1st March, 2008

KB: KUMB; HM Hammers Mad; ST Sunday Times; SE Sunday Express; SM Sunday Mirror; OB Observer;
DM Daily Mirror; GU Guardian; TM Times; HD Hammers Diary; SK Sky; DE Daily Express

Sky Sports: On an afternoon when Avram Grant needed a big performance from his side, Chelsea delivered just that as West Ham were ruthlessly picked apart to the tune of 4-0 at Upton Park. Frank Lampard's return to East London lasted just 36 minutes as Peter Walton indulged in the latest vogue in refereeing circles to send players off for little more than handbags, as his spat with Luis Boa Morte was adjudged to have involved violent conduct. The West Ham faithful greeted Lampard's dismissal with glee but by that time the damage was already done, as Chelsea had raced into a three-goal lead courtesy of some immaculate finishing. Lampard notched the first when he dispacted from the penalty spot after Anton Ferdinand had shown a criminal lack of judgement in bringing down Salomon Kalou, before Joe Cole and Michael Ballack both scored scorching half volleys to remind Mr Grant that their omission from the Carling Cup final team was perhaps a folly.

BBC Sport: Chelsea had Frank Lampard red-carded but romped to victory at West Ham. Lampard's penalty after Salomon Kalou was fouled by Anton Ferdinand put his side ahead before Joe Cole angled in a precise shot for Chelsea's second. Michael Ballack expertly half-volleyed in a third for the visitors, who had Lampard harshly red-carded for a push on Luis Boa Morte after 36 minutes. Carlton Cole had a shot cleared off the line for West Ham but Ashley Cole's acute shot wrapped up Chelsea's win.

Hammers Mad: Chelsea put their Wembley wobble behind them with an emphatic East End win that was signed, sealed and delivered inside the first half of the opening period. Ex-Hammers Frank Lampard and Joe Cole had already silenced Upton Park by the time that Michael Ballack volleyed home the third on 22 minutes. And not even the dismissal of Lampard ten minutes before the break could knock Avram Grant's side out of their stride, as Ashley Cole netted a fourth for the depleted West End boys midway through the second half to move them within seven points of Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Daily Mirror: Chelsea will await the report of referee Peter Walton before deciding whether to make an appeal against the dismissal for the England star's push on Boa Morte. The two had exchanged petulant kicks on the ground before assistant Guy Beale decided the Chelsea man was the only guilty party. A yellow card each would have sufficed. "It was very harsh," said captain John Terry. "I'm sure the ref will look at it again and it will be rescinded." Grant says he is sure of Abramovich's backing. "I know he saw this game on TV," he said of his owner's absence. "Even if he was on an island on the moon, I know he would see it." But if Grant is to avoid his own exile - possibly back upstairs to director of football - more will depend on whether the Russian sees trophies this season. (Neil Mcleman, 3rd March, 2008)

The Times: Chelsea’s achievement is put into context by the fact that Manchester United and Liverpool have lost at Upton Park this season, with Arsenal scraping a 1-0 win, which goes some way to explaining George McCartney’s glowing assessment. “They were the best team we have faced this season,” the West Ham defender said. “It is the first time we have been beaten 4-0.” Even Mourinho never achieved such a scoreline. (Matt Hughes, 3rd March, 2008)

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