SOCCER/Chelsea - 1 West Ham - 0: Chelsea's safe passage to the fourth round was secured last night by Mateja Kezman's first goal for his club. So seriously did Jose Mourinho treat this match that often it seemed his star-studded cast was employed merely to help his misfiring striker find his feet in England.
The Portuguese manager accorded both West Ham from English football's second tier, and this competition, unforeseen respect with his strong side. Whether the same could be said of all his players is questionable.
It seemed at first, with Arjen Robben and Joe Cole teasing Tomas Repka with each golf-shot chip, that Chelsea would run away with the contest. Unfortunately for the home side it was Kezman who had the biggest influence and counteracted their prominence.
First the Serbia & Montenegro international followed up Robben's run and rebounded shot with a mis-kick that went wide from five yards. Then Cole put Kezman in with a perfect through ball that begged to be converted, only for the striker to over-hit his first touch irretrievably.
In first-half injury time the Serb could only head Geremi's cross wide from eight yards out and with only the goalkeeper to beat.
That was the impressive former Walsall shot stopper Jim Walker who despite his lack of height proved that he is capable of defiance with Cole and Kezman repeatedly denied.
Less than 12 months ago Nigel Rio-Coker was staring at relegation with Wimbledon but he was undaunted by the attentions of Mourinho's fellow Champions League winner Ricardo Carvalho, and was often at the heart of West Ham's well-composed attacks.
First Adam Nowland tried his luck from 35 yards but sent his drive over, then Steve Lomas and Matthew Etherington were prevented clear shots on goal by Carlo Cudicini.
The swing in West Ham's favour would not, however, endure after the interval.
Cole, whose every touch was met with boos from the West Ham fans, went on to show his international capacities.
The England midfielder threaded a low pass into the box for Kezman who opened up his body to curve a shot round Walker and in off the post.
The man West Ham fans hate the most, Frank Lampard, came on as a substitute and was presented with a penalty opportunity by Repka's rash lunge at Robben. Before the penalty could be taken, however, Kezman was forced to leave the field for treatment to a head injury caused by a missile, believed to be a coin, which appeared to be thrown from a section of West Ham fans.
It certainly unsettled Lampard, who was foiled by Walker's solid stop to the goalkeeper's right.
West Ham were not to be outdone. Anton Ferdinand might have achieved parity for his side late on only for his powerful header also to come back off the crossbar.
West Ham fans clashed with police after the game. Police in riot gear were confronted by visiting supporters in a corner section of the ground some 10 minutes after the final whistle. Fans fought with police and Chelsea fans and it took 15 minutes for order to be restored. It is understood that a number of fans were injured with one child being treated for crush-related problems.
CHELSEA: Cudicini, Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, Gallas, Babayaro, Geremi, Parker (Lampard 68), Tiago, Kezman, Robben (Gudjohnsen 82), Cole (Duff 64). Subs not used: Cech, Huth. Goal: Kezman 57.
WEST HAM UTD: Walker, Mullins, Ferdinand, Repka, Brevett, Etherington (Rebrov 85), Nowland (Noble 65), Reo-Coker, Lomas, Harewood, Zamora (Hutchison 83). Subs not used: Bywater, Cohen. Booked: Repka.
Referee: A D'Urso (Essex).
