Cesc Fabregas scored a free-kick and a late penalty as Chelsea earned a point to frustrate West Ham’s Champions League ambitions.
ABOVE PHOTO: Cesc Fabregas scored his fifth and sixth league goals of the season
The Hammers took the lead when Manuel Lanzini beat Thibaut Courtois with a sumptuous curling effort from 25 yards.
Fabregas’s superb set piece on the stroke of half-time pegged them back.
Substitute Andy Carroll looked to have won it for West Ham, before Fabregas snatched a point after Michail Antonio fouled Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Victory would have moved West Ham in front of Manchester City into fourth place, but Slaven Bilic’s side were unable to add Chelsea to Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal on their list of away scalps this season.
Chelsea, who remain unbeaten in the league under interim boss Guus Hiddink, stay 10th.
West Ham were two minutes plus added time away from their first victory in Stamford Bridge at 14 years when substitute Loftus-Cheek tumbled in the area.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek tumbles to the ground as Michail Antonio watches on
West Ham have now conceded six penalties this season – and only been awarded one
Referee Robert Madley pointed to the spot, but replays appeared to show that rather than being clipped by Antonio, the midfielder tripped over his own feet.
In addition, Antonio – who had scored in each of his previous three league matches – appeared to be outside the box when Loftus-Cheek went down.
“To concede that late is gutting, but to concede it from a penalty that is not a penalty is unacceptable,” Bilic said.
“It was not close to the line. It was way out. It was not a penalty. We are gutted and we are not getting these decisions.”
