Okay, so a draw at Stamford Bridge - particularly coming off the back of the defeat to Spurs - has to be seen as a good result.
It's not like Chelsea weren't up for it - they could've gone top of the league.
The Blues have scored four goals against West Ham four times in the last four years - so 1-1 away is a result - right?
Well yes and no really. I don't want to sound unhappy with the draw but did you see Carlton Cole's scuffed effort at the end?
Honestly, I think almost anyone else in the West Ham team would've put that one away - perhaps with the exception of Robert Green....and Luis Boa Morte.
Overall though you've got to be happy.
Chelsea are certainly not the side they once were at home but at one point Joe Cole passed to Michael Ballack, who found Frank Lampard, who sprayed it wide to Deco who crossed for Nicolas Anelka (later joined by Didier Drogba).
West Ham had Calum Davenport and Jack Collison playing from the start.
West Ham had Calum Davenport and Jack Collison playing from the start.
Gianfranco Zola hopes his side’s well-earned point at Stamford Bridge will lift some of the pressure ahead of Saturday's visit of high-flying Aston Villa.
Zola’s return to the club where he is revered above all others had looked like a daunting trip following the home defeat to Spurs.
However, Chelsea are not the unstoppable force they once were at Stamford Bridge and Craig Bellamy’s first goal for the club since August put the Hammers into a shock first-half lead.
Ever-respectful, Hammers manager Zola remained seated despite seeing his side go in front on 34-mniutes.
“Inside, I was very happy for our goal, especially for Bellamy because he needed it,” said the managers.
“He has been working hard, playing well.
“That goal I'm sure will help.
“It was like I scored, I'm very happy for him. I had to pay some respect to these people; I like to respect people who have given me so much.
“This performance will help build our confidence and maybe at home we will have more confidence, freedom and less pressure,” added Zola.
“This point and performance have been vital.”
Chelsea equalised five minutes into the second half through Nicolas Anelka but the Hammers could have taken all three points if Carlton Cole’s 91st minute effort had escaped the clutches of a diving Petr Cech.
“I think it was a fair result and very important for us especially after last week's performance against Tottenham,” said Zola.
“That was a big shock for us. We lost a big game and everybody was down and nervous in the week.
“But we made it very difficult for Chelsea.”
Hammers midfielder, and former Chelsea player Scott Parker agreed.
“We went a goal up early on and we expected to be put under pressure but we were solid and put in a good shift,” said Parker.
“I think we deserved a point.”
The point lifts West Ham one clear of the drop zone with a huge game coming up against Villa.
Martin O’Neill’s side are chasing Champion’s League football and Zola knows it will not be easy.
Zola’s return to the club where he is revered above all others had looked like a daunting trip following the home defeat to Spurs.
However, Chelsea are not the unstoppable force they once were at Stamford Bridge and Craig Bellamy’s first goal for the club since August put the Hammers into a shock first-half lead.
Ever-respectful, Hammers manager Zola remained seated despite seeing his side go in front on 34-mniutes.
“Inside, I was very happy for our goal, especially for Bellamy because he needed it,” said the managers.
“He has been working hard, playing well.
“That goal I'm sure will help.
“It was like I scored, I'm very happy for him. I had to pay some respect to these people; I like to respect people who have given me so much.
“This performance will help build our confidence and maybe at home we will have more confidence, freedom and less pressure,” added Zola.
“This point and performance have been vital.”
Chelsea equalised five minutes into the second half through Nicolas Anelka but the Hammers could have taken all three points if Carlton Cole’s 91st minute effort had escaped the clutches of a diving Petr Cech.
“I think it was a fair result and very important for us especially after last week's performance against Tottenham,” said Zola.
“That was a big shock for us. We lost a big game and everybody was down and nervous in the week.
“But we made it very difficult for Chelsea.”
Hammers midfielder, and former Chelsea player Scott Parker agreed.
“We went a goal up early on and we expected to be put under pressure but we were solid and put in a good shift,” said Parker.
“I think we deserved a point.”
The point lifts West Ham one clear of the drop zone with a huge game coming up against Villa.
Martin O’Neill’s side are chasing Champion’s League football and Zola knows it will not be easy.
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