, but the Spaniard somehow cleared the crossbar from close range as it remained 2-1 West Ham with 15 minutes left.
Chelsea spoiled West Ham’s party one minute from time, however, when Fabregas scored his second of the afternoon from the penalty spot after Antonio had brought Ruben Loftus-Cheek to the ground inside the box. Five minutes of additional time were added and both teams searched for a winner, but Loftus-Cheek dragged the best chance wide of the post, leaving West Ham fifth and Chelsea 10th.

Source: Theeagleonline.com.ng

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